Cool (Trends) for the Summer (by Demi Lovato)

Written by Natalie Gadbois, Bivouac Boutique salesperson

Cropped Flares

Every summer trends list I’ve seen, from Harper’s to WhoWhatWear to InStyle, has one item at the top: cropped flare jeans, your newest go-to jean. Stars, like always rock-chic Alexa Chung, the eternally cool Zoe Kravitz, and even America’s Sweetheart Reese Witherspoon have been spotted sporting them, and for good reason. This funky amalgamation of two classic trends is notable in its simplicity. It’s the new retro: Audrey Hepburn with a ’70s twist that comes off as distinctly current.

The beauty of the cropped flare is that it can be worn in many ways; premium denim brands have highlighted styles with fringed bottoms, heavy distressing, ones with edgy pockets, and others with an exaggerated flare. They work in all washes, which means that there isn’t just one standard way to wear these flares. They can look chic with a heel that pops or casual with a fashion-forward sneaker, like the platform Superga.

While this style is versatile, there are certain rules for rocking it. The crops should hit right above the ankle, distinguishing them from a traditional flare. Luckily, the popularity of this style means that, depending on the brand, you can find the length that’s right for you, whether you are 5’1” or 6 feet tall.

This trend is already on its way to becoming a staple in everyday wear, because it offers a little bit of everything.

Stripes

The stripe has gone through countless iterations throughout fashion history. In medieval times the pattern was seen as evil, and reserved for prisoners and clowns. Centuries later the sailor suit came into fashion, and every beachgoer looked their best in jaunty striped bathing costumes. Then again in the ‘30s, Coco Chanel co-opted the sailor’s stripes for her own line, loving the minimalism of the style, and stripes became a staple of every fashion-forward wardrobe.

No more are stripes reserved for the country club or the yacht; this season stripes are making a resurgence, as fashionistas are putting away their fall flannels and searching for the perfect tops to pair with their new cropped flares. Horizontal stripes are making their way into rompers and basic tees as the new neutral, worn with anything from ‘70s-inspired white flares to bright florals. While this trend can be an opportunity to resurface your classic Gap boatneck stripes, brands are developing updated versions of this tried-and-true staple. Designers like Armani and Prada featured the trends in their spring shows, showcasing wild striped trench coats and sequined striped draped dresses. But the resurrection of this classic style isn’t just coming from fashion’s elite. Brands like Free People and Philanthropy are coming out with striped tanks that tie, open in the back, or feature delicate keyhole cutouts in the front. Clearly, these aren’t your grandma’s stripes.

The beauty of this trend is its simplicity; there are endless options for finding the stripe that fits your style, and there is no wrong way to rock them.

Denim Dresses

All-denim looks are no longer just for the farm or Canadian prom — this season denim dresses are the perfect throw-on piece. This style is usually worn casual; a light-wash or chambray shift dress paired with sandals or peep toe wedges is both breezy and fashion-forward. Although denim began as the working class pant of the ‘40s and ‘50s, as the style has evolved, so has the way we wear denim. The denim dress is a classic iteration of this life cycle, and this season there are many ways to wear this trend.

For a Nashville vibe, pair a brown belt and suede booties with Rag and Bone’s Barcelona chambray shift. For a more retro ’90s look, throw on Mink Pink’s wraparound dress with platforms and round Rayban’s. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can follow Alexa Chung’s lead and rock a dark-wash shift with pastel heels. Really, there isn’t a wrong way to wear this style…let your imagination soar!