You’ve already found the swimsuit you’ll wear non-stop for the next few months. But don’t forget about what goes on top of it: the perfect cover-up.
As more brands think beyond strictly swimwear and design for that “resort” lifestyle—think easy, breezy pieces that don’t require overthinking (and that complete that out-of-office Instagram post)—the cover-up has evolved from something you wear in this one very specific context to an “it” piece for summer 2019. These breathable dresses, skirts, pants, and blouses look great on the beach and by the pool, but they’re just as good on a hot summer day of running errands or for a Summer Friday happy hour. Wear them with slips if they feel too sheer, or with a ribbed knit tank for contrasting texture. Or, just add your favorite sandals and go about your day.
Ahead, check out 24 cover-ups you’ll be stoked to wear no matter where your summer adventures take you.
I was raised to dress up when attending a wedding. And no matter the venue or time of day, a black dress—just like white—was never an option as a guest. I’m happy to say times have changed: These days, you can pretty much always wear black to a wedding, unless being told explicitly not to by the couple. It’s the universal neutral color—it looks good on everyone, it’s super versatile, and it can be chic and sophisticated or casual and fun. (It’s also increasingly popular among bridesmaids, with companies like David’s Bridal and BHLDN having whole sections dedicated to it.) As with most clothing, the formality of the garment really depends on the fabric and the cut, more so than the color. So, with that in mind—and with wedding season looming—here are some examples of how to wear black to a ceremony and reception all summer long, no matter the dress code or location.
Sunday Garden Wedding
Because of the time of day (usually afternoon) and location (outdoors, likely in the sun), a Sunday garden wedding tends to be a casual affair. A black dress in a cotton or jersey fabric would definitely work for this type of event.
There’s nothing more glamorous than a black-tie city wedding. People often ask me if black-tie means that they have to wear a long gown, and the answer is no, I don’t think you do. Certainly a long dress is appropriate, but the key to black-tie style is formality: As long as the dress feels sophisticated, the hemline—ranging from just above the knee to tea-length (which hits at midcalf)—is up to you.
In my mind, a vineyard wedding is a chic affair, and the focus is often on the stunning, natural backdrop. To that end, I think a black dress can play well in this situation: not overdone, but still appropriate for the evening. A lace cocktail dress is a solid way to go.
While picking out a bright, colorful dress may seem like the obvious option, there’s something very elegant about wearing black to a beach wedding—so long as the dress is flowy. When breezes blow, your skirt should sway.
When attending a ceremony in a house or worship, it’s best to lean on the more covered-up, conservative side with your attire. (Read: no skintight, above-the-knee numbers!) This can often be achieved by simply adding a sweater or jacket to your dress, but as a rule of thumb, if you’re look conjures comparisons to Audrey Hepburn, you’ve nailed it.
A country-club wedding evokes classic, old-school style—probably since many of these venues have been hosting these kinds of celebrations for decades. Consider a dress with the same vibe: traditional, perhaps, but also celebratory, festive, and fun. If you can imagine yourself sipping from a champagne coupe and dancing the night away, these black dresses could be for you.
Once upon a time, festival fashion was all about the flower crowns and fringed vests. But now? You’ll spot just as many bike shorts and cowboy boots (though, not necessarily together) in the crowd at places like Coachella. That can make packing for a few days of outdoor concerts a tricky situation: When there’s not one obvious “festival outfit” to stick to, what are you even supposed to bring?
That’s why we turn to the celebrities that have been going to these festivals for years, to help guide our wardrobe planning.
“I don’t think festival has fashion—everyone has their unique take on what they think style at a festival should be,” Slick Woods tells Glamour at UGG‘s festival kick-off party during the first weekend of Coachella, celebrating the brand’s partnership with the contemporary art exhibition Desert X. The model says she doesn’t really ever change her style to align with a certain event. “I feel like that’s the thing about me that really can’t ever change—I dress like my Mother, that’s my thing.”
Actress Bria Vinaite doesn’t feel constrained by the notion of “festival fashion,” either. “I definitely think about picking something that I love rather than picking something solely for the festival,” she says. Her main tip? “Choose a fun and colorful outfit that’s comfortable enough to allow you and dance and make the most of the festival.”
“Festivals are incredible because you can go as hard as you want,” says actress Billie Lourd. “I can wear as much glitter [as I want], and wear these amazing boots with a monochrome denim outfit—and that’s cool. If I walked down Melrose in this, people would be like, ‘What is happening?’ You can be the most extreme version of yourself.”
Still, there a few items that are helpful to bring with you if you’re spending a few days out in the desert, for an event like Coachella. So we asked Woods, Vinaite, Lourd, and other festival experts (aka. celebrities) to share the one thing they always wear to the concerts. Check out their essentials, ahead.
Something “a little extra”
When it comes to deciding what to wear to a festival, model and actress Barbie Ferreira says you should “maintain your own personal style, but feel free to be a little extra.” Taking her own advice, she rocked a pair of statement tiger print shorts with fiery red satin tank top at Coachella this year—and looked incredible.
Coachella 2019 performer H.E.R. says that, for a festival in the California essentials, a pair of statement sunglasses are an absolute must. She always has them in her bag. (Plus, they look great onstage.)
American Horror Story star Lourd has been going to Coachella for ten years now, which makes her a pro. The most important thing she’s learned to bring with her for a weekend in the desert? A bandana—to avoid the infamous “Coachella cough,” she says.
Instead of planning her outfits ahead of time, Woods prefers to bring a bunch of her go-to pieces—like crop tops, jeans, and slide sandals—and mix and match them based on how she’s feeling each morning. There’s one item she always makes sure to bring to Coachella, though: a pair of classic overalls.
Festival fashion has become its own category of dressing. Stores have entiresectionsdevotedto it. But it’s not necessarily something you want to invest a lot of money in, considering how much it cost to get out to the festival in the first place and especially thinking about the conditions you and your outfit will find yourselves in: out in the elements for hours and around thousands of people for multiple days on end. More often than not, everything you so carefully packed comes home with some sort of damage—or, worse, has disappeared altogether. When Ariana Grande is on the agenda, though, a missing scrunchie should be the last of your worries. Instead of shelling out a fortune for accessories that end up torn, muddied, or otherwise abandoned, stick with the affordable finishing touches in the following gallery that are just as festive. All the bucket hats, belt bags, and heart-shaped sunnies you could ever want—but also, wouldn’t feel hurt to lose—are ahead.
A denim jacket is a wardrobe essential, regardless of season. And no wonder—it goes with everything from on-trend prints, to going-out dresses, to jeans. And now, as the warm weather starts settling in and our heavy outerwear goes into storage (praise be!), a denim jacket is the perfect layering piece. Whether your favorite is brand new or years old, here are some street-style ideas for styling yours that that feel fresh, modern, and, well, very 2019. Read on for some key takeaways—and plenty of new outfit ideas.
Denim trends change, but there’s one style that feels like an absolute essential every spring and summer: white jeans. As the warm-weather wardrobe planning kicks into high gear, we’re looking for outfit ideas that make this staple feel fresh—inspired by the most recent runways, street style, and even celebrity fashion. Luckily, we have plenty to work with: Ahead, check out five compelling reasons to give your blue denim a few months off and let your white jeans shine.
