Desi Diva

By Shilpa Arora

Revamp Your Summer Wardrobe

Stay cool, confident, and lovely

Looking to revitalize your summer wardrobe? Here’s the lowdown on how make the most honey as queen bee of summer style. Oh, and don’t be surprised if you start hearing a buzz …

Your 9 to 5 Style
For work, try a pair of capri pants in khaki or light cotton. Or slip into cropped chino trousers, which are perfect for your everyday wardrobe. At an affordable $39.99, J. Crew’s cropped chino trousers offer a wide waistband that is fitted through the hip and thigh. Poplin drawstring pants with a white T-shirt are also perfect for a casual Friday. Slide a stack of metallic bangles on your wrist, and voilà, you’re ready to tackle that report with finesse and style. Gold or silver hoops are a great complement to the arm accessory and won’t overpower your look.

If you’re feeling feminine, try a flirty knee length skirt with plenty of movement. Aim for a longer hemline (preferably knee length) to maintain a professional look, and top it off with a fitted camisole and denim jacket. Or try a graceful, sleeveless dress that skims – not clings – your contour.

Sunday Brunch
Whether you’re meeting your fiancé’s family for the first time or chatting with friends over scrambled eggs and toast, those Sunday brunches will taste even better when you’re feeling and looking your best.

Make sure to have this effortless, yet chic, ensemble hanging in your closet to pull on before running off to brunch: a tunic with twill pants or white jeans. At high-end stores, such as Neiman Marcus and Bebe, tunics can be pricey, but if you’re looking for an equally stunning substitute that will be kinder to your wallet, look for a mid-length kurti at your nearest Indian boutique or apparel store. Tunics can vary in length and cut—offering a great deal of versatility. Sparkles, lace tunics with floral patterns or kurtis with standard embellishments, such as beadwork and delicate madhubani patterns, add elegance without being too loud.

Definitely choose a kurti in cotton or georgette to keep you cool in the summer heat. And to turn your look Indo-Western, add one or two accessories to your outfit: espadrilles (a shoe usually having a fabric upper part and a sole made of a flexible material), platform shoes and chandelier earrings are all great choices. A broad gold-based bangle will give you a polished look. If you don’t have one already, purchasing a tunic or kurti can be your best summer investment that you can wear well into next spring and summer.

Beach Beauty
Shorts, skorts, and of course, jeans, are perfect options for your beach wardrobe. If you’re headed to the shore, you’ll want to keep your look low-maintenance and casual. L.L. Bean’s Supplex cropped pants ($36.00) feature drawstring cords to shorten the pants to knee length for extra ventilation – and make them perfect for an evening walk along the shore (Think lapping waves, sand between your toes, your fingers entwined in your significant other’s). Here’s a good time to pull out your man’s packaged undershirt set, too – throw a couple in your trunk to quick dry after a swim.

Finally, don’t forget to bring a roomy tote to sling over your shoulder that can hold your essential beach accessories, including shades, flip flops, lip gloss and that latest romance novel that’s got you hooked. Vibrant and glittery appliqué and lush, tropical patterns are fun, colorful options.

Out on the Town
If you’re headed out for the evening, choose something with a touch of glitter without the gaudiness. With so many versatile and chic dresses to choose from you’ll definitely be able to find one that works for you. Remember, choose something that makes you feel confident and reflects your personal style.

For skirts, we like JCPenny’s Baroque Border Print Skirt. At only $29.99 it offers a fun, flirty feel. Add a lace tee and a few layered chains and you’re ready to go!

And let’s not forget that you can never have too many little black dresses. This summer, be sure to add Isaac Mizrahi’s bouclé A-line dress to your wardrobe. Available at Target at only $39.99, this stunner will give you high-octane style with its seamless, graceful lines.

Feeling romantic and starry-eyed? Laundry by Shelli Segal offers several chiffon print dresses, including some with dreamy folds of ruched, slightly pleated silk chiffon. The soft shades and delicate floral patterns in blue, pink and soft brown add a girly feel without a cotton candy effect.

There is a summer dress out there just for you, so be patient and shop around. And while you’re at it, have fun, indulge and have a scoop of ice cream while out on the town in your sweet little number.