What to Wear This Spring and Summer

From barbecues to weddings, here are the four looks you need to float through spring and summer in style

Now that spring has finally arrived in the Hudson Valley, it’s time to start thinking about ways to make your wardrobe work for the new season. The warm weather brings with it a whole slew of fun get-togethers and parties. Here are a few bits of advice to help inspire your sartorial selections for any event this season.

Graduation

Between May and June, thousands of high school and college students will receive their diplomas. In other words… it’s more than likely that someone you know will invite you to celebrate a recent or soon-to-be graduate. So what are you going to wear?

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Color is the way to go for semiformal parties such as these. Ditch the black and embrace soft pastels like pale green and rose. As far as style goes, look for flattering A-line dresses and nude pumps. Both pieces look elegant and are perfect for spring weather. Pro tip: If you know you’ll be walking on grass, switch to nude wedges to prevent yourself from sinking down an inch every time you set foot on the ground.


Related: Pantone’s Spring 2015 Color Predictions


Wedding

Like graduation parties, weddings tend to call for formal attire. While your exact outfit can be tweaked according to the event’s location, a dress is always a good option. Because it’s spring, try playing around with lengths and cuts. For instance, a chic maxi dress always looks great, especially when paired with a statement bib necklace. Maxi dresses come in a wide variety of prints and colors, so there is something for everyone.

If you’re feeling more daring, test out a fitted monochromatic jumpsuit. This trend may seem intimidating at first, but it’s surprisingly wearable. The key is to make sure the length is right and the cut is appropriate. Once you’ve got that down, wear it with some colorful peep-toe heels. You’ll make a statement with every step you take.

pastels and nude wedges pastels and nude wedges

You can’t go wrong with pastels, nude wedges, and funky shades
Kichigin/Shutterstock

culottes culottes sana rezwan sait

Culottes are fashionable, yet still easygoing enough for a barbecue. (We don’t recommend wearing a white top without a bib, of course!)
Indelust’s Sana Rezwan Sait (right) photograph by Youngjun Koo/I’M KOO; courtesy of WhoWhatWear.com

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Barbecue

Now that we’ve covered formal events, here are a few ideas for the more casual end of the fashion spectrum. Barbecues will pop up in full force come Memorial Day weekend, so it’s a good idea to have a few go-to outfits prepared in advance.

Don’t worry about dressing up, since there’s a pretty good chance you’ll be dealing with messy BBQ sauce and outdoor activities. Instead, go for a pair of palazzo pants or culottes. Both are loose, comfy, and on-trend. Culottes in particular are the pants of the moment. Try rocking these pieces with a relaxed tank top or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, a boxy crop top. You’ll be able to grab a tasty burger from the grill and then switch gears for a rousing game of wiffleball.


Related: Huffington Post Declares Culottes the New Spring Staple


Picnic

Spring is the perfect time to take advantage of the beauty of the Hudson Valley and go on a picnic. Before you set about putting together your picnic basket, make sure your outfit is up to par.

This may sound silly, but try planning your look around your sunglasses — really! Fun and off-the-wall sunglasses are all the rage this season. Mirrored ones look great on pretty much everyone. Cat eye glasses and round frames are also trendy. To figure out which styles suit your face, it’s best to test out a few different pairs in store before settling on one.

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Once you have your sunnies, wear them with a printed shirt and a pair of sleek khaki capris. Go with classic gingham or polka dots for your top. As for your bottoms, look for cigarette-style capris. They are elongating and flattering, and they work nicely with a patterned blouse. Finally, since you’ll be outside for the day, make sure to throw on an oversized hat. Not only does it look glamorous, but it also provides serious sun protection (although you should still bring SPF).

What do you think? Do you see invites to any of these events in your future? What will you be wearing this spring? Sound off in the comments below!

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