Have no fear summer is here

Friday, June 21^st marked the first day of summer and the first day to throw aside the stuffy suits, sweaters, and anything keeping you from all things summer! Wanna know a little secret? I HATE the winter months and fully embrace the warmer weather when it finally arrives. I’m even one of those people who relishes the 100 degree weather and embraces all things dresses, hats, and opened toed shoes. I rely solely on Ms Minty, my beach cruiser extraordinaire, to get me around Midtown Sacramento and don’t particularly enjoy biking in the cold – ok, unless doing it in style with a thrifted warm hat, gloves, scarf, and massive trench. BUT, I much prefer hot weather and couldn’t be happier that it’s summer in Sacramento.

What is it that I love about summer besides the warmer weather? It’s all the wonderful fashion options! It’s no secret that I’m dress obsessed and the summer months bring out the ‘dress fiend’ in particular. For us girls, there is no easier option for being comfortable and fashionable in summer than a nice sleeveless or strapless dress. It’s the absolute best way to stay cool, fashionable, and comfortable when the weather reaches 110 degrees+.

The summer dress is amazing, but what makes the dress even more amazing is the right accessory to go with it. I adore a fashionable hat, in particular one that serves a purpose besides taking my look to a whole new level of awesome. Hats are wonderful for protecting your face from the sun, too. A recent trip to Thrift Town not only proved successful in the dress department, but in the hat department, too!

Sacramento delighted us with her warmer; I mean really warm weather recently. But, creative me had the perfect looks to keep me comfortable, stylish, and protected from the sun. The light brown floppy hat, ($3.99) burnt sienna orange Armani Exchange dress, ($9.99) and chunky necklace ($2.99) was the perfect look!

And the white floppy hat has literally become my new favorite hat. ($2.99) I’ve worn it 4 times in the last week! The Gap jean dress, ($6.99) red necklace, ($1.99) and Tommy Hilfiger espadrilles go so well with it. Did I mention that the Tommy Hilfiger espadrilles were new, never worn, and cost a mere $5.99!

Thrift Town honestly has some really fabulous hats and accessories. Not only do they have great woman’s hats, but men’s, too. Take my friend, Tre, for example. Put on a cute Fedora, lightweight cotton/linen top, some Levi skinnies, cute black loafers, and you’ve got yourself a fun and trendy dapper summer outfit for men! I had Tre model this adorable ensemble on Good Day Sacramento recently for a fun summer look on a budget. (the whole look cost $23 total!)

As nice as that suit jacket is on Tre’s shoulder, it served no purpose besides looking good as an added accessory for the Good Day Sacramento segment. Cute right? Hey, like I always say, an outfit isn’t an outfit until it’s been accessorized!

So this summer have no fear of the heat and embrace all things dresses, lightweight material, hats, jewelry, and amazing summer shoes! To me, the hat is key and lets face it; our hair can look BAD when it’s so hot out and what better way to fake it than an amazing hat? Hope everyone enjoyed their 4^th of July and wore something thrifted and fabulous. And yep, I did wear that amazing white floppy hat on the 4^th – told you it’s my favorite!

Love,

The Dress Fiend

Phoebe Verkouw is the brain behind the thrifted fashion blog, The Dress Fiend. She’s a bona fide thrift store junkie obsessed with finding the most amazing items for next to nothing and can be seen monthly on Good Day Sacramento showcasing some of her favorite thrifted finds. When she’s not out searching for the next hidden treasure thrifting, she’s at the Crocker Art Museum working in the Special Events department. Aside from her passion for thrifted fashion, she also enjoys photography, art, running, and gelato. I mean, doesn’t everyone love gelato?