Hope's How-To

Style - Hope's How-To

Sure, every summer schedule is full of bikinis, barbeques, and beach-bon-fires, but for someone fair-skinned like myself, it’s also full of potential – sun — burns.

And what better to protect my alabaster glow and blonde hair with than a stylish hat?

Whether you opt for a classic baseball cap, or a pucci-printed bucket cap, wearing a hat is a fabulous way to showcase your individual style.

Most hats wear right above the ears, so your hair is best suited in a low chignon or a flirty side-swept ponytail. Keep accessories at a minimum, and never, EVER wear a straw cowboy hat.

Visit bluefly.com for more head-smart deals, like this Pucci-printed bucket cap.

Style - Hope's How-To

Ever find the perfect piece of clothing that showcases your body’s every not-so-perfect bump, hump, and lump — from underwear lines to body bulges — and keeps you from looking your personal best?

From constricting corsets and push-up power-pants, today more than ever garment companies are offering brand-name body solutions. And with such a vast variety of choices, I’d like to share my personal selection: La Perla.

More of an investment than instant gratification (although it provides that, too) La Perla provides beautiful and decorative solutions to underwear dilemmas, with the understood promise of no unsightly lines or bulges. And though the La Perla Pizzo Collection is 1950s-inspired, it’s also thoroughly modern and made for today’s woman.

Available today at GlamonWeb.com.

Style - Hope's How-To

Sure summer is — mostly — all sunny sun and beach dates and LWDs, but there is the occasional day of grey clouds and teaming rain, not to mention cool blasts of ice-berg-worthy air thanks to office air-conditioning.

While some shrug on a cardi or opt for long-sleeves, I warm up to the idea of a box jacket with bracelet sleeves and a cute crop. But when it comes to keeping things square, a girl’s gotta know the rules:

Opt to pair a box jacket with an A-line skirt or a breezy summer dress. If you choose to court your jacket with tailored pants, wear a colourful camisole underneath to keep the look feminine.Milly Cropped box jacket, $520, Net-A-Porter.com

2) Skimp on any boisterous baubles around your neck. Most box jackets come complete with a unique collar and stand-out buttons, so accoutrements should be minimal.Chloé cropped linen box jacket, $1,850, Net-A-Porter.com

Step outside the box, literally. Base your look around the box jacket, but don’t be afraid to mix-and-match the jacket’s pattern with your dress-skirt-pants or to wear bright colours. Cacharel cotton tweed box jacket, $520, Net-A-Porter.com

Style - Hope's How-To

Less of a 50s-inspired cinched waist and more of a 70s-feel natural waist, high waisted pants are currently being seen on a slew of celebrities and featured on every runway. And why not? Even a medium rise does more for a woman’s figure than an ultra-low-low-rise ever could [EXAMPLE: Britney Spears, pre-shaved head.]

Accessorize and Stylize. While every high-waisted pant is different, go for a pair that commands attention. If you can’t find any pants that feature a classic rosette (as shown) or some equally attractive feature, make your own statement by adding a colourful scarf or sash. [Image via Style.com, 3.1 Philip Lim SS07 RTW collection]

2. Bee line for the A-Line. A high-waisted, A-line skirt is not only a classic shape that will never fail you, it’s a style that suits any woman, any figure. Pair with a simple blouse or tank for an effortless, elegant look. [Photo via Style.com, Bottega Veneta SS07 RTW collection]

The Long and Short of It. While shorts are a hot commodity that will take you — with tights — right through next winter, keep in mind that the higher the waist, the longer your legs look. And because we all haven’t been blessed with gams like Gisele’s, I’d take advantage of the feature. Add a simple skinny belt and you’re set. [Photo via Style.com, Proenza Schouler SS07 RTW collection]