Shop Your Closet: Beach Cover-Up

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Cover-ups keep you comfortable and stylish on the beach. If you do not want to bare all in swimwear, throw on a simple piece for a walk on the beach, dining al fresco or party/BBQ. You can invest in items created specifically as a cover-up, or find pieces in your closet that serve double duty on the beach.

As the sun goes down and it starts to get chilly, cover-up with a light oversized or cropped knit sweater or chambray shirt. The knit sweater will keep you warm and cozy with effortless style. The chambray shirt looks easy breezy worn open or for a bit more drama tie-up the ends.

For situations where you might need a bit more coverage: dining al fresco/outdoor pool party/beach BBQ, cover-up with a simple slip dress or tunic. These lightweight pieces are easy to slip-on over your swimsuit, and if the material happens to get wet, it will dry quickly. Spice it up a bit with some unexpected accessories that wouldn’t normally be worn in such a casual style: statement necklace, bold and vibrant earrings or stacked multi-textured bracelets.

Wraps are the most versatile way to cover-up your swimsuit. Usually made of a lightweight fabric, wraps come in solid colors and a variety of bright prints. Scour your closet for your favorite lightweight scarf. These are great alternatives for wraps and available in a wider variety of prints, patterns and colors. Simply wrap the scarf around your waist for a skirt cover-up or transform into a strapless tube dress by wrapping it like a towel. Safety pin to secure.

Repurpose these pieces found in your closet for a great day at the beach:

Brandy Melville ~ Kayla Sweater: $60.00

Calypso St. Barth ~ Castaway Cotton Tunic: $99.00 (sale)

T by Alexander Wang ~ Matte Jersey Crossback Maxi: $156.00

Gap ~ 1968 Chambray Tunic: $54.95

Juicy Couture ~ Chevron Striped Scarf: $23.40 (sale)

Sporty Girl: Hurley Phantom Kini

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Sporty Girl: The girl who doesn’t want to go to the beach or pool to lay there and bronze all day. The girl who wants to be active in the sun. The girl who wants to be in the water, swimming, surfing, paddle boarding. The girl (like every girl) who still wants to look good doing it. Enter: Hurley Phantom Kini.

Phantom Technology:

Blessed with the Phantom Fabric (compressed micro fibers woven with spandex to create unparalleled 140% stretch). Infused with ground breaking nano technology and water repellent fabric to absorb less water with the finest quality micro yarns which produce a soft and silky touch to skin. Designed with no inseam, leaving zero restriction in performance while maximizing comfort.

The Hurley Phantom Kini is made with this Phantom Technology. Stretch woven to hug the body and provide support, lightweight and designed to dry quickly. The suits are also finished with bonded seams that lay flat on the skin, which means you won’t have to worry about chafing and constantly having to pull your suit into place.

Whether you are a sporty girl, a mother chasing after your kids or you just want to be more active on the beach – try on a little style with comfort and have more fun in the sun!

Summer Bikinis!

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From beach to poolside, keep cool this summer in these cute suits:

Tory Burch ~ Wildflower Bandeau Bikini Top: $75 – Bottom: $75

Vix ~ Odette Bia Tube Bikini Top: $92 – Bottoms: $92.00

Zinke ~ Kristen Bandeau Bikini Top: $88.00 – Electric Eel Hipster Bikini Bottoms: $66.00

L*Space ~ Hippie Chic Top: $95.00 – Forget Me Knot Bikini Bottoms: $69.30

Marc by Marc Jacobs ~ Field Stripe Bikini Top: $87.00 – Hipster Bikini Bottoms: $89.00

Summer Must-Have: Crochet

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Crochet is one of this summer’s hottest trends. Available in an array of eye-catching tops, dresses, bottoms, swimwear and accessories, the look reflects laid-back summer months and bohemian style.

No longer personified by sweaters knitted by grandmothers, the art of crochet has evolved to the runways. Used by many top designers, the fashion reflects a 1970’s revival with a modern aesthetic. One cannot discuss crochet and knitwear without mentioning Missoni (pants shown above). Missoni has elevated knitwear to an artform. One of the first to graduate from the heirloom to the use of technology, Missoni designs are not only universally recognizable but perennial.

To keep your crochet look fresh, find pieces that can be layered with modern favorites. Try pairing an adorable crochet mini dress with some ankle boots. Or add a distressed tee or tank to a pair of crochet shorts, skirt or pants. Or add a little edge by replacing the plain tee with a vintage rock band tee.

Crochet pieces can be extremely versatile. A loose-fitting crochet top or tunic can be layered over a camisole, bikini top, body-con dress or maxi. Instantly providing weeks of wear.

During the warm summer months we often seek-out effortless fashion. Become a crochet-convert with a few of my favorite pieces:

Free People ~ New Romantics Crochet Variety Dress: $69.95 (sale)

Nightcap Clothing ~ Tribal Fringe Tunic: $275.00

Missoni ~ Phyliss Crochet-Knit Wide-Leg Pants: $516.00 (sale)

Free People ~ Crochet Monokini: $168.00

Urban Outfitters ~ Tallow Crochet Tote Bag: $49.00

Girl. By Band of Outsiders ~ Cleo Crochet-Knit Shorts: $469.00 (sale)

Perennial Swimwear: J.Crew String Bikini

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The string bikini is a staple of summer. Comfortable and versatile this style of swimwear will never stray from trend or fashion.

I purchase at least one J.Crew String Bikini per season. They are simple, honest and perennial. A straight-forward style that fit the same each year and continue to be available in trendy colors and patterns.

A string bikini combined with a mix-and-match approach to swimwear is a great combination to find your perfect suit. First, decide what you want to hide or flaunt and go from there. For instance, if you are trying to minimize a large bottom, purchase a dark color. If you want to draw attention to a flat chest, tie the string bikini in front rather than the back. If you want to elongate the legs or torso, adjust the ties on the sides accordingly.

There are so many ways to make this bikini work for you, just bite the bullet and try-it-on. Ugh… “The Dreaded First Swimsuit Try-On of the Year”. The best advice I have been given: Before you step foot into a dressing room with bikini-in-hand, make sure you are tan. Fake-it with a quick spray tan or at-home application. Trust me! It will make the experience less terrifying.

Modern Tankini: Mara Hoffman Swim 2012

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Swimshow 2012 was held in Miami Beach this past weekend. After viewing all the runway videos, this was one of my favorite looks by Mara Hoffman Swim.

Ever wonder what to do with all of the cropped tops in stores everywhere? Available in brilliant colors and designs, pop one over a bikini as a partial cover-up or wear as a modern tankini.

Check out the rest of Mara Hoffman Swim 2012 here.

Mix & Match: Splendid “Marcel” Reversible Bikini

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Splendid 'Marcel' Reversible Bikini

Splendid “Marcel” Reversible Bikini is a great versatile suit for the summer. The pink and navy nautical stripes reverse to solid navy for easy transition.

The plunging neckline and triangle top is comfortable and flattering. String ties create alluring cutouts on the sides of this bikini bottom, insuring a perfect fit.

This changeable swimsuit is fun and flirty. Mix and match, top and bottom for even more options and this will be the only suit needed for a weekend get-away.

Fringe Benefits: L*SPACE Miss Mohave Stardust

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L*SPACE Miss Mohave Stardust

L*SPACE by Monica Wise sets the trend each season in swimwear. From sexy to sophisticated this brand delivers high-quality, body-conscious silhouettes.

The Miss Mohave Stardust one-piece is fun and fanciful. The plunging neckline drenched in white fringe is the focal point to this piece, an L*SPACE signature. The ethnic-inspired print is colorful and vivid with geometric shapes placed perfectly to accentuate the body.

The Miss Mojave Stardust one-piece can be worn on its own, or coupled with a maxi skirt creating an entire ensemble. Wear this suit as a top, paired with jeans/jean shorts, the possibities are endless.

Check out the L*SPACE website to find your perfect suit. L*SPACE offers a wide variety of mix and match options, suit-able for everyone.