Summer, like winter, requires its own proper fashion and beauty etiquette. Whether you’re cruising the beach or headed poolside this season, it’s important to keep it effortless and fun. Say goodbye to your dowdy recession attire. Below are my tips to help make sure you’re a fashion “do” this season and not a fashion “don’t.”

Don’t over-do it with fake spray tans. Do opt for a more natural glow. Not a fan of the fake and bake? The key is finding the right self tanner designed to give you the perfect tan. Summer is the best time to give yourself a great tan but long exposure to the sun isn’t the healthiest. Look out for sunless tanning cream for a gorgeous and flattering glow without the damaging side effects of the sun.

Don’t be a victim of makeup overload. Do keep it simple. Keep makeup from melting off your skin by keeping it light. Foundation is out and tinted face moisturizer is in, at least for the next three months. Replace bright blush for bronzer and dark eye shadows for sheer colors. Try to avoid makeup at the beach and remember to choose bold, colored nail polish. For the best lip coverage, apply shimmery lip-gloss or clear lacquer—red lips are big summer don’t!

Don’t wear barely there clothing. Do sport breezy tops, summer skirts and lightweight dresses. Steer clear of tiny shorts and belly-bearing tops. Do incorporate denim and khaki shorts, summer skirts and baby doll tops. “Be mindful of the length of your hemline; select miniskirts and shorts that hit right below the widest part of your thigh for the most flattering silhouette,” suggests stylebakery.com. Another affordable alternative is the chic “Maxi,” a bohemian inspired dress that hits the floor. It can be worn to the beach or on the weekends. Take into account visible bra straps. Tank tops are nice and cool, but visible bra straps are tacky. Before heading out, make sure to do a bra strap check.

Don’t wear bathing suits in public places. Do wear a cover up or tunic over a bathing suit. Wearing swimsuits under clothes should be avoided in places other than the beach like restaurants or the mall. Keep in mind that swimsuits can be sexy but also fitted. Try to wear a full-coverage suite that fits properly. Beach cover-ups come in a variety of styles and colors, not to mention are a huge hit this season.

Don’t rock unflattering shoes or winter styles. Do wear flat sandals, espadrilles and dressy flip-flops. Store the Ugg boots and leave the ballet flats at home. In its place, sport glam beach to street sandals. Espadrilles and gladiator sandals look great with long skirts and sundresses. Socks with sandals are a huge fashion faux paux for summer (well, let’s just say year round).

Don’t wear excessive jewelry. Do look for key summer accessories. Limit big necklaces and flashy pieces. You can’t go wrong with a chic beach tote, a great beach bag or a straw fedora. No outfit is complete without a cool pair of aviators or retro chic sunglasses.

photo by nathan umstead

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Summer is almost here, so we all want to prepare to look and feel our best. For those of us who have decided to get ready for the season by hitting the gym, yoga studio or simply going for a hike, it is important to know that it is not just exercise which has an impact on our workout. It is also the clothes we wear while burning those pesky calories. Here are four simple tips to help you choose what type of clothing to dress in to achieve the top results from your fitness routine:

Going for a run, bike or walk outside? Whether you opt for synthetic fabrics, cotton or any other material, you want to make sure you take into account your local forecast. If hot weather is called for, wear a light colored hat and light colored clothes so you won’t retain heat. Remember the mantra — the lighter the color, the more it will reflect the light. In the event of colder temperatures, sport a hat or anything that adequately covers the head. Multiple layers of clothing are key. As you workout, you can determine whether or not you need to keep or even remove excess layers.

Look good while you sweat. Make sure you don’t put on raggedy clothes that look like they could be ripped up and made into dish towels. It is important to feel good when working out — no matter where you stand with your ultimate workout goals.

Don’t break the bank! Workout clothes can get expensive but that shouldn’t deter you from looking good or from working out. If you can’t afford the labels (and who really can in this economic climate), there are other options. Marshalls, Target, Kmart and Ross are just a few examples of stores with great clothes that look great on the body — and won’t over-exercise your wallet. Marshalls and Kmart even have designer workout clothes for way less.

If the shoe fits, wear it. Never skimp on the shoes. Shoes are everything when it comes to a cardiovascular routine. Make sure you go to a specialty store where they can check to see whether or not your arch is high or low and if you pronate (your toes turn out) or supinate (your toes turn in) your feet. They also can guarantee the shoes feel just right. Fitted with the perfect shoes, you will be off and running safely — not to mention pain free.

One last quick tip. The best accessory to any workout outfit (or routine) is water. So drink up and enjoy sporting your workout wear!

photo by gwynydd michael

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When it comes to dressing for an interview, professional attire is often equated with the typical business suit. Depending on the job you’re applying for, however, an appropriate interview outfit doesn’t need to be that basic. In our current economic state, first impressions are everything and letting your clothes speak for your capabilities may help you stand out from competitors. Here are some ideas on how to dress appropriately to land the job:

Dress Code: Creative
Job: A fun atmosphere where creativity and professionalism collide. Examples include an art gallery, museum, graphics department or architecture firm.
What to Wear:
•    Something professional but relaxed, with a pop of color and without too much clutter. A couple of colorful accessories are a great addition — just don’t go overboard.
•    A vivid blazer over a white dress (hitting at the knee), subtle pumps and an oversized bag.
•    A statement jacket, a pair of wide-leg trousers and a solid-colored feminine blouse.

Dress Code: All Business
Job: A highly professional atmosphere found at big corporations, marketing or law firms.
What to Wear:
•    A mismatched suit comprised of a brightly colored blazer and white blouse atop a neutral pair of trousers.
•    A skirt suit with a tailored jacket and pencil skirt, landing at the knee. Look for skirt suits with modern details like covered buttons or a retro collar.
•    An A-line dress that hits at or below the knee topped with a long coat (slightly shorter than the dress), paired with medium height pumps.

The Do’s and Don’ts
Whether you’re going for a strictly business or creative look, some general rules to follow:

•    Always wear a jacket
•    Keep the heels medium in height or lower
•    Make sure skirts or dresses hit at or below the knee
•    Carry a handbag that can double as a briefcase

Items you should definitely steer clear of sporting to any interview:

•    Flip-flops
•    Anything strapless
•    Denim
•    Deep Cleavage
•    Miniskirts
•    Sheer anything
•    Something wrinkled
•    A blouse that caps between the buttons
•    Strong perfume or heavy makeup
•    Evening shoes (open-toed, high heeled or strappy)

Build an Interview Wardrobe
Let’s face it — none of us get hired the first time around and several companies may require multiple interviews. In these situations, one interview outfit simply won’t do. To get the most bang for your buck, invest in items you can mix and match for a different look:

•    A black shift dress (can be worn with a blazer, long coat or sweater)
•    A pencil skirt in a neutral color and one in a fun print
•    A blazer in a basic color and one in a bright color
•    A pair of neutral-colored, wide leg trousers (black, navy or tan)

These items will provide endless combinations that can be worn even after you land that dream job!

photo by dorkas photos

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Hear what our staff has to say and even add your own comments!

Morgan: I embrace femininity by opting not to define it. There are too many characteristics of my personality to simply align myself with the traits of one gender. I can get all glamed up on Saturday night when I choose to, but also can swear like a sailor and play some intense, sand-in-your-teeth beach volleyball with the guys the very next day.

Kit: I embrace my femininity during workouts- wearing an adidas tracksuit with mascara and lip gloss on.

Carrie B.: As a mother, every day my daughter reminds me of what it is to be a woman.  I like to express my femininity through the clothes I wear, be it jeans or a dress, my clothes always represent my confidence and womanhood.

Amy: Femininity is having confidence in your inner and outer beauty.

Opal: Oh, feminine wiles: those delicious little nothings we delve into in solitude…only to find out our girlfriends are doing the exact same things! For me, it’s baking bread while wearing a vintage apron. Curling my pin straight hair also has a special place in my heart.

Danielle: For so long, women were looked at and judged for being the more “emotional” of the sexes, for better and for worse, and whatever that really means. Embracing femininity, to me, deals directly with being fearless to feel and to express those feelings. Femininity encompasses vulnerability at times but also great strength, and it is in accepting both facets that makes us the best women we can be.

Rosalind: Defining femininity is like Winnie the Pooh and Piglet trying to catch a heffalump. You won’t get very far, and the thing probably doesn’t exist in the first place.

Nalea: Ten-year-old Nalea would have answered this with three words: ruffles and Aquanet. Now, I define femininity as anything that makes me feel confident as a woman. For me that usually means being primped, polished and intelligent.

Edith: To me, femininity is a women’s confidence. To be able to keep a strong and independent persona while expressing themselves without compromising their identity.

Diane: To me femininity is a rock wrapped in lace. It’s an item of contrasts and contradictions that fuels my soul and supports my bones.

Laura: I embrace my own femininity by taking pride in being innately nurturing, gentle and kind.

Sophia: Femininity is confidence.  A confident woman knows herself and, in turn, makes others want to know her.

Emily R.: By feeling pretty; some days it’s spending an extra 2 minutes on make-up, others it’s a cute top.  Nothing too extravagant but dressing up makes me feel more feminine.

photo by jessie romaneix

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Everyone’s heard of the old adage, “Dress for the position you want, not the one you have.” Yet in this age of casual Fridays, happy hour Thursdays, and call-me-by-my-first-name bosses, is professional attire as important as it once was? One would hope that a woman’s stellar credentials, shining personality, and brilliant wit would count more in her career than her appearance in a power suit. But this maxim must hold some truth for it to have lasted through the years. So how vital is it really to dress for success? Do the clothes make the woman, or does the woman make the clothes?

In an ideal world, your achievements would speak for themselves. Employers would have in-depth conversations with every job candidate instead of filtering them out via resumes. Executives would base promotions solely on job performance as opposed to personal biases and organizational BS. Heck, even co-workers would judge each other on identity rather than what the office gossips have been divulging at the water cooler.

Unfortunately, in reality, time is money. Companies can’t waste minutes and cents in the name of fairness, so they use heuristics to make quick assumptions about potential and current employees. In fact, it’s been reported that interviewers judge candidates within five minutes of meeting them. Much of that judgment depends on nonverbal cues, which includes body language, eye contact, and, you guessed it, clothing.

While experts disagree on how much of communication is nonverbal (some say 55%, while some even say 93%), they all agree that nonverbal communication makes up a majority of what we convey.  And when it comes to dressing, ripped-up jeans, baggy t-shirts, and beach-worn flip-flops don’t exactly scream six-figure earnings. But nor do messy dress shirts, ill-fitting blazers, and too short trousers announce executive material. This means that even if you’re the most hard-working, dedicated, and intelligent lawyer at your firm, your boss may pass you over for partner simply because you don’t look the part.

If you’re still unconvinced, try these statistics on for size. In a survey by Careerbuilders.com, 41% of employers report that people who dress better or more professionally are promoted more often than others in their company. And that percentage becomes even more alarming when you focus on certain industries. 55% of financial services employers promote well-dressed workers faster than their less fashionable counterparts, while 51% of sales representatives declare the same thing about their line of work. And although only 37% of IT employees say that professional dress influences whether or not someone gets promoted, that number is still a huge factor to leave up to one’s wardrobe.

In the end, fashion will only get you so far – which is a good thing, considering that there’s much more to us than looking mighty fine in our tailored slacks. But taking a little extra time in front of the mirror in the morning won’t hurt either. So build up your closet, just like you would build up your resume, with standout pieces and professional details that will get you noticed.

photo by ronn d’aldaman

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Fashion Diva: Tory C.
Hometown: San Diego, CA
The Look: Little Miss Sunshine
Style Icon: Nicole Ritchie, Mary-Kate Olsen

Her Words: “To me, the most important thing about style is comfort. My basics are skinny jeans, oversized tees, and Converses. And I like to add interest by playing with proportions and layering lots of accessories, especially big rings.”

Our Words: Blonde, leggy, and casual – she’s the quintessential California girl! The easy swing of her canary yellow vest caught our eye.  But, the closer we got, the more we realized that it was her bold statement jewelry that made the outfit.  Let this be a lesson in accessorizing, ladies.

The Breakdown
Vest: Target
Tank top: Urban Outfitters
Necklaces and rings: Flea market
Skirt: Hot Kiss

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Fashion Diva: Cheryl W.
Hometown: Orange County, CA
The Look: Jump, Jumper, Jump!
Style Icon: Rihanna

Her Words: “I’m always up for mixing-and-matching and trying something completely off the wall. For instance, I rummaged through my mom’s closet the other day and found so many cute things that just need to be cleaned. Everything old comes back – it’s simply a matter of figuring out how to fit them to your personality.”

Our Words: Maybe it’s because of her mile-long legs, but anyone who pulls off a jumpsuit in real life deserves an A+ in our books. Her modern take on this oh-so-retro look makes us hanker for one of our own. The platform sandals anchor her outfit’s easy breeziness, and the oversized belt and chunky hoops are bold enough to give just enough attitude. Simple, chic, and to the point – we love it!

The Breakdown:
Jumper: Forever 21
Belt: Wet Seal
Shoes: Aldo
Earrings: Pac Sun
Bag: Wet Seal
Sunglasses: Wet Seal

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Fashion Diva: Joy P.
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
The Look: Sugar & Spice
Style Icon: Kate Moss

Her Words: “I wore a hard hat and steel-toed boots all summer working on a new building in Vegas.  Now that I’m back, I just wanted to be a girl again.”

Our Words: She’s sweetly feminine without giving us a toothache.  The structured jacket and asymmetrical haircut keep her polka-dot dress from being too saccharine.  Plus, her rolled up sleeves and draped scarf give her a casual edge that says, “Who me?  I always look this good.”

The Breakdown
Scarf: H&M
Denim Jacket: BCBG
Dress: Vintage
Shoes: Vintage Oscar de la Renta
Belt: H&M

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Clothes are the most basic form of self-expression.  For many women, they have become the most important form of self-expression.  They are marketed to us in just this way: wear this and you’ll appear professional and conservative; wear this and you’ll appear sexy; wear this and you’ll appear to have no style whatsoever and people will think you’re lame (and if it’s lame enough, maybe you’ll actually get back around to cool).  We break our banks and carefully accessorize outfits so no one (God forbid) sees us in the same outfit twice. It’s dress up for adults – a world that allows us to appear in any role we want.

The newest, most-lucrative trend in the world of fashion is couture for kids.  Top designers like Juicy Couture are rapidly creating lines for both young girls and boys.  Play Couture, a new store in Beverly Hills, sells designers such as Diesel, Paul Frank, Lacoste and more high-end brands like IKKS for ages 7-16.  Play’s website touts their store as a “haven” for the “bratty, fashion-obsessed preadolescent.”  But who’s paying for these expensive items?  And why?

Jody Thomas, a mother from Colorado explains that children are not brand-oriented by nature.  “As my kids have gotten older, we are actually spending less,” she says.  “I may love the expensive little swing raincoat with the brown and pink oversize polka dots and pink trim; my daughter is indifferent to it.  My son, likewise, will love anything with a dinosaur on it.”  Thomas insists that she only buys couture for fit, quality and classic design (so that it may be worn repeatedly), and for children, these qualities are null. “They have no figure flaws and they will outgrow clothing before they outwear it.”

Breny Mendoza, a women’s studies professor and mother, explains these marketing tactics and their motivations. “These industries need to rely on the purchasing power of the wealthy and create new lines of products to make up the declining purchasing power of the middle class.”  Mendoza admits that parents have always found pleasure in dressing their children up, but questions this obsession with expensive items.  “Does it have to be with luxury items?”  She explains that this kid-sized status symbol market plays off the Hollywood baby boom.  “Buying Juicy Couture brings you closer to Angelina Jolie.  These pricey products are serving mainly adult fantasies of wealth, and not those of the children.”

But the message sent to young girls when they are encouraged to be bratty, demanding, and label-hungry is that expensive clothes bring attention, revere and acceptance.   Mendoza insists that these messages carry over into adulthood and can severely damage a woman’s understanding of herself.  “You are what you shop,” Mendoza says of the lesson parents are teaching their children with these extravagant clothes.  “Having is better than being.”

While this message certainly applies to young boys as well, Mendoza insists the growing fashion obsession in women can be demotivating.  “I have no doubt that the obsession with fashion is the new form of oppression of women and a way to depoliticize women.”   She urges women to think before they shop and asserts that brand-craving certainly should not be encouraged at such an early age.    “Shopaholics, anorexics, depression, all these diseases that affect mostly young women are somehow related to the fashion industry.”

Being a woman today requires a careful balance between our visceral, often culturally-created desire for beauty, and our most important goal: building ourselves up as women of substance.  Children are not accessories, and neither are we.  When I was in junior high, and I begged my mother to let me start shaving my legs, she told me repeatedly, “You have the rest of your life for that.  Why start now?”  We have the rest of our lives to figure out that balance, and let’s face it, we have a hard enough time remembering that bags and shoes don’t need to be the reason we command attention in a room.  Let kids be kids.

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