This weekend is the official transition to summer. I thought this week would be a good time to share some ideas to update your look for the season. I think most of us would like to be “on trend” and but leave “trendy” to someone else!! Nothing worse than looking like you are trying too hard to be someone you are not.

My post-career wardrobe did not need too many adjustments since I was in the fashion business. Those of you coming out of very corporate environments may have a greater adjustment to make. You need to have a balance in your closet to be able to get a casual look and also use those pieces for soft suiting for dressier occasions. The best way I have found to do this is deciding on the look you are comfortable in and then add a piece or two of what is on trend. This can be done with fabric and color. This season we see the continuance of chiffon and sheer fabrics. I have loved this trend that has been building for a couple of seasons. There are so many great looks you can get by adding chiffon open front cardigans to your wardrobe. They are so figure flattering with the cascading fronts. Chiffon has also been big in scarf tops, tunic length tops and this season the kimono style “jackets” have been introduced. The two top places to get this look is either at CHICO’S or the SUSAN GRAVER line at QVC. The prints have been so beautiful and the color palettes have been very friendly this season. JCPenney has also had a great selection of these tops this year. When I was in retail buying I bought this category under accessories (which is the department you will find these items in stores). Back then we called the category “cover ups” which was a catch all for styles that were fashion items that were not blouses, shirts or sweaters. Buying accessories was my favor of all areas in my lengthy career (of course it helped that my boss was one to encourage her associates to test their wings and let their creativity grow. Thank you to Joanne for that!). I found a fabulous kimono style jacket at JCPenney in a chambray blue and ivory print with fringe at the hem. Fringe is also a big trend right now. Just make sure that you don’t look like you have put on a vintage lampshade to achieve the look!!! I also have found other printed kimonos there with high/low hems that can be used either dressed up or down with jeans or crop pants.  The best selection of printed chiffon vests is also found at SUSAN GRAVER at QVC. An additional tip that I got is that you can take the vest, fold it to put the armholes together, wrap it around your neck and pull the ends through the armholes as you would when doing a European tie with a scarf. The look is quite nice!! Also gives you a couple of looks with the same item when you are on vacation!

Another look that is everywhere right now is stripes. Looks particularly good in black and white…and that look is oh so French!!

As far as seasonal bottoms go, I love a skort! You can find them at QVC. This one piece short-with-attached skirt is really great! It gives you a more finished look than a pair of shorts and gives you the freedom to be on the floor with your grandkids…or stand over a subway grate in Manhattan without feeling like you are in competition with the iconic photo of Marilyn Monroe!!

So, go ahead and enjoy your summer fashions, and as Coco Chanel said…”Fashion in not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”