Next Level: Marbled Goodness
Move over, dip-, tie-, and shibori-dyeing, even. Right now, we’re feeling marbling. Here are four ways to try it on for size. —erica
LEVEL I: An Ann-Ya clutch that can go from dance-partying on Saturday night to carb-loading on Sunday morning.
LEVEL II: Hot damn. Ilana Kohn sure knows how to work some color-palette magic.
LEVEL III: Less femme than florals, the motif on these Rich & Skinny jeans will hide any picnic-induced grass stains.
LEVEL IV: Ah, the white dress that’s not really a white dress, delivered by Dagmar.
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Next Level: Confetti!
Tell me this: What print’s more FESTIVE than confetti—or, to borrow from Pillsbury, funfetti? Here, four pieces ready for a party. —erica
LEVEL I: So sweet with its drop waist, this Cythia Rowley situation is just asking for an afternoon wedding.
LEVEL II: Dreaming of this Julien David collared shirt with some super-light-wash jeans.
LEVEL III: The patches of neon on this Corey Lynn Calter dress keep it far away from The Help costume closet.
LEVEL IV: Bursts of blue, yellow, and purple turn these Thierry Lasry tortoiseshell shades just a little CrAzY.
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Next Level: White Cover-Ups
White swimsuits? Still a little scary. But white cover-ups? Not so much. These guys are also awesome for 90-degree days far away from the sand, especially with a bright one-piece underneath. —erica
LEVEL I: So simple and easy—but Surf Bazaar spices this tank dress right up with that shocking pink trim.
LEVEL II: Ugh, how is the tie waistband on this Thayer sucker so damn adorable.
LEVEL III: The fringe on this floor-length Mara Hoffman number is pretty rad—and isn’t half as hippie-do as it could be.
LEVEL IV: Such a cool-girl look, no? Just pulling on this Lisa Marie Fernandez sitch would give you automatic beach hair.
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Next Level: Tortoiseshell Shades
Tortoiseshell sunglasses—doesn’t get much more classic than that. Hell, Thomas Crown, Holly Golightly, and James Bond have all worn them. Here, four ways to freshen ‘em up without going too crazy. —erica
LEVEL I: This Illesteva pair is just oversize and totally timeless.
LEVEL II: Basic aviators looks a whole lot more special in the care of 3.1 Phillip Lim.
LEVEL III: See that double bridge? It keeps these fly frames from The Row from looking at all retro.
LEVEL IV: On these Carven guys, the tortoiseshell is like an accent, warming up the army green, white, and metal bits is a strikingly cool way.
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Next Level: Seersucker
Is there a fabric that screams “summer” more loudly than seersucker does? (That’s a rhetorical question, you guys.) Here, four ways to work it as we head into the weekend that kicks off the season. —erica
LEVEL I: A Pret-a-Surf bikini so classic in an Ashley Judd sort of way.
LEVEL II: This Rag & Bone tank leans toward sweet—but wearing it with some ragged jean shorts counteracts that.
LEVEL III: Seersucker, two ways, brought to you by 10 Crosby Derek Lam.
LEVEL IV: Oh, WELL. Didn’t see the leather shawl collar on this Boy by Band of Outsiders blazer coming.
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Next Level: Basically PJ Pants
The dream: for the clothes you wear in public to be as comfy as the ones you wear under the covers. And while some people are willing to push things further, we’re happy to settle at pajama pants, and these four pairs are ready to take the day. —erica
LEVEL I: Dare I call these checked 3.1 Phillip Lim guys office-appropriate? They even have back slit pockets.
LEVEL II: Piamita: Taking the PJ vibe very seriously.
LEVEL III: The little multi-color belt on this Maison Scotch pair does a lot to dress things up.
LEVEL IV: Oh, Clover Canyon, you aren’t scared of anything are you? Follow the styling tip shown here and wear these wide-leg wonders with a hyper-classic striped tee to keep them in check.
If you wanna dive into the “Next Level” archives, now’s your chance!
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Next Level: Rash Guards
Just because we don’t surf doesn’t mean we don’t ogle wave-riding attire. Something we’ve noticed? Rash guards have gotten so freaking stylin’. Here, four versions that prove our point. —erica
LEVEL I: As approachable as a stripe-y tee! And how hot’s the zipper up the front of this Pret-a-Surf number?
LEVEL II: This Eberjey creation can totally hang with guy who’d respond to broseph.
LEVEL III: So GRAPHIC and cool—Basta really knows what’s up. It also pairs so well with a black bikini.
LEVEL IV: Who says you can’t be girly and badass at once? Certainly not Zimmermann.
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Next Level: Pink & Red
Pink and red are not supposed to hang together—they kind of have a Capulet-Montague situation going. But, done right, man, can sparks fly. Four classy-cool ways to go. —erica
LEVEL I: How adorbs would these Loeffler Randall sandals be with rolled-up chinos?
LEVEL II: God, those blush-y hues. Reed Krakoff, you know what you’re doing.
LEVEL III: The cut-outs on this Mara Hoffman dress just contribute to the color-blocking masterfulness.
LEVEL IV: Subtle? Heck no. But this Venessa Arizaga necklace sure is fly.
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Next Level: B&W Gingham
Wearing gingham doesn’t mean looking like a picnic blanket—especially when you go all black and white. Here’s how to play it cool. —erica
LEVEL I: Doesn’t get much easier than this loose Steven Alan top. Toss on some chunky gold jewelry to jazz it up.
LEVEL II: Friends & Associates thinks you need a fresh alternative to a denim mini. We’re with them.
LEVEL III: Some major peplum action, to really amp up your weekend look, from Roseanna.
LEVEL IV: Totally fair if you thought you’d never wear a tankini again—but this Pret-a-Surf situation has the power to change your mind.
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Next Level: Overalls
You know what I’ve noticed? People have been using the word “dungarees” to describe what’s pictured above—maybe to soften the blow of their return. Let’s own it, guys. Cause The Fresh Prince and Winona Ryder were onto something. Four ways to get your OVERALL on. —erica
LEVEL I: Angela Chase would have lived in this super-classic Current/Elliott incarnation.
LEVEL II: Viva Vena! is doing a just-dressed-up take, and it would be killer with a collared sleeveless top.
LEVEL III: A little loud, sure, but with black underneath, this floral Phillip Lim version is totally doable. Bonus: The beige trim has waist-cinching powers.
LEVEL IV: Snake-print leather plus white denim?! Oh, Rebecca Minkoff is so going there.
