Special Things: Warm Style Picks of Summer 2024
unique fashion, jewelry, and vintage pieces chosen for their TLC & cretivity
There are so many beautiful, special things being made with heaps of love and care that we have the insane privilege of being able to access and stumble upon in our wild internet world. Seeing what beauty and creativity emerge from the summer can be so inspiring. And while doing a summer-style round-up at the beginning of the summer seems functional for consumption and trend awareness, offering one as we near the end feels like something of an ode.
Maybe fall fashion trends have already started peppering newsfeeds and FYPs. This article is not meant to shame. It is natural to find ourselves swept into our system’s rapid cycle. Rather, this holds space for something of an antidote to that speed: slow down and really savor the cool, love-filled stuff out there this season. Reflection and appreciation may even give insight into our personal style, finding ways to bleed into our daily expressions even as the seasons change.
Here is an offering of something we might like to see more of: a summer-style round-up graced by the unique value of perspective that only end-of-season can allow. Curated with care, awe, art, and expression at top-of-mind.
FYI: I'm working on carefully integrating affiliate links when appropriate-- It's a great way to help keep all of this cotent free. so Here's the deal: everything here is chosen first regardless of affiliation. then, if there is an affiliate partnership available through the brand or another host site, i use that link (so long as it's fairly priced)-- that way, i get a little commission for being the bridge between reader and product :) ———
The Things on The Dream Board
We’ll start here because it’s always good to start dreamy. A dream wardrobe for everyday and statement pieces might include, for example, independent designers who have been making waves for a few years now and continue to inspire and impress- true-to-brand, flowing through seasons while remaining innovative. And also, to be certain, some incredibly tender, thoughtful pieces (some handmade) that double as expressions of art, love, and individuality.
These are some pieces, creators, and brands that are fun to dream about and invigorating to be inspired by.
Handmade, One-of-a-Kinds from Small Indie Designers:
To start out, look at these beautiful handkerchief dresses from Caro Uccellino are you KIDDING ME! And in a similar way where a hands-on spill off of cottage-core tenderness meets interesting silhouettes, these vests from Carmen Says are just so lovely.
Love me some silly, playful, cool knitwear for the fall. This summer I stumbled upon all of the fun, whimsical stuff from Green Rain Knitting. And then the reconstructed, upcycling aesthetic is still going really strong. Maddy Paige knitwear, for example has that hands-on TLC quality that I really love. Some of these tops give Pheobe Buffet in the very best ways,and this 8-ball safety pin is so good. They’re gonna be awesome for fall too.
Then of course, I could cry looking at the romantic Sophie Isabella stuff that comes to life through combination of knits and reconstructions…
I’ve also been seeing the coolest stuff happening with printing and cyanotypes in the slow fashion world. Azyrum is doing these emotive, kind of spooky pieces like the Cyanotype Shadow Tank. And then to a similar edge, the brand Prod is embellishing some already great garments with print graphics. Take this cool response to the white maxi skirt for example.
For something brighter, definitely check out the whimsical/charmlike printed garms from local brand, orchard. So SOO good…
Cool, Ethical Brands Doin’ The Damn Thing:
The always interesting, yet versatile Collina Strada found its way into street fashion this summer in really wonderful ways. The Ami Lace Dress with a refreshing wink to that butter yellow is so cool and can layer really nicely as the weather gets cold. As will the collection’s Lace Midi Slip Skirt in this beautiful blue.
Some fun tops this summer like the Tyler McGillivery hibiscus Tube Top and Tomato Baby Tee brought pop culture trend to style really naturally in this bright way the brand is so great at.
For footwear, I think that Double Standard’s ever-interesting shoes are doing so well what so many things seem to want to be doing… if that makes sense. It’s on trend and almost ugly without feeling gimmicky.
I do believe that Athletic shorts can stick around – they feel like pjs like the Maisson Rogue Soccer Short. Same with tap shorts. Here for it. This delicate pink Coperni Cutout mini Dress definitely makes the dream list for my imagination where I have the perfect place to wear these things to… And another pink party piece that is still cool over a year after (and now it’s cool at 60% off) is this Satin Gani Maxi Skirt.
Another cool brand that’s yet to lose its hold on me after years of climbing in popularity is Ekhaus Latta. I really love the Duet Printed Maxi Dress and could see it pairing with fall staples (Docs, perhapsss).
I am excited to mix tenderness and lightness from this season into the layers of fall. Fall jackets, for instance, don’t always need to read heavy. Take the super sweet Anna Sui Arcadia Blossom Cropped Lady Jacket for example.
Sandy Liang’s Satin Slip dress really encapsulates the way a rock-and-roll or punky kind of edge made its way into the coquette craze. However sick of bows you may have gotten, this is the exact juxtaposition that made the style so interesting and actually has the potential to hold up with time.
Then some Chopova Lewena pieces really hit that concept home. The brand really had their moment a little minute ago when their signature skirt struck a chord among style icons and influencers, but the creativity and ethos of it all truly do survive that wave of trend. They carry through, especially considering the personality of punk elements and evolution to be adapted into personal styles. It’s art. The Barley Broderie Anglaise Belted Mini Skirt, is such a sweet juxtaposition with those tender white lace elements. And there’s this insanely cool dress version as well.
Something about special Jewelry
People are honestly doing the sweetest, slowest, most wonderful little works of art in this wave of charmed jewelry. It’s infectiously tender, I think because you are wearing tiny, immaculate works of art on your body and a lot of creators will customize/personalize the charms or collection of them to feel like your own little story.
1) Lucky Banana Nuget Hand Painted Charms for taking Tinned-Fish Summer into Fall
2) Shop alley diy charm necklace
3) Mila Sullivan back at it w the coolest earrings
4) Here’s a cool Harlot Ring on Ebay
5) Super cool painted locket necklaces by My Little Belle Vie
6) another thing that I’m certainly taking with me for seasons to come is the rock and roll glam of silver rings– they’ve yet to get old (though it’s been fun to mix medals into the situation).
7) This Dragonfly Upper Arm Cuff by zendiaz is so sweet- reminds me of my tattoo
8) Ally Cool Cat brings a whole new meaning to nail art — to a point which I do, indeed, consider it jewelry.
a note about thee process…
I have to say… this was so fun and (to a less thorough extent, maybe) a practice that I highly recommend as we change seasons. Go through what cool things you’ve saved and maybe the photos of yourself from this summer. And maybe take note: what do you notice? What did you gravitate toward? And what of that holds up? To be drawn to or inspired by beauty, art, and creativity is in many ways a reflection of ourselves. Before diving into a new season of stuff, it feels pretty good to take a moment for all that grabbed you under sunnier, warmer days.
