Summer Trends: Sassy’s Guide to Summer Stripes

Sometimes, it can only take a few pieces to totally revamp a wardrobe. Just add a blouse here, a pencil skirt there, a fantastic pair of heels and… Boom! Instant outfit upgrade! I recently purchased a striped shirt after seeing the print 43 (yes, I counted) times in one of my Lucky magazines, and whilst this wardrobe revamp might seem subtle, I swear it has changed the way I see my clothing.

If this classic isn’t already in your repertoire, then let me show you why it should be with our Sassy Guide to Summer Stripes!

Clockwise, left to right: Vince Camutto fedora, Zara striped top, Ray Ban sunglasses, Jennifer Zeuner ring, J.Crew necklace, Lomography camera, Abercrombie & Fitch boyfriend jeans, Stubbs & Wootton slippers (available from Lane Crawford), Dooney & Bourke bag

Here we take a basic striped Zara tank top and pair it with A&F boyfriend jeans for a completely relaxed weekend look. If you are hitting the streets of Poho and Sheung Wan, then these are the duds to do it in! After checking all the goodies along Tai Ping Shan Street, you can wander and pick up a Lomography camera at their Sheung Wan store to snap pics of all the cool cats snacking at Teakha… then stash all your shopping finds in this relaxed Dooney & Bourke bag. This baby will only look better with age – in 25 years, you’ll get street cred when you can call it “vintage”!

But the sneaky standout here is the Stubbs & Wootton slippers. There are so many styles to choose from but I keep coming back to these sun and moon ones! Be sure to check out the full range at Lane Crawford, as well as all the fantastic collabs that they have on display in-store.

Clockwise, left to right: Zara striped top, True Religion Billy jeans in various colours, ASOS FACTOR flat sandals, Celine luggage tote mini

You reckon that a tank and blue jeans is not inventive? True, true… but let me show you just how well that Zara striped top pairs with all of these True Religion jeans! Look at that range! I’ve already told you about the glories of coloured jeans here… and here… oh and here too… but with this collage, you can see just how pristine the pairing really is. With this white Celine bag and a pair of ASOS flats, there’s your summer wardrobe sorted – then add a motorcycle jacket, change the shoes and bag, and autumn’s done too!

Clockwise, left to right: Gloria Tencel blazer, Zara striped top, Tory Burch bangle, Marc by Marc Jacobs skinny bangle, Kate Spade watch, Kate Spade clutch, Giuseppe Zanotti sandals, Monsoon pencil skirt, Forever 21 necklace

Let’s take this tank up a notch! Here is our same sleeveless shirt paired with a fun printed pencil skirt. Don’t be afraid to mix your prints – stripes seem to go with everything from florals to ikats to yes, even more stripes (as long as they are a different colour or scale). These Giuseppe Zanotti heels add even more fun and height, then pile on a few bangles like these ones from Tory Burch and Marc Jacobs, grab your Kate Spade clutch and hit the town, you hottie! Girl’s night, here we come!

Clockwise, left to right: Tory Burch jacket, New Look striped top, Chanel earrings, Saint Laurent bag, Alice + Olivia shoes, Burberry skirt, Christian Lacroix cup and saucer, Alexander McQueen iPhone case

Now, for this look I had to play swapsies with the tank for a more streamlined office-appropriate version (swapsies is not official office lingo, however, so maybe leave that one out the boardroom!). This is my dream office attire… although I may need to be editor of Marie Claire to pull it off! This white skirt and sleek camel bag keep the look clean and classic (pssst… there is a similar white skirt in stock at Polkadot Boutique now for only $380!), whilst the Tory Burch jacket adds a bit of pizzazz to your weekday. Top it off with these fun Alice + Olivia shoes and you’re good to go!

So if you are looking for one piece to inspire endless wardrobe creations, then pick up a striped top to sport this summer. You can find options in nearly every shop and at every price point, so you have no reason not to indulge! I am always looking to evolve my ensembles and keep what I own interesting – so here’s to a sunny stripy summer where we all stay looking and feeling cool… even on those 33 degree days!

Have any pieces that totally revolutionized your wardrobe? Let us know in the comments!

Top photo by Richard Burbridge