Blog: Crossroads Style

This summer has been full of micro-trends, popping up throughout the season, which, if I am being honest, I typically tend to like more than the “must-haves” of each season. They are usually a bit more fun and open for individual interpretation. The common theme between the most recent trend proclamations is that they are all nostalgic; from the ’60s to the ’90s, the late summer trends are calling back to the most carefree summer days with modern updates. Check out below what my four favorite late-summer trend discoveries are!

Silk Scarves

As Samantha wrote last week, summer scarves have made a big splash. Silk summer scarves are being re-purposed in a modern way to bring a fresh feel to this retro accessory.

Anklets

As most 90’s trends have made it back into the trend cycle, it’s no surprise that we have begun to see anklets coming back in full force. From dainty chains, charms, and the notorious puka shells, anklets are an unexpected trend that has upgraded from bohemian to chic.

Seashell Accessories

From earrings, anklets, and even bags, accessories comprising of seashells have slowly infiltrated my Instagram, Pinterest feed, and all my favorite stores. As with each trend that cycles back, this has taken a modern update from the puka shells of the ’90s.

Tie-Dye

The nostalgic print has reappeared this year and has somehow grown from childhood family vacation souvenir t-shirts to chic summer style. Try pairing this print with elevated fabrics for a refreshing take on the trend.

Sunshine, warm sand and an ocean view are at the top of my vacation list when it comes to summer travel. Since I don’t go on nearly enough trips to the beach during the summer season, I like to play pretend by adding some tropical vibes to my summer looks! Even if I’m not basking in the sunshine in a sandy destination, who says I can’t dress like I’m there?! I’ve rounded up five simple and effortless ways to make any outfit feel a bit more “beachy.” (travel not required!)

Swimwear as Daywear

Did you see Jennifer’s article from earlier this month?! She talks all about how to incorporate swimwear into your everyday outfits, which is a fool-proof way to make any outfit feel like you’re heading the beach! Read her article here.

Timeless Tropical Prints

Tropical prints will forever be reminiscent of the summer season. Instead of reaching for that classic Hawaiian print button down in your closet that you’ve had for years, try incorporating this fun print into your look this summer in a fashion-forward silhouette like these straight leg pants instead!

Shell Deets

Take the beach with you wherever you go this summer season by adding pearl accessories to your outfits!

Add in a Bright Hue

Bold colors instantly make any outfit pop and are a must for mastering a vacation-ready look! Throw on an eye-catching tank with some shell jewelry for a winning combo!

Straw Accessories

Whether it’s a wide-brim hat or a tote purse, straw accessories are an easy outfit addition that will make any look a bit more beachy in style!

Instagram has quickly taken over and become my favorite way to find style and outfit inspiration. With all the features added over the last couple of years, it’s become an all-encompassing app, combining the best features of Pinterest, YouTube, and blogs all in one easy app that we are, honestly, already on all day long. It can be a bit overwhelming so I’ve taken the liberty of breaking down the 5 features of Instagram that are best used for organizing your style inspiration!

Organize via Categories

It took me some time to get into the categories feature on Instagram because I felt that in a way, it was just too similar to Pinterest, which I am already horrible at keeping up with. But, once I started using it, I realized how much better it was! Not only can I save posts that I want to go back and read in more detail later but categorizing my style inspo very specifically makes it so much easier to find something than scrolling through all the posts I’ve “liked.” For example: “summer athleisure” or “summer tees” instead of an all-encompassing “summer style.” Also, the “See more like this” option shows similar posts to ones you’ve saved, which is fun to explore.

Follow Hashtags

I realized recently that I use hashtags when I post, but I very rarely click on them via other posts to explore. Who has the time! I have recently discovered that you can actually follow hashtags. This feature can be used strategically to boost your visibility to others if you’re looking for followers but my favorite thing about it is how much I’ve discovered that I normally would not have without exploring a hashtag. The posts within the hashtag you follow will appear just as others do from accounts you follow. Again being more specific about which you follow will help to not over saturate your feed i.e. “summerOOTD” over “OOTD.”

Who Your Favorite Style Influencers are Following & Liking

It only makes sense that we would enjoy what our favorite style influencers like and follow. I love to see deeper into where my favorite style accounts get their inspiration from and have discovered new accounts that I absolutely love just by browsing the accounts they follow and seeing what posts they like.

Browse IGTV

Has anyone else been a bit slow to jump on the IGTV train? I feel like because many of my favorite style accounts took more time to begin using this feature that I dismissed it and never checked it out. Now that I’ve noticed more and more accounts and style bloggers have been using it, I’ve finally spent some time on it and I just may be sold! IGTV is such a great space to see style come alive and it just a bit quicker and less time consuming that YouTube, and you don’t have to change apps!

“Share to” Feature

This is a little simpler, but I love that I can share a post via text, email, or even Pinterest if I want to save it outside of Instagram. Even with categories, Instagram can be overwhelming and saving a post outside of the app allows me to find it just a bit quicker or sending it via text makes it easier for a friend to view rather than tagging them, which can become muddled in all their other notifications. I’ve found that this feature is particularly useful when I’m shopping for a similar look I’ve found on Instagram, so I don’t have to wade through my account to find it and therefore become distracted.

This summer season has been full of stylish micro-trends, from tie-dye to bucket hats, but lately I am loving the fact that feminine silk scarves are totally making a comeback! Silk scarves were a favorite accessory of old Hollywood starlets (think Grace Kelly or Bridget Bardot) and they were the perfect piece to add to any outfit to make it feel a bit more European-chic! Modern day fashionistas are taking this retro-accessory and wearing it in unique and stylish ways, making the trend feel totally fresh. Whether you wear them up in your hair or tied around your favorite handbag, a silk scarf is the perfect summer accessory to add a hint of old-Hollywood glam to your summer outfits! I’ve rounded up a few totally chic ways we’re seeing this accessory incorporated in summer looks!

Wear it as A Top

If you can snag a scarf that is slightly longer, push your style limits a bit and try wearing it as a summer top this season!

In Place of a Hat

For the ultimate old-Hollywood vibe, wear a feminine silk scarf on you head, tied loosely around your neck. Plus this is a fantastic way to camouflage a bad hair day!

On A Handbag

Jazz up your favorite summer handbag with a vibrant silk scarf!

In your Hair

Add some Parisian flair to your summer look by wearing this accessory as a hair tie on a warm and sunny day!

On Your Neck

Wrap a long and thin scarf around your neck in place of a necklace for some fashion-forward flair!

If there’s anything we’re most excited for this summer, it’s all of the wedding festivities that are about to start. When it comes to celebrating the lovely couple, it never hurts to put a little extra thought into what you’re going to wear for their big day. To get you started on narrowing down your outfit choices, we’ve put together this handy guide. Scroll on to navigate different dresses you can wear to a summer wedding below.

Sundress

This gingham sundress is a clear winner when it comes to summer wedding dresses because it’s flattering on all body types. Bring a light cardigan for when the temperatures drop at night.

Off the Shoulder

Who could resist an off-the-shoulder dress during wedding season? We’re loving how the slit gives you a lot of wiggle room to dance the night away.

Cut-Out

This striking cut-out dress will have heads turning all night long.

Lace

Anyone else a firm believer that you can never be too dressed up? If you feel the same, try a classy chiffon dress with lace details like this one.

Florals

Never underestimate the power of a pretty floral dress at a wedding. Just look at the shoulder ties and ruffled hem on Jen’s dress! Style points to you if you find a cute dress with just as dainty details.