Beach coverups help protect us from the sun’s harmful rays, hide what we’d prefer to keep under wraps, and can make us look adorable, even when we’re not near water.
A Show of Arms
Make a splash in a low-cut, one-piece outfit that shows off just the right amount of skin and lets you move with ease from day to night.
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Whether you’re on a jetsetter or staycationer’s budget, our FOFashion experts have the essentials to make packing for summer weekends–a breeze! Here, they share their picks for FOFigure-flattering swimsuits, chic sunglasses, and stylish totes they’d splurge on. Then, we found the looks for less!
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About the experts:
Terry Gibralter is the Sr. Vice President and Creative Director at Grey advertising as well as a fashion stylist and the creator of these clever work accessories.
Susan Hersh is a Ford model and the host and executive producer of Meet The Experts.
Glenyse Thompson is a personal home and wardrobe stylist and the creator of Styleosophy.
Sherrie Mathieson is a leading style expert and Random House author of Steal this Style and Forever Cool.
Lovey Dash is a Beverly Hills-based stylist. She was formerly in VIP sales for Louis Vuitton on Rodeo Drive.
Hurrah, it’s spring! Now slowly back away from those pastels. The colors of the season are BRIGHT. Specifically, bright pink and red. We saw these hot hues peeking out from under coats and jackets throughout Fashion Week.
The key to wearing them: don’t be over the top, but don’t be too tentative. Head-to-toe pink and red will leave you looking like FOFBarbie. But one pink bangle is a snooze. Instead, invest in a few fab pieces and use them two-or-three at a time to pull a basic look together.
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Picture these beauties with a bright pink sweater, blue jeans and neutral flats.
Splurge: Watercolor silk scarf from Ann Taylor, $98.
Save: Made of me double dot scarf from Nordstrom, $29.
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Summer staple jewelry that you can wear with linen pants and a t-shirt, a simple shift, a dress suit…you get the idea. Don’t forget to pair them with that gorgeous scarf (above) or any of the other pieces (below).
Splurge: Adreena Bangle Set by Amrita Singh from PinkMascara, $115
Save: Cara Mixed Media Bangles from Nordstrom, $58
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Meet your new neutral summer bag. Believe it or not, you can pair these with just about anything in your closet. Bonus points for mixing in another bold hue such as neon yellow or electric blue.
Splurge: Flicker-Tenley Patent Crossbody Bag by Kate Spade $178
Save: Small Patent Crossbody Bag from Steve By Steve Madden, $78
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Swap these for your regular jeans or khakis and suddenly you’ve got “a look.” Especially great with nautical striped tops, khaki blazers and latte-colored accessories.
Splurge: Alisha Skinny Stretch Jeans by Not Your Daughter’s Jeans from Nordstrom, $104
Save: Signature Colored Denim Flared Crop Jeans from Talbots, $79.50
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Like the bags, these beauties are a surprising neutral. Wear them instead of a basic black flat with all your summer faves.
Splurge: Erin Patent Leather Ballet Flat by Michael Kors from Neiman Marcus, $150
Save: Patent Ballerina from Zara, $39.50
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Swap this for the neutral spring cover-up you normally wear (we’re all guilty of wearing a navy or grey cardigan just a few days too many–it’s ok). Even better, pair the pink top with your red pants and visa versa. Add gold accessories and you’ll glow like the sun…or, better yet, the sunset.
Splurge: Cashmere V-Neck Cardigan from J.Crew, $178
Save: MOD.lusive Roll Sleeve Cardigan from Nordstrom, $42
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Maybe they should rename it FOFashion week…
New York City’s Fashion Week is dominated not by FUF models, but by the FOFashion forward, from Franca Sozzani, editor in chief of Vogue Italia, to jewelry designer, Efva Attling, Sweden’s queen of bling. It’s also our FOFavorite place to scope out style worth stealing. Check out these 3 street styles from Fashion Week and then, get them for less.
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Patterned Tights
Once reserved for leggy waifs, patterned tights have made a comeback on more shapely sisters…namely, shapely FOF sisters. Trust us, ladies, the fashion future is hosey. “We may have varicose veins, sun spots or cellulite,” says Hallie Peterson, owner of Leg Luxury tights. “so, when we cover our legs with patterns, it looks a lot better than going bare or even wearing regular nude hose.” Glenyse G. Thompson of styleosophy.com agrees. “They add unexpected texture and/or color to your outfit.”
Get the look: Leg Luxury tights, $22 from the FabOverFifty shop
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Itty Bitty Bags
We’re all grown up, but our bags are shrinking?! We’re talking about itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny, honey-I-shrunk-the handbags. “Fashion is having an Alice in Wonderland moment, with exaggerated proportions flinging outfits into thrilling disarray,” according to the fashion website and store, Asos.com. If your own body proportions give you agita, there’s nothing like a dinky dollhouse-sized bag to throw them for a loop!
Get the look: Mini Metallic Quilted Cross Body Bag, $21.49 from Asos.com
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A Fur Collar
When the weather outside is frightful, there’s nothing more delightful than a fur collar–preferably detachable–to give it more va-voom! As the weather warms, you can remove it and keep your statement coat working a bit longer. “[A fur collar is] a cool addition to a fitted sweater, a sheath dress or a narrow coat.” says FOF Style Guru Terry Gibralter. “ Well said, Terry… and well worn, Fashion Week FOFs.
Get the look: Helene Berman Faux Fur Collar $46 from TheOutnet
Our FOF Style Gurus share their favorite, wear-everywhere summer pieces. Then, for the truly frugal, our FOF Bargain Gurus recommend look-alike items at a fraction of the price.
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“Since returning to office work, I’m looking for suit alternatives such as cardigans in flowy silhouettes and luxe fabrics or tailored clothing with a feminine touch,” says FOF style expert Gail Garramone. “I love color and always wear a bright touch somewhere. I also really believe in the perfect accessory to compliment a monochromatic outfit, and I have just invested in a handbag that looks like a giant piece of jewelry.” Check out Gail’s glam spring office wear, below. Then, discover some easy-on-the-wallet alternatives.
Tory Burch ‘Simone’ cardigan/Jamin Puech ‘Anatoli’ handbag/Alexis Bittar ‘Zanzibar’ bangle/Akris ‘Karla’ Pants
Gap v-neck cardigan/Rafe ‘Carolina’ clutch/Alexis Bittar bangle/Soft Surroundings ‘Tencel’ pull-on pant
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“I am loving creams and light pinks for the spring…so feminine!” says FOF style expert Sandra Soich “The racer-back silhouette is definitely in this season, and even though our backs may not be perfect, FOFs can wear this silhouette with a soft cami underneath.” Sandra’s fabulously feminine spring picks are below, followed by thriftier versions of the pieces.
Cosabella ‘Talco’ long camisole/Rag and Bone racer tank/Eileen Fisher organic linen trouser/Eileen Fisher scoop neck dress/Via Spiga ‘Dolmen’ pump
Soft Surroundings long scoop cami / Madewell perfect racerback tank/Soft Surroundings ‘Palagiano’ pant/Calvin Klein pleated jersey dress/Anne Klein ‘Pipa’ heels
FOF style expert, Sherrie Mathieson, is eying Prada’s collection this spring. “I love nylon windbreakers and anoraks like this one in tan from Prada,” says Sherrie. “They are my sporty alternative to sweaters.” A Bakelite-inspired necklace in caramel is “a complexion-enhancing neutral,” and a pair of patent slides are “a sleek, comfortable basic that will work with most slacks.” Check out Sherrie’s picks and FOF’s bargain version:
Prada contrast-trim jacket/Prada link necklace in light tortoise/Prada patent leather wedge slides/Prada cropped Pants
Chico’s Zenergy jacket/Adia Kibur links necklace/Soft Surroundings peep-toe espadrille/Coldwater Creek capri pants
Practical perfection is FOF style expert Terry Gibralter’s mantra this spring. Topping her wish-list: A lightweight tote (“for everything I carry, like my iPad”), super-stylish, comfortable flats (“I’ll wear them like crazy through the summer”) and wide-leg jeans (“a welcome change from the super-skinny jeans I’ve been rocking all winter!”) And to jazz it all up? A necklace in an eye-popping shade. (“To add pizazz to my neutrals.”) See her picks below, then find out how to get this look for less.
J Brand Hawkeye Wide Leg Jeans / Proenza Schouler shopping tote / Marni rope and chain necklace / Candela oxfords
Not Your Daughter’s Jeans flare jeans/Halogen vertical tote/Old Navy Mixed-media necklace/Miz Mooz two-tone oxfords
