Clamdiggers and walk shorts make my must-have list for Summer 2009 as a warm weather go-to alternative to pants and jeans. One specific variation on this theme that deserves more attention is the utilitarian cargo clamdigger.

Their look is uber relaxed when offered in fabrications like crinkle cottons, terry cloth and twills. This makes them work with casual flats and sandals. But sometimes the vibe of the cargo clamdigger is a little smarter when offered in fabrications like silk and linen-rayon blends, making them work well with a dressier sandal or heel. Both are good looks on the right body type.

Unfortunately, this animal is hard to wear. It’s best on inverted triangles, racy rectangles and some adorable apples because straight-ish upper legs are a prerequisite. Stay away from the look if you don’t want to draw attention to your thighs, which means “no” for pretty pears and “be careful” for hourglasses. This does not mean that you have to be super slim to wear the style. It’s a question of having thighs that aren’t curvy at any size. I hope that makes sense.

The cargo clamdiggers worn with flats are casual. The style on the left from Banana Republic is dressy, which is why it’s shown with dressy heeled sandals (but they would work with cute flat sandals too). I like the vibe of the dressier cargo clamdigger best and I’ll stick to basic clamdiggers for casual and smart casual dressing until I find a suitable pair. If not this season, then next year will do.

This post is earlier than usual because sale fever is ahead of time this year (I attribute that to our tough economic climate). You know the drill, below is a list of must-have items that cuts across all body types, age groups and budgets. It’s a question of finding the right style at the right price, AND, wearing it an appropriate and flattering way that works for you. So no “but”s or “I can’t”s unless you’re vehemently opposed to the aesthetic of the trend. Here we go:

• White bottoms: As the most logical and cost effective Summer bridging piece, white jeans, pants, walk shorts, clamdiggers, skirts or frocks are a no-brainer. If bright optical white is not your thing, try a variation like off-white or cream.
• White items: Think white or cream for tops, jackets, cardigans, camisoles, accessories, footwear, spectacles, sunglasses and watches. It screams “Summer is here”.
• An assortment of cardigans: Tailored V-necks with elbow length sleeves are especially flattering, but unstructured cascading cardigans have their place too. They work well over sleeveless tops, add coverage when needed and are super comfy, versatile, relaxed and practical.
• Day dresses: If you stick to pants and shorts most of the time, challenge yourself to mix it up and wear frocks. It’s the best solution in hot weather.
• Walk shorts and clamdiggers: These are your “go to” Summer jeans or pants.
• Leggings: I’ve tried to encourage adoption of this look and it’s been well received on our forum. I hope you give it a bash.
• Denim jacket: Great in either white, faded or dark denim blue, it’s the perfectly timeless casual cover-up for dress and skirt ensembles.
• Gladiators, or thong sandals: If I can wear this item, anyone can. Gladiators are my edgy preference, but pretty thong sandals are just as fab.
• Metallic shoes: The ideal Summery neutral. Whether it’s wedges, ballet flats or sandals, a metallic ped is flop proof in warm weather.
• Banded tops: Time to give the defined waistline a break and go for something unexpected. The right banded top has worked on all my clients so far. Stretch yourselves if there isn’t one hanging in your closet.

This list is deliberately more daring than last year’s list because it’s good to keep our wardrobes evolving. I’ve left off non-neutral shoes, handbags and accessories, assuming that you already have these covered. Summer is here – let’s get those wardrobes in shape.

I love the look and feel of voluminous Summer cardigans. They are loose, cotton-rich, lightweight and extremely comfortable. They are a great little cover-up to have on hand in air-conditioned settings or when it gets chilly at night.

I was sold a few seasons ago when I purchased one in dove grey. It’s become the most used cardigan in my wardrobe because it adds the perfect level of interesting textural interest to an outfit.

Cascading cardigans look super over form fitting AND voluminous tops. They also look fab over structured sheath dresses. The key to wearing this silhouette is to keep your bottoms fitted and structured. Clamdiggers, walk shorts, pencil skirts, skinnies, straight-legs and boot cut pants or jeans work beautifully. But A-line skirts and wide-legged pants won’t work as well. Too much volume in one outfit just isn’t flattering. If you’re petite, keep the length a little shorter to elongate your look. If you’re tall, go as long as just above the knee.

This style of cardigan makes a nice change to the classic fitted cropped variety. It does wonders to camouflage extra bits that we carry around the midsection. It’s also the perfect item to grab on days when you don’t want to define your waistline (a look I’m gravitating towards more frequently just because it’s different). Don’t be afraid of volume – give the cascading cardigan a try if you see one in stores.

Some cascading cardigans are more structured than others. A style with slack waistline gathering (like the cobalt and fuchsia examples in the middle) are instantly flattering. Styles that are cut a little narrower but sans gathering on the waist (like the emerald and purple examples on the right) are also good. Completely unstructured styles (like the coral and periwinkle blue on the left) also have their place. Start experimenting and let forum member Laura inspire you with her killer cascading cardigan ensemble, complete with white jeans and gladiators.

Make an outfit instantly look and feel more Summery by adding white. It freshens things up, especially when contrasted with a bright or dark colour like black, navy, chocolate brown or grey. The effect is often eye-catching, which is why white acts like a bright, even though it’s a neutral.

Think of incorporating the following white items into ensembles as temperatures rise:

• White tops: They often need a camisole to make them look whiter and less see-through which is not ideal in sweltering weather, but it’s worth it if you’re in air conditioning. A white top accessorized with texture and contrast is flop proof.
• White bottoms: I’m a huge fan of white jeans, clamdiggers, pants and skirts. They are the perfect bridging piece as they make existing wardrobe items (like black tops) feel seasonally right. White bottoms do not make you look fat if the fit and fabric is fab.
• White camisoles: Where you would have opted for a black camisole, try using a white one instead. You’ll be surprised at how this one change can make a big difference.
• White outer layer: Consider white lightweight jackets, denim jackets or cardigans if you need a second layer. In order to prevent “the lab coat” effect, choose jackets with a contrasting button in black or a metal.
• White handbags and shoes: If you don’t like to wear white clothing, sport the colour through handbags and shoes instead. It packs instant punch.
• White accessories: Think white chunky beads, pendant, bracelet, watch, belt, earrings, specs and sunglasses when you’re adding Summer accessories to your look.

If you don’t like to wear optical white, choose a variation like off-white or cream. They work just as well. Also, you don’t need to be tanned to wear white next to your skin. I’m pale skinned and somehow wear white well. If you’re still not convinced, use it as a layering vehicle instead.

I’ve adored all things white and cream since I was little. There is something magically clean, crisp, sophisticated and cool about this neutral, which is why it holds a special place in my heart. Most of the time white is my black. I do lots of laundry because of my impractical obsession with white things, but it’s worth it.

It’s one thing to sit by a shady pool drinking iced tea all day when temperatures soar, but it’s quite another to look polished, professional and pulled together in hot weather conditions. Believe it or not, it’s possible to be cool, calm and collected instead of a sweltering, sticky mess in extreme heat. I learned how to dress for these conditions while living in Asia and Africa for a large part of my life.

Here are some suggestions as we in the Northern Hemisphere head into summer:

• Fabrications: Look for items made of lightweight natural fibers like cotton, linen, muslin and silk. Fabric blends with a high content of natural fiber are just as good. To my surprise, I’ve found that super thin, man-made, gauzy, mesh-like fabrics work well too.
• Colours: Shades of white are great for reflecting heat, but dark colours and patterned items are ideal for camouflaging perspiration spots. Your choice may depend on whether your day is like Cape Town’s dry, windy summer, or Singapore’s unbelievable, year-round tropical humidity.
• Sleeveless: Some people find it cooler to cover up from the sun in lightweight fabrics, while others prefer to wear garments with less coverage. I’ve found that as long as I use sunblock, going sleeveless is hands down the coolest solution.
• Breezy dresses: A sleeveless, flowing, knee-length, knit or woven, A-line dress that’s fitted on top and flared at the bottom is very ventilating. Nothing too tight or clingy, just tailored in the right places and super airy.
• A-line skirts: A knee-length skirt that floats away from the body is cooler than a pencil skirt. Add a sleeveless top and its built-in air conditioning.
• Walk shorts: Shorts that end around the knee, or a little shorter, are not nearly as cool as skirts and dresses but at a push they’ll work too.
• Voluminous tops: You might not like the sound of this but trapeze tops, empire cuts and banded tops in both knits and wovens are brilliant in the heat. Forget about defining your waist when you’re desperate and stick to a strong shoulder line instead. Add a short streamlined bottom and you’re in business.
• Single layer: Find items that look good worn on their own, sans a cami, cardi or second layer. If the neckline gapes, have it altered so that you’re happy with the amount of cleavage exposed.
• Sandals: Open shoes like thong sandals and gladiators with fewer straps are ideal.
• Practical hairstyle: Opt for a do that works in heat and humidity. Keeping it shorter is the obvious answer, but tying back longer hair in flattening ways is another solution.
• Frequent showers: It really helps to come home and start again. Cleaning up and popping on a fresh set of clothes works wonders.
• Slower pace: Instead of rushing around, take your time and don’t be desperate to hurry everything along. It sounds ridiculous and I was dubious about this suggestion at first, but it makes a huge difference.

I do pretty well in the heat if I dress accordingly, take multiple showers and keep my hair super short. My main challenge is combating frosty air conditioned interiors when I’m dressed for the 90 degrees plus outside. Layering flimsy clothing with cardigans, lightweight jackets and scarves is not sufficient when it’s 68 degrees indoors. My exposed feet freeze which makes me instantly cold. What I usually end up doing is dressing for cooler temperatures when I’m going to spend time in AC and taking my sweaty chances when I venture outdoors. I guess I’d rather feel too warm than too cold.

Over to you. What have I left out? How do you manage your style and wardrobe in extreme heat?

My Spring 2009 wardrobe updates are complete and it’s onto Summer. I don’t need to stick to accessories this time round but Summers in Seattle are short which means that purchases will be minimal. In this neck of the woods, it makes more sense to save pennies for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale which is less than two months away.

One of my favourite looks is to mix retro 50’s and 60’s inspired pieces with modern style. So it was love at first sight when I saw this fun, ladylike sleeveless sheath. The frock is a little shorter than I usually wear which actually makes it more versatile since it double duties as a tunic. Fabulous.

I can wear this item in at least four different ways, dressed both up or down. From left to right (click on the pictures to see a larger view):

1. On its own as a frock: Add chunky pearls, a clutch and heeled metallic wedges and you’re good for a dressy occasion. Wearing a necklace with this type of roll neck collar is subtle but effective. It’s not completely visible when you look in the mirror, but noticeable from other angles to passersby.
2. Over leggings: I adore leggings and wonder why the look isn’t as popular in America when it’s around every street corner in Paris, London, Hong Kong and Israel. Refresh your memory on why leggings are fab and how to wear the look. I’m willing to bet you won’t be disappointed once you get your head around the trend. Much softer than denim, easy to wear and cheap as chips. What’s not to like.
3. With clamdiggers: I’ve taken off the pearls, added a floral pin, silver flats and a vegan tote. Dressed down, a little more casual but just as pulled together.
4. Layered over skinnies with a cropped cardigan: Blue or black straight leg, skinny and boot cut jeans would have worked equally well, but it’s about white jeans in Summer time so viola. Add a cropped cardigan, an interesting wristlet and low heels for a funky and physically warmer outfit (a good idea on a chilly Summers day).

This particular style and colour of tunic dress might not be for you, but simply substitute the item for one that is to your taste and apply the same formula. It’s a versatile piece that’s bound to give you more bang for your fashion buck.

I don’t stop wearing black clothing, footwear and accessories in warm weather, but I do like to wear these items in different ways so that I feel seasonally refreshed. It’s all about adding enough contrasting white and/or colour to the ensemble to make it feel more Summery:

• Match black tops and jackets with white jeans, a white skirt or clamdiggers.
• Freshen up a look with a white camisole under a black top.
• Add a white or colourful jacket, handbag or shoes to a black top worn over blue jeans, a denim skirt or slacks.
• Throw a bright contrasting belt over a black top or frock to liven up the look.
• Combine black bottoms with a white or colourful top and metallic, bright or grey shoes.
• Combine black flats with white jeans, Summery dresses/skirts and black leggings.
• Complement black clothing items with bold (non-black) necklaces, earrings, cuffs, specs or watches. This could mean anything from a chunky string of pearly beads and red earrings, to an earthy chestnut brown necklace, green watch and Lucite bracelet.

Some people are happy to sport black in dark, monochromatic and textured ways in warm weather, but that feels too Autumn and Winter for me. Theoretically, whites and brights also reflect more light and are therefore cooler under direct sunlight. How do you feel about wearing black when temperatures soar?

We see this trend waft in and out of fashion and this season it’s back for tops and frocks. Grecian, breezy, cool, asymmetrical and alluring are words that come to mind when I see one shoulder dressing. I’m not particularly drawn to the style, but don’t mind it either. It can make for an interesting look.

If you fancy the vibe, you’ll need a strapless bra and minimal accessories. A cuff or chunky bracelet with a clutch gets my vote over anything else (wearing the wrist accessory on the arm that bares it’s shoulder). I’d also leave one shoulder dressing for evening settings like date nights, parties, clubs, dinner events and fancy functions. You’d probably get away with sporting a casual version of the look at a beach resort during the day, but that’s about it.

Any takers?