Into the Blue: Summer Color Trends Are Feeling The Blues

Shades of blue were all the rage last winter. And, summer color trends are still feeling the blues. Our options are just more plentiful now, from sorbet shades of blues to electric blues. I personally favor deep hues, so cobalt is always a must-have. When I saw this dress on hm.com, it was a no-brainer.

summer color trends

What I’m wearing:

Blue dress | Sneakers | Jacquemus bag

Kendra Scott bracelets (c/o): Masie cuff, Whitley chain bracelet

summer color trends

I wore this ensemble to attend a launch party at a local vineyard in my area recently. It was just the breezy, one-piece wonder I needed for the occasion. I tossed it on after work and was ready in an instant.

summer color trends

The blue color was the perfect base to build a color-blocked combination when paired with my Jacquemus Le Chiquito Long bag in orange.

Remember when I broke my toe a few months ago? Well, it healed with a complication, and I’ve since had to have surgery. The saga never ends, y’all. Be careful on steps! As I recover, my shoe choices are limited to soft sneakers only. I’m at the stage of fully embracing this limitation as a style challenge. What else can I do, right? The Nike Daybreak sneakers have been my perfectly comfortable shoe. I’ve since purchased them in black/white too.

Location: Noboleis Vineyard, Augusta, MO

Want to see more summer color trends? Go here, here, and here.

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The Best Summer Dress Trends To Wear Now

Post-vaccination vacay. Outdoor festival. Day trip to a winery. Summer is almost here, and we might actually have reason to put on our pretty frocks this year. So, what should we wear? Today, I’m rounding up 3 top summer dress trends for 2021.

Saturated Shades

Saturated colors are coming in hot this year, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. Bold hues look especially dashing on dresses. So, skip the black and neutral dresses, and reach for your brightest frock. Need some inspiration? I found this poplin mid dress at Zara for under $50.

summer dress trends

What I’m Wearing:

Zara dress | Telfar bag | Birkenstock sandals | Fendi sunglasses (shop options for less here)

Sizing: I’m wearing a medium, but a small or even extra small would be a better fit. The top of this dress is very stretchy and the bottom is voluminous.

Color aside, I also love this dress because it offers some cool styling possibilities. The straps could be worn up or draped on the shoulders for a subtly sexy vibe. I’m sure I could get away with tucking them for a strapless look as well. And, of course, with bold color numbers like this one, colorblocking with contrasting colors always offers fresh styling options.

Pastel Palettes

If bolder hues are a bit much for you, but you want to embrace color this summer, this next trend has your name all over it. Pastels hues pack their own power. Pale shades of blue are especially popular this year. So, this tiered dress from Zara was a must for me. It also has puff sleeves. Nuff said, right?

summer dress trends

What I’m Wearing:

Zara dress | Zara denim jacket (similar) | Teva sandals (also here) | Jacquemus bag

Fendi sunglasses (shop options for less here) | MaskC face mask

summer dress trends

Sizing: I’m wearing a medium in this dress. While it’s oversized, the buttons across the chest and the cuffs on the sleeves fit snug, so I’m glad I took the Zara size recommendation and sized up to a medium.

Fresh Florals

Thought you were over florals for summer? Wait a minute. You must see the amazing collection of pieces featuring this fresh floral print at H&M. There’s something so irresistible about the hand-painted, wild flowers print. I opted for the bandeau dress because showing shoulders is kinda my thing. The print is available on several pieces at H&M though.

summer dress trends

What I’m Wearing:

H&M dress ($19.99) | Birkenstock sandals | Jacquemus bag

summer dress trends

Sizing: This dress runs large, so size down. I sized down to an extra small.

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How To Look Cute While Running Errands

My fail-proof outfit for running errands is always anchored by joggers and sneakers. While I rely on these casual, sporty style staples, I like to make sure I create outfits I love. So, I style every errand outfit like I would style any other type of outfit. I add color, some structure, and keep it moving.

errand outfit

What I’m wearing:

Blazer (similar) | Light pink t-shirt | Purple sweatpants | Blue-light glasses | Sneakers | Bag

errand outfit

I partnered with the Saint Louis Galleria to highlight my experience shopping spring styles there. Check out my Instagram post here. I had a lot of ground to cover, and I’m still recovering from a broken big toe. So, a casual and comfy outfit was necessary.

errand outfit

This outfit started with the jogger pants and the sneakers. I wanted to dress it up a bit, and my go-to for doing that is always a sharp but fun blazer. This fuchsia blazer, an older style from Milly that I bought in Nordstrom, provided the perfect complementary color to the purple joggers. I layered the blazer over a light pink t-shirt, which created so much harmony with the blazer.

errand outfit

My hands-free, cross-body camera bag in white was the perfect finishing touch because it blended in without adding more color and overwhelming the colorblocked outfit.

That’s my formula. And, this is my uniform for work these days and for running errands. It works because it meets the needs of life right now.

Want to know another thing? The sweatpants are only $15 and the t-shirt is $5. You truly don’t have to spend a lot to look chic and feel amazing.

Want more errand outfit inspiration? Go here, here, and here.

The Eye-Catching Color Combo To Wear Now And Later

It’s certainly still winter. But, I can pretend like it’s spring/summer since I’m staying inside. One of my go-to summer color combinations is surely a striking fuchsia paired with a bold orange. For a little Zoom get-together last weekend, I decided to rock this color combo to pop on video. And, pop it did! I’m sharing that look today, minus the shoes, since I was wearing slippers. I did mention I was at home, right? Ha.

H&M dress (option) | Milly blazer (option) | Kendra Scott earrings, bracelet, ring, ring (c/0)

ella+mila nail polish (pure love) | Pat McGrath lipstick | Lip bar lip pencil

Home: Wall baskets

color combo

My Milly blazer is an oldie that I purchased in Nordstrom. I wear it often (see it anchoring a bright suit here). In this outfit, I’m wearing it solely for the added color, so I caped it over the shoulders. The dress is a summer find from H&M (see it worn before here). I’m really excited to see what H&M’s warm-season collections look like this year because they were amazing last year.

color combo

I haven’t gotten glam at home in a while. It felt good to take a short break from my beloved joggers.

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Spring Style Featuring Top Black-Owned Fashion Brands

Itching to infuse new life and energy into your spring style this year? A great place would be to start with a few fashion brands that are dominating the digital world right now. To show you what’s possible, I’m tapping into a few of my personal favorites for a look that I hope I can wear out on the town this year. Wishful thinking, right? Whatever the case, I need these luxe-looking pieces by Black-owned fashion brands, in my wardrobe.

Black-owned fashion Brands

Black-owned fashion Brands featured

Hanifa | Shekudo | Brandon Blackwood | Telfar

This entire look is anchored by the Reese Pullover Crop sweater and the Nina skirt in a striking mandarin color. Both pieces are by Hanifa, a go-to brand for bold colors and unique textures. The statement, woven sandals are by the footwear and accessory brand Shekudo. Every spring step would be fun and colorful in these beauties. If you love a good mini bag, Brandon Blackwood needs to be on your radar. This powder blue bag is a perfect choice for spring and summer and pops against the Hanifa set. Move over LV, these must-have gold logo earrings are by the popular Telfar brand (see my favorite Telfar bag here).