Economy of Style
A notebook on evolving trends, fashion sense and cents

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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Color Blocking 2 Of The Biggest Colors Of The Year

Let the countdown to spring and all the standout colors spring will bring begin! I’ve certainly been enjoying the continued brightening of colors every fashion season for the past few years. They’re getting brighter and more cheerful every year and offer so much incentive to start color blocking.

I believe strongly in dressing for our current realities, which for many of us means we’re home a lot more than usual. My loungewear and smart casual wardrobe has expanded accordingly. Just when I was getting bored with joggers, brands began making them feel fresh again with colorful options. When I saw my absolute favorite pair of joggers at the moment (this style from Tarjay) drop in a few new colors, I snagged them quickly.

Color Blocking Joggers

What I’m wearing:

Blue sweater | Purple joggers | Navy blazer | Sneakers | YSL Mini Lou Camera Bag

Kendra Scott bracelet | Kendra Scott ring

Color Blocking Joggers

Seriously, I vouch for the Joy Lab french terry joggers. This new purple pair (and the coral one I bought with it) rounds out my collection of 6 of them. Yes, 6 pairs. It’s curve-flattering fit and the 7/8 length for me! There’s something special about the fabric too. It feels soft, it’s machine washable and dry-able, and it’s durable. I wear and wash them weekly, and there’s no pilling or snagging or fading. When you find such a gem, you stock up.

Color Blocking Joggers

For a little spring color play, I paired the purple joggers with a blue sweater (see the sweater style in green worn here). These shades of purple and blue are analogous colors, making them mix well together. My navy blue blazer from Zara worked well as an additional layer for warmth and for dressing up the casual separates.

Perfect pieces for color blocking:

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).

Chic Color Combo: Brown, White, And Black


Even this bright color lover likes some neutral hues, especially when paired together. A chic color combo I adore right now is brown, white, and black. There’s something so magical about the sharp contrasts created when these three colors come together.

What I’m wearing:

White jogger set (option, option) | Coat (similar, similar) | Sneakers | Bag

 Kendra Scott earrings | Kendra Scott bracelet | Kendra Scott ring/ring

brown black white color combo

You’ve seen my coat before. I wear it often and with everything (see here, here, and here). It’s the perfect shade of copper brown for mixing and matching. For this sharp brown, black, and white combination, I wore the coat with my favorite white jogger set, some black sneakers, and a black/white scarf. The result?  An effortlessly chic ensemble.

brown black white color combo

This coat is hands down a favorite 2020 purchase. I found mine in a TJ Maxx Runway store, and it was worth every penny. You can find it at the Theory outlet here. Want an alternative? Everlane has a cool option in the same color (see that here).

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