I’ll always think that the boybands of my childhood (Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC, duh) are the creme of the crop. Maybe that explains my aversion to One Direction, or maybe I’ve just outgrown boybands. Yeah, right.

There must be something to One Direction, seeing as they’re such a sensation right now. I may not be their biggest fan, but their video for “What Makes You Beautiful” is a perfect summer video. It was filmed on a sunny California beach, and there are beachy fashions galore.

Our friends over at College Fashion put together some great looks inspired by the video. Check it out here.

Who or what inspires your style? Many of us use Hollywood A-listers (like Diablo Cody) or movie characters (like Annie Hall) as style inspiration, even though, most of the time, they are being dressed from head to toe by the best stylists.

Which we don’t have.

And sometimes it’s damn near impossible to work their Hollywood looks into our not-so-Hollywood lives. I’ve made it my mission to tap into the mind of a fashion stylist and show you how to take your style inspiration – whatever it may be – and make it more you!

Sometimes in this (awesome) summer heat, the last thing on our minds isn’t what else we can add to an outfit to showcase our style, but how many layers we can remove without flashing too much skin or, worse, a nipple. And if I had to name one person who balances this all out perfectly, it’s Sanoe Lake.

Not familiar with her? Well, this part-surfer part-actress is part-Japanese, part-English and part-Hawaiian, the perfect combo for her breakout role in Blue Crush. (Which, like to admit it or not, you know you stop to watch when it’s on TNT on a Saturday.) In the movie, you don’t get to see much of Sanoe’s style as she’s either wearing a hotel maid uniform or rocking her bathing suits (and the occasional board-short).  But off the movie set, Sanoe takes her cool, laid-back surfer style with her, which makes for some pretty gnarly (in a good way) style. She’s a surfer girl from the waves to the street, and she does it well. Read More »

I don’t get the appeal of the expensive beach babe. First of all, budget beach babe just sounds better. Second, I simply don’t understand the point of spending so much on a bathing suit just because the piping is plaid. What is the point of spending that much on something that isn’t even original. You look down the row of lounge chairs at a hot Miami hotel and it’s like Burberry drank too much last night resulting in a major hangover and then vomited all over the sunbathers.

There are SO many cute bathing suits, cover ups, sunglasses, totes, etc., out there that are muy cheapo but look muy expensivo. Plus, not only do you look like a beach babe, you look like an original that-girl-has-mad-fashion-sense one to boot.

Just don’t forget your SPF. Even I can’t make a person-turned-lobster look cute. Read More »

[Post courtesy of out friends at StyleBakery.com. For more awesome fashion, style and beauty news, check them out!]

More than just added protection from the sun, a chic hat adds style to your look whether you’re wearing a bikini or a dress. We’re loving the new straw fedoras this season, or take cover in a classic sun hat.

Straw Fedoras:
Add some retro chic to your look with the straw update of the classic fedora.

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