Fashion Mama: Summer Vacation Wear
By Michelle Thompson, nwaMotherlode.com fashion editor
It is here…SUMMER!!!!!!!
This is the best time for fashion in my opinion. Bright colors, fun patterns and bold textures are all abound during this season. People feel freer with their fashion and might even show a little skin. Also, as the school year is coming to an end, we moms are planning fun Summer activities for our fams.
Whether it be outings to the neighborhood pool, or an exotic tropical retreat the fashion options are fun, fresh and endless. My family and I are changing it up a bit this year and joining another incredible family for a cruise through the Caribbean. Seven nights, six kids and four adults on a massive ship, could really make for an interesting Summer vacay. Since we booked the cruise my mind has been reeling with outfit ideas for all the festivities we will take part in. While I might be a little more fashion focused than most, I did discern that if I was pondering my fashion choices months before the actual departure date, then possibly there are others out there that are also doing the same. So here are some easy go-to fun, flirty ideas for you to wear whatever life brings you during the carefree days of Summer:
Yes, I am delving in with a bathing suit! I know it is bold, but our kids do actually like when we swim with them, not just watch them from afar and wave or give a thumbs up. This darling suit is on sale at Old Navy right now for $19.00. What a steal!!! Let me just add, that the reason this suit was chosen, (besides the insanely great price) is that I actually tried it on in the ON dressing room and liked it. Yes ladies, I actually liked it in the dressing room with all of the unforgiving lighting and institutional surroundings. I knew that if I loved it there, then when I got home it would be one of my favorites of all time. Sure enough, I was right. The other aspect I love about this suit, is that it is a one-piece, but still fun and sexy with the deep V, which has a little strap in the middle so you don’t feel like you are going to flop out at any moment. The illusion of the 
butterfly and bright colors are also so much more fun then just a plain black one-piece that a lot of women find themselves wearing. Pair this suit with these yummy orange Tory Burch sandals, some bold earrings, a white flowy skirt, your favorite glamour glasses and you are on your way to a fashion-filled Summer. The most important idea to remember when picking a swimsuit, is truly comfort and support. Make sure that you feel confident in it, so you won’t feel the need to hide under your monster beach towel. 
My next vacation find is also another Old Navy steal. This is a long black maxi dress that has the best fit, and incredible on all body types. I know it seems a bit plain, but it’s all in the way you accessorize it. What I love most about a dress like this is that you can put it on over a swimsuit and head to the beach or pool, but when the day is done you can add a 
funky pair of earrings like these turquoise and coral pair from Francesca’s collections with gold gladiators from American Eagle (link). Or, for a different look you could choose these WHBM (White House Black Market) black gladiators with metallic studding and this chunky silver bracelet from Francesca’s Collections. That is three different outfits for one simple dress! More bang for your buck with this one! You can do this with any solid color sundress you have waiting for you in your own closet. 
Every vacation deserves an elegant night out, and on my upcoming cruise there is a designated cocktail night. This WHBM dress is so beautiful, but still has a fresh, relaxed vacation feel to it. I love this beautiful red ring as well. It really makes the red detailing just pop! - This is my SPLURGE Summer item! I couldn’t pass up sharing it with
you! It is so in-demand right now, that only the Sun Patent color is available. The white patent is my absolute fav, but the sunny color of this one is actually just perfect for Summer vacations. It is the Michael Kors Charlton Braided Grommet Bag from Nordstroms. It is just delicious! - I just figured this groovy Summer idea out when cleaning out my closet, and a new scarf I recently picked up at Old Navy fell off the shelf. As I picked it up, it occurred to me that it is really wide, so much so that I find that it is a bit bunchy when I
wear it around my neck. Well, a lightbulb went on, and I realized the scarf would actually make a great sarong. Well, with it’s cute little pom-poms it was perfect and so affordable. They are on sale right now at Old Navy in several colors.
Michelle Thompson is mom to two beautiful daughters, Macy and Brooklyn, and is nwaMotherlode’s Fashion Mama editor. Look for new articles from Michelle on the last Friday of the month. To read more about this local fashionista/mom/marathon runner, click here. To read her previous articles, click here.
