7 ways to add color to your summer wardrobe...

when we think of summer...we think of sun...fun...and color...but many still have a hard time figuring out how to incorporate color into their summer wardrobe...now for those that for whatever reason...don't like color...no problem...i have several clients who prefer to stay in their neutrals...and that is ok...

but for those wanting to have a little bit of a colorful impact on their wardrobe this season...here are some simple solutions for you...and the great thing...is you can just add one of these items...and have instant color success...

1.  how about adding a vibrant colorful handbag for this season...this one below is the one i got myself...but in a neon pink...the tangerine was my second choice...and believe me...it goes with almost everything i wear...i literally have been using it for months...and get lots of compliments on it...which color to pick?  whichever one speaks to you...the pink was screaming my name...so i went for it...

michael kors "jet set" tote
nordstrom

2  a big trend that has been staying strong for quite some time...is the colored jeans...or in this case...a nice cool cropped pant...and yes...i have a similar pair...and i love them...wear them often...with so much...i've paired them with a black & white graphic summer coat...a simple tee...a floral blouse...on and on....add a blazer - wear it to the office...

nordstrom.com

3.  same as above - but in a skirt...depending on what you are looking for...as far as casual or business...the colored skirt can be incorporated in either setting...this one is a casual cotton skirt...perfect for running around town...going to the movies with friends...or meeting up with the gal pals for drinks...add a fun white tee...cute espadrilles and you are set...

banana republic
styling fabulous consignment boutique

4.  add a little color to your shoes...there are such fun loafers out now...flats...in vibrant colors...or pastels...such an easy way to add color when wearing a skirt or your jeans...

cole haan
styling fabulous consignment boutique

but of course...don't just think of your flats...how about a fun color in a pair of pumps...a yellow?  blue?  how fun to wear with your jeans...can't go wrong with a fun colorful pair of espadrilles...or for something a little dressier...lovely mint green slingbacks...for those that want a little color...not to bright...

paolo
styling fabulous consignment boutique

5.  adding a fun flirty top when going out for the evening...yes...skip the black for an evening...believe me...people gravitate towards color...you will be surprised...all you need?  a fun pair of white jeans or skirt and you are set for a summer evening...

max studio
styling fabulous consignment boutique

6.  add a colorful cardigan...for those cool summer nites...or depending on where you live...here in san francisco bay area...summer nites can get pretty cool...so a fun leather jacket in a great summer color...how chic is this?

lucien piccard
styling fabulous consignment boutique

7.  and last...but certainly not least...a simple add of a colorful scarf...add that to your neutrals...your blacks...or your all whites...and you are fabulously set for a wardrobe with a splash of color...

now i realize that all my examples are showing solids...but don't stop there...there are amazing colorful prints out there...that would do wonders in adding color to your summer wardrobe as well...

which of these would you try?

holiday golden shoes...

so what could be better then dipping your feet in a little bit of gold for the holiday season?  now of course...i think that gold should be worn other times as well...but for sure during this festive time...so as i have been showing off some of the lovelies in the fabulous finds consignment boutique this week...today we feature all that is gold...in the shoe department...

whether you are a high-heeled gal...or prefer something a bit closer to the ground...try on some gold this season...for a party or two...they go great with the dressiest of outfits...to complimenting a lovely pair of jeans...

and if you see something below that catches your eye...just click on the link below the pic...it will take you straight to that item...happy shopping!

marc jacobs

bcbg

charles david

stuart weitzman

bcbg max azria

banana republic

steve madden

men's corner: oxblood for men...

yesterday...i posted about the big color for fall..."oxblood"...and of course i showed different ways of incorporating it into your wardrobe...this is a great color for fall...and men...you can ease into it as well...here are some lovely examples...

cole haan 'air morris' casual wingtip
nordstrom

and if you are not a wingtip type of guy...how about trading out wearing regular jeans or khaki's for some gorgeous "colored" cords...such as these...

vintage cord in slim-straight fit
j crew

  add a bit of oxblood in the way of a nice textured belt...

allen edmonds 'manistee" brogue leather belt
nordstrom

  a gorgeous tie...would spice up your worn once or twice shirts...

burberry london woven silk tie
nordstrom

what a great color for a sweater...pick your poison...cashmere...wool...

elbow-patch crewneck sweater
banana republic

and of course...don't forget the socks...oxblood seen in paisley...polka dot and stripes!

men's corner: carrying your stuff...

so...you are all dressed up for work...whether your work attire includes a suit...or your basic slacks and button down shirt...dressed or casual...one accessory that is sure to ruin this look is attaching a backpack that a high school student would be lugging to class...

i mean...come on...adults need adult bags...if you are in need of something to carry your stuff...upgrade...upgrade...upgrade...so many fabulous messenger bags...or even briefcases...that really don't look like the briefcases your father once used...you don't need to look stuffy...and you definitely do not need to look like a boy in adult clothing...

and on a side note...you may not realize it...but as you are lugging this hideous backpack around...especially when commuting...you probably don't realize how many people you are side-swiping with said hideous backpack...believe me...i've been hit...

here are some great messenger bags...sure to update your look to picture perfect...

fossil estate messenger

banana republic messenger bag

banana republic trina turk collection...

some collaborations seem fabulous...others...leave me less then impressed...the newest of them is banana republic & trina turk...coming to stores june 7th...

"Created exclusively by Banana Republic in collaboration with designer Trina Turk. 

Inspired by Palm Springs, pop prints and mid-century design."

(taken from trina turk website)

being that i will walk into a trina turk boutique...just for the exuberance of color...i have to say...i'm looking forward to this one...

will you be checking it out?

photo source

the colored jean...

although this trend has been going strong for quite some time...i have yet to purchase my first pair of colored jeans...one reason...jeans are not an easy purchase for me...but mostly...how do you decide on just one color?

i clipped this pic below from a bloomingdales catalog...but i've seen them nicely lined up at j. crew...banana republic...pretty much every store that has jeans...i love seeing all the choices in color...

but i just can't decide...will it be purple?? red?? burnt orange??

les sigh...

have you got bitten by the colored jean trend? if so...what color did you decide on?

scanned by moi

put together: simply fabulous...

today i received my march issue of self magazine...as i dropped it off on my counter along with all other junk mail, newspaper inserts, bills and such...the back cover caught my eye...an ad for banana republic...

there have been times that people have said to me...in different events...how hard it is to look put together...of course i strongly disagree...as is evident in this pic...

if you dissect the outfit...it is pretty simple...but really well put together...

scanned by moi

banana republic & trina turk...

...are collaborating together for a summer 2012 collection...

the news came out yesterday: banana republic to debut limited-edition collection with designer trina turk summer 2012

i usually don't get too excited about collaborations...but...trina turk brings in the lovely bright colors that banana republic hasn't had too much of...will you be checking it out?


photo source

banana republic has gone mad men...

have you seen it? last week janie bryant...if you don't know who she is...think mad men...janie bryant is the costume designer for the show...yes...her wonderful job is making all those actors look ever so fabulous in their best 60's threads...and believe me...when i am watching mad men...i am so entranced by the beautiful clothing...that sometimes...i am not really paying attention to the story line...janie does an incredible job on that show...don't you agree?

so...as i was saying...last week...janie bryant unveiled a collaberation with banana republic for a limited edition collection of 65 pieces...for both men & women...based on the costumes worn in the fabulous show mad men...

i have to say...it looks quite yummy...take a peak here...

photo source