Shop Your Closet: Beach Cover-Up

⍚⍚⍚

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)

Bewitching Baubles: Bib Necklace

♦♦♦

Make a statement this season with a bright bib. A bib necklace combines layers of intricate beads and jewels strung across the collar bone, high on the neck. Bibs can incorporate many materials and textures to create a bold, multi-layered, eye-catching piece.

These colorful, chunky necklaces easily enhance any outfit while still remaining elegant. Pair with simple tees or tanks to effortlessly renew a tired outfit. Or wear with your favorite, “worn a million times” dress for a new and fresh look.

Available in all shapes, colors and sizes, a bib necklace is a great piece to have on-hand when an outfit feels a bit dull. Here are a few of my favorite bewitching baubles:

BaubleBar ~ Summer Princesse: $38.00

Adia Kibur ~ Short Neon Stone Necklace: $54.00

Zara ~ Strand Necklace in Shiny Golden Colors: $25.90

J.Crew ~ Cabochon Fan Necklace: $150.00

Ann Taylor ~ Sunburst Necklace: $59.99

Kate Spade ~ Painted Jewels Necklace: $198.00

Easy Breezy: Summer Scarves

✠✠✠

This summer leave your statement necklace at home and add a splash of color with a lightweight scarf. This finishing touch is versatile, vibrant and adds an extra layer of style to any look.

From bold, graphic prints to floral bouquets, adding something extra to your ensemble has never been easier. The breezy, effortless nature of a lightweight scarf is perfect for summer. It pulls together a chic look and also acts as an extra layer of sunscreen. Functional and versatile, here are a few fresh new ways to wear your scarves this summer:

Turban: Take a long scarf and tie it into one knot on your forehead, then cross the ends around each other and tuck them in place behind your head. (This look is great for bad hair days)

Mini Caplet: Fold the scarf in half, diagonally, and tie the ends together around your neck – scarf should be draped on shoulders.

Belt:  Tie scarf around your waist or weave through belt loops to cinch the waist.

Experiment to find new ways to wear your favorite scarf: twist, braid, tie two scarves together… Here are a ton of different scarf options to choose from, separated into four categories: Stripes/Florals/Brights/Graphics.

STRIPES:

Mango ~ Cotton Sailor Style Foulard: $19.99

Juicy Couture ~ Chevron Striped Scarf: $68.00

J.Crew ~ Lemlem Gama Gauze Scarf: $125.00

Marc by Marc Jacobs ~ Jacobson Striped Modal Scarf: $180.00

FLORALS:

American Eagle ~ AEO Floral Scarf: $24.50

Forever 21 ~ Floral Scarf: $8.80

Rebecca Minkoff ~ Floral Explosion Silk Scarf: $210.00

J.Crew ~ Printed Summer Scarf in Bold Orange: $59.50

BRIGHTS:

J.Crew ~ Italian Summer Scarf in Belvedere Red: $45.00

Love Quotes ~ Knotted Tassel Scarf in Sunshine: $88.00

Mango ~ Basic Cotton Scarf in Mint: $19.99

J.Crew ~ Italian Summer Scarf in Brillant Purple: $45.00

GRAPHICS:

ALDO ~ Draughon: $22.00

Lucky Brand ~ John Robshaw Vines Print Scarf: $34.99

Tory Burch ~ Ikat Scarf in Turquoise Lucio: $155.00

Tillys ~ Aztec Pattern Scarf in Navy: $9.99

5 under $50: Earrings by ASOS

✯✯✯

This season, swap out the statement necklace for a pair of elaborate earrings. A great way to finish a look, earrings draw attention to the face as well as inhance the shape. For example:

Round Face: Long dangly earrings will elongate and slim the face and neck.

Heart-Shaped Face: Tear drop and chandelier, any bottom-heavy earring, will soften a pointed chin.

Square Face: Round hoops and bottom-heavy earrings will soften the contours of the face.

Oval Face: A classic shape that works with any style, but stay away from thin and long, will pull the face down.

ASOS is fantastic for inexpensive accessories. Constantly stocking new and unique pieces that are made with quality and detail. Here are 5 under $50:

Deco Drop Stone Earrings: $21.56

Python Print Chandelier Earrings: $17.07

Drop Earrings with Vintage Look Stone and Fan Detail: $26.96

Teardrop Rope Doorknocker Earrings: $21.56

Geometric Drop Earrings: $17.07

5 under $50: Statement Necklace

✯✯✯

A statement necklace is an ideal and easy way to embellish any outfit. Use color, texture or shape to decorate your look. From metal fringe to brightly colored baubles, here are five fun statement necklaces all under $50.00.

Forever 21: Crescent Fringe Necklace – $14.80

Asos: Talullah Tu Beaded Collar Necklace – $41.37

Free People: Fringe of Colors Pendant – $9.95

Topshop: Textured Disc Collar Necklace – $40.00

Kenneth Cole: New York Modern Citrine Yellow Jade Frontal Necklace – $45.00