Columbia Fashion Week: Look cool, stay cool this summer

Summer is here – and so is Columbia Fashion Week. That means it’s time for you to get on the ball and on-trend with the season’s best – and in some cases, brightest – looks. Here, local shops give their recommendations on summer styles that will have you looking good from head-to-face-to-tote-to-toe.

Entourage

Blakely floral print dress, $40

“It’s a fun, floral dress that fits every body type. It doesn’t hug anything,” said stylist Maddie Hodgin. “And bright colors are in this season. We’ve had lots of bright colors. A lot of people have loved the bright, neon colors. Bright on bright is so fun for summer – especially if you have a tan.”

Just the Thing

Sacha London “Dream” sandal, $139.50

“Cork is a big trend this summer,” said manager Taylor Wanish. “These sandals are easy to dress up or down. They’re extremely comfortable, and they match everything. And you can’t go wrong with metallic – especially with the cork wedge heel. It doesn’t even feel like you’re wearing a heel, but it still gives you the height and look of a heel.”

Oops

Piko 1988 T-shirt dress with pockets, $23.99

“This dress is a super light material, so it’ll help keep you cool,” said sales associate Hailey Patrick. “And it has pockets, which is really important for any girl on the go. If you’re going downtown to get some drinks with your girls, it’s perfect for your card, a little bit of cash and your ID.”

Pink Sorbet

Gold metallic reversible shopper tote, $148

“People generally associate Pink Sorbet and Lilly Pulitzer as a print house, which is true – lots of color, lots of really bright pigments – but in this case, this tote is amazing because it’s neutral,” said manager Sara Beth Rush. “You’ve got the truly Lilly print on one side, and then you’ve got the on-trend cork on the other, and a removable neon tassel. I have it, and I can’t go to the grocery store without having someone comment or compliment me on it. It’s Lilly – but not your typical, traditional Lilly. It’s fresh.”

Pout

Stila kitten and bronze highlighter, $36

“The Stila highlighter is a putty formula, so not only is it creamy and it blends right into the skin, but you can also use it underneath foundation or concealer to give you that really dewy glow,” said makeup artist Knatalia Kugler. “And the putty in it actually helps fill in pores. So with your fingers or a beauty blender, it’s perfect.”

Jouer lip toppers (tan lines, St. Tropez and rose gold), $16 each

“Lip toppers are really big right now,” she continued. “You can change a matte lip or just a gloss by adding lip topper. You get that fleck of glitter and metallic in there, so when the light shines on it or (with) flash photography, it’s just super glossy.”

Chantecaille rose de mai pure rosewater, $68

“Everyone can use the rose de mai water. In May, they harvest the rose de mai flowers in France, put it in artisanal water, and that’s how they get that. It’s great as a refresher. Spritz it on the back of your neck, and rose has an aromatherapy aspect to it where it opens up your heart chakra. So it gives you a feeling of being loved.”

Steel Garden

Amuse Society Bordeaux hat, $75

“I think hats are great year-round. It adds so much to an outfit,” said owner Denise Shealy. “I just think, literally and figuratively, it really tops things off. Especially a summer hat like this: little softer brim, casual detail. It’s just perfect to beat some of the sun in the summer.”

This story was originally published June 7, 2017 at 5:03 PM with the headline "Columbia Fashion Week: Look cool, stay cool this summer."