Flavors of Fashion: Hot Colors for Summer!

Hi everyone, Carolyn here, hoping your 4th of July weekend was fun-filled and restful. Now that we are all back to the grind let me brighten your day, literally, with some summer colors I have been seeing everywhere!

Finally, designers are listening to Wisconsin when it comes to color palettes. Now maybe it’s just coincidence, but there is some serious channeling of  the Green Bay Packers’ color scheme going on around town. Whether it’s green or gold (even sunny yellow!) these colors are appearing in clothing, shoes, accessories and more.

"Elena" flat by Lemon 'n Lime, $109; Cornblooms

This dainty flat  is a perfect summer choice, offering a versatility other shoes don’t. This pair could go well with jeans, skirts, capris—basically the works! I recommend donning both the golden yellow and muted green pairs with dark denim and a coordinating top, so the shoes demonstrate a colorful attitude from head to toe!

Chandelier earrings, $15; The Purple Goose

These chandelier earrings also feature both of the popular colors this summer, but add a little extra with a blue accent. Honestly, the cool coloring caught my eye, but it was the exotic design that really sold me. With ornate earrings such as these, I prefer to showcase them by pulling your hair back. A low and simple chignon would complete a beautiful look.

Ruffled yellow dress, $45; The Purple Goose

This solid yellow number is perfect for an event that needs a casual summer dress. Its ruffled neckline draws the eyes upward toward the neck and face, while its flowing skirt creates clean lines for your frame. If you want to be vibrant, choose a bag and shoes in an equally bold tone, perhaps green, to make your outfit pop with color at that next graduation party or lunch date.

Green Sandal by Matiko, $119; (shoo)

Not into the gladiator trend? Try this more feminine approach featuring hardware and braided detailing in a more intricate and delicate feel. And the delicious Granny Smith apple green can put a smile on anyone’s face! Try donning a colorful sandal like this with capris, pedal-pushers or shorts so that the ankle straps and top of the sandal can be prominently featured. These are details you don’t want to lose and could, say if you paired it with a flared jean.

Yellow Bag, $48; Francesca's Collections

This rich, true yellow bag can add a little sun to any fashion statement. It has a detachable purse strap that allows it to double as both purse and handbag, depending on which style you prefer. I find that brilliantly colored bags, like the one above, work great when paired with a pattern. Choose a sun dress that has hint of sun yellow in its pattern and watch as your outfit goes from “that same ol’ dress” to a confident, fashion statement!

Lime beaded necklace, $24; Francesca's Collections

Lime is in BRAVA readers! This beaded, multi-tiered necklace is for those us who aren’t afraid to “be loud” with our accessories. This neon green, tribal gem should be paired with a top that has a low neckline. You don’t want the collar of your shirt to interrupt the lines of the necklace. I would try a scoop-neck or strapless option in either a tee or dress. As for coordinating colors in the rest of your outfit, once again you can try the pattern accent option I talked about earlier. But never underestimate the power of pairing this vivid choice with something white or black; subtle is also sexy!

The Purple Goose/ 400 West Verona Avenue, Verona; (608) 845-2368

Francesca’s Collections | West Towne Mall; (608) 833-0052

Cornblooms/ Hilldale Mall; (608) 238-9282

(shoo) / 109 State Street, Madison; (608) 467-6325