Woman on the beach | Photo via ELLE
School’s out for summer! Well, almost. For many of you, classes are finishing up, and you’re most likely getting excited for the sweet, sweet freedom that summer promises.
Whether you plan on staying home this summer or have grand vacation plans, these outfits are sure to cure any case of wanderlust. For those of you that are still stuck in finals mode, hopefully these fashion ideas will provide you with a dose of inspiration to pull you through all that stressful studying and paper writing. (You can do it!)
Scroll down to see five chic looks inspired by five different vacation destinations:
European Adventures
Jacket, Blouse, Boots, Jeans, Scarf, Necklace
Depending on when you are traveling to Europe, the seasons vary slightly from what we are used to in the United States. The weather is considerably cooler during spring and summer, so the key is to layer, layer, layer! Many Europeans are clothing conscious, so it’s also important to dress to impress.
Try pairing a neutral-colored blouse with a pair of dark wash jeans. Grab a pair of comfortable yet practical black ankle boots, then accessorize with a versatile scarf and a simple gold necklace. Finish off the outfit with a black leather jacket that will keep you warm – even when it’s windy or rainy.
Setting Sail
Kimono Coverup, Hat, Swimsuit Top, Swimsuit Bottom, Sunscreen
If you’re one of those people lucky enough to be setting sail on a cruise this summer, then prepare to be lounging around in your swimsuit almost 24/7. Try wearing a neutral swimsuit top that you can mix-and-match with various bottoms – that way you’ll never get bored with your swimsuits!
Cover up with a printed kimono that you can wear while walking around the ship in-between your pool time, then complete the look with a wide-brimmed hat. Don’t forget to wear your sunscreen! This Neutrogena sunscreen is one of my favorites because it has a high SPF and is easy to apply.
New York, New York
Blazer, Necklace, Hairclip, Shoes, Bag, Jeans, Shirt
New York City fashion is all about combining edge with style. To achieve a casual yet put-together look, try pairing a black tee (black never goes out of style in NYC!) with a brightly-colored blazer and boyfriend jeans.
Choose sleek accessories, like a black cross-body bag and a geometric gold necklace to edge out the ensemble. Sweep your hair into a sleek ponytail, slip on neutral pumps, and you’ll be ready to jet set in the Big Apple!
The Sunshine State
Crop Top, Hat, Shorts, Sunglasses, Sandals, Palm Tree Clipart
As a native of the Sunshine State, I’m no stranger to the laid-back summery style that is common here in Florida. Not sure what to wear in Florida? If you plan to hit up all the sun, fun, and palm trees that Florida has to offer, then try pairing a crop top with printed shorts. The combination is super-trendy, but will also keep you cool in the humid climate.
Grab a straw sun hat to keep the harsh sun away from your face, and accessorize with a quirky pair of sunglasses that are guaranteed to make you feel like a kid again. Keep it casual with a pair of delicate strappy sandals, and get ready to enjoy all that Florida has to offer.
West Coast Dreaming
Dress, Bag, Sandals, Earrings, Necklace, Sunglasses, Palm Tree Art | Hair Photo: ELLE
West Coast style is focused on achieving that effortlessly cool vibe. Whether you’ll be visiting SoCal or NorCal, try wearing a trendy daisy print sundress with a bright yellow bag that offers the perfect pop of color.
Accessorize with casual sandals, a pair of statement-making sunglasses, a boho necklace, and edgy gold stud earrings. To complete your easygoing Cali-inspired ensemble, wear your hair in beachy tousled waves.
What Do You Think?
Where will your adventures take you this summer? Which of these outfits is your fave? Let us know and sound off in the comments!
Like the article but seriously? Summer in Europe can be very hot, layering in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece etc. Would be way to hot!
Excellent advice Casey and Carina!
Casey, I’ve heard mixed opinions about wearing heels in NYC on a daily basis, but I definitely agree that a pair of shoes with good support is well needed. I love a good pair of heels but sometimes you need that arch support!
Carina, you’re absolutely right! But in my experience, it can also be quite cold in Northern Europe, especially during May. Of course it depends on when and where you are in Europe. When I was in France, England, and Spain last year I experienced a variety of different weathers so I found that layering was the best method for dealing with it.
Summer in NYC is very hot. The sun bakes the concrete, the subway stations are not air conditioned (though the trains themselves are), and you’re always in a crowd. This outfit would be much more appropriate for travel now. And May in northern Europe is cooler, but May is not summer. Real summer–July, August–can be very hot. Paris hits the 90s almost every summer. A/C is less common in Europe as well, so keep that in mind.
I live in Berlin and the top outfit would definitely fit with the style here! We’re pretty far north, and the weather fluctuates day-to-day, so packing items that can be layered is the way to go. Travelers are often very concerned about “dressing European” but here in Berlin the style is very casual. In fact, many people dress like they might be homeless. 🙂
I suppose it depends where you want to go in Europe- it’s a big place so doing one outfit for the whole of it is ambitious. However I live in the UK and I’d be shocked if I saw anyone in boots at this time of year, even ankle ones!
The Europe outfit is very conservative and looks like it’s aimed at older students, but a pair of bright or floral flats would be much better, and hopefully make the outfit look more youthful!
Love love LOVE the Florida outfit though- I’ll be wearing that on my holiday to Spain this summer 🙂
“Dressing European” is way too stereotypical. As girls mentioned before – it depends where in Europe you go. For southern Europe like Italy, Spain and Greece, as well as Southern France (think Saint Tropez, Nice and Provence) is way too hot even for the evening breeze. Northern Europe like Poland and Scandinavia – theoretically the outfit is fine as long as you dress in layers so you can do your own “temperature regulation”, just without boots – sandals and sneakers work fine. I say by own experience as I’m from Scandinavia and I travel a lot around Europe in all seasons. Cute outfits thus. Have a nice vacation everyone! xx
Thanks for sharing that info Meghan! I’ve never been to Berlin before but I would love to visit some day!
Thanks for your advice Nathalie! I meant for these outfits to be appropriate for right now as summer break is starting for many college students. But you are 100% correct about the later summer months. I should have clarified that in the article.