The Budget Fashionista

They may not be the sexiest footwear, but they are pretty darn comfortable. Flip flops are must-haves for summer as fashionistas flock to the beach, park and pool for some much-needed respite from the heat. Despite their reputation for being somewhat dowdy, there’s no reason that flip flops can’t be cute and fashionable. Instead of opting for the usual plain rubber flip flops, we wanted to look a little more stylish this summer without sacrificing the all-important comfort. Enter embellished …

On the bottom: Havaianas Crystal Mesh flip flops in Silver Moon, $195, available at havaianas.com. On the top: Merona Winda Beaded Champagne flip flops, $17.99, available at target.com.

Let’s face it, summer is the season for accessories. Bikinis, sandals, sunglasses, hats, headbands - pretty much every accessory has a role during summertime. And no true fashionista can go through the hottest season of the year without having all the beach and pool essentials, right? What better way to tote (pun intended) all of your fabulous summer accessories than in a stylish beach tote! Considering that your beach tote is going to be languishing under the hot sun all …

Up top: Michael Kors’s Malibu Animal Print Tote in black, $148.50, at macys.com. Below: American Living Large Iconic Tote, $27.99, available at jcpenney.com. 

If you’re looking for something youthful, preppy and classic for summer casual wear, nothing beats a good madras plaid, and we’re seeing it all over right now. We love it for the bright colors and ease of wear—throw on a plaid skirt or bermudas, pair with a white tee, flip-flops, big sunglasses, and a tote bag, and you are totally weekend ready. Do you need to spend a fortune to get on the madras bandwagon? Uh, nope, and we’ll prove …

On the left, the budget pair, Patchwork Bermuda Shorts, on sale $11.49, AZJeans.com , and on the right, the higher priced version, Ladies’ Bermudas, $90, Cape Madras

Don’t worry, bikinis will always be in style, but this summer the cut-out one piece swimsuit has come out of hiding and is making quite a splash! We want to take a vacation from always sporting bikinis and embrace the one-piece this year. Seriously, what better way to stand out amidst a sea of two-pieces? So if you’ve shied away from wearing a one-piece because it reminded you of your grandmother’s drab maillot, we urge you to try on this …

On the left: the Ombre one-piece monokini in purple, $45, available at victoriassecret.com. On the right: the Starlet one-piece from Vitamin A in silver, $192.95, available at mollybrownsswimwear.com.

This summer some of us may be hitting the beach with the sole purpose of getting that perfect golden tan, but those of us that are more athletically inclined will no doubt be engaging in some sportier activities than just laying out. For all of the sporty fashionistas out there (or even those who just want to cover up in between tanning sessions) there’s no better option than boardshorts. Just slide on a cute pair and get ready to surf, …

On the right: the Brianna Board Short by Lilly Pulitzer, $98, available at lillypulitzer.com. On the left: the Happy Hawaiian Board Short by Roxy, $39.50, available at roxy.com.

We absolutely love summer style, and one of our favorite pieces is the summer party dress. For many, summer is the ideal party season with reasons to celebrate constantly around the corner. As your invitations to clam bakes, barbecues and dances pile up, one thing you won’t have to worry about is what to wear. The fun and flirty summer party dress works for almost any occasion. Wear it to a beach party with flip flops, or to a summer …

Up top is Betsey Johnson’s Embroidered Daisy Dot dress, $345, available at betseyjohnson.com. On the bottom is the Laser-Cut Eyelet Strapless dress, $89, available at bebe.com.