Summer fashion has its perks but also its perils. Sure, it's carefree and casual ...what's easier than popping into sandals and a sun dress? But as any woman who has attended a chicken barbecue in a white T-shirt knows, it's not without its challenges.
Especially tricky this season is the sea of white fashions on the market, some quite sheer. Consider, too, that summer dresses, including maxi lengths, have a dizzying array of neckline styles from which to experiment.
And then there is the whole matter of dressing for an outing that takes you from the steamy street to the air-conditioned office, restaurant or movie theater.
The latter is one reason some women steer away from sleeveless dresses and tops. A second reason is they are hesitant to bare their less-than-toned arms.
Even so, designers are devoted to sleeveless, especially since dresses have come back so strong, points out Liz Lennon, vice president of Danahy's, 3099 Sheridan Drive, Amherst, in the Northtown Plaza.
Her solution: Add a pretty shrug; beautiful wrap, possibly with ruffle edging; organza or lightweight cotton shawl, or a bolero sweater with beaded edges.
Such pretty choices enhance an outfit.
"It doesn't look like you are trying to cover your arms but that you are looking fashionable. It is part of the ensemble," she said.
What it's not: An afterthought, such as the basic cotton cardigan you grabbed on your way out of the door. The bottom line is, wherever you are going, you want to feel comfortable and dress appropriately. "Fashion needs to be fun. You can mix and match things and do something different within your comfort zone," Lennon said. That said, can we talk underwear? One of the smartest additions a woman can add to her summer wardrobe is intimate apparel -- as the industry calls it -- in a color that matches the tone of her skin. We're talking bottoms, bras, camisoles, shapewear, the whole works. Snowy white just won't work under white pants, capris, tees and tanks. It will show through, which is not good. Bra strap battles are another issue. You know what we're talking about. Your straps stick out from your tank top. They expose themselves under your boat-neck T-shirt. And we haven't even gotten to the fiasco of wearing the wrong bra under the right dress, be it halter style or low-cut in back. If you have not heard of it before, the convertible bra is something Lynn Siegel recommends. The bra has adjustable straps that can convert to halter or X-back style, explains Siegel, owner of Blum's Swimwear & Intimate Apparel, 5110 Main St., Williamsville, in the Walker Center.
Another option is a bra with clear straps. "If you have a tank top with skinny straps, you can do a clear strap so you still have support," she said. Another staple many women should have in their summer wardrobes is this: a reliable strapless bra. Even if you have had bad luck with these in the past, get the right fit and you may be surprised how comfortable today's strapless styles can be. Siegel has some other tips: Before falling in love with a dress or top with an unusual neckline or design, think about what you need to wear underneath it. "Some of the looks out there now may be difficult for some women to pull off unless they have the right undergarment, which might be hard to find based on their individual shape," said Siegel, who encourages customers to bring tricky garments along when shopping for intimate apparel.Discover shapewear. There's a new generation of slimming, smoothing and controlling undergarments out there, including styles from Spanx and other brands. Remember, too, some bras -- and camisoles -- are designed to be partially visible. Such details might include a trim of colorful lace that will peek out from under the V-neck top you are wearing. And Liz Lennon said that sewing lingerie straps inside a top or dress can do wonders for taming bra straps.The bottom line: It's no fun having to be yanking at your undergarments or tucking in your straps all of the time, she said.
A few other tips for summer: When buying a swimsuit, add a coordinating coverup. Don't settle for a tattered T-shirt.Avoid wearing skinny heels to lawn parties. You don't want to slip into the ground when you are mingling.When wearing sandals, make sure your feet are perfectly pedicured.Perspiration is part of summer. So are the stains. Heloise reminds us that "prevention is better than curative." Some tips from www.heloise.com: Let your antiperspirant or deodorant dry completely before putting on your garment. If you do have stains, pretreat the underarm area of the garment with liquid laundry detergent, so the buildup can be washed away. Stain been there awhile? Treat the area with white or apple cider vinegar to help dissolve the perspiration. Wash in hot water (if possible) at least every third or fourth time to get rid of the buildup.
