.025 WISHLIST: SUMMER EDITION

Normcore. 70s boho. 90s grunge. 60s schoolgirl. What does this all mean? So much inspiration, so little time (cough, and money). Summer is a time where I usually start off motivated. My wishlist is usually spewing with a myriad of shorts, skirts, crop tops, sunglasses, and sandals. I know I want to be music festival ready, but practical. I want to stand out, but not invest too much in a certain look. All of this is fine and dandy, but if you all know anything about the Midwest, the weather is particularly muggy, usually jumping into the nineties causing a wonderful choking sensation that makes one grasp for any sort of air movement. When the temperatures rise, my motivation to be fashion forward plummets. I would rather just put on a crop top and high-waisted shorts, a look that is less-inspired than, say, a flowing skirt, gladiator sandals, a cropped tank, and perhaps a few bohemian accessories like a large sun hat or a pair of rounded sunglasses.

I need to find some way to have my desire to dress well trump my want to be pathetically lazy. Perhaps I need to make a more realistic list of clothing - something including items that are within my budget, worth the investment, and not too high on the "trendy" scale. If there is anything I know about myself, it is that I tend to buy one or two (pricier) items that I think I will wear (For example, last spring I purchased this kitschy, ice-cream-design sundress with a low back. I wore it once and hated every minute in it.). My close friend repeatedly tells me to avoid buying what I think I will wear and instead opt for something I am enamored with. I know the logic sounds simple enough, but as an impulse buyer, I tend to misjudge my gut.

This all leads me to the point of this article. I am going to show you my well thought out list of items I think are perfect for this summer in a sort of "lookbook" fashion. I hope that what I want inspires you to make a list of your own (Perhaps incorporating a few of my choices, as I hope that I have some authority in advice-giving.)!

KEEP IT SIMPLE

(Shoes: Zara - $59.90)

(Jacket: Urban Outfitters - $69.00)

(Pants: Topshop - $80.00)

FESTIVAL READY

(Dungarees: Topshop - $76.00)

(Sunglasses: ASOS - $47.04)

(Top: Nasty Gal - $48.00)

SUMMER SCHOOL

(Dress: Nasty Gal - $68.00)

(Shoes: Topshop - $64.00)

(Socks: American Apparel - $12.00)

.016 WISH LIST

Some people dream of a big house, a flashy sports car, or an all-expense paid vacation to a remote island. I tend to go a Rihanna-level with my dreams and when asked what I want most in this world, I am going to answer with: an apartment for my clothes in New York. Ok, maybe not that specific and ~fancy~ but hell, I am constantly wishing to expand my wardrobe and at this rate, I have more than enough clothes to fill a small bedroom. With tastes ranging from thrifty to extravagant, it is not all that hard to build up my wardrobe. Knowing your own personal style helps a lot to keep a tame closet. If you know yourself well enough, you will know what trends suit you and you as time passes, you will eventually know what constitutes as a staple and what is better left hanging on the rack.

So as I look forward to warmer weather and new trends, I try to keep in mind that what is most important is what looks like me and what looks good on me. At this point I know I cannot wear ice skater skirts or dresses, baby doll anything, round toe flats, bermuda shorts, etc. (the list really is endless, let me tell you). Here I have a composed list of the items found on my wish list. They may or not suit your style, but I do hope they spark some interest and perhaps give you the creative energy to create your own personal wish list!

For the upcoming season I am looking forward to some boho 1970s vibes. I am thinking Ali Macgraw meets mid 2000s Sienna Miller. I picture careless vibes, soft colored pattern shirts paired with black, and unruly hair. I will be the hunt for a halter top along the lines of something similar to this. I do not imagine that halter tops will become a long lasting part of my wardrobe, so I am better off surfing my local thrift stores as opposed to shelling out real money for a few. Shown above: Kimchi Blue floral crop, Deena and Ozzy slingback mules, and BDG high waisted jeans in a classic wash. All can be found at Urban Outfitters (and the photos are clickable links!).

I am a bit of a minimalist when it comes to accessories. I have dabbled a bit in the layers of necklaces, bracelets, and rings, but it just does not suit my personal sense of style. In fact, I rarely wear anything on my wrists save for my watch. Rather, I prefer to wear rings, scarves, and hair accessories. Every once in awhile I will try out a statement necklace but for the most part, I keep things simple and a bit understated. Recently (as of yesterday, actually) I purchased the hat pictured above. Working at Urban Outfitters is a bit toxic to my wallet but after picking up and staring at the items for hours on end, it makes for more sound purchases. I have been staring at this hat for AGES and yesterday I finally caved and made my purchase. So far I have several outfits planned to wear with it, but I feel like I need a bit more to make the hat fit. I would love to have some midi rings (pictured above from Topshop) and a classic zipper pouch (thinkingaboutyou.mp3 @ the Comme des Garcons pouch). Once again, all links are clickable! 

I could probably write a novel-length's worth of wish list desires, but I figured a simple little peek into what I swoon over on sleepless nights would suffice. I will try to keep this updated, adding a few wish list posts here and there. Please follow me on blog luvin' (link on the right) if you enjoy my posts!