STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Neutral Minimalism

There are tons of ways to cool down for summer—taking a swim in the pool, grabbing a popsicle, driving with the windows down…you get the picture. But have you ever thought about cooling your wardrobe down for the summer? Yup, coordinating all those bright prints in every pattern and color—from neon striped crop tops to paisley boho scarves—can get exhausting. So what to do?

Thankfully, minimalism is having a huge moment right now. Blacks, whites and shades of gray have taken over popular culture. Even indie rockers from the band The 1975 have joined in. In the music video for their song “Girls,” they jokingly state that the entire video “needs to be black and white, for a start.” Luckily for us normal people, muted color palettes and sharp lines aren’t just for indie musicians.

So how to translate the minimalist trend to the summertime? This Fashionista’s answer is simple: work with a cool color palette! She’s paired a white open back T-shirt similar to this one from Express with light wash gray skinny jeans. Her taupe wedges bring a darker hue of gray into the picture, further lowering the overall temperature of the outfit. A black cross-body bag gives the outfit a bit more of a shape, while her gold geometric ring provides an eye-catching detail.

What is your STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK? “Lately, I’ve been enjoying a sort of minimalist style…I’m not naturally drawn to bright colors or the crazy bohemian-hippy-dippy vibe that seems to be popular right now. I enjoy neutrals (especially blacks and grays) the most and a structure or geometry. So I guess my style advice is to dress in whatever dictates your style or personality, even if it contradicts the latest fashion movements. Going against the grain is what is going to set you apart from the masses, and quite frankly, will make you feel more comfortable in your identity.”

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