My least favorite time of year? Swimsuit shopping season. Expectations are high and the use of fabric is low. Don’t feel bullied into a bikini. There’s a surprising number of flattering one-pieces out there and far fewer Snobs in them, so you’re sure to stand out. The best advice for suit shopping is to not let the dim lights of the dressing room fool you. Go and try on some pieces after lunch – if you look good then, you know you’ve found the right one!
Roksanda Ilincic Rodez Color-Block Bandeau Swimsuit: Colorblocking is a secret weapon on swimsuits. It’s a pretty optical illusion that’ll break up your torso and give you that thin waist you’ve always coveted. On NET-A-PORTER for $480.
Adidas by Stella McCartney Neon Mesh-Paneled One-Shoulder Swimsuit: Get Stella chic at a Frugal Snob price! If you still feel like a one-piece might be too blah, a little neon mesh might be just the thing to rev your engines. On NET-A-PORTER for $80.
Clube Bossa Couture Color-Block Ruched Swimsuit: Forget tummy tucks – With dark navy slimming your hips and full-body ruching accentuating all of your best features, you’re as guaranteed to wow as ever. Exclusively on NET-A-PORTER for $540.
Norma Kamali Bill Mio: The tide of the graphic trend is riding high. Take advantage with some slimming vertical stripes (and a cute retro style to boot!). On Norma Kamali for $298.
The maxi skirt is the trend that just won’t go away. Don’t get me wrong – I love the billowing silhouette of a flowy skirt, but sometimes it can drown petite Snobs like myself, especially when paired with flat sandals. I’m a mini kind of girl (they elongate your legs and make you look taller!). Which side are you on – the maxis or the minis? Vote in the poll below!
Ellery Two Split Skirt: This brings the maxi skirt to new levels of hideous. I was just talking about how Riri slit her skirt up too far – same issue here. If you want to show some leg, just wear a mini! On Shopbop for $975.
Tibi Pleated Silk Crepe de Chine Maxi Skirt: Peach pink silk and pleating make for a seriously sophisticated maxi. On NET-A-PORTER for $395.
Giambattista Valli floral-Print Silk Chiffon Maxi Skirt: Paisley has been around since the 200s – it was definitely time for an update! Giambattista’s modernizes the print with watercolor florals. On NET-A-PORTER for $2,795.
KAUFMANFRANCO Silk-Satin Pleated Maxi Skirt: A lot of maxis fall into boho territory. It’s refreshing to see a more elegant, structured take on the style. On NET-A-PORTER for $1,495.
Roberto Cavalli Printed Crepe de Chine Maxi Skirt: This is how you split a dress – so subtly that you don’t even notice it at first. Paired with the innocent porcelain-inspired pattern, Cavalli’s maxi is perfectly ladylike. On NET-A-PORTER for $1,955.
Lately, celebs have been passing on full-on cutout dresses in lieu of something a little more concealing – gowns with sheer panels. The style manages to be sexier with more fabric, playing with the fun of leaving more to the imagination. Model of the moment Cara Delevingne is the most recent to try the trend, stealing the spotlight at the Cannes Film Festival in a lacy Burberry number. See which other starlets are going sheer…
When it comes to printed shirts, there is such a thing as too much. Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean we have to pull the rainbow down from the sky and wear it. But you also don’t want to walk around in a plain white blouse everyday. I’ve found some designs that strike just the right balance – from flowery and romantic to silly and fun, there’s a style for every Snob. See which one will be your prints charming…
Julien David Digital Printed Cotton Shirt: Dinosaurs, rubber duckies, and the Queen’s Guards – a whimsical combination made even more fun by the subtly perforated cotton. On Browns for $657.
Carven Paris Print Shirt: The contrast-collared shirt is a cute way to show your love for the City of Light. Just don’t count on the detailed print to replace your map of Paris! On Farfetch for $271.56.
Etro Floral-Print Stretch-Cotton Shirt: This vivid floral print looks like it came straight from a painter’s canvas. While spring might be about taking a moment to smell the flowers, I’d much rather wear them. On NET-A-PORTER for $440.
Mother of Pearl Keres Printed Silk Crepe de Chine Shirt: With this top, you’ll get a bird’s eye view from every angle. It’s a true work of art – the avian print was designed by Italian artist Francesco Simeti. On NET-A-PORTER for $690.
Equipment Daddy Blouse: This silk shirt is light as a feather and the print is just as bright. Wear the extra-long shirt over skinnies or tuck it into some shorts. On Revolve Clothing for $228.
Move over LBD – I’m making room for LRK in my closet. You don’t need black to slim when you have a slim fit, which is designer Lucky Ravindra’s M.O. Her well-tailored dresses are appropriate for every occasion and yet the body-con style will have you feeling like the sexiest woman in the room. Sophisticated sheaths like the colorblocked Drew ($345) and the black and white peplum Dita ($378) playfully use semi-sheer mesh to create “illusion bodices.” Everything on Anna ($322) is opaque, but the hemline is raised and the curved seams streamline your figure with impressive precision. For Lucky, it’s all about the details – with a bold red band and light peplum, she gives the owner of her Diana dress ($368) a tiny waist and accentuated hips. Body-skimming without being restricting, these pieces are made for women on the go. Wear one to the office with a blazer and then doff the jacket for after-work drinks! Available on Shopbop.
These days most capes fall regally around our waists, showing off their style might with grand silhouettes. But for Spring 2013, Christopher Bailey brought back the cropped look. After all, when your cape is made from shiny silver snake, it would be overkill to have it extend far beyond your shoulders, no? Believe it or not, this Space Age chic design was inspired by the fashion of the ‘40s (if you saw The Great Gatsby, you might have noticed that cropped capes were also popular in the ‘20s). Only instead of a sheer, billowing fabric, Burberry gives us ultra-modern metallic python. Rather than daintily gliding behind you, the piece will sit atop your shoulders like a stylish piece of armor. Pair it with a flowy maxi for contrast, or go full futurama with a short, sleek number. Available on NET-A-PORTER for $4,795.
