Style and The City: A Guide To Summer Fashion

By cecesees at August 5, 2012 | 8:04 am | Print

For one long season, us Chicagoans walk around bundled up in bulky coats. If you’re anything like me, you spend the winter dreaming of summertime, when you can break free and show your style!

I’ve researched what’s hot this season so you can keep up with fashion trends and look fabulous for every occasion. Here’s some tips to consider while shopping so you can save and stay in style.

Don’t want to toss your floral spring dresses?  You shouldn’t. In fact, keep the dress, add ankle boots, and tie a light-weight denim jacket around your waist for cool summer evenings.  If you really want to look adorable, put on a pair of heart shaped sunglasses.  Stop by Eskell (1509 N. Milwaukee) to find long, button down denim shirts and sunglasses, and jewelry from local designers. Eskell also carries some darling flower detailed dresses, sleeveless and perfect for sunbathing while strolling through the ‘hood.  Just up the street from Eskell, visit Mildblend Supply Co. (1342 N. Milwaukee) for floppy hats and fedoras, messenger style bags and racks of dresses, many of which are made by Chicago designers. Here’s Candise of Mldblend surveying a B&W romper!

There’s absolutely no rule against wearing black or white during the summer.  A plunging neckline on a short black dress looks great on any dance floor, while a white one- strapped ensemble is perfect for boating on Lake Michigan. Stop by Personal Privilege (1448 N. Milwaukee).  They have a wide selection of black and white tops and dresses.  Add a long chain necklace or bangles to create a stylish look.  Also, to throw a bit of your personality into these simple colors, add a pair of leopard print kitten heels or woven heel wedges.  Sure, summer is about splashes of color, but these two patterns are classic all year round!

What’s summer in the city without visiting the pool or beach? I love hanging out at the Foster Avenue beach! Alisa, my editor, prefers the nearby Holstein Park pool. If you’re going for a sexy look, and you’ve got the confidence, try a string bikini. Or, how about being sure that no other person poolside is wearing your suit? A classic vintage one-piece with a halter top and scrunchy material around the middle (great for hiding the weekend’s partying and grilling) in a solid shade is always in fashion. You can also channel your inner pin-up gal in polka dots and cheery prints. For all things vintage, stop by Vintage Underground (1834 W North) or store B Vintage (1472 N. Milwaukee). At either spot, you might even find an old school bathing cap or cover-up to match.

Ready for a change? Summer is the ideal time for new shades and personas.  At Bucktown boutique Vive La Femme (2058 N. Damen), which caters to curvaceous women, it’s all about color blocking and polka dots.  Try a bold color maxi dress paired with a lightweight cardigan in a completely different color.  Or a neon blue lace dress. I’m absolutely in love with their hummingbird design shift dress.  Statement pieces like these are perfect to pair with gladiator sandals or fringe flats for a rooftop party.  Vive La Femme is one of my favorite boutiques!

Since there’s so many great (and high priced) fests coming up (Pitchfork, Riot Fest, Lollapalooza, etc.), if you’re a music fan too, you might find your budget tapped. How about popping by thrift stores, like hidden gems Family Thrift Store (2160 N. Milwaukee) and Threads (2327 N. Milwaukee), or The Ark (1302 N. Milwaukee)? At all three of these very affordable havens, you’ll find your conversation piece, something all the fashion bloggers roaming the festivals will notice, like a pair of vintage cowboy boots or a neon orange pencil skirt.  Pair them with you favorite, funky blouse or an old scarf you forgot you had.

Feeling inventive? Find a bunch of band T Shirts and make an amazing DIY creation by cutting a bunch of strips from the bottom to right below the bust line, and bead them for a hippie, Bohemian top. Take another shirt, cut it down the back until a few inches below the collar, then, cut lines across the back of the shirt, and tie those lines together for a heavy metal, 80′s style top.  Get noticed for your craftiness!

So hopefully you saved a couple bucks reusing your spring floral and lace patterns and digging through your closets and thrift stores. Perhaps I’ll bump into you at Riot Fest or Foster Ave Beach.  I won’t be hard to miss if you’ve followed my tips. From me, to you, I wish you a fun, flirty, and fashionable summer in the city!

Caitlin ‘CeCe’ Carroll

About the Author: A former magazine journalism student and current restaurant worker, CeCe sums up the things she could never live without, presumably in order of importance, as, “Coffee, cigarettes, breakfast, whiskey, and air, of course.”   

This story initially appeared in the Pipeline’s printed summer guide, published on June 4th, 2012.  Find your copy here and read Caitlin’s story in print on page 34!

 

 

 

Articles Bucktown Business Featured Neighborhoods Ukrainian Village Updates Wicker Park caitlin cece carroll, Eskell, Mildblend, Personal Privilege, vive la femme