April Goodard

Finally June is here. It is the month that marks the very beginning of my personal favorite time of year – summer! That’s right, it’s here again! The weather is warming, the kids are getting out of school, festival season is here, and the beach is calling. But between summer activities and the rising temperatures, it can be difficult to both dress for the occasion and remain rocking the latest trends (because although that sleeveless knit shirt looks great, who can really wear a ‘knit’ in 90 degrees?). Read on to discover the perfect outfit and style solutions for any get-together, event and occasion for the warm season ahead.

Day at the beach: I know, I get it: many people dread swimsuit shopping. Between not being able to find a matching top and bottom to just flat out sad store lighting that makes everything (and I mean everything) that you put on look not-quite-right, shopping for beachwear can make you want to run in the other direction. But, rest assured: one of the biggest trends of the season is the edgy one piece. While a one piece suit is typically regarded as somewhat matriarchal (can you say ‘mommy suit’?) recent designs for the one piece can be found in bright colors, different materials and textures, and are friendly to all shapes and sizes. And the best part? No need to dig through piles of clothes to find the matching top or bottom in your size. One and done.

Day at the park with the kids: Who loves packing up your kids, the neighbor’s kids, the dog, and an overabundance of snacks and beverages and lugging everything over to the park? This, all while trying to maintain some standard of fashion-forwardness and functionality (because let’s be honest, at this point your tired, it’s hot, and you are pretty confident that your two-year-old can far outrun you the second you turn your head). For hot days, I always like to stick with cotton-based distressed denim shorts with the tiniest bit of stretch to them so that you are not restricted in mobility. For a top, again go for a cotton-based tank (because cotton is breathable) with a cool detail like a tie-front or a cropped cut. Throw on a cool, neutral pair of trainers and maybe add in a matching baseball cap to keep the sun out of your face, and you have one very stylish “I’m a mommy in the park but still cool” outfit.

Festivals: Festival season is so fun because it gives a rare opportunity to experiment with loads of different styles – and virtually nothing is off limits. Don’t be afraid to play around with bright colors (hello neon tops!), jewelry, and makeup. This is an opportunity to try something new, so just go for it! I always like the classic destroyed denim skirt or shorts with a brightly colored sports-bra or cropped top. You can layer a loose t shirt, jacket, or jewelry over it. There is no wrong answer here, and there’s no time like the present to try something new!