Hot Girl Summer, Sale Edition

This post may be as basic as the title, but let’s face it, it’s a necessary conversation come Labor Day sales. If you are like me, you have probably been geo-targeted with ads for bathing suits and just about anything else you can bring to the beach over these past few months. It was definitely tough to decide what I needed versus what looked fun to have, especially when you consider the price points. So, I started to contemplate the ‘must haves’ as we officially enter the final days of summer and one of the biggest sale seasons of the year.

When I thought about what I really needed this summer, three things rose to the top - a bag, a bathing suit, and some bangles. The three Bs if you will. And they have a few things in common. They are all water, sun, and travel proof. And they are things that you can wear in a variety of situations on repeat.

Here’s the breakdown:

Bags

There is nothing I love more than a black leather bag. In fact, they make up about 90 percent of my collection because they are so practical. But when summer rolls around, I always find myself thinking the exact same thing - I need a neutral bag that I can throw around, take to the farmers market or on vacation, and that will withstand water marks and stains (ideally). Let’s be honest, those expensive black bags we all own are probably not traveling with us or getting caught in the rain on any given day. In summer, the heat and weather can further deter us from carrying certain styles or brands. And that’s why I am loving the natural and straw resort style bags that have taken over the market. You don’t need to go beyond Etsy or local retail shops to find these modest bags. I personally love the hand held small boxy styles or the traditional french market totes with long leather handles. They look chic and who cares what you throw in them or what happens in transit. Beach? Great. Airport? No problem! Tropical storm? Sure, why not. So, save yourself some money and anxiety…Make like Jane Birkin and get into the basket bag scene.

Bathing Suits

This one is by far the trickiest of all three items and I struggle to find a bikini every year. As much as I love to shop online, bathing suits are something you usually need to try on in person. Fit, styles, and cuts look different on everyone. You really can’t tell what will work best on you and what you feel most comfortable in from pictures alone. Given the latest bare-it-all styles, I plan on visiting Nordstrom or South Moon Under (a regional shop in the Mid-Atlantic) to hopefully sort my suit situation out. If you don’t have a dependable store to shop in person, don’t despair. Think about your body features you want to highlight and your shape. Are you larger on top and needing support? Do you have curves you want to highlight with some high bottoms? Do you have more of a boxy mid-section that lends itself well to thicker briefs and strapless tops? (Like me.) Try to shop separate bikini pieces instead of sets to really nail the look you want. Or, go with a one piece to keep things simple and streamlined. No matter what you do, try to stick to styles that are not crazy trendy so you can wear your suit for a few years to come (e.g., tanga style bottoms are a little too 80s for me).

Bangles

Probably my favorite and most needed of all three items, hearty bangles are a must for summer. It’s no secret that I love vintage, so 60s resin bangles or modern neutral colored bangles are always on my list. When the heat ramps up and you can’t stand outside for five minutes without breaking a sweat, I reach for bangles that will go from day to night in any weather, anywhere. They are light, go with a variety of outfits, and can get banged around without any worries (e.g., riding a bike, going to the pool, or simply surviving the sharp zipper around your handbag opening). Dark, metallic, or neutral colored bangles are also great for year round wear. If you want to go all out, spring for a solid gold bangle. It’s a great investment piece that will never go out of style.

It’s hard to believe that summer is coming to a close, but we are saying goodbye in the best way possible - with some major Labor Day sales where you can find some great pieces to wear right now and next year too! So, take the time to reflect on what you loved to wear and what you found yourself wanting over the past few months to take advantage of these price drops. A little strategizing will help you choose the pieces that will last the longest in your closet.

Here’s a few things I found this summer…