Blog: Crossroads Style

We love summer! It brings us vacations, lots of backyard BBQs, concert season, beach and pool weekends, and longer days. But, it also comes with some seriously brutal heat. The temperatures are rising and the last thing I want to do is get dressed. Extreme heat already tends to make me feel bloated, frizzy, and sweaty and adding a layer of fabric against my skin never sounds appealing. Luckily, there are certain ways to get dressed to ensure that we are keeping as cool as possible.
Read on below to see 7 styling tips for surviving the summer heat!

Go for Natural Fabrics

Fabrics made of natural fibers, like cotton and linen, are more breathable and lightweight than synthetic fibers, like polyester.

Lighter Colors Absorb Less Heat

Stick to lighter colored clothing pieces as they absorb less heat, actually reflecting heat, so keeping you just a bit cooler in the brutal summer temperatures.

Steer Clear of Denim

Yes, that even means itsy-bitsy, teeny-weenie denim cut-offs. Denim traps the heat against your body. Go for linen or cotton bottoms.

Give Yourself Some Wiggle Room

Plan outfits around looser silhouettes. The less fabric against your body, the better air can circulate and the cooler you will stay.

Sturdy, Flat Shoes Should Be Your Go To

Lightweight, sweat-wicking and flat strappy sandals will keep your feet dry and sweat free. This may be the reason that dad sandals are trending currently!

Top off Your Outfit

Protect your scalp and face from UV rays. A lightweight, straw hat with ventilation is best for the hottest days of the summer.

Keep Accessories Minimal

The less weighing you down – bags, jewelry, and chunky shoes included – the less heat against your skin.

When we think of summer layering, anything lightweight and airy like denim jackets, button-down shirts and kimonos tend to come to mind first, but what about blazers? Structured, tailored and undeniably chic, blazers are one of the more underrated layering pieces of the summer season, but they definitely deserve a place in your warm-weather wardrobe! Stephanie Arant, the fashionista behind the style blog, Unconscious Style, always keeps some stylish blazers on rotation in her wardrobe and trust me, this girl know’s how to make a blazer work with just about any outfit! I’ve taken some style notes from this layering queen and pulled together some of my favorite summer looks she has put together featuring a perfectly styled blazer! Prepare to feel inspired!

Matching Set

An updated, summer version of a classic suit, this little matching set is what summer blazer dreams are made of! Master Steph’s look by pairing a blazer with the same (or at least similar) color shorts and add a brightly colored top to the mix and you’ll be set!

Pair With A Dress

Pairing an oversized, menswear blazer with a feminine and flirty maxi-dress is totally unexpected and creates such an interesting silhouette that is very Olsen Twin-esque!

Keep Things Monochromatic

With this look, Steph proves that you can easily breathe new life into your favorite houndstooth or plaid winter blazer. As long as you wear winter’s blazer over a monochromatic all-white look like Steph did, you’ll be able to keep this structured style on repeat year-round!

Wear Over a Summer Crop

The long, sleek lines of a blazer are the perfect design detail to add some length to your summer look when paired with a cute crop top. No need to match your blazer with your bottoms here; opt for some high-waisted jeans instead for that ultimate cool-girl vibe like Steph!

Another trend that has typically held a bad reputation and negative style connotations has graced the latest runways, street style stars and celebrities alike: flip flops. Some will shudder just hearing the two words in connection with fashion, but the casual, minimal sandals are quickly becoming the “it” shoe of the season as fashion brands are creating updated iterations of the style. You’ll soon be seeing leather, heeled, square toe, strappy – you name it – versions of flip flops. No longer reserved for poolside or beach wear, flip flops are becoming the ideal summer sandal for completing chic, minimal looks and here is how you can style them for the season.

The Minimalist

Complete an effortless look comprised of trousers and an oversized button-down with the simple sandals for an easy summer look.

Midi Slip Dress

A simple slip dress is the perfect blank canvas for experimenting with any accessory. From traditional flip flops to multi-colored or even heeled, the slip midi dress and sandals are ideal pairing partners.

Keep It Playful

Ditch the urge to pair your new flip flop obsession with denim cut offs this season and try styling them with printed trousers or a skirt for a more playful look and will update the casualness of the shoe.

Casual Fabrics and Clean Lines

Linen, cotton, and other lightweight summer fabrics pair well with the simple casual style of flip flops.

Dare to be Daring

Update your flip flop style with a new iteration. Designers are releasing strappy, heels pairs like seen on Brittany, that instantly dress up the trend.

There are always a few, unexpected trends that pop up at the start of a new season. We all know that tie-dye is the rage and that longer shorts (yes, Bermuda is in!) are the way to go this summer season, but there are a few more, lesser known trends that are about to blow up just in time for the heat! Here’s some of those smaller, but equally as fresh and buzzworthy trends that are slowly (but surely) making their way to the top of the trend list for summer 2019.

Bucket Hats

There are two reasons why I am loving this hat trend! 1) A classic bucket hat is fantastic for sun protection and 2) Bucket hats are casual, versatile and a simple way to add a “cool” vibe to any summer look. At first glance, bucket hats totally reminded me of the 90’s hip-hop culture, as well as the fishing hat my grandpa used to rock, but once I gave the trend a shot myself, I realized how simple this trend is to truly pull off and now I’m hooked! Also noteworthy, fashion forecasters expect this trend to continue through (and maybe even past) the winter season to come as well.

“Dad” Sandals

Chunky and usually featuring a thick foot bed and/or wide straps, “dad” sandals are the perfect alternative to summer’s more feminine footwear trends. These sandals may not be the most visually appealing in style, but you know they are cool when Prada and Chanel are creating some of the chicest pairs out there! The best part about these sandals is that they are incredibly comfortable. I mean, how could they not be with a plush foot bed and those wide, thick straps?! “Dad” sandals are actually a fun option to pair with something a bit flirtier in style as they will balance out the feminine flair of an outfit with some edge and casualness.

Fruity Prints

Fruits are synonymous with the summer season, so it is no surprise that they are finding their way, printed onto summer styles! Bright,citrus-hued colors are already on trend for the summer season, so adding the actual fruit to a pattern seemed like a logical next step to kick this trend up a notch. Fair-warning before you try this trend for yourself, yummy fruit patterns may cause hunger and it is also impossible to not be a in a good mood while wearing a cheery fruit pattern!

Move over cotton! We all know that you’re already “the fabric of our lives,” but your not so distant cousin, linen is quickly becoming a favorite summer textile in the fashion world! Like cotton, linen is derived from nature, the Flax plant to be exact and it is actually one of the oldest textiles in the world, finding its origins in Ancient Egypt. Known for its comfortability and breathability, linen is being used more often in summer styles, as it makes the perfect fabric for those warm, sunny days! The benefits to wearing this amazing textile during the summer will make anyone want to add some styles to their warm weather line-up! Here are five reasons why linen will become your new go-to fabric for summer.

It’s Breathable

Linen is incredibly strong, absorbent and quick to dry, making it ideal for that summer heat! Throw a linen button down on over a swimsuit for a day at the beach and you’ll be set to stay cool and soak up that sunshine at the same time!

It Adds Some Texture

Linen is a slightly stiffer hand than cotton, making it easy for adding some structure to a summer top or an a-line skirt, but it is also a great material for adding some texture to your outfits this season! Experiment with the fabrication and mix and match a contrasting fabric, such as silk!

It’s Sustainable

Not only is this fabric sustainable but it is also natural, ethically produced and can easily be traced back to its source! Unlike synthetic textiles that contribute to pollution, linen is biodegradable and easily recycled!

All-Around Comfort

All of the above reasons contribute to linen being at the top of the comfort list in regards to textiles, but it’s styles are also typically designed to have a looser fit, which makes any piece a bit easier to wear and more comfortable.

It’s on Trend!

Linen has been around for quite some time, but we are seeing it more frequently in the fashion world due to the increased emphasis put on sustainability. Designers alike are finding creative and stylish ways to incorporate the fabric into their collections, making it easier on the consumer to score, stylish, linen pieces!