Top 10 Style Picks: Summer 2017

Though summer is winding down (can you believe that it's already the end of July?!), I still think that it is totally fitting to share some of my favorite trends that have arose in summer 2017. From cool festival inspired looks, awesome athlesiure attire, and my personal favorite, the return of the crop top. Sure, this post is a little overdue, but as I always say, better late than never! And considering we still have over a month of summer left, there is still plenty of time for all of us to try out these fun and fearless trends for ourselves, not to mention start planning how to transition some of these cool looks for early fall. Now without any further to do, let's talk about my top ten style picks for summer 2017!

1. Sheer Delight

Shop these looks from my sponsor, SheIn. (And, a quick note to save you some cash: SheIn will be providing FREE shipping this weekend no matter the price of your order! So if you want to snag any of these looks, be sure to grab them this weekend, July 29th & July 30th!)

As I'm sure many of you can remember from a few of my past "outfit of the day" posts, I've been digging the sheer trend for quite some time now. So needless to say, I was ecstatic to see this this sweet spring look has stuck around for the summer. The reason I love this style trend is because it adds a subtle, but playful, sexiness to any look. Whether it be a simple sheer tee or a gorgeous summer dress, this trend is definitely for the girl with a more daring side.  

(Looks Left to Right: Graphic Patch Sheer Tee, Red Sheer Tee, Sheer Peacock Feather Patterned Dress, Green Sheer & Lace Dress.)

2. Think Pink

Shop these looks from my sponsor, Make Me Chic.

The next hot fashion trend this season is literally fifty shades of pink. Whether it be a dusty rose, pretty pastel, or shocking, I'm sure you've probably been seeing it in all forms where ever you may be shopping! The reason this trend is one of my top picks is though it is as simple as a color, I love that this trend embraces an airy romantic feel for the summer, as well as upholding a very feminine feel. This trend is absolutely perfect for the traditional "girly-girl".

(Looks Left to Right: Off the Shoulder Asymmetrical Blouse, Pleated Pink Pants, Pleated Pink Maxi Skirt, Hot Pink Shift Dress.)

3. Flower Power

Shop these looks from my sponsor, StyleWe.

Yes I know, in the words of Miranda Priestly, "Florals? Ground breaking." However, unlike the traditional florals we see around this time of year (think pinks, reds, and yellows), this summer the floral trend has become a bit more abstract. How so? Well as you can see above, summer of 2017 seems to be the year of more organic floral patterns instead of the cookie cutter patterns we've seen in years past, and I don't know about you but I think it is a very welcomed change. The other update I like to this traditional trend is the use of nontraditional colors as well as incorporating the trend into lace patterns, giving this classic look more depth than in the past.

(Looks Left to Right: Green & Blue Floral Blouse, Black & White Floral Shorts, Olive Floral Jumpsuit, Pink & Blue Floral Mini Dress.)

4. Awesome Accessories

Shop these jewelry pieces from my sponsor, Rocksbox. And you can find these sunglasses and more over at Make Me Chic.

Of course this list couldn't be completed with out accessories! And I have to say I'm thrilled by this years summer accessories due to their laid back nature and boho vibes. As you can see above, one huge trend this year is rose gold everything. From sunnies to bracelets you better believe you'll be seeing this color everywhere. Another cool trend is lots of beading and tassels, which is perfect for any girl who embraces her inner bohemian goddess. One last fun thing about 2017 summer accessories: The wrap bracelet is a huge must have this year, and the neat thing about this trend is not only can you style these babies as a traditional bracelet, you can also totally mix it up and wear it as an anklet, hooray of versatility, am I right? 

(Looks Left to Right: Red Tassel Earrings, Rose Gold Sunglasses, Layered Necklace, Wrap Bracelet.)

5. Just Swimmingly

Shop these looks from my sponsor, Light In The Box.

I don't know about you guys, but one of my favorite things about summer is swimming! Which by default means I love swimsuit shopping. And I have to say, the swim trends this year are pretty awesome. This year when you hit the beach (or the local pool) you'll be seeing lost of straps, plunging necklines, illusive patterns, along with sporty looks. So, I think it's safe to say with all of these sweet swimwear trends in one season, everyone will be happy!

(Looks Left to Right: Royal Blue Bikini, Black & Nude Bikini, Floral Swimsuit, High waisted Bralette Bikini.)

6. Captivating Cover-Ups

Shop these looks from my sponsors, Make Me Chic, Light In The Box, SheIn, and StyleWe.

Though this next category totally goes hand in hand with swimwear, I felt that it was only necessary to talk about cover-ups, simply because much like the robe trend we saw in the spring as well as the on going sheer trend, cover-ups are a must for your beach excursions. The reason I'm digging cover ups so much this year is because much like the swim trends this year, cover-ups pretty much have every type of girl's style in mind. From boho, to girly, to sporty, and classic, I'm sure all of you can agree that there's no losing here! And with so many options, it can even help us step out of our comfort zone, I personally am trying to hop on the sporty bandwagon this season. 

(Looks Left to Right: White Mesh Cover-Up, Black Lace Kimono Cover-Up, White Knit Cover-Up, Pink Lace Cover-Up.)

7. Easy, Breezy, Maxis

Shop these looks from my sponsors, SheIn and Make Me Chic. (Love the last look? Check out how I styled it, here!)

Ahhh, maxi dresses, A.K.A. my favorite type of dress. Though maxi dresses have been around the fashion scene for ages, they always seem to get lost in the background, however this year has changed all of that! Though I'm not sure why people have decided to trade in their traditional short length garments for longer lengths this season, I'm certainly not complaining about it. The best reason I can come up with is that much like myself, people have fallen in love with the feminine, bohemian vibe that these dresses have, not to mention, though they're long they are surprisingly cool, meaning they're the perfect choice for hot summer days. 

(Looks Left to Right: Blue Off The Shoulder Maxi Dress, Floral Maxi Dress, Orange Maxi Dress, Brown Tie-Dyed Maxi Dress.)

8. Crop Tops

Shop these looks from my sponsors, SheIn and Make Me Chic.

Though it is a pretty simple look, this next trend is my favorite: the return of the crop top. I don't know if I love this look so much due to my 90s nostalgia or just because I genuinely think that crop tops are cute, but for the purpose of this article, we are going to go with my latter argument. The reason I love this summer trend so much is because crop tops are great casual wear and are a good way of keeping cool. They also have a laid back sexy vibe to them which makes them perfect for all kinds of summer activities ranging from heading to the amusement park or just spending a day exploring your favorite city.

(Looks Left to Right: Black Tie back Crop Top, Blue Bandanna Crop Top, Pink Cactus Print Crop Top, Red V-Neck Crop Top.) 

9. Just for Frills

Shop these looks from my sponsors, SheIn and Make Me Chic.

This is yet another awesome spring trend that I was thrilled stuck around for the summer, because I absolutely loved styling it last spring. The reason why I love ruffled detailing  is because it has such a feminine and sweet look to it, and is perfect for so may occasions. For instance any of the pieces above would be suitable for the office and could also be dressed down for school or weekend activities, making these looks very versatile as well as a necessity in any girls closet. 

(Looks Left to Right: White Frilled Blouse, Mustard Tie Back Ruffled Blouse, Blue Ruffled Dress, Tan Ruffled Shorts.)

10. Kaleidoscope Colors

Shop these looks from my sponsor, StyleWe.

The last trend to close out the list is none other than the clashing of colors. Yes, that's right, clashing colors. Kind of sounds like a fashion "don't" right? Well surprisingly, this trend hit, and hit hard this year with some surprisingly pleasing results. The reason why I love this trend is because it brings something new to the table. Sure, we've mixed and matched colors and patterns in the past, but this year has taken that to a whole new level. This look is perfect for the girl who is bold and artistic. 

(Looks Left to Right: Floral Color Block Dress, White Patterned A-Line Dress, Pink Pineapple Dress, Geometric Print Dress.)

What are some of your favorite style trends this summer? I'd love to hear about them! So, let's chat in the comments below or you can tweet me at @StarkRavingChic. Rocking one of these awesome trends and just have to show it off? Feel free to tag me on Instagram or in your Instagram Story at @StarkRavingChic. Later, babes!

Xx, Bree

P.S. Psssssst! If you love the jewelry I styled in this post as much as I do, you can try Rocksbox for a whole month 100% FREE when you sign up using my promo code "starkravingchicxoxo". Don't know what Rocksbox is or how it works? You can learn more here!

Also, In case you haven't heard, I am a proud member of rewardStyle and LIKEtoKNOW.it! Meaning you can shop straight from my Instagram feed when you click here or here. Don't know what LIKEtoKNOW.it is all about? Learn more, here!

Welcome Back! (Feat. Life Updates, New Blogging Schedule, and Clothing by Make Me Chic)

Hi, everybody! It's been awhile hasn't it? First off, I would like to apologize for taking a much longer than anticipated hiatus, however if you read my last post, I'm sure many of you have assumed that I simply needed some extra time to heal and focus on myself, which you would be correct in assuming. But now I am back, feeling rejuvenated, and more ambitious than ever! I suppose the old saying "absence makes the heart grow fonder" holds true to me, even if in this case it's in regards to my blog. 

With that being said (and I'm sure you've guessed by the title), I do have some life updates for you all which means I will also be on a new blogging schedule. But first, let's dive into today's outfit of the day, featuring a comfy, yet chic maxi dress from my sponsor, Make Me Chic.

Underestimated Earth Tones

Firstly, I just have to say, though I've been gone the past few months, I was surprised and grateful for the outpouring of kindness and support that I still continued to receive. (I promise I will answer all of your comments everyone, and thanks again!!) But though I will answer your comments individually, I know a lot of you lovely people have been wondering what exactly I've been up too, as well as if I've been alright.

As I stated earlier, I am doing much better than the last time you guys heard from me. And though my life did change rather abruptly, it was totally for the better. Though at the time I did not see it as a positive change, now looking back on the situation with a new set of eyes and a whole lot of clarity, it was most definitely more toxic than I would like to admit. But on the bright side, I most definitely grew from the experience and I'm excited to start this new chapter in my life.  

So, what have I been up too? Well, for starters, I have been spending gobs of time with my family and friends, and have even made some new ones along the way. I have also been extremely busy in order to return to my classes at Point Park University this fall, which is actually why I am implementing a new blogging schedule, but more on that later. I am also happy to say that I am back to my sarcastic, but cheery, self and have been enjoying styling some of my favorite trends this summer (though, I still need to desperately detox my wardrobe--I guess that'll come in due time). So on that last note, lets talk about this cool, casual maxi dress from my sponsor Make Me Chic.

As my long time readers know, one thing I am an absolute sucker for is maxi dresses. The reason I love them so much is because not only do they flatter my tall frame, they are also incredibly comfortable and generally have a nice bohemian vibe. This dress is no different, which it was why my first pick to wear on a nice summer stroll through Sewickley, and to stop and poke around the local flower shop.

The first thing I noticed about this dress wasn't just the fun tie-dyed pattern, but the fact that it was made up of earth tones, which are admittedly some of my favorites to wear. I just absolutely loved that though this dress is whimsical, it is also practical in its colors meaning its perfect for many different summer activities. This dress is also incredibly soft and just feels like you're wearing an oversized tee, meaning it isn't too hot for some of those 90 degree days we will be having in our near future.

Makeup: Face, BareMinerals Original Foundation and Blush. Eyes, City Minis Palette by Maybelline, Plumpify Mascara by Covergirl. Lips, Kat Von D Everlasting Lip Liner and Covergirl Oh Sugar Lipstick.

**All eye and lip makeup for this post was provided by Influenster.

Finally, to style this dress, I chose to pair it with a basic, straw hat, these Gorjana, Ryder Ear Climbers, along with this darling beaded necklace by Nakamol and my SLATE Moonlight Daydream cuff. The reason I chose these pieces is because I felt each of them complemented this dress' whimsical nature nicely, without being too over the top, which would take away from this dress' down to earth vibe. 

New Blogging Schedule

Now that I got the fun stuff out of the way, here is some important information regarding my posts in the upcoming future! As I stated above, I have been incredibly busy getting ready to head back to school this fall and will be caring a full course load. Meaning, I won't have as much time to dedicate to my blog as I did in years past. However, don't worry, I'm not quitting altogether! 

Though the next few months maybe trial and error of getting my schedule down pat (mainly so I'm not a stressed out mess between studying, homework, and this) I am first going to start off with doing biweekly posts. These posts will go live sometime during the first week of each month, and the third week of each month. That way it gives me more time to write worthwhile articles (as I'm sure you can recall me addressing a few months back) as well as keeping up on my schooling! And though I'm sure you are already aware, I will still be posting within my main categories (and come September there will even be a new travel post!) so though I'm scaling back on my posts, I am not scaling back on the variety that you guys find here. So everyone wins right?!

One Last Look

What are some of your favorite trends you've been styling this summer? And to my fellow college bloggers, what's your strategy to keep your sanity while juggling school work and your blog? Let's chat about both these topics in the comments below, or you can tweet me at @StarkRavingChic! Have a cute summer look you'd just love to show off? Feel free to tag me on your Instagram story at  @StarkRavingChic. Later, babes!

Xx, Bree

P.S. I just want to say thank you again to the out pouring of support that I received from all of you while I was feeling so down. It's truly ever so kind of all of you and I am so thankful for all of you and your kind words. ❤️

P.P.S. Psssssst! If you love the jewelry I styled in this post as much as I do, you can try Rocksbox for a whole month 100% FREE when you sign up using my promo code "starkravingchicxoxo". Don't know what Rocksbox is or how it works? You can learn more here!

Also, In case you haven't heard, I am now a proud member of rewardStyle and LIKEtoKNOW.it! Meaning you can shop straight from my Instagram feed when you click here or here. Don't know what LIKEtoKNOW.it is all about? Learn more, here!

Blogging Hiatus: 2017

Hi everybody! Though I really was not planning on taking a hiatus this year (And don't worry, I won't be gone for months on end like my last hiatus, I'll just be away for 10 days!)  but due to some recent emotional trauma, I feel that it is best to take a short break and regroup. Though this is a hard time for me, I assure you all that I will be okay, and am trying to remain positive though I am currently devastated and heartbroken. I just need sometime to heal and get my head back in the game. So I'll see you all in a little over a week. Later babes, I can't wait to get back on track!

Xx, Bree