This month, style expert Zanna Roberts Rassi dishes her do and don'ts for summer's hottest trends: Fourth of July style, swimwear and denim. Are you making any of these mistakes?
For this Fourth of July, find a new approach to wearing the old red, white and blues. Make Uncle Sam proud by trying a more subtle and sophisticated take on the star spangled banner.
Do: Pair some worn-in denim cut-offs with a flag motif, like stripes and stars. Dress the look up with flirty heels or keep it casual with clean, white sneakers.
Don't: Dress up like a human flagpole. Keep your look festive and fun without making it look too much like a costume.
Do: Mix and match. If you're determined to wear the full palette, spice things up by mixing up patterns and textures. Pair a red floral print with a blue pinstripe and a white polka dot. The possibilities are endless! Aim to keep the prints small and fine so they don't overpower each other.
Comme Des Garcons Play Striped Long-Sleeve T-Shirt, $158; Levi's Wedgie Fit Shorts, $58; Missguided Leopard Print Over Sized Cat Eye Sunglasses Brown, $16.15; Sam Edelman Ruby Suede Pointed Toe Flat, $110; Twig & Arrow Crossbody
Be ready to think outside the box (or rather outside the triangle) when it comes to swimsuits this summer. With designers offering up dozens of new shapes and cuts to chose from, you'll definitely feel tempted to ditch your ordinary bikini. Shopping for swimsuits can be harder than shopping for jeans—be prepared to keep an open mind and bring a lot of patience. Finding your swimsuit soulmate all comes down to finding the right fit that will highlight your assets in a way that makes you feel both confident and comfortable.
Do: Find flattering cuts. If you're small in the bust, go for a fitted bandeau top. For narrow hips, try a high-waisted bottom to draw out your figure. If you've got curves, go with a one-piece with cut-outs—these are the sexiest pieces out there. Lastly, keep in mind that underwire can work miracles!
Don't: Confuse lingerie with swimwear. Don't pick a cut that's too revealing and try to keep your overall look simple and comfortable. The combination of thigh-high sandals with frayed denim shorts and costume jewelry is overkill.
Do: Cover up. If bikinis aren't your thing, then let me introduce you to the athleisure-inspired wetsuit. It's one of my favorite swimwear styles, and there are a million different cuts and prints to choose from. It's ultra-chic, sporty and incredibly comfortable.
Lisa Marie Fernandez Farrah Zip-Front Swimsuit, $395; Xhilaration Women's Push Up Bandeau Bikini Top, $17.99-$19.99; Xhilaration Women's Strappy Hipster Bikini Bottom, $14.99; Solid & Striped The Poppy Wrap One-Piece, $158; Ward Whillas Clermont Top, $175; Ward Whillas Faye Bottom, $185
This season, designers have been reworking denim in every way imaginable—from distressing it, to patchworking it, embroidering it and even layering it on head-to-toe in true Canadian tuxedo fashion. Denim is the ultimate Americana statement; it's equal parts utilitarian and youthful. Although shopping for denim can scare even the bravest of fashionistas, investing in the right pieces will bring you a bit of that "Endless Summer" vibe all yearlong.
Do: Mix up your denim selection with a pair of light-wash jeans. I love a worn-in set of boyfriend jeans paired with sneakers, a white tee and messy beach hair. It's such an easy summer go-to. If you're up for something bolder, try a patch-worked pair as seen here on Kendall.
Don't: Forget to keep things refined. Wearing oversized denim can be a bit of a risk, so you have to take extra care to not let your look get too sloppy. When in doubt, prep things up with a pair of heels or add accessories to keep the look chic rather than messy.
Do: Try an oversized denim jacket! This piece is the epitome of downtown cool and is the perfect summer pick-me-up. You can throw it over just about anything, and it always works.
M.i.h Jeans Painters Parka, $445; Gap Authentic 1969 Crop Kick Jeans, $44.99; Madewell Cross-Back Crop Top, $29.50; Topshop Beau Chelsea Boot, $65