SUMMER STYLE
WITH EASE
The Essential
Summer Looks
By Leah Jayasanker

The essential summer looks to get you through the season from head to toe involve new handbags, bright colored shoes, light airy dresses and plenty of metallic. See our picks for the season.

Tote this
The latest brand of luxury handbags and leather accessories to hit the United States is Bolzano. Known for unique styles that suit modern women, Bolzano hand crafts and hand delivers only the finest quality product. From their summer collection we like the Caprice in Sable Weave ($175) and the Maribella ($178), available at bolzanohandbags.com .

Metal musts
The ideal way to showcase metallics this season is via the jewelry designs of Ara, by Anna Dannon. Designing for the last twenty years, Dannon’s pieces reflect both her personality and experiences in life. Using silver combined with gold, semi precious stones and pearls she portrays contemporary pieces that are classic and timeless. Her motto for inspiration, “Wear something beautiful and unique and you’ll feel the same way.” To view her collection visit thenomadeye.com .

Lady like
Flowing dresses and skirts are very popular right now. Vintage store looks in retro bold hues, bright patterns and florals in loose fitting styles are ideal to wear in warm weather. If you can’t pull off the no-waist-pregnancy-look stick with a staple. One can never go wrong with the enormously trendy wrap dress (made popular via Diane von Furstenberg in the early 1970s). Pair a pretty dress with a fabulous straw hat and your ready to hit a day of sight-seeing or frolicking surfside. Several fun looks we like: Solid cotton jumper dress ($150, jcrew.com ), Justin Wrap ($325, dvf.com ), IISLI Tennis Wrap Dress ($268, Bergdorfgoodman.com ) and Pleated Fan Dress ($388, Saks.com ).  

For skirts stick to pleats that are short (not too short), a few inches above the knee, and sophisticated. Cotton and linen breadth well and are easy to mix and match in colors of off-white, cream or light yellow. One item we like: Peter Som’s Pleated Skirt ($279, eluxury.com ).

Bottoms up
Seersucker slacks are hot for lazy days of summer worn traditionally with a button down shirt. Mix it up a bit with a colored tank or bright halter for a more edgy twist. Cropped pants with a cuff have also made a come back—if you’re not a fan of the crop look, settle for a wide leg trouser or jean, like Ann Wide Leg Belted Pants ($59, anntaylorloft.com ). If you prefer to show some leg, grab a set of Drawstring Walking Shorts ($39, anntaylorloft.com).

Fancy feet
Whether they’re small, medium or large, polka dots return in ladies footwear. Additionally the high-gloss sheen of patent leather seems to have taken the summer streets full force. Color-wise think red and yellow. Heel-wise anything goes from chunky to stiletto and wobbly wedges. Retro looks for feet are also fun, including the ever-so-iconic ballet flat. The days of needing a heel to flatter long legs have taken a break with a flat-mania. A few of our favorites include: Betsey Johnson Lidia, Joan & David Monterey and Soho Lab Lealea, available at piperlime.com .