In Spades

Style... in abundance

Summer Ready

Mimi & Red sundress // Straw hat (similar here) // Illesteva sunglasses // Kendra Scott ring //
Leather sandals // Bag (similar here)

This past weekend I was in Chicago for one of the most epic Greek weddings I’ve ever attended.  Between fits of laughter and happy tears, we ate Greek food, broke plates, took ouzo shots, threw dollar bills at the bride and groom and even managed to (accidentally) shatter a chandelier.  We Greeks are animated.

The end of the weekend brought a beautiful feeling of goodwill and love for the happy couple, and ushered in one of my favorite times of year: summer in California.

While I’m more of a fall/winter dresser, it’s imperative to have chic, easy pieces when the temperature rises.  This Mimi & Red sundress was the perfect piece to kick off summer.  I love the wrap front – it looks so pretty billowing in the wind – nipped waistline and open back.  It kept me cool yet stylish for a stroll on the beach and I know it will be on heavy rotation in the months to come.

No summer wardrobe is complete without a straw hat and this one is a steal for less than $30.  My handbag is from several years ago, but I love how it embodies all of the current trends – beadwork, embroidery and a bamboo top handle.  If you’ve had your eye on a Gucci one like I have, go to the Shop the Post section below for some great alternatives at a fraction of the cost.

Shop the Post

 

Un-Coachella

Salt Water Luxe kimono dress from Mimi & Red (c/o) // Manolo Blahnik boots (similar here) //
Jennifer Fisher and Stephen Webster rings // Janessa Leone hat (similar here)

After taking a break from posting last week, it feels good to be back in the swing of things.  One of the things I love about spring is the transitional weather we get in California.  While generally warm, it’s still cool enough outside to wear my boots and jackets.  If you’ve been a longtime reader of In Spades, you know Fall/Winter is my favorite season, so any excuse to extend the wear of my leather jackets and boots is a plus.

I found this Saltwater Luxe kimono dress at Mimi & Red and immediately fell in love with the silhouette – anything long and drapey is my jam.  It provided the perfect opportunity to break out my favorite boots of all time and a sassy fedora (that I lovingly refer to as my Ed Harris hat).  The open back gives it a bit of va va voom and the raised hemline in the front makes it so versatile for styling.  I’ll definitely be pairing it, unbuttoned to the waist, with cropped jeans and block heeled mules.

Last year I did a post about the antithesis to a Coachella wardrobe.  While Coachella isn’t my thing, this dress is a great example of the power of styling.  Worn completely unbuttoned as a vest or belted with sandals, you can transform the look into a more desert feel.

Spring Stripes

Mimi & Red top, pants and glasses // Zara shoes (similar here and here) // Pianegonda ring

Right after returning from NYFW I attended an event at Mimi & Red in North Park, San Diego.  A contemporary boutique with a SoCal vibe and insane accessories collection, they have two locations – the other being in Bird Rock.  Last week I returned after a tea date at Holy Matcha to take a look at their spring line-up.  Immediately after laying eyes on these 70’s era glasses, I knew I had to have them.  At only $12, they were a total steal and haven’t left my face since.

If you’ve been reading In Spades for a while you know I’m a big fan of statement pants.  This spring I’ve been leaning more towards the high waisted, wide leg variety over skirts, so these totally fit the bill.  Paired with a striped crop top I felt just like Gwen Stefani, sans red lipstick.

Surprisingly my favorite trends for spring have been rather unspring-like in the traditional sense.  Rather than floral print, short dresses and feminine sandals, I’m definitely sticking to my signature silhouette of volume and texture.  Think wide leg pants, duster length trench coats and chunky heels.  The bigger the better in my book!