Written by Abby Gregory, Photographs by Abby Gregory
With summer right around the corner, people are excited to finally make plans to see their friends (once fully vaccinated, of course). Catching up on the latest styles of the summer is the last thing you should have to worry about, so we’re here to provide you with our top tips. In fact, we have even recruited second-year accessory design student, Alexis Gregory to walk you through a variety of trendy yet achievable looks to help inspire your summer style.
Styling Sweats
Gregory believes this summer should be all about dressing cute while staying comfortable.
“A pair of sweat shorts is a must-have for this upcoming season of sun and they’re truly the comfiest thing I own. I honestly don’t think you can find anything better, especially because of how versatile they are. I can style them with casual tees or fashionable tanks,” Gregory said. “I recommend a neutral pair to achieve a cleaner look, but for the sake of summer, go all out and grab a bright pair to add that little pop of color to your overall fit!”
In this look, Gregory paired her sweat shorts with an asymmetrical tank top and accessorized them with a hair ribbon and chunky white sneakers. “It doesn’t matter if your hair is up or down, head scarfs and hair ribbons have multiple styles and many ways of tying them. You can’t go wrong adding them to your summer style,” she said. “Chunky sneakers are without a doubt a current fashion staple and finish off the sweat shorts look like no other shoe could.”
Making the Most Out of Simple Tops
Skirts are Gregory’s go-to for really hot days because of how lightweight and breathable they are. Not to mention there is an abundance of colors and designs to choose from.
“I have so many skirts in my closet. Some have fun patterns and some have a slit in the side, you can never have too many,” Gregory said. “It’s good to have many different colors and patterns to be able to mix and match with different tops in your closet. To start out, pick ones that have a hint of black or white so you can easily match them with the solid-colored tops you likely already have.”
Embracing Simplicity
Gregory shared her thoughts on a new trend that has surfaced: a short sleeve open-back crop top.
“I recently got into this style, and I love the fit of it. The tie is great for adjusting how tight or loose you want the shirt to fit and creates a very flattering look. You can also use the strings to create different styles such as crossing them around your waist before tying them or tying them in the front. [It’s] one of my new summer must-haves,” Gregory said.
She loves to pair this piece with high-rise, wide-legged jeans as they help create a very flattering figure and make you appear taller.
Her favorite is Zara’s Wide Leg Hi-Rise Jeans. If you don’t already know, these are THE jeans that everybody wants for this summer. These jeans took Instagram by storm and continue to sell out like crazy.
“This style is perfect for summer afternoons and nights when the sun fades and it gets a tad bit chillier outside. Next time you go for a night beach stroll or out to a casual dinner near the boardwalk, be sure to wear your favorite denim wide-leg jeans,” Gregory said.
