Stars, Stripes, and Wicker for Summer

Star Cutwork Mini Caftan

 

With Memorial Day and summer at our doorstep, here are some favorite ways to add chic stars, stripes, and wicker to your warm weather wardrobe.

Madras

J. Crew Patch Madras circa 2007

 

Many of us grew up wearing madras in the summer - I recall having a patch madras one piece swimsuit, a madras Bermuda bag, and a madras wrap skirt that I loved. I have been wanting to find a madras piece or two for my summer wardrobe. I love these pieces from J. Crew many years back.

Madras refers to a colorful and lightweight cotton fabric, woven into distinct combinations of horizontal and vertical stripes. To oversimplify - madras is the warm-weather cousin of the wintertime staple, tartan. 

Authentic madras comes from a region in southeast India that was once called Madraspatnam, which is known today as Chennai. Cotton yarn is hand-dyed and then hand-spun. The yield is cloth that is the same on both sides with tell-tale bumps that result from the yarn being too fragile to be combed or carded. 

Madras has been a preppy classic for decades.

J.Crew Limited Edition Long Patch Madras Skirt - circa 2007

The Summer Straw Bag

Danielle Rollins - Veranda

I am a huge fan of straw bags - I use them as a handbag, pool bag, beach bag, for errands, the farmer's market, pretty much everywhere all year round here in South Florida. Wherever you live, they are the perfect summer bag. Here are some great options. And they can be personalized/monogrammed!

Tucknernuck x Atlantic - Pacific

Tuckernuck x Atlantic - Pacific

This wonderful collaboration between Tuckernuck and fashion icon Blair Eadie of Atlantic - Pacific is really stunning. Feminine, vibrant - with great colors like tangerine, peony pink, kelly green, and navy, and bold patterns, stripes, and trims, with pieces that can be dressed up or down. This collection has a modern yet vintage vibe with timeless pieces that will never go out of style.

The twenty two piece collection has dresses galore, separates, and matching earrings.

Fabulous Feather Dress

Vibrant Palm Feather Jamie Dress

 

If you are in need of a truly sensational dress for this summer, this is it. I would wear this to an outdoor wedding, an opening of the opera, ballet, or symphony, a fancy cocktail or dinner party, any celebratory event.

Tassel Earrings

CCC

I love beaded tassel earrings and I have several pairs of Oscar de la Renta ones shown above. They are beautiful but very expensive starting at around $350.

Summer in Blue and White

Blue Stripe Avondale Dress

Nothing is better to me for warm weather dressing than blue and white - crisp, fresh, preppy, nautical, and classic.

Getting Vacation Ready

Bagheera Hot Pink Let's Cruise Caftan

Living in South Florida, my wardrobe is filled with beach attire. This just released brand new collection from Printfresh is filled with all things for your summer vacation, whether beachside or poolside in unique and colorful whimsical prints. I especially love the caftans.

Blue and White Stripes High/Low

Frances Valentine

 

A look I have always loved is pairing a dressy piece with a casual one. This is especially true with fancy skirts and a casual top. For example, I love to pair a long ballgown skirt with a man's white shirt. Very Caroline Herrera.

Tropical Rothy's & Pink Light Bulbs Found!!!

 Palm Rothy's

As you know if you follow Chinoiserie Chic, I am a huge fan of Rothy's shoes. They are chic, flattering, incredibly comfortable, completely machine washable, and eco - friendly. To date, Rothy's has converted 158,965,875+ single use plastic bottles into Rothy's signature thread. 

I find them them the perfect Florida or summer shoe. They come in dozens of fun colors and patterns. I was absolutely thrilled when they came out with these new palm print flats last week. I ordered the burnt orange and navy - it has a peach insole. They arrived yesterday and could not be cuter. Rothy's are so much more put together looking than sneakers, flip - flops, or crocs, yet still super comfy.

Palm Beach Wicker

Isla Wicker Beaded Bag

This wicker bag is just darling. It has a beachy island Palm Beach vibe. The wicker is handcrafted with painted wooden bead handles and a linen drawstring pouch that can be monogrammed. It is available in Coastal Blue, Light Pink, or Natural.

Playing Dress - Up

Kate Spade

I love dressing up and do so every day which is a bit of an oddity here in South Florida were most people wear shorts everywhere. (Especially on the Gulf Coast which tends to be more casual). I don't think most women in their shorts and t-shirts realize how easy and cool and comfortable a dress is in hot weather. At any rate, I love dressing up and have lots of events coming up that call for dressy dresses. Perhaps you have weddings or other special occasions on the horizon too.

The Perfect Summer Blanket

ChappyWrap

If you are looking for the perfect warm weather blanket or the best Mother's Day gift, my choice would be a ChappyWrap blanket. The ideal blanket, there is only one problem with them. Once you get one, everyone in your household will want one and you will never want to sleep with another blanket. They are addictive. 

ChappyWraps are plush, soft, warm, yet not heavy. They wear like iron and machine wash and dry. I use mine not only on my beds, but for the beach, tailgating, picnicking, the car, pets, and the lanai. Their collection now includes lots of botanical prints and pastels that I love.

ChappyWrap

Blue and White Stripes

Midi Dress in Striped Taffeta

Preppy, nautical, and classic, blue and white stripes are the essence of spring and summer dressing. I have rounded up some favorites I love....

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Kate Spade 

 

I love floral prints for spring and summer dressing, especially pieces with a fun, graphic, and modern approach. Here are some great new choices from Kate Spade.

The Seashell Handbag High/Low

Pamela Munson Clamshell Handbag

 

Seashell handbags have been very popular the last couple of years. This rattan clamshell clutch with pearl closure is so elegant. Here in South Florida this purse is even used for formal occasions.

Pearls & Palms

CANVAS

 

Pearls, palms, and raffia in pink and green! Talk about my style to a tee. Did you ever wonder where the phrase "to a tee" comes from? It of course means that something is perfect just the way it is.

Its origin is unknown but it has been around since the 1500s. The phrase "to a T" was used in a play by Francis Beaumont called The Woman Hater in 1607. But it was widely used before that. It is likely a shortened version of an Old English expression "to a tittle" and should really be spelled "to a T." 

The Wicker & Bamboo Handbag High/Low

The Hannah Lunchbox Handbag

 

I have worn wicker handbags since I was in high school - they are a preppy classic and the perfect handbag for warm weather. Add a bamboo handle and it becomes a chinoiserie lover's dream.

Eyelet

Collection Eyelet Midi Dress

Few fabrics conjure up warm weather dressing like white eyelet. It is the quintessential summer fabric. Examples of eyelet date to the 16th century in Eastern Europe. Broderie anglaise is tied with England because of its popularity there during the 19th century for women's underclothing and children's garments. Eyelet was originally cut and embroidered by hand and was originally seen only in white.

I am a huge fan of eyelet for spring and summer dressing. I personally love it in fun pastels and great colors and have found some wonderful choices. Many of these would make great special occasion outfits for garden parties, weddings, vacations, Kentucky Derby parties, and such.

The Classic Mule

Mules - Metropolitan Museum of Art - early 18th century

The mule, a backless shoe, dates back to the Romans where it was worn by the higher magistrates. It was also de riguer in the French court in the eighteenth century with the likes of Marie Antoinette and Madame de Pompadour. In more modern times it was reserved for the boudoir. 

In recent years, it has been all over the runways and the streets. It is easy, effortless, comfortable, stylish, and very chic. More elevated than a sandal, it has the ease of a slip on that can go to the office, on a walk, to the pool, and out to dinner.