Burnt and still fabulous

Summer is the time to flaunt your best assets—the ones you’ve been hiding all winter under layers of clothes. Besides hot weather driving me to wear more revealing clothing, I also love showing off my legs, especially when they’re tan! (My shins are burned in this shoot because I overdid it on the beach in Miami last month.) But these Forever 21 shorts have remained a staple in my summer wardrobe for almost two years! They’re hip huggers with an elastic waist band and draw strings, making them comfy for more casual summer days.

Free People has always been one of my favorite brands, but I especially like this semi-sheer, long-sleeve top. Free People calls it the Bae Bae Layering Top; you can find it on sale here. The neutral and feminine color combined with the plunging neckline has made it one of my favorite shirts to wear lately.

When trying something different goes right

Sometimes my outfits can be so matchy-matchy. I can have a hard time putting together an outfit that includes more than two colors. Most of the time, in an effort to always look crisp and cohesive, I pair black with a pop of color. Sometimes it's just black and white, and other times it's more colorful. 

But when I was putting together this outfit, I was looking for a way to break my normal pattern. And since summer is here (yay!), it's the perfect time to experiment with your personal style.

Take this outfit: I've got on a knitted, beige tank, white denim pants and blue denim sandals. It's not matchy at all, but it still works. Putting together these kinds of outfits takes time and thought. It won't just happen!

The Glow Up

I came out of my Chicoma and got a deep tan while visiting Miami last week with my good friend Natalie in the City. We both needed a break from RL and decided to escape to a place where we could find inspiration for some summer fashion.

Miami is such an eclectic place. You see just about everything there, especially when it comes to fashion. (Sometimes you see too much.) But I was so excited to finally be somewhere warm that my main mission was to show as much skin as possible. This meant lots of outfits composed of tanks, mini skirts and shorts.

B&W

A black and white ensemble is so classically stylish. For some people it can seem a little boring, but for me, it's a go-to outfit that never disappoints. But to avoid looking like I'm wearing a uniform, I pick pieces like what I'm wearing below—garments with small embellishments that help them stand out.

I don't usually like bell sleeves, but I wanted to try something different. I got this piece at Zara a couple months ago and have been wearing it everywhere since! It's perfect for several occasions, like work or a networking event, and I can pair it with some casual pants and rock it on my off-duty days.

These Express leggings are also such a good option for work, especially because not all leggings are. Lululemon in the office? I don't think so. But a dressier legging that looks more like a tight dress pant than something you'd go for a jog in is fair game in my opinion! The leather details and waist zippers on these leggings help enhance what would normally be an everyday black legging.

Do you love wearing black and white? Show me your favorite B&W ensemble on Twitter!

Athleisure is here to stay

What's your favorite athleisure brand? You might have more than one considering the market is filled with options. Whether you like fitness staples like Nike and Lululemon, or prefer to shop for workout clothing in stores that offer other goodies, like Victoria's Secret and Forever 21, it seems like every brand offers an athleisure line. So it can be hard to choose!

My personal favorites are Nike, Lululemon and Victoria's Secret (VS), all for different reasons. I love Nike for shoes, Lululemon for leggings and VS for sports bras. To help break down what different brands specialize in, here's a list of some that offer stylish and some-what budget friendly options. 

Low budget:

Forever 21—A great option if you're looking for inexpensive, on-trend workout clothing. A pair of leggings from here may not last for years, but what does that matter if you're able to buy 10 pairs?

H&M—The fast-fashion retailer has good basic pieces, like leggings, sports bras and tanks, which lets you mix and match as you need. They're absorbent and never feel heavy after a sweaty workout.

Medium budget:

Victoria's Secret—VS specializes in bras so it's no surprise that their sports bras are some of the best on the market. They offer a variety of styles that cater to women with all bust sizes. Some styles have no padding at all, while others have that extra boost that keeps you feeling confident in a tight tank.

Nike—Shoes! Obviously. My favorite pair of running shoes are made by Nike. With styles that look good in and out of the gym, you can't go wrong with a buying a pair from here. They offer support in all the right places to make sure your feet don't wear out during the most intense workouts.

Splurging:

Lululemon—The Canada-based chain that largely helped popularize the term "athleisure" is my only destination for leggings. They last forever (seriously, I still wear a pair that I bought in 2011) and they give me full coverage where I need it so I can bend and twist as I need to. They're pricey, but always worth it.

Athleta—They can sometimes get lost in Lulu's shadow because the styles and price point are similar, but it's still a great option when looking for quality gear that will last. And like Lulu, their styles are always changing, which keeps it interesting as you build up your athleisure wardrobe.

Below is a taste of what I wear during a normal workout. I'm rocking my favorite Lululemon leggings, this open-back tee from Forever 21 and these monochromatic Nikes. What do you wear when you're working out? Show me on Twitter.

Outfit Destinations:

Going for a run

Yoga class

Barre class

Tee: Forever 21 | Sports bra: Victoria's Secret | Leggings: Lululemon | Shoes: Nike

{ Photography: Natalie Craig }