10 Summer Essentials

1. Hat
Okay so you won't wear a hat at least do yourself a favor and wear a visor. Unless you don't like your nose and want to have it cut off. Or you love the look of old wrinkled leather, then go ahead, skip the hat. This giant one is like my personal umbrella. It meets the Dermotologist requirements. When you hold your hat up to the light you should not see any light peeking through.

Straw hats don't meet the criteria but I like this colorful one. It is so faded from years of wear.

2. Lightweight cardigan

This one is perfect because I always freeze on a plane. It is easy to throw in a bag and the elbow length sleeves are not too hot.

3. Sunglasses

I prefer huge ones. Seriously giant movie star shades.

4. Flip- flops

Just promise me that you will only wear rubber flip-flops poolside or at the beach. Please, I beg you.

5. Cute summer tops

So I have been slowly replacing my basic tees with shirts that have more details. Pleats, ruffles, cowl necks anything that takes them up a notch. It is hard to see on this charcoal gray but it has an inverted pleat which makes it a little floaty or it can be dressed up with a belt.

The scoop neck and puff sleeves remind me of my favorite dresses when I was small. I called them cupcake sleeves.

I love the color, the cowl neckline and the horizontal pleats on the sleeves.

6. Bermuda shorts

This pair is extra long. The red couch may be even better than the shorts.
Dark denim makes me happy.

7. Espadrilles

What would summer be without a pair of these quintessential warm weather shoes. I've had a pair every summer since I was 14. I recently read an article about the death of the espadrille. Rubbish I say. As long as there is an east coast there will be espadrilles. As long as the south of France is there...you get my drift.

Classic I tell you.

This pair is even more fun with a slingback and metallic animal print.

Meow

8. Cute Skirts

When it is really hot only a skirt will do. Well not only a skirt, a top would be important too.

9. Beach Bag

I love this giant straw bag with leather handles. It holds everything you and the kids need.
This tote is smaller but just the right size for one.

10. Flat Sandals

I have had this pair for years but I can't part with them. They are perfect for vacation because they go from the beach to a night out.

Another cute skirt I couldn't move it for some reason but it deserves to be posted.

I shopped my closet for all of these items. Try it and then just add a couple new things to spice it up. Have I forgotten anything like white jeans, a swimsuit and more important a cover-up, a summer dress, signature jewelry...I may need to do another post.