styling how-to

Swimwear

3 Stylish Ways to Be the Life of the (Pool) Party

Summer is code for a lot of things: beach days, sunny weather, cocktails alfresco, and, of course, pool parties.

Summer is code for a lot of things: beach days, sunny weather, cocktails alfresco, and, of course, pool parties. As for the latter, we've got you covered in the what-to-wear department. The most important things to remember? It's all about keeping your bikini bright, your outfit light, and your accessories even lighter. Forget sky-high heels (you're going swimming, right?), embrace the full spectrum of the color wheel, and make sure to come bearing UV-ray protection (hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, and so on). The rest of this seasonal ensemble equation is up to you. To inspire your pool-party panache, we've styled up three examples of what to wear. Click through to see and shop them all now.

Celebrity Style

Miranda, Charlize, and Ashley Show 3 Perfect Ways to Wear All Black

There is nothing more foolproof than donning all black when you need to look chic in a hurry.

There is nothing more foolproof than donning all black when you need to look chic in a hurry. Here are three examples of people who get the look exactly right for very different reasons. Follow the leads from Ashley Olsen, Miranda Kerr, and Charlize Theron, and you'll have three surefire, super-gorgeous, all-black looks to add to your repertoire.

  • Miranda's Edgy Romantic Look: Everyone needs a black jersey maxi dress in their closet, it's ultra dependable and can be styled so many different ways. Miranda dresses it up with serious platform boots and adds an edge via her quilted leather moto jacket. You can wear this to dinner, to a party, or on a hot date.
  • Charlize's Crisp and Classic Look: Charlize is merely leaving the airport, but the perfectly tailored peacoat paired with black denim, black high-heeled boots, and oversized sunglasses looks ultra crisp and ideal for any occasion. She keeps the silhouette tailored to her body and simple.
  • Keep reading for Ashley's look as well as our shopping picks!

    Editor's Pick

    Rachel Zoe Answers Our Resort 2012 Style Challenge: Get Her Tips!

    Rachel Zoe, one of fashion's most influential stylists, a TV star, and now a not-so-rookie designer, is our go-to source when we feel like our style needs a jolt of glamour.
    Rachel Zoe Styling Tips Resort 2012

    Rachel Zoe, one of fashion's most influential stylists, a TV star, and now a not-so-rookie designer, is our go-to source when we feel like our style needs a jolt of glamour. With her bold, utterly pretty Resort 2012 just hitting stores now, we hit up the style icon to get her tips on how exactly she would wear these pieces. We put Rachel to the style challenge, picking 10 key Resort looks — some available to shop right this moment — and asked her our pressing questions. She exceeded our expectations with spot-on suggestions of what to wear and which brands to shop. Ready for your own Zoe styling session? Click our slideshow to get started.

    community

    One-Minute Makeover Tip: Layer Up With a Vest

    To save you from ever uttering the words, I have nothing to wear, we've culled our fashionable community and the style savvy wisdom of our editors to bring you a no-muss, no-fuss, one-minute makeover and effortlessly transform the pieces you already have tucked away in your closet.

    To save you from ever uttering the words, I have nothing to wear, we've culled our fashionable community and the style savvy wisdom of our editors to bring you a no-muss, no-fuss, one-minute makeover and effortlessly transform the pieces you already have tucked away in your closet. Today, we're setting our sights on an easy way to boost your Fall style: layer up with a vest.

    • Fab reader BrittandWhit proves, with three very different looks, the vest is an extremely versatile way to add dimension to any look. Add a knit vest and cinch with a belt for street-chic wear, a shearling-lined vest for boho flavor, or even a trench style for a more polished finish — the options are endless.
    • With the onset of cooler weather, the added layer will help protect you (stylishly) against the cold.
    • A vest is a super-easy way to transition from day to night. Just add a denim or leather version for a cool, downtown vibe over a dress or top.
    • Experiment with a trend in smaller doses, for instance, add a great faux fur vest to your denim to easily channel this season's call to the '70s.
    Fall Fashion

    5 Sexy and Unexpected Party Looks

    In addition to all the amazing runway shows and presentations that go on during Fashion Week, there are also parties — tons of parties — and you never want to look as if you're trying too hard or even worse, not trying hard enough.
    What to Wear to a Party

    In addition to all the amazing runway shows and presentations that go on during Fashion Week, there are also parties — tons of parties — and you never want to look as if you're trying too hard or even worse, not trying hard enough. Even if you're miles away from Lincoln Center, there is undoubtedly a party in your near future; whether it's a birthday, bachelorette bash, or just an excuse to do some drinking and dancing, the goal is to look chic, effortlessly sexy, and worthy of the spotlight. There are definitely easy ways to channel that coveted sex kitten vibe, but this time we're thinking outside the basic LBD box. We've styled up five stylish party looks that are perfect for your next soiree. Click through to see and shop each one.