Summer fashion
For women
By Colleen Casey
Skiff Staff

Go ahead, look ahead past final exams and start thinking about what to wear this summer. From looking at trends and stores’ current summer lines, this season should accommodate a women’s desire for everything girlie.

This spring’s vintage-look probably has plans to stick around when the temperature rises, which will allow for more glamorous and feminine looks. And like always, searching for these trends at vintage stores will give you the unique edge.

Abercrombie and Fitch is even offering lady-like touches. Lots more lace graces the edges of v-necked tanks and T-shirts. White cotton stitched belts create a more gentle look. Also, Abercrombie and Fitch’s needlepoint and crochet work highlight necklines and make cotton T-shirts stand out. Eye catching mermaid-inspired sequins also pretty up printed tees. Dainty paisley patches perk up their traditional khakis shorts.

Shop Banana Republic and easily capture the look of the summer working woman in clothes that slim the silhouette. Pair it with an oversized, “dressed up” duffle bag. Slim-fitting turtle-necked, polyester and rayon dresses let your arms get some rays, but still keep you covered so that it’s appropriate enough to wear to your internship.

Linen-lovers will revel in the selection of flax items at Banana Republic, including side-slit skirts, fitted safari jackets and stretch linen dresses, all offered in just a few basic colors: black, almond and classic summer white. All should provide a perfect base for summer accessories, since stores are full of accessories that can be easily added to update anyone’s spring wear.

Club Monaco offers Capri pants with hanging, subtle drawstrings. Club Monaco will open a location in NorthPark Center in June, in addition to their Galleria store.

Express clothing stores are stocking Capri pants with metal eyes and ribbons laced up the sides.

Express also mimics the popular paisley printed, free-flowing skirts, lacy tanks, patchwork skirts and colorful patterned tops that look like something you’ve seen your mom wear in photos taken during the 1970s.

The traditional stretch cotton T-shirts come in a varying line of colors: brighter hues of red, orange and turquoise and those on the softer side in pink, teal, green and yellow.

These “notice me” colors are what drive this summer’s accessories, whether it is the avant-garde 33-colored version of the classic Louis Vuitton monogram canvas or the fuchsia-colored Audrey spa bag from Target stores.

This season, over-sized flowers decorate bags as far as the eye can see in the Nordstrom handbag department and other department stores. But unlike previous styles, flowers are simpler now and with vintage feels to them. The selection includes Kate Spade’s black and white vintage flower bags, appealing for its flexibility with most outfits, and Nordstrom’s own pretty fringed flower bags.

Sandals at Nordstrom take on loud colors and lady-like styles with larger rhinestones, gems and other accents draw focus on the straps on summer footwear. You’ll spot the vivid shades as soon as you enter the store, and you might not be able to resist the elegant styles of strappy slides.

For a known-winner, the tasteful Dr. Scholls sandals in the colors of the rainbow are a sure bet.

All these summer items available and lovely spring weather calls for one thing, put the studying off until later and go shopping now.

Colleen Casey

For men
By Antoinette Vega
Skiff Staff

Men. They need all the help they can get. Especially in the dressing department. Yes, there are the occasional ones who always seem to look good, but for the rest of them it is a different story.

Summer is slowly showing its face and in order to survive the steaming Texas sun, men are realizing the less clothes the better. This summer it is all about T-shirts, tank tops, frayed shorts and flip-flops. This may sound similar to previous years there are a couple of changes.

Bright colors will be seen from head to toe in hats, shirts and shoes. T-shirts with large graphics in green, blue, yellow and orange are a big hit.

American Eagle Assistant Manager Blake Howard said the shirts are popular because they are a light fabric and go with everything.

“The graphic tees are fun and can be worn whenever and wherever a guy goes,” he said. “The bright colors are also great for the summer.”

Reversible T-shirts are popping up all over retail stores, especially those that use risky language. On the outside, it looks just like a graphic T-shirt with friendly sayings but, on the inside, the T-shirt is totally different. Many of the shirts refer to women or partying or both.

Howard said these shirts are already beginning to rake in sales.

“Guys like the humor in the shirts,” he said. “If the shirts are too risky, they can just turn it over.”

So, in the shirt situation, it is OK to wear your T-shirt inside out adding to convenience.

Shorts with frayed edges are also popular with or without pockets. The look is very casual but some may not like this relaxed look.

John Billingsley, a senior accounting major, said he doesn’t intend on buying frayed shorts. He said he would rather stick to his regular khakis.

“The frayed shorts are a bit too relaxed for me,” Billingsley said. “I like the graphic shirts but will stay away from the shorts.”

Color will also be seen in shoes this summer. The most popular are the Chuck Taylor’s, also known as Converse. Spring’s bowling shoes are back but with a different look. The popular shoes are available in similar colors but are now backless. Other shoes with a different look are Saucony’s, which look like sneakers. They are available in colors ranging from green to orange.

When shopping for shoes, Chris Thomas, salesman at Journeys, said men shop for comfort and style.

“Men want a shoe they can put on and not worry about,” Thomas said. “It helps if they look good with his outfit but most men don’t think that way.”

Todd Thompson, a senior finance major, said the first quality he looks for in a shoe is comfort.

“I liked the bowling shoes in the spring because they were comfortable,” he said. “Now that new ones are out, I may try them.”

For men, this summer equals bright colors, less clothing and a relaxed style. Everything else is up to you.

Antoinette Vega