Best Chicago Street Style: a Pop of Summer Color
As spring slowly blossoms into summer, it's time to start transitioning your wardrobe into fresh colors. A fun and budget friendly way to go from one season to the next is to add a fun twist to an already popular trend. Take for example the crisp and fresh nautical looks from spring: horizontal striped shirts and dresses, braid and rope details, perfectly worn leather, and gold and brass on buttons or jewelry. Now take some of those looks and offset with a pop of a bright flirty color that evokes summer. I did just that to the right. I took a blue and white striped dress with preppy pocket details, a distressed leather vintage bag, braided strap wedges, brass turtle pendant necklace, and married it with my summer update: a shrunken chartreuse jacket, thrifted. I think these pieces dance beautifully together and summer is all about the unexpected jolt of bright colors.
Make your Colors Pop
Akira
2357 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 404-5826
www.shopakira.com
This look is super easy to accomplish and can be interpreted in many different ways. Let your imagination flow and think outside of the box. The old fashion rules our grandmothers taught us are out the door! A bright color can come from a piece of jewelry, headpiece, shoes, or handbag. Just be sure to keep everything else fairly neutral. Sometimes it's easier to choose your pop of color and work the rest of the look around it. In this case start with a bright coral platform keyhole pump by Michael Antonio available at Akira for around $60. These will be a jaw dropping touch to your favorite LBD or in some cases LWD (little white dress) for a first date or paired with your favorite summer, light-weight skinny jeans and tank for a fashion forward take on an otherwise casual ensemble.
Pick a Trendy Tee
French Connection
835 N Michigan Ave # 503
Chicago, IL
312-932-9460
www.usa.frenchconnection.com
Next, pick an item in trend that's fairly neutral like this dynamic striped tee from French Connection for around $35. This will be a classic staple in any wardrobe for many seasons. Tuck this into some wide leg, high waisted trousers or denim sailor pants with a wedge for a cutting edge vintage inspired look or pair with white shorts and strappy sandals for a casual weekend stroll through a farmers market.
Try Something Feminine
Add a delightfully feminine deep cream skirt as seen on www.modcloth.com for around $38. This skirt begs for a tucked in top to show off its sassy attention-seeking bow! Edge it up with a striped or floral tee as you weave in and out of envious crowds at a summer music festival or soften with a blouse of delicate pattern for a summer date night.
Finishing Touches
Polish this entire look off with a kitschy gold swan pendant necklace as seen on www.lulus.com for $17.
