APPAREL

Gone are the days of Champion shorts and a t-shirt to head to the beach. Today’s classiest beach goers sport cool cover ups that also look great during lunch breaks, late afternoon cocktail hour and reading in the shade. Swim cover ups come in an overwhelming assortment of styles and colors to flatter every body shape. And lucky for all you late comers, this is the time to buy. (Bloomingdale’s recently marked all swim cover ups 30% off.)

A few things to remember when purchasing your cover ups: Choose a cut that actually covers up your bathing suit because, like, that’s the point, right? Strapless dresses with halter suits popping out the top is never a polished look. Generally attempt to match the theme of your suits. If all of your bathing suits are metal-studded rock ‘n  roll, then a girly babydoll cover up, like this little Betsy Johnson number (right), however adorable, is not for you. This doesn’t mean you have to theme yourself out, but being conscious of the beach style you’re going for is always a wise move. Try one of several Lisa Curran beach dresses. They come in black for the rock ‘n roll chick, blues and whites for our yacht loves and peasant and abstract florals for the island hoppers.
    

Too fancy? Well get with it sister! In summer 2009, women are making wiser choices, including staying out the sun – eh, hem wrinkles!- and if we aim to lounge under the umbrella, we better have something pretty to sit in. There is also the tried-and-true tunic that can take you from day to night. If you aim for something more casual, avoid at all costs the played out terry cloth strapless dress. (Think Juicy Coture circa 2004.) That may look cute on your daughter, but not on you. If you insist on something more casual, consider a vintage-esque jersey dress or light weight cotton like this drawstring hoodie with colorful accents.

“Maybe it’s because there isn’t much material,” a friend proposed as I shocked over the low sticker price of this season’s cut off shorts. True, if you price the denim per measurement, maybe they aren’t a bargain. But if you can wear them day and night, then at $75 a pop, jean cut off shorts are a must have summer staple.

Originally thought to be for sexy car washes and days at the country, for the past few summers (and winters!) jean cut offs have been sneaking back into our lives. And with the economy stripping our summer wardrobe budget, there has never been a better time to enjoy one of fashions easiest and most versatile hot-weather trends.

Cut offs range in price, designer and style. A pair of J. Brand cut offs at Intermix can cost $155, but you can get a pair of Levi’s 501 for a little less than $50 at Urban. The coolest pair to date are a studded, lightly stone-washed pair of Blank cut offs (above) that cost $78 and transition better to night time than the more outdoorsy Levi pair. And yes, you can wear your strappy 5 inch stilettos with them – at least for now – or your ancient Jack Purcell’s. Last week at Gossip Girl’s overexposed 1 Oak club, I spotted 10+ trend trackers wearing denim cut offs paired with loose tanks and a blazer, more formal, flowery button ups and girly camisoles. These city betties weren’t shy about pairing them with high stilettos. Neutral-toned footwear makes your stems appear endless, while strappy cage sandals and gladiators give the jeans an edge. For your Hamptons weekends, opt for espadrilles and a floppy hat.

Whatever your fancy, make sure your preferred cut offs match your body shape. Larger thighs require more leg room. You don’t want to look like a pickle squeezed into a test tube. Shorter girls can take more length off, and bigger middles require baggier shirts so the attention gravitates towards your legs. For the breezy nights, a long, lightweight cardigan looks great. To belt or not to belt is your choice, but never too tight.

This trend is sure to return time and time again, so whether you’re hell bent on making your own or have some dollars to spend, cut offs are a reliable (and economical) addition to your wardrobe.

Whether you’re a Plain Jane or Jane Fonda, mixing pieces from different seasons will give you a resort look for a reasonable price.

Is there anything more depressing than passing a travel agency that boasts luxury cruises and flights abroad in its window display, while you, laundry bag in tow, know deep down that the closest thing you’ll get to a vacation this summer is a trip to Tasty D-Lite in Murray Hill?  Let investment bankers have their yachts – a resort ready wardrobe can be yours without spending a dime.  How, you ask?  By working with what’s in your closet, and mixing in a dash of creativity, you can cruise through the summer without leaving Manhattan.  (Unless, of course, you meet one of those darling investment bankers who offers you a ride on his charming yacht.  In that case, dears, feel free to take the wheel.)

Aviator sunglasses
Whether you prefer to rock Ray Ban or a $5 street vendor special, aviator sunglasses are smart and chic no matter what the season is.  By blocking out UV rays, you not only protect your vision, you can help prevent premature aging around the delicate eye area.  The added bonus, of course, is the ability to stare at Seventh Avenue fashion faux pas without batting an eye – or getting caught.

Wedge sandals
A pair of classic canvas wedges stays en vogue year after year.  If you’re without, consider investing in a pair:  they look fresh with skinny jeans and pencil skirts, and add a fun twist to the little black dress and high waisted shorts. 

A knit jersey dress
Let’s pose the hypothetical that you are, in fact, whisked off to someplace fabulous, where drinks are served with little pink straws and Ralph Lauren towels abound your private cabana.  You can kiss ironing goodbye.  A lightweight, knit jersey dress works well now with gladiator flats, canvas wedges (see above) or nude patent pumps; it looks great come fall with knee high riding boots or suede flats – no steaming or creasing required.  Besides, wouldn’t you rather spend your time hobnobbing with other  budget-conscious socialites?

Natural fabrics – think cotton, silk and some wools – tend to fill in the resort wear blanks best.  Layer pieces, tie on a scarf or two and add accessories where needed to charge at full steam ahead.  Just don’t forget your passport.

“Something old, something new.”  The saying that rings from every chapel, backyard reception and simple civil ceremony in New York City, celebrating the vow of marriage and eternal wedded bliss.  And with that charming ring comes the bride; with the bride come her bridesmaids dressed in colors, fabrics and textures of complementing dresses that are often worn once, then stored for safe keeping in the deep throes of a closet, never to see daylight again.  

As a sister of a soon-to-be-bride and a bridesmaid many times over, I can’t tell you how many times a seamstress has gushed over my taffeta or lace-spiked bridesmaid dress, insisting I can wear it again.  But how, and where?  Do you just toss on leggings underneath a tea length yellow chiffon number and call it a day, or is there more to it?  The answer is that there is more to it – if you’re willing to go the extra mile.  Designers like Coren Moore, who created the dresses for my sister’s wedding, have gotten hip to the multi-million dollar wedding industry’s demands for bridesmaid dresses that are more black tie than black plague and can be worn again as-is.  My dress, reminiscent of a raspberry sorbet dessert, will look great when paired with fishnets and black satin pumps for a winter holiday party come December – once I wear it down the aisle with nude pumps and a hydrangea bouquet in a few weeks, of course.

Other options include:  having your dress shortened (or lengthened with extra fabric from the manufacturer or otherwise); adding a belt or straps; lowering the neckline; and, having an overlay (think sheer fabrics, like mesh or lace) attached.  If getting frisky with a sewing machine isn’t your thing, a good tailor can do this for you for a fraction of the cost of the dress itself – just bring your own creativity – or you can find a design student from a school like Parsons or FIT to make your old dress their guinea pig.  Now, what to do about that bouquet?