Look 1: Alice + Olivia Jacket, Chaser tee, J Brand jeans, MM6 clutch, Steven flats. Look 2: Preen dress, Salvatore Ferragamo flats, Rebecca Minkoff clutch. Look 3: MM6 shirtdress, B-Low The Belt belt, Tory Burch bag, Rachel Zoe flats.

I’m really not a heels girl, but I have a few dates coming up and I want to look polished and sexy. Do you have any tips for looking great while rocking flats?

Good for you for staying true to yourself! Fashion has never embraced flats as much as they have now. With the wide range of options, it’s easy to send the same styling messages as pumps.  

DRINKS & A MOVIE
A low-pressure movie date is the perfect opportunity to show off an edgier look. Studded red Steven flats have a polished pointed toe and an adventure-ready feel. A ladylike Alice + Olivia jacket, skinny jeans, and a graphic tee finish this easy, put-together look.

MEET THE PARENTS
Meeting the parents can be a stressful date. Make it easy on yourself by falling back on the classics. A Preen dress is ladylike and chic, and patent Salvatore Ferragamo flats are stylish, yet easy-going. Keeping a sense of humor is really important. Inject a peek of your fun personality with quirky jewelry or a Rebecca Minkoff snake-print clutch.

DAYTIME COFFEE DATE
For a causal daytime meet-up, you want to send a carefree, casual vibe. A loose MM6 Maison Martin Margiela shirtdress with a neutral belt will really make a pair of bold flats—Rachel Zoe has several colorful options—shine as the statement piece. Plus, wearing flats means you’ll be up for any post-coffee plans that might pop up.

--Loni

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Alicia here from Cheetah is the New Black! I'm a big fan of the drop-waist silhouette and thought it would be fun to style this little black dress multiple ways. This DVF number can easily be transformed from day to night, worn to the office as well as that special event, and will remain a favorite in your closet for years to come!

The Dress: Diane von Furstenburg Maeryn Poplin Dress

--Alicia
Cheetah is the New Black

Between the cutouts and asymmetry on some of fashion’s finest designs this season, it can be a real challenge to find lingerie that works without being seen. Don’t get me wrong: we love the peek-a-boo trend here at Shopbop, but it’s simply not right for every look. That’s why I was pleasantly surprised to see how many of our lingerie brands (Calvin Klein, ResultWear, and Only Hearts to name but three) offered underthings that stand up to the season’s trickiest fashions.

THE ONE-SHOULDER DRESS & THE NOTCHED STRAPLESS DRESS

One Shoulder: Marchesa Notte Draped Dress, ResultWear Ava Bra, ResultWear Stella Slip.
Strapless: David Lerner Strapless Dress, Only Hearts Strapless Convertible Bra, Only Hearts So Fine Lace Thong.

Hi, Shoptalk readers! I'm Nicole from Nicole's Guide To Style, and I am beyond thrilled to be collaborating with Shopbop on their blog today. Shopbop has always been the first site I browse in the morning and my go-to for on trend pieces, so this is a real treat!

The summer months seem to entail attending at least one engagement party, bridal shower, or wedding, and I've got all you brides covered with what to wear. Are you a bold and dramatic or an elegant and sweet bride? I'll show you how to work both looks with a simple swap of accessories. Better yet, get more mileage out of the dress, and rock both looks to different events! If you're not a bride this look would still work for a special occasion like a birthday or cocktail party. Just make sure you don't wear it to someone else's wedding event. White is a big fashion don't for a wedding guest!

The Dress:
Alice + Olivia Chiffon One Shoulder Dress

Bold & Dramatic Bride:
Diane Von Furstenberg Lytton Clutch
Dara Ettingner Lillian Earrings
Charles Albert Quartz Cuff
Jacquie Aiche Hand Chain
Boutique 9 Justine Pumps

Elegant & Sweet Bride:
Whiting & Davis Crystal Clutch
Shashi Pave Earrings
Maison Martin Margiela Ring
Jennifer Zeuner Love Bracelet
Alejandro Ingelmo Grace Pumps

XOXO, Nicole
www.guidetostyle.blogspot.com

I have a class reunion coming up, and I want an outfit that looks effortless, yet fantastic. Can you help?

It just so happens that I have a reunion coming up as well! Reunion outfits require a thoughtful approach. I put my stock in age-appropriate, timeless wardrobe essentials that incorporate right amount of trend. It’s so important to be comfortable and true to yourself. This is not the moment to test run “the new you.”

If the reunion is right around the corner, go with a fresh Jenni Kayne shift dress. Universally flattering and versatile, the shift is a good go-to for ladies of all age groups. Pair it back to sleek Loeffler Randal flats, toss on an open-knit cardigan, and reach for simple ginette_ny jewelry. For a casual, late summer or fall reunion, I love the idea of sharp denim, a great moto jacket, and heeled booties. An IRO jacket brings a little color to the look while still staying chic and neutral. If your get-together is more of a dressed-up affair, then a sleek knit 3.1 Phillip Lim dress is always a great option. The sleeves ensure you won’t be cold as we head into fall, and the length and fitted silhouette give it a bit of attitude. Pair it with a heeled bootie, easy-to-manage clutch, and a striped Boy. by Band of Outsiders blazer.

--Loni

Check out other Ask Shopbop features for more of Loni’s style tips.

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While the soaring temps of summer are great for pool parties and lounging at the beach, they can be tough on your skin. As soon as you step out the door, hair falls limp and makeup melts. Thankfully, our in-house beauty expert has a few tricks up her sleeve for prepping skin in the sweltering summer.

Hair and makeup by Kendra Gassner.

Step 1: Moisturize
Start with a lightweight tinted moisturizer. Be sure it has SPF—sun protection is the biggest key to great skin! Layer a mattifying primer—ones with a silicone base are best—to help fight shine.

Step 2: Powder
Dust a light powder onto your T-zone. Avoid powdering the tops of the cheeks to leave some natural moisture for dewy finish.

Hair and makeup by Kendra Gassner.

Step 3: Bronze
Sweep a bronzing powder over the places the sun would naturally hit your face: the top of your forehead, along the cheekbones, and down your nose. Use a light hand though—too much bronzer can make your face look dirty.

Step 4: Prepare Eyes
Softly powder the lids and apply an eye primer. After the primer dries, set it with a neutral shadow. This keeps your eye makeup from creasing. 

Hair and makeup by Kendra Gassner.

Step 5: Mascara
Mascara can be tricky in warm weather, but if you have prepped the eye area, it won’t run. Curl eyelashes with a curler or the round end of a shadow brush. Then top with waterproof mascara in a brown or soft black shade.

Step 6: Finish
To complete your fresh summer look, use a tinted lip balm with SPF. Remember, sun protection is everything!

Check out other great hair and beauty tips here.

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Despite the suppressive heat of summer, pre-fall trends are popping up everywhere, triggering a Pavlovian longing for cozy layers and crisp nights. Soon it will be time to pack up the pastel skinnies and bright crops of spring and summer in favor of a more autumnal denim palette. Shopbop buyer Alana has been keeping an eye on the latest trends: “Jewel tones are huge for fall. Deep purples, teals, merlots, rustic browns, nudes, and of course, winter whites! The style is still skinny, but with a mix of fabrications—not only denim but also leather, coated, and corduroy.” But, adversaries of the skinny jean fear not. She also noted, “Nothing is better than a ripped boyfriend jean to mix up your new fall wardrobe.”

--Libby S.

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Hi Shopbop! I’m tired of wearing my same old clothes to the farmers market. How can I mix it up?

I am a sucker for a great farmers market: the people watching, fresh produce, and relaxed atmosphere make for a perfect urban adventure. You never quite know who you’ll run into, so looking your casual best is key. A striped denim J Brand skirt is dressed up just enough for an impromptu lunch date and a gauzy Rachel Allegra top holds up for a quick lap through a museum gift shop. Look for shoes with soft, blister-free straps—K. Jacques has great options. And finally, make sure to bring a slouchy tote with room for fresh flowers, tomatoes, and all your other summer market finds.

--Loni

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About once a summer, in the middle of the night, my parents would round up my sister and me, carry us out to the pier, and we would watch in delight as meteors blazed across an inky sky. These early astronomic memories created a lifelong love of stars. Lucky for me, fashion is in no short supply of celestial-inspired looks this season. A distressed Wildfox sweater has large, bold five-pointers, while a loose Current/Elliott tee sports smaller stars. AG Adriano Goldschmied jeans shine in random constellations and Gorjana studs twinkle true to their namesake song. Whether it’s a delicate star-charm Tai bracelet or a night-scene Patterson J. Kincaid jacket, I know I feel more grounded when I’m wearing a piece of the sky.

--Libby S.

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Hello to the fellow Shopbop-obsessed! This is Merritt from The Style Scribe, and I'm here to show you how to wear one amazing Tibi dress in three different and fun ways. For more personal style tips, head on over to TheStyleScribe.com and be sure to follow me on Twitter!

THE DRESS: Tibi

THE DETAILS:
Summer: Shoes: Zara, Bag: Proenza Schouler, Bracelets: BFREND, J.Crew and SusanB., Rings: Antique and OhKuol

Work: Blazer: Nasty Gal (similar here), Bag: Jimmy Choo, Shoes: Alexander Wang, Watch: Michele (similar here), Bracelets: Hermes and John Hardy, Rings: Sass & Bide and OhKuol, Necklace: A Bientot

Winter: Fur Jacket: Neiman Marcus, Necklace: Forever 21 (similar here), Tights: Falke, Booties: Zara (similar here)

Devotees to killer stilettos are no stranger to suffering in the name of style. Flats? Not for us. Teetering on needle-like heels, we succumb to numb feet, cramped toes, and aching arches all for the ecstasy of adding inches. Thankfully, designers are finally catching on. Pre-fall styles are flooding in and some of the most stunning shoes are equipped with stealthy pillows of comfort.

Always designing with real women in mind, and I’m sure no stranger to the perils of foot pain herself, Diane von Furstenberg has several new styles sporting gel-like pads to cushion the balls of your feet. For evening, check out strappy DVF Jeanette Sandals, and try suede DVF Anette Pumps for long days at the office. Brian Atwood also seeks to satisfy the need for chic, walkable footwear. His B Brian Atwood Malika Pumps come in bold suede and metallic embossed-snake.

The silhouettes are extremely sleek, and don’t conjure up any of the traditional visions of so-called “comfortable heels.” Will this trend continue? I sure hope so, but in the meantime I’m stocking up.

--Libby S.

Shop Diane von Furstenberg heels.
Shop B Brian Atwood heels.

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It’s a dilemma we face every summer: suppressive heat outside and blasting air conditioning inside. Getting dressed becomes a careful practice in duality. Outfits have to work during your sticky commute and under the freezing vents at your desk. The key to stylishly surviving? Layers. Lightweight and neutral, a Jenni Kayne cardigan tucks easily over a tote in the heat, and looks chic over a Black Halo dress during a meeting. A gauzy wrap is another packable option. Before you get to the office, tie a colorful Rag & Bone scarf to your shoulder bag. Once you reach your frosty destination, wrap it around your shoulders or neck for an elegantly efficient way to warm up.

--Libby S.

Check out a few of my favorites from HELMUT, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Thakoon Addition, and Theodora & Callum.

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The summer travel season is upon us, and in the Shopbop offices, the most important part of the trip planning process is, naturally, the packing. So this month we’re offering tips on what to bring when you jet off to some of the world’s most interesting locales. This week, we wrap up our series with Sydney, Australia.

If you’re headed to Australia, pack extra cool. The island continent has a relaxed ease to it, and its denizens are the very picture of effortlessness. Whether you’re shopping at the sass & bide flagship, lunching, or catching at show at The Basement, keep your wardrobe simple and your attitude elevated.

I am in a scarf-tying rut. What are some fun new ways I can wear my summer scarves?

A lightweight scarf is one of the most versatile pieces of summer. I keep them stashed everywhere! From a style perspective, they can transform an ensemble, and more practically speaking, they’re perfect cover-ups for cool evenings or a chilly office. The styling options are pretty endless, but I narrowed it down to my top three suggestions.
 
NECK SCARF
When the weather is not too hot, and you are looking for a little more sun protection, a neck scarf is a great option. Lightweight Thakoon Addition scarves cover without adding bulk.
How to wear it: Casually twist the scarf and wrap it once so the two loose ends are hanging down. Tie the ends messily off to one side and untwist where you want more coverage.

HEAD WRAP
The beach is a perfect time to pull inspiration from the ’70s and wear your scarf as a head wrap. Not only will it protect your hair and scalp from the sun, but it looks effortlessly glamorous.
How to wear it: Fold the scarf into a triangle and then roll the folded edge a few times to shorten the scarf (if your scarf is already short, skip the rolling). Tie the ends into a loose bow over your hair at the nape of the neck. Be sure to keep some hair hanging out or you’ll end up in pirate territory.

WRAP SKIRT
When truly sticky-hot weather hits, you’ll want as few layers as possible. With a few folds and knots, a gauzy scarf transforms into an airy, breezy skirt.
How to wear it: Fold a large scarf into a long triangle. Center yourself so your hip hits the scarf in the middle, at its longest point. Pull the scarf around your waist and let the longs ends drop to the sides. Gather material close to your hip to create faux ends on each side (if you tie the real ends, the skirt with either fall off or be very risqué). Tie the faux ends in a secure bow, grab a cool beverage, and enjoy the summer.

--Loni

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Hi, Shoptalk readers! This is Jen Ramos, founder and editor over at MadeByGirl blog, where I love sharing the latest on design, fashion, and food with all my readers! On top of that, I also own an online shop by the same name and manage to create bright and modern paintings for my latest venture, Cocoa & Hearts. Speaking of paintings, this series is all about how color palettes in a painting can inspire an outfit. For this post, I decided to bring you three of my own paintings from the COLORS series, and pair each of them up to an outfit resembling the colors. Neat, huh? Let me know what you think and which is your favorite.

OUTFIT 1:

JEANS / DENIM TOP / HANDBAG / SHOES / IPHONE CASE / BRACELET / COCOA & HEARTS PAINTING COLORS 115

Everyone here at Shopbop has a favorite brand, but one thing we all agree on is stocking up on T by Alexander Wang basics. Sure, statement pieces are really fun to buy, but it’s the simple staples that really build a wardrobe. To show just how versatile these layering tees are, two of our stylists showed off their skills with a striped long-sleeve top.

Karina: I love this T by Alexander Wang top because of the fabric and print. It’s worth the cost because it’s somehow lightweight but substantial at the same time—the linen is airy and loose and perfect for popping over a tank or a statement bra in the summer, but so easy to transition into cooler seasons. I’ll be layering it under a blazer or even a denim vest come fall. The stripe is thin enough that it’s not outright preppy, but it could certainly go that direction—think a pair of colored denim shorts with ballet flats. It can just as easily be worn with an edgy spin. I wear it with harem pants, lace-up sandals, and my favorite Pamela Love jewelry.

On Karina:
*T by Alexander Wang Striped Tee
*3.1Phillip Lim Pants (similar)
*Tibi Sandals (similar)
*Pamela Love Necklace

Rachel: T by Alexander Wang is one of my favorite brands, and hands-down worth the extra pennies due to the comfortable fabric. This striped linen top has been in heavy rotation since I purchased it. It’s a great lightweight layer to have on hand for the summer into early fall. It can be paired with denim cutoffs, or if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous you can have fun with print on print or texture. I love styling stripes with floral prints, or stripes with textured tweed. I get the most comments on these ensembles that play with juxtaposition!

On Rachel:
*T by Alexander Wang Striped Tee
*Kelly Wearstler Skirt  
*Stella McCartney Sunglasses
*Clare Vivier Clutch (similar)

--Libby S.

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The summer heat is here, and I'd really like to add shorts to my work wardrobe. How can I style them in an appropriate, professional way?

When it gets hot, typical suits can be torturous. Ditch the skirt separates and still-too-hot dresses and push the style envelope with these simple tips for wearing shorts to work. 

PRETTY & NEUTRAL
Test the fashion waters in your office with a soft, ladylike look. Feminine styles tend to be more demure than sex-kitten—a must for the office.  Pair creamy, vintage-inspired Pencey shorts with a floral or pastel Equipment blouse. Gold jewelry, a feminine shoe, and soft hair complete the vision.

BOLD & REFINED
In a more creative workspace, bold colors and prints offer a nice opportunity to create a look that matches.  It will feel pulled-together and thoughtful, two concepts that are applauded in workwear.  Pick a fun print style, Rebecca Minkoff shorts are a great choice, and match them back to a sharp blazer. Opting for a simple hairstyle will offset the boldness of the look.

LONG & LADYLIKE
If short shorts don’t cut it in your office, then simply go longer.  Metallic DVF Bermuda shorts stay flattering with a slim cut, plus the hint of sparkle looks more formal than your standard vacation version.  Pair with a ladylike Elie Tahari top to steer clear of a disco vibe, and finish with heels to keep things confident. 

--Loni

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Hi, Shoptalk readers! Meg Biram here from MIMI+MEG, sharing some of my favorite edgy pieces with you. Edgy doesn't have to mean all black. I've found some great items with color that are perfect for summer.

ON THE TOP:
Kelly Wearstler Leather Moto Jacket / HELMUT Printed Tank / Helmut Lang Spider Burnout Tank

ACCESSORIES & SHOES:
Pour La Victoire Astrid Suede Flats / House of Harlow 1960 Horizontal Horn Necklace / Bing Bang Calavera Bracelet / Rebecca Minkoff Bethanie Booties / Pamela Love Double Pyramid Ring

ON THE BOTTOM: 
Rag & Bone/JEAN The Legging Jeans / Genetic Denim Raquel Crop Cigarette Jeans / David Lerner Tribal Leather Insert Leggings

--Meg Biram

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The summer travel season is upon us, and in the Shopbop offices, the most important part of the trip planning process is, naturally, the packing. So this month we’re offering tips on what to bring when you jet off to some of the world’s most interesting locales. This week: Greece.

The first step onto one of Greece’s islands in the Mediterranean evokes instant calm. The classic white architecture sloping up rocky hills creates a clean, luxe feel. Whether you’re watching the windmills on Mykonos or lounging on the black sand beaches of Santorini, your wardrobe should be as relaxed as your surroundings.

Since its post-WWII debut, the shirtdress has been a well-loved staple. The reason for its time-tested appeal? The feminine silhouette and borrowed-from-the-boys detailing work equally well for both work and play. Start with a lightweight style in a bright hue—a silk Equipment dress in berry is an excellent choice. While at the office, a floral Suno blazer is playful yet professional and suede DVF pumps keep feet happy until quitting time. For a more casual affair, ditch the blazer for a straw Cleobella tote with neon accents and slip into strappy Splendid sandals. Finish the look with colorful bangles and bask in the glory of your versatile style savvy.

--Libby S.

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