Goodwill Fashion Expert—Bjorn Nasett

Now that the last days of summer are officially ahead, I thought we should discuss the wearing of white garments. While white itself is never out of style, there are those who still follow the old regulation that states that you may not wear anything white beyond Labor Day. That decree has been broken over and over by stylish people who flaunt conventional wisdom, and with good reason.

Like the song says, “there ain’t no cure for the summertime blues.” The color blue has always been a staple on the fashion and design scene, but have you noticed that the hues change with the seasons? We go through cycles of color tonality, just like we go through cycles of skirt lengths. Right now, the prevalent hue of blue on runways and department store sales floors is a combination of robin’s egg, turquoise, teal and Tiffany-blue (like the famous NYC store’s boxes). This plays into the bright days of summer, when the blue of the sky, sea, and nature in general take a leading role in style and fashion. These blues have a hint of green in them, and much less depth than their fall and winter counterparts. They just seem to be made for the warm weather yet ahead of us.

Lace, the word can sometimes conjure up images of grandma’s curtains, over- the- top bridal gowns, or fussy handkerchiefs. In reality, the lace trend has been with us for many years. Remember the Duchess of Cambridge’s (Kate Middleton) wedding gown by Alexander McQueen? It was both modern and romantic at the same time. Lace, in one form or another, has been involved in the manufacture and design of women’s clothing for centuries. Making lace is an ancient skill that came into its own in the late 15th century. The various regions around the world that produced the finest handmade lace became famous for their brand of the open weave fabric. Antwerp, Brussels, Chantilly and other European provinces sustained the industry and still produce fine examples of this beautiful art form. Today we see it used in new and innovative ways to keep ladies looking fresh, fashionable and on trend.

In a few weeks our nation will celebrate its 236th birthday! As we all know, nothing says American like the good old red, white, and blue. This color combination has become a symbol of our patriotism and freedom, as well as our values and ideals. It’s also a classic color trifecta that works for Fourth of July celebrations, picnics, parades and just about any other summer activity. Adding just a few key elements to your wardrobe is a great way to salute the USA and your great fashion sense!

Do you know what a romper is? The dictionary definition is as follows: “A one piece suit usually worn with short pants and a bib held up by shoulder straps, worn by babies and small children.” For your fashion information, this garment is also one of the hottest trends around the world for spring and summer. Although the description above is accurate, I would venture to say that the romper should be thought of as a jumpsuit that has been cut off into shorts. The full cut, high- waist shorts look that is also so prevalent on runways and streets, is a kissing cousin of this movement.