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Top Teen Shopping Picks for the Week

I have a passion for teen clothes. Even though I'm past the point of bright short-shorts and spaghetti-strapped tank tops, I do love to buy them for others. And point everyone in the direction of great pieces! If you need a few ideas when shopping with a teen or if you are heading out for spring break vacation, you should take a look at some basic tops I hunted out at Wet Seal, with both "Dressing Up" and "Dressing Up" options for each!

My favorite tops this season are bright and fun. I love the extra patterns like checks, plaids, and even a little extra embroidery. With a simple skirt, your designs pop, and with something more refined, these bargain-rate pieces look a lot more costly. Take a look at what I've found for you.

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Surplus Plaid Babydoll Top, $15.50

The Plaid Babydoll Top from Wetseal is as stylish as it is affordable. It has a cool country flair but somehow manages to be at home with both denim and linen. Simple lines best complement this busy piece, so dig up some short shorts or a mini.

Dress It Up

Linen High Waist Shorts

These high-waisted shorts give your top a very blousy effect, which looks very cute with strappy sandals and an anklet! If you're the bikini type, this top works well with string types as well as your basic halters in plain coordinating colors.

Dress It Down

Perry Solid Short

Simple, fun shorts get you an "A+" every single time! Don't be afraid to push the envelope with some awesomely cool (and tiny) shorts that beg to be slipped on for pool lounging and couch lounging, too.

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Striped Bra Cup Cami, $15.50 How I adore this striped piece! If you're looking for something to maximize that bust or something to show off a little pre- spring break bronzing, I recommend this find from Wet Seal. It even has lightly padded bra cups for that extra boost!


Dress It Up

Satin Trim Trousers

There's no reason why something colorful shouldn't be paired with something very chic. You'll highlight the rainbow of colors in your top, while making it look like a little more refined. Perfect for hot nights out on spring break or layered underneath a wrap cardigan for work, with just the hem showing for a splash of color.

Dress It Down

Julie Skinny Jean

These jeans are basic and easy. Pull them on with flip flops on a day after the fun when you need to wing down. They're shapely but with a touch of stretch for ease.

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Embroidered Two-Pocket Tank Top, $22.50

Why not choose a top that's a little on the crunchy side this spring? This blue tank top comes encrusted with decorative designs and spells "F.U.N." It's definitely layering-worthy as well.


Dress It Up

High Waist Mini Thought that this top had a hippie vibe? Not anymore! You've joined the international jet-set crowd when you combine a bright white, trendy skirt with this soft pastel piece. Consider wearing it with a silk scarf, too.


Dress It Down

Brooklyn Bright Mini Rainbow bright, indeed! This skirt provides a welcome juxtaposition to your usual softer pastel wardrobe for springs. Take this top in another direction and see how things go.

Meieli Sawyer Detoni

Flirty Frocks for Summer

One trend that I’ve been dying to work into my summer look is the flirty dress. From soft ruffles to lots and lots of lace, I want everything to look as feminine as possible. But I also want to look good, and that can be difficult when you have a large bust or a big frame. Thankfully, there are lots of cute new dresses that can be played up or down to suit your style. Slip one on, you’ll look so good and stay cool, too.

Floral Gowns
Try your new summer shift in the season's hottest floral elements. Try anything from fat rosettes sprinkled across the bodice of your dress to a lively '40s inspired dress. Emphasize your waist with a belted, slightly fuller skirt or an empire waistline to skim over a trouble midsection.

Shapes the flatter a floral frock:
'50s styles with a full skirt
Simple shifts
Strapless slim dresses

Shirtdress Styles
Shirtdresses are a cool option. Find one in white, in a soft voile or eyelet, to combine crisp white trends with a shape that's very, very popular. The best things about a shirtdress are the options. You can leave shorter shirtdresses open, much like a painter's smock or light jacket, or wear yours straight from day to evening with careful accessorization.

Try these cool shirtdresses:
Diane von Furstenberg's Polly Anna Button Shirtdresses
Isaac Mizrahi for Target Belted Shirtdress

Frills
Embrace frills by choosing touches of lace and ruffles. If you have a larger bust, look for shirts with a yoke front. If lace and pintucks are concentrated near a slight v-neckline, then you will be able to wear this style with a full bust as well.

Try this frilly favorites of mine:
Rickie Freeman for Teri Jon Silk Taffeta Dress, Neiman Marcus

Halter Dresses
Halter dresses are perfect for women on a budget. You can buy one and wear it for seasons to come, and that's not bad at all. What's even better is that halter dresses flatter many of us, so there's less guesswork when it comes to fitting. Large-busted women can wear halters that come with a shelf bra, and smaller busted women can show off their shapely backs in any halter.

My favorite halter dresses for summer:
Polka Dot Burnout Belted Halter Dress, JC Penney
Convertible Halter, Monif C.

by Meieli Sawyer Detoni

(Safe) Fun in the Sun

There's nothing quite as relaxing as lazing around in the sun, if you're lucky enough to find the time. But as great as laying flat on your back soaking up the rays can be, it can also be a dangerous endeavor. Higher incidence of sun burns and questionable moles can put a damper on any sun siesta.

So if you want to combat the rays with more than just a generous lathering of 15 SPF sunscreen, try a few of these fashionable additions to your wardrobe and keep yourself safe while still having fun in the sun.

-Visors and Summer Hats
Keeping the sun off your face is one of the best ways to avoid sun damage, because the skin on your face is much more delicate than, say, the skin on your legs, arms, or back. As such, it burns much more easily, and we all know the consequence of repeatedly sunburned facial skin-premature wrinkles. Not good for anybody.
Help cut down on your face's exposure with a fashionable sun hat. Hats are making a comeback this season, and whether you're into visors, floppy "Gilligan" hats, or wide floppy brimmed straw hats, you can keep safe and make a fashion statement.

-Sunglasses
Sunglasses have rocketed into one of the most popular accessories for any season. And as any fashion magazine will attest, big is in. Large frames (I mean really large frames!) are particular stylish.
But there's an added bonus to this fashion trend. Sunglasses, especially if they have particularly dark lenses, cut out all or most of those damaging sunrays. So keep your eyes protected, and keep yourself devilishly fashionable.
Also consider keeping a stash of sunglasses on hand for varying levels of light. If it's a bright, sunny day, break out the dark lenses. If it's overcast, but you still want to protect your delicate eyes from any harmful rays, try lighter tinted lenses.

-Swimsuit Cover-Up
Cover-ups this season are on the cutting edge of fashion, so if you want to minimize the amount of skin exposed to the sun, you're guaranteed to do it in style. Light, gauzy dresses are very "in," especially if they're embroidered with Spanish inspired designs and embellishments. Try pairing with multiple bangles or above-the-elbow cuffs (ala Nicole Richie).
These dresses are great for the health conscious fashionista, because they're extremely light and cool (in terms of heat and fashion!). When you've had your share of the sun, you can just slip it on over your head and spend the rest of the day at the beach properly covered up without overheating.
And since they're almost always gauzy cotton or a light linen fabric, they're not too heavy to carry around. You can throw it in your beach bag without inadvertently bringing on an intense upper body workout.

Of course, these tips are ways to be safe and fashionable, but they won't completely protect you. Always pair this advice with good old-fashioned sunscreen.

Good luck, and happy (safe) shopping!

by Liz Herrin

5 Summer Style & Beauty Mistakes to Avoid

Summer styles are here, and I'm sure that I'm not the only one who has seen a blunder or two as temperatures soar. Avoid making mistakes that affect your ability to look incredible, and remember these summer tips to look your best.

1.Consider Your Type
It seems like warmer weather creates a lull in some people's summer wardrobe. While in winter they chose jeans that fit and flattered, summer finds them in plain capris and tanks. There's so much more to successful summer looks, including sexy cuffed bermudas that reach right to the knee, lightweight jersey dresses, and enough fluttering chiffon tops to fit anyone's taste. Experiment!

2.Don't Forget the Details
I love my flip flops, I really do. But while lots of people do sneak them into the office, wedge shoes will do wonders for your calves and ankles, as well as slim skirts and shorts. If wedges aren't your thing, ditch the rubber thongs and upgrade yourself to a pair of leather sandals with a low heel-the rest of your outfit will thank you for it.

3.Keep Up with the Essentials
Use a special eye cream during the summer to combat the effects of sun squinting. I like Waterwhite Brightening Eye Cream, which has an SPF of 12 and diminishes dark circles significantly.

4.Switch Your Scent
Perfume should be light and airy, so keep in mind that your regular year-round scent won't do. Heavy perfumes will break down in the summer heat, and their scent could malfunction and leave you smelling sour. Try fruity fragrances, such as my two new favorites from the season:

-Emporio Armani Red She: Fantastic notes of bergamot, mandarin, blackcurrant leaves, mint, green fig, ginger, white musk, and white woods.

-Crabtree & Evelyn West Indian Lime: Yummy tropical limes, lemons, and mandarins with coriander, clove, and nutmeg.

5.Remember Summer Details
Now that we're showing more skin, things can get a little trickier. Don't forget that specific details are suddenly back on display, so moisturize those elbows and pumice your heels for a look that's smooth and polished.

by Meieli Sawyer Detoni