Summer Staples EVERYONE Needs

Listen here.  Summer is officially here.  Although its been hot for an eternity in Houston, summer didn't officially start until June 21st and it doesn't end until the end of September.  In Texas, it'll be hot until November, but I digress.  The great thing about that start date is that they never coincide with fashion seasons.  Right now, most stores are running huge sales on most of their summer assortment, because technically, July is considered the fall season in the fashion world.  Yeah, I know.  It's confusing, but true.  And this also works in our favor because we're able to score tons of seasonally relevant pieces for really good prices.  Retailers have to make room for fall merchandise which starts to hit stores in July.  So my advice to you shopping this season is to never pay full price for anything.  There are some exceptions of course, but in general, you can score everything you need for summer at a great value.  So be smart about it and be responsible with your coins. But I digress.  That is not the subject of this blog.

Today, we will discuss those "must have" items that you absolutely need every summer.  Some of these items you already possess in your wardrobe and some you won't.  This list is here to serve as a checklist to help you form your summer shopping list, which is what you should already be doing before every season. We will go through this list today.  Per usual, I will always provide links to every item that I discuss because I know that you prefer that I do that. And last but not least, grab a snack and a cup of tea.  Or maybe even a mimosa.  Why do you ask? Because this is a long piece. Possibly the longest one in Staci J history.  But I have a lot to say damn it, and you're going to listen.  :-)  I hope you enjoy it.  

Wooden/Straw Bag

I'm not really sure when it happened, but I've noticed that the last few seasons, vintage style straw and rattan bags have become extremely popular.  And you know what....I'm here for it. Crossbody bags are typically what I reach for during the summer months because it's too hot to deal with a huge bag from day to day. However, when I saw this bag on Instagram, I think I shed a tear of joy.  It's been a long time since I've been in love with a bag.  Last year, it was the Gucci Dionysus Bag.  And today, it's Cult Gaia's "Gaia's Ark" in the color natural.  This is the kind of statement piece that will literally live in your closet forever.  It will NEVER go out of style. NEVER.  There are other mini unstructured wicker style bags that are extremely popular now. But the Cult Gaia bag blows all of the other bags out of the water.

Cult Gaia, Gaia's Ark, $128

https://cultgaia.com/collections/handbags/products/gaias-ark-natural

The Cult Gaia bag is a bag you can wear anywhere day or not.  However, you still need a traditional straw tote for the beach. These are not necessarily everyday bags, but you should definitely invest in a good one that you can use for holidays and beach vacations.  Here are a few of my favorite straw and wicker totes that are perfect for beach or pool activities.  A couple are on the pricey side but this is not a purchase you should be making every year.  I chose these totes specifically for the pom pom details.  Pom poms have definitely been a hot trend this year as it has been expanded to footwear and even apparel, which I expect to continue through 2018. However, this trend on a beach tote will never be off trend because the nature of the trend is so fun and festive, which are the characteristics of a good fashion tote.  So don't worry about making an investment in something that will go out of style next year.  These designs are indeed timeless.

Nannacay, Jonna Tote, $260

http://needsupply.com/womens/bags/joana-medium-tote-in-black.html

BaubleBar, Esperanza Pom Pom Tote, $78

https://www.baublebar.com/product/33224-esperanza-pom-pom-tote-bag?sku=33224

Baublebar, Myka Pom Pom, $54

https://www.baublebar.com/product/33702-myka-pom-pom-tote?sku=33702

Off the Shoulder Top

This super trend went into high gear last summer, and I'm happy to see it continue through 2017 because it's one of my favorite trends.  I've been rocking one and off the shoulder styles even before this trend made its resurgence, simply because shoulders are just plain old sexy to me.  This year, tops designed with interesting sleeve details, have helped to distance itself from last year's trend.  My favorite place to shop this trend would be Free People. Why, you ask?  Because Free People has established themselves as the queens of bohemian, and off the shoulder tops are quintessentially bohemian.  They are best in class in boho styles all year long and no one really does it better in my opinion.  Now Free People IS a tad bit on the pricey side, but they specialize in this type of look so you are likely to score styles that are extremely current and least likely to look dated after a season or two.  My absolute favorite from the brand is an over sized white tunic that can be paired with cut off shorts in the day and skinny jeans and heels at night.  Complete the day or night look with a gigantic pair of hoop earrings and you've pulled off a cool girl look.  My other pick would be a red and white striped number with huge bell sleeves.  It's made with a lightweight fabric, but its also versatile enough to move into your fall wardrobe when the time comes.  The white tunic could also be transitioned into the fall season styling it with some faux leather leggings or basic black plain leggings and a motorcycle jacket. Or you can simply tuck both into a pair of high waist jeans for a sophisticated, easy look.

Free People, $88

https://www.freepeople.com/shop/here-to-stay-tunic/

Free People, $88

https://www.freepeople.com/shop/all-the-right-moves-top/

My favorite off the shoulder top of the season hails from Zara.  Big surprise huh. Specifically, it's a convertible top that you can wear as a long sleeve top with bare shoulders or as a structured tank with an effortless wrap around look.  I've seen this trend mainly on the high end fashion circuit, but Zara is the first brand I've seen do this at a reasonable price point.  The one shown below is in a coral and white. However, I believe this version comes in a blue and white as well, which has turned out to be a staple colorway for the spring and summer seasons.

Zara, $49.90

https://www.zara.com/us/en/collection-aw-17/woman/tops/view-all/multi-position-shirt-c733890p4682505.html

Statement Denim Jeans

Believe it or not, my favorite place to buy denim jeans is H&M.  Yes, you read that right. Now hear me out.  Their premium denim that tops out around $40, is equivalent to high end denim brands in department stores and higher end boutiques.  Truly.  The quality is amazing and I've been really impressed with the fit.  Now don't go into the store and try on the $9.99 and $19.99 jeans and think you are really doing something.  Because I promise that you are not.  However, for about $20 more, you will definitely find some edgier styles, treatments, and textures that will add some appeal to your current closet.  I've also found myself gravitating more toward straight leg and wider leg cuts over skinny jeans this summer.  Skinny jeans are still a relevant staple, but I will challenge you to step into some other styles that are much more current.  Now if you must stick to skinny styles for some reason, try a pair with an uneven or a frayed hem to give the jean a tad bit more interest.  Check out my favorite styles below from H&M.

H&M, Straight Cropped High Jean, $39.99

http://www.hm.com/us/product/61418?article=61418-B

H&M, Straight High Jeans, $39.99

http://www.hm.com/us/product/63346?article=63346-B

Anther honorable mention that may make it way into my closet this season is from the Zara Autumn 2017 collection.  They are a wide leg frayed style that I can see styling with a simple tank bodysuit and barely there gladiator sandals.  If you follow my Instagram, (WHICH YOU SHOULD BE DOING), you've seen me style a pair of super frayed denim jeans when I was in Paris.  I can't tell you the number of compliments I receive when I wear them.  Those are no longer available, because you know.....Zara.  But if you liked those, you will love these.

Zara, Mid Rise Frayed, $49.90

https://www.zara.com/us/en/collection-aw-17/woman/jeans/view-all/mid-rise-frayed-jeans-c733918p4661614.html

Barely There Heels

If you're a high heel lover, you need a pair of "barely there" heeled sandals as a staple in your wardrobe.  The trick with these sandals is finding ones that are comfortable to walk in. Tons of brands make their own version, but the most iconic version that comes to mind is always the Nudist shoe by Stuart Weitzman because it has graced the red carpet on numerous celebrities.  However, this shoe is about 4.5 inches tall and you know my philosophy on heel heights. I've got no time for heels I can barely walk in. Fortunately, Stuart Weitzman now has a version that's almost an inch shorter, which makes it much more manageable to walk in.  So if you want the label and the shoe that pretty much started the naked shoe trend, see below.

Stuart Weitzman, Nudistsong, $398

http://www.stuartweitzman.com/products/nudistsong/beige-nappa-leather/?DepartmentId=360&DepartmentGroupId=2

If you want to save some extra coins, which I would highly suggest, go for the Steve Madden versions.  They've knocked this shoe off in tons of variations and its a fourth of the total price of the Stuart Weitzman. In some cases, its a fifth of the price if you can catch them on sale. Now, be forewarned, because these are not genuine leather.  But does that really matter?  The Stuart Weitzman shoes won't last you forever either because the barely there nature of the shoe is hard on concrete surfaces, which is hard to avoid if you live on planet earth.  I'm just saying, any shoe in this style will be beat up after a given period of time if you wear them on a regular basis.....even leather ones.

Nordstrons, Steve Madden, Stecy, $79.95

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/steve-madden-stecy-sandal-women/3667178?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&fashioncolor=NATURAL%20SMOOTH

Tank Bodysuits

If you've read any of my blogs, you know that I love bodysuits.  They are simply flattering and easy to wear because you don't have to worry about your shirt rising out of your pants.  I also think that they serve as a slight contour of the body, and I'm not mad about that at all.  I suggest getting a ton of these babies in different colors and rocking them all summer long.  So Iet me just tell you where to get them. ASOS should be your first stop because they typically have several versions that can be bought in a two pack option offering a black and a white for under $30. Plus, there are just so many different versions of bodysuits on this site, you are destined to find something that you like.  They clearly picked up where American Apparel left off.  And for those that don't know, ASOS is a UK based website, but there is no tax, shipping, or duties on any orders and the shipping is relatively fast. I pay $19 annually for unlimited 2 day shipping. It's insane and now I'm ruined with other online retailers besides Amazon. However, if you're in a bind and you need a bodysuit without the wait, Forever 21 has a pretty good selection starting at $9. Again, these are great for throwing on with a pair of skinny jeans or cut off shorts during day.  It's an easy look to pull off if you want to look polished without trying too hard.  It's also the perfect solution to the lack of cute top problem, that I consistently stumble upon in my everyday style world.

ASOS, $29

http://us.asos.com/asos/asos-sleeveless-body-with-high-neck-2-pack-save-10/prd/8085322?iid=8085322&clr=Blackwhite&SearchQuery=bodysuit&pgesize=36&pge=0&totalstyles=559&gridsize=3&gridrow=8&gridcolumn=2

Statement Earrings (Tassel and Pom Poms Please)

At one point, it was all about the statement necklaces.  It was a little much to pair distracting earrings with a borderline gaudy necklace. So most would pair dainty earrings with these statement pieces as to not look overdone.  For the past few seasons, we've been rocking more layered pendant looks and more recently, barely there necklace pieces. Now don't get me wrong. Statement pieces will never be off trend.  But statement earrings have definitely taken the spotlight in a big way this summer.  The popularity of pom poms and tassels on earrings have given this category some much needed life.  Check out a few of my favorite pairs below. Also, check my Instagram because I posted a few pairs that I hauled just this past weekend from Francesca's in their BOGO sale happening now.  They have a great selections of styles at decent price points.

Baublebar, $38

https://www.baublebar.com/product/33246-sandbar-drops?sku=31884

Free People, $38

https://www.freepeople.com/shop/mai-tai-statement-earring/?color=095

Anthropologie, $48

https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/fringed-pearl-drop-earrings?color=046&quantity=1&size=One%20Size&type=REGULAR

Barely There Flat Sandals

This summer has been absolutely brutal.  I'm already over it and ready for fall.  But in Texas, as well as in other southern climates, we still have quite a ways to go. Earlier, I mentioned that you needed a pair of barely there heeled sandals.  Well, you also need a pair of barely there flats. My favorite pair are an all leather gladiator version from Madewell.   I have these pictured on my Instagram when I was in Miami a few weeks ago, styled with a distressed denim skirt. For that trip, I packed about 5 pairs of shoes and I wore these shoes about 75% of the time.  They go with absolutely everything and they are super comfortable.  As I mentioned earlier, I got that pair from Madewell, but Urban Outfitters has an absolutely identical pair for about half the price. However, the Madewell version is slightly better made and available in a variety of colorways and material executions.

Madewell, $34.99, Reg. $49.99

https://www.madewell.com/madewell_category/SHOESANDBOOTS/sandals/PRDOVR~E9325/E9325.jsp?color_name=true-black

Urban Outfitters, $19, Reg. 39

https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/shop/leather-gladiator-sandal?category=womens-sandals&color=022

Espadrilles

I believe we've talked about the necessity of espadrilles in another post.  So at least, I'm consistent.  I typically get a pair of espadrilles from Zara every year They generally offer an array of styles that are super affordable with interesting details. I scored a flat leather gladiator pair last year, but I ruined them earlier this year in Cancun.  :-(   However, I am more than happy with my replacement pair, which are the flatforms that I have discussed ad nauseam.  They're no longer available anyway, so they no longer matter.  You need suggestions you can actually buy now.  So let's just start with the queen mother of espadrilles.....Soludos.  The company was started in 2010, and birthed from a lack of traditional rope sole espadrilles that are so popular in Spain.  Depending on the shoe, these are priced $50-$100, so they are relatively affordable and simply a must on summer vacations.   Here are a few of my favorites that are currently on my wish list.  The flat version is made with a classic stripe which screams iconic Mykonos, Greece vacation.  The versatile stripe makes this a shoe that you can pair with both solids and prints. The flatness of the shoe makes this a space saver in your luggage as well, which makes it perfect for travel.  And my top pick for those that are not a fan of super flat shoes, I chose a leather style that is very reminiscent of the pair I ruined from Zara.  These are a little more Chanel inspired and of course I have zero issues with that.  These shoes would work with almost any summer look.

Soludos, Classic Stripe, $55

http://www.soludos.com/women/best-sellers/fsa1101-102-classic-stripe-sandal-natural-black

Soludos, Leather Platform $99

http://www.soludos.com/women/best-sellers/fpss1602-leather-platform-smoking-slipper-black

Summer Neutral Blazer

I can't say enough about this next necessity if you work in a professional business casual environment.  Fortunately, my work office is casual so I am able to wear denim on a daily basis. However, it is still important for me to maintain a certain decorum when in a professional setting because I still want to look polished and well put together.  My "go to" outfit is a pair of statement denim jeans, a tank bodysuit and a light colored blazer.  The blazer should be rather loose fitting and not too structured as to look more current and modern.  However, it still needs to fit and not be significantly over sized.  I'm currently loving the ones with the scrunched detail on the sleeves. That detail on blazers is so popular, Zara does a version of this style every year.  I picked up a pale pink version this spring and I have worn it nonstop.  I even pair it over slinky barely there dresses, paired with.........wait for it............barely there heels.  I would save black styles for the fall and go for a white, tan, pink, or even pale yellow version just to give your wardrobe a bit more interest. Deeper tone color ways are fine too, but if you keep it light and neutral, they will work with more in your summer wardrobe.  The one listed below is the one that I currently have in my closet.  I also posted another one currently on my wish list, which is a black short version with a floral print.  This is a great option for people who aren't comfortable with super light colors but also desires a spring look.  This blazer can easily be taken from day to night and can even be transitioned into the fall months.  There is also a slightly less expensive version from H&M that retails for about $50.

Zara, $69.90

https://www.zara.com/us/en/collection-aw-17/woman/blazers/long-blazer-c756615p4908600.html

Zara, $49.90

https://www.zara.com/us/en/collection-aw-17/woman/new-in/floral-print-blazer-c840002p4835093.html

Fashion Sneakers

Most of you are aware that I'm a shoe buyer by profession, which means I buy fashion sneakers for a living.  My work office is a sea of fashion sneakers and the fun part of my job is getting to review tons of styles from brands such as Nike, Adidas, Vans, and Converse.  Unless you're an official sneaker head, I get that the average stylish girl doesn't need 12 pairs of sneakers.  So I have narrowed it down to the three pair that you should have in your life right now.  The first is the updated Chuck Taylor shoe.  It's a less bulky version of the classic style, called the Shoreline, which doesn't require any lacing action on your part.  Score.  The second is a classic Adidas 3 stripe shoe with rose gold stripes instead of black stripes.  It's selling fast, so you may want to get on it while its still available.  The last is a specific Academy Sports/Adidas collab on the QT Racer style that is made with black and rose gold.  This is an Academy Sports and Outdoors exclusive shoe that I created with Adidas to give a basic black sneaker a bit of an edgier look.  This is a shoe you will NOT see anywhere else in the marketplace and it is selling quickly.  So if you want it, you better buy it soon.  Both of the Adidas styles have their coveted cloudfoam technology, so they are both extremely comfortable, which is almost a necessity nowadays. Being uncomfortable is completely out of style. 

Converse, Shoreline, $50

http://www.academy.com/shop/ProductDisplay?urlRequestType=Base&productId=3417740&catalogId=10051&categoryId=&errorViewName=ProductDisplayErrorView&urlLangId=-1&attr=&langId=-1&top_category=&parent_category_rn=&storeId=10151#repChildCatid=3417961

Adidas, Advantage Stripe, $59.99

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/adidas-womens-cloudfoam-advantage-stripe-shoes

Adidas, QT Racer, $59.99

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/adidas-womens-cloudfoam-qt-racer-running-shoes#repChildCatid=3871680

I really hope this list was helpful to you.  It's meant to serve as a shopping guide to help you prepare for the one season that is filled with holiday vacations, summer bbqs and a ton of pool time.  Summer is fun, so your wardrobe should be fun too.  I find it useful to start any season with an idea of the holes in my style closet and a strategic plan to fill some of those holes. Some will get filled this season, and some will not and that's okay.  Lets just have fun with our fashion journeys and every journey we decide to take, no matter where it takes us.  Let me know in the comments what items are must haves from your wish list. Have a great week!

SSJ