"Head Over Sneakers" My Tips On How to Wear Sneakers With A Dress.

I avoided dresses for a long time. Mostly because I felt I had to wear a heel or wedge with them. I enjoy going about my daily routine looking stylish, but comfortable at the same time. I am in and out of the car a lot and heels are not realistic. I instantly fell for the casual look that I could achieve wearing dresses and skirts with sneakers!

I am all about simple and quick when it comes to dressing. While I like to look finished and put together, the Summer months in Florida are too hot to be overdone. I am constantly heading out to the barn for riding lessons or to the beach for surf lessons and those errands make it tough to wear fussy shoes.

So, dresses have become my “go to” solution for those days when I can’t decide what to put on. They are easy to wear for a number of reasons. And, who isn’t about easy? (Especially now that I can throw on some sneaks with them!)

*They can fit any body because they come in a variety of fabrics, shapes and lengths.

*They are cool to wear in the heat of Summer.

*Most importantly, all you have to do is add a shoe and an accessory! You don’t have to match tees or blouses and decide what bottoms to wear! One stop shopping!!!

In order to pull off this look I have a few tips for you!

NO!

1 Don’t wear socks that show!!!! This is one of my most important suggestions.

YES!

A sock that shows, breaks up the line from dress to shoe and draws your attention right to the sock! Your legs will look longer if they don’t have the interruption of a sock.

As the sneaker says “Lovely”

2 If your sneaker has any sort of graphic print you should keep the dress simple. Wear teeshirt styles or solid colors with sneakers that have a little extra something on them.

And, if your dress is a busier print then keep the sneaker simple!

3 Still not sure if you can pull off a sneaker with something a little dressier? Ask yourself “Could I wear this with a flat sandal?” Chances are if you can wear it with a slide or wedge you can wear it with a sneaker. I am not fond of dressier dresses with sneakers. Certain dresses are meant to be worn as cocktail attire.

Another question I like to ask myself is…”How would I feel at the grocery store in this outfit?”

4 Maxi dresses require sneakers that are less bulky. Stick with something simple especially if the dress is a lot longer. If the dress is longer you don’t want it to drag on the ground so even a simple platform could work.

Superga Platform

5 Your sneaker doesn’t have to be the newest rage, you can pull off this trend with a simple Superga or Keds!

KEEP THIS FOR THE GYM!

6 Finally, I would not pair athletic sneakers with dresses. You may see photos of this “trend” but it will look dated very quickly.

Esse Ut Esse

This white sneaker works as it’s more of a street shoe than a gym shoe.

I hope this helps you style sneakers/kicks with some of your favorites Summer Dresses! I know it has helped me get a lot more use out of them! If you try any of these looks, snap a photo and tag me on Instagram @therealchachaolivia!

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10 Ways To Keep Cool And Still Look Stylish In The Humid Summer Months-According To Chacha-Olivia

Auguste - Mila Muse Maxi Dress from Vagabond Apparel Boutique in North Palm Beach

It has taken a long time for me to adjust to the Florida Summers. I remember saying to Anthony, “Will I ever wear a sweater again?!” Not that it didn’t get hot in Connecticut or Massachusetts, it’s just that the Summers in Florida linger from June until October, if you’re lucky.

The move to Florida came at a crazy time in my life. I was beginning to have my “own personal Summers!” Greaaaat! Humidity, Temperatures upwards of 90 degrees and the change of life!

Everyone has a different opinion of what he/she tends to feel cooler wearing. Some of us run hot and some of us run cold. However, I wanted to give you some cute Summer outfit tips that are cool and yet stylish for me.

1) It’s always cooler in the shade so why not try a hat? I like to find the ones that are light weight and have fairly wide brims.

I love this one classic Fedora from Eugenia Kim…Eugenia Kim-Packable-Lillian. The Eugenia Kim product is a little pricier but with an email sign-up you can receive a percentage off your first purchase.

TheEugenia Kim website has a whole section on packable hats and they even suggest hats based on your face shape! Way to go Eugenia!

I also love Helen Kaminski. Here’s a cute new style that comes in a couple color combo’s. I personally like the natural/white combo. Check it out here…Helen Kaminski Kamali 12

If you don’t think you’ll need a hat that often, but you’d like to give it a try, the one I’m wearing above is from JCrew. I’ve had it a long time and probably didn’t spend more than $39 on it.

2) I am much cooler in natural fabrics like cotton and linen. I personally find they breathe better. I often hear “I don’t like linen, I don’t like how wrinkled it looks.” I personally love washable linens. CP Shades and Artists and Revolutionaries design great pieces that are so light and breezy! They also are not meant to look stiff and crisp. Start by trying just a top. I bet you might change your mind!

Check it out here…Regina Top CP Shades

This is one of my personal favs. It has been on the CP Shades line for years. It also doubles as a swimsuit coverup!

This top also comes in solid colors. It washes and wears beautifully. I have literally had mine for years!

Check them out here…Alice and Olivia Fayen Platform

3) While we are talking about natural fabrics I’d like to say the same is true when it comes to shoes. Anything with a synthetic lining will fire up your feet. Sandals with leather or jute insoles are the coolest. Love this little platform from Alice and Olivia. The lining is leather and the foot bed is jute. Winner!

Bombas-No Show Socks with Heel Grip.

4) I always wear “peds” with my sneakers. I find, even with leather sneakers, a sock will help with keeping my feet cool. I’m fond of the ones by Bombas. Please! Purchase the “no show” ones! You don’t want your socks sticking out of those cute sneakers. Bombas donates a pair for every pair sold and they are made of ultra fine gauge cotton. See them here…Bombas No Show Socks

James Perse Crew Neck Slub Tee

James Perse V Neck Slub Tee

5) Wear color! Stay away from black as much as possible. If you need to go darker, try navy. Black absorbs all the light and heat! Colored tees, and fun prints are great for the Summer months. I wear a lot of Black and it makes such a difference when I put on whites, creams or colors. Especially light ones. You have probably heard me talk about this tee before.

The James Perse Crew Neck Slub Tee is lightweight and isn’t clingy but gives a nice shape and comes in a ton of colors. If you’re not a crew neck fan, it also comes in v-neck! James Perse V-Neck Slub Tee.

Mitchell Boyfriend Chino from Blessed Boutique Fashion in Palm Beach Gardens

6) I personally don’t like to wear shorts. I have never really been comfortable showing a lot of leg. However, I mostly don’t like to wear shorts because I don’t find them cool. I dislike sticking to benches or chairs when outside. Getting into a hot car with leather seats can be painful! I love ankle pants or capris in soft fabrics, again mostly natural ones. I like to throw on any basic white tee or graphic one and I’m out the door. You have heard me talk about these Mitchell Boyfriend Chino. They come in a variety of colors and just went on sale so ACT FAST! If you sign up with email you also get $25 off purchase. (Full Price items) There are many ankle pants/crop pants out there. These are my favs. I completely understand why the company’s tag line is “Makers of the World’s Best Fitting Pant”

Mumu -Two Piece Set from Vagabond Apparel Boutique in North Palm Beach

7) I love soft flowy fabrics that come away from the body. I find skirts or dresses that are light in fabric and flow away from the body to be much cooler. The one in the top picture is a dream! It’s from one of my all time favorite stores, Vagabond Apparel in North Palm Beach. Here’s another two piece outfit from Vagabond. Not only is it cool but it’s versatile!

Volt Designs-From Definitely Wendy - Instagram MA

8) Shift dresses are also cooler…I like how they just skim the body, give a nice shape and don’t stick! This one, by Volt designs, is so cool and comfortable. It’s extra comfy because it works well with kicks!

9) Keep your hair off your neck and face! Long hair-wear it in a sweeping pony or messy bun…short hair-pinned back with all the fun hair accessories out now! Give it a whirl! It makes a huge difference!

10) And finally, lighten up on the jewelry! I have staples that I stick to all year but once the heat kicks up I use statement earrings and light weight necklaces and bracelets to complete my looks.

I hope you find my tips for staying cool helpful! Head on over to Instagram when you try them, and let me know how you feel. Tag @therealchachaolivia. I’d love to hear from you!

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Release your Inner Roar-My Personal Picks for Animal Prints

I thought you might like to see some of my favorite animal prints. The best part is with the exception of the shoes they are all under $100!

The Leopard Dress (1), is a different color version of the one I wore in a post called "Take a walk on the wild side...". I love the fit - it has a side zip and is super flattering. It can be worn casually with a flat, dressed up with a strappy sandal or pump and year ‘round if you add a boot. It’s super versatile! The Python Skirt (2), is faux leather and another great Topshop piece. The slit may be a bit too sexy for the office, but it depends on where you work…fashion, arts, retail- you’d be ok. I’d love to see it paired with a denim jacket or turtleneck on the weekend. It’s another piece that could go year ‘round. The pleated Python Midi Skirt (3), is so pretty! I love the color combo. Again…Topshop allows you to be a little trendy without breaking the bank. Pair it with a silk top or tee shirt and go from casual to dress in a heartbeat. One of my favorite Paris street fashions was a skirt similar to this paired with a white tee, shoe boot and leather jacket. Uhhmmm, yup…loved it!

On to the Leopard Clutch (4), it adds a little pizazz to any outfit. Wearing jeans, a tee and a blazer? This clutch adds some interest. Sporting your LBD (Little Black Dress) out for the evening?…add the clutch and it’s useful and acts as an accessory too.

The Leopard Scarf (5), can wrap around your ponytail, your neck or even your handbag. Scarves are often overlooked as an accessory and the prints can offer a nice way of shaking up an outfit. Check out my post on "Outfit Repeating" for some suggestions on how to wear one! I love the weight of this one, it’s silky and light.

I like to wear a patterned shoe and these two, the Cheetah Sandals (6) and the Leopard Flats (7), are subtle enough that I don’t feel like all you see is feet! Pair these with denim, shorts, trousers and/or skirts.

Enjoy the picks… and most importantly, let the print be your statement piece. The rest of the outfit can be fashionable but you don’t need to add much more to accessorize. The key to wearing these prints is to keep it simple!

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