The bite in the midnight air says it all: the dog days of summer are indeed in short supply. Blink and you might miss it: ever so slightly the shift begins, as the late summer breeze picks up speed—evermore so by the day—tempered only briefly by still-pleasant conditions in the midafternoon sun. As the sun descends, the crisp air drifts right on in and we find ourselves parting with barely-there numbers and reaching for the nearest knit instead. And, naturally, as we transition from the thick of summer to the cusp of its cooler counterpart around the corner, so too does the nature of our social calendar activities. And if hazy days spent traipsing from beach to barbeque and al fresco dinners is the cornerstone of July and August, than outdoor weddings are what September is truly made of.
If you ask me, a September wedding simply can’t be beat. With only a trace left of the humidity from months prior, we revel in delightful afternoons that warm us but don’t overwhelm. The stretch of extended daylight, albeit smaller, is still substantial enough for the expected outdoor wedding activities: bridal photo shoots, a garden or seaside ceremony, cocktails at sunset and the like fit right in without issue. And with the bulk of summer now behind us, calendars are greatly freed up, leaving guests feeling a bit more relaxed and primed for the off-season excitement that September weddings usher in.
Another trademark of a September wedding? Fickle temperatures and increasingly breezy nights. With temperatures flirting between balmy in late afternoon and downright brisk by dusk, selecting a dress airy enough for the day and insulated enough for keeping evening chills at bay is a delicate dance. Where fabrication is concerned, aim for styles in crêpe, georgette or silk chiffon for effortless refinement that’s breathable and also ideal for cooler nights. Try a sleeveless plissé number that can be styled on its own for the afternoon and coordinated with a gauzy wrap for a more practical look by sundown. Or, perhaps pick up a long-sleeved fluid silk style that’s streamlined and sensible for when the evening breeze creeps in. With a little forward thinking, any way you slice it, you’ll both perfect the art of transeasonal dressing and earn major points towards best dressed for the weekend. So, without further ado, take your pick of these 11 exceptionally chic wedding guest dresses and be on your merry way.
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The span of a season can be likened to the sensory experience of sampling a piece of dark chocolate. Bittersweet. The season opens and we are awash with delight, enraptured by an initial overload of flavor that is sweet and light. As we continue on, bite after bite, that blooming sweetness soon fades into notes that are more balanced in nature—bitter, even. Still, the sweetness is there. And that lingering bittersweet aftertaste, signaling the end of a slightly better beginning and middle, encapsulates no better season than that of summer.
And what would summer be without its defining fashions? Perhaps that underlying sweetness of the season is best expressed, at least, for us prudent and discerning shoppers among us, in the incredible buys to be found as we near summer’s curtain call. When not wading in the ocean in our little-nothings, we turn our sartorial attention to still-insouciant pieces we can wear now and a bit later: flowy midi skirts and dresses, a linen short, or maybe a chic jumpsuit that’s statement worthy all on its own. Also top of mind is the abundance of deals that overcome our Instagram feeds and our every last scroll of the digital marketplace. As we watch those hot ticket items dwindle down in price, digit by digit, it’s surely hard not to bite the bullet. Which is why, with a little help from my friends at Google once again, I’ve scoured the web to bring you a healthy dose of these irresistible end-of-summer deals, all wrapped up in the below Labor Day-ready looks. Summer’s never tasted so sweet.
In our ever-growing material world, us fashion aficionados often find ourselves overwhelmed by the sheer volume of handbag choices to draw from at any moment. Faced similarly with the task of sorting the sheep from the goats, we’re left equally overwhelmed. For as we know all too well, in the world of handbags, the stream of trends is constant, near limitless at times, and can truly test the strength of one’s patience and willpower. But every once in a while, as we comb through this small sea of more-than-essential add-ons, one trend comes along that instantly captures hearts and brings itself into the fold without so much as lifting a finger. This year, that force to be reckoned with is none other than the mini handbag.
And this fresh dose of unexpected interest is a mixed bag in all the best ways. Worth its weight in gold, the mini bag—ranging from the decidedly minuscule micro flap, to larger bucket versions more apt for a standard outing (storage—here’s looking at you!)—has quickly become requisite for the wardrobe of every fashion girl worth her salt. When it comes to the options of fabric, it’s a potpourri that’ll win many favors. Artisanal basket weave styles mingle with unflappable leather designs (and countless others) to offer enough range of style for any one aesthetic—hence, finding one style to suit your very own is a total breeze. So go ahead, renew your sense of sartorial self and pick up one of these 12 mini bags before the supply (inevitably!) runs dry.
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The thick of summer. The days are long, the hemlines are impressively short, and the soaring temps have us jumping at any opportunity to just cool off. There’s nothing quite like the hot season, nor the barely-there uniforms many of us so often live in whenever the weekend rolls around. That’s right, swimsuit season is also in full swing and we’re soaking up every last minute of it.
Danielle Bernstein of @WeWoreWhat in Onia x WeWoreWhat May 2019 Collection
And the iterations are endless. From whimsical prints, to punchy patterns, delightfully sunny hues to decidedly muted ones, and cool cuts that compete with funky ties and knots—the choices are beyond our wildest dreams. Just spend mere minutes on Instagram and you’ll have all the confirmation you need on the current swim frenzy, and its unwavering hold on all of us. But we’re not complaining (except, maybe on behalf of our wallets), because let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a fabulous new swimsuit?
Which leaves us begging the question: which brands out there are really worth our hard-earned dollars? Let’s face it, swimwear does not come cheap. Well you’re in luck, because I’ve rounded up 6 labels to know that hold up across the board (I’m talking quality, style and comfort!)—so you can worry less about ‘fits losing shape and more about nailing that next Instagram shot. Ahead, the swimwear brands currently trending (and soon to be raiding your bikini drawer, we hope!) near and far. So go right ahead, sink right in.
1. Onia x WeWoreWhat
Launched this past May by global influencer Danielle Bernstein of @WeWoreWhat, the fourth collection from Onia x WeWoreWhat is everything a fashion girl could ask for. Inspired by Bernstein’s love of the Italian coast, the over 50 pieces that comprise the collection is a modern nod to old-world European glamour. You’ll notice timeless design elements such as cabana stripes and balconette tops effortlessly mingle with of-the-moment trends, such as the season’s puff-sleeve silhouette and citrus yellow takeover. What’s more, in classic WeWoreWhat style, Danielle does not fail to punctuate the collection with a bit of fan inspiration, rounding it out with distinctive pieces (like fuller bottoms) that draw directly from the suggestions of Bernstein’s fanbase itself.
Prepare to address dozens of inquiring passerbys when you don this Colombian label on your next beach trip. The ultimate where-did-you-get-that brand, Agua by Agua Bendita uses local artisans to craft hand-made, bohemian swim that you’ll want to live in all summer long. A standout in more ways than one, the brand’s full range apparel line is worth checking out, too.
A favorite of It-girls and all those in the know, Faithfull the Brand has reached new heights with the launch of their new swimwear collection this year. In keeping with their romantic aesthetic, delicate details, whimsy patterns, and clean lines ground this line, and uphold the brand’s reputation of effortlessly translating from beach, to drinks, to dinner at sunset.
Balancing barely-there swim with a sense of tastefulness is a delicate act. Juillet does just that. With its feminine cuts and flirty colorways, the brand’s collection of swim appeals to that contemporary gal who’s laid-back, yet never compromises on quality. You can almost ensure a second glance with this one.
The brainchild of Australia’s most influential blogger duo, Tash Oakley and Devin Brugman, Monday Swimwear is perhaps the greatest force to be reckoned with in the world of swimwear. All those who subscribe to Instagram trend monitoring can’t go a day without seeing a new blogger or celebrity bedecked in the line. Its versatile offering of designs go from streamlined and minimal, to daring and statement-worthy—so there’s truly something for everyone.
An enduring summertime staple, Solid & Striped is one of those brands that rarely lets us down. This year, the brand unveiled a new partnership with RE/DONE for a series of vintage-inspired collections that speak to the energy of notable destinations like Montauk and Nantucket back in the day. As always, classic silhouettes dominate the new offerings, but we see new cuts and features integrated here for a fresh take.