June is the official kickoff to the summer season. Memorial Day marks the final days of the school year, the approach of the longest day of the year — the summer solstice in June — and summer style staples like white T-shirts and the best blue jeans. This winning combo always works, and they’re year-round must-haves. However, the following trends are emerging, specifically in the colors, cuts, and materials to style your best early summer outfits. Take inspiration for upcoming graduation parties, summer weddings, al fresco dining, brunch with friends, and lakeside gatherings this June.
Romantic Blouses: It’s true — bohemian fashion is having a renaissance this spring, and the frilly, puffy, romantic blouses that come with this style are included. Options like balloon-sleeve shirts, short puffed-sleeve blouses, or peasant blouses offer a great statement look when paired with simple white or blue jeans. A statement sleeve or hem makes even the simplest outfits look more elevated, while an off-the-shoulder top adds elegance to an outfit. These fashion-forward tops can also be paired with linen pants, denim shorts, or jeans.
Stylish bralettes: Some celebrities have recently revisited the exposed-bra styling hack, and the timing aligns perfectly with summer. The transition between spring and summer offers ideal moments for pairing lightweight knits with a stylish bralette. When summer fully arrives, you can swap cardigans for linen button-downs or sheer tops, so choose your undergarments wisely. Interesting backs, layers of modest lace, and strappy little numbers are in abundance this June.
Silky Scarves: There are so many ways to style a silk scarf, and in the summer, it looks undeniably fashion-forward as a belt. This layer of silk adds dimension to your outfit and a splash of color. You can wear them as headbands, as an accent to your ponytail, or as an elegant upgrade to your neutral purse or tote bag.
Little White Dress: The term LBD is probably already in your fashion vocabulary, but what about an LWD? If you’re not already familiar with little white dresses, this is the year to make them a staple. Silhouettes ranging from breezy minis, eyelets, and scalloped hemlines to shift dresses and maxi or midi styles can be summer style perfection in the color of the year, “Cloud Dancer” — a soft, airy, and “lofty” white. This shade, selected for its sense of serenity, calm, and clarity, acts as a “blank canvas” — the perfect palette to accessorize your LWD with pops of colorful handbags, earrings, scarves, shoes, and more.
Saturated Shades of Green: After St. Patrick’s Day this year, I realized I don’t have a ton of green in my closet, and I became even more aware after several runway shows featured saturated shades of green on the catwalk, including chartreuse, grass green, and olive. I love green but don’t own many green wardrobe items, so at SHIFT, we have vowed to carry some interesting pops of green to celebrate the season this summer.
Lastly, it’s dress season — spring in Michigan is tough for dresses when the weather is still blustery, cold, and often rainy, but June marks the season for the “one-and-done” wardrobe item. Choose a style that’s flattering for your body shape — a fitted silhouette for the long and lean, a fit-and-flare for a pear-shaped figure, a maxi to elongate your look, a short bubble hem for us short gals, and a SHIFT style for all occasions and body shapes. Get moving, get social, and get outside — June in Michigan is a beautiful time to be your best self.
Shannon White is an architect, designer and fashionista – a small but mighty cheerleader of all things Flint! Holding both Bachelor of Science and Master of Architecture degrees from the University of Michigan, she is the founder of the FUNchitecture design firm and co-founder of the new she-powered Downtown Fenton retail business, SHIFT.
