-Cool summer dress. It can be a monotone or print, long or short. A long, cotton tank dress will keep you cool and comfortable. Short sundresses are ideal, too. Summer dresses can be worn casually or they can be dressed up.

-Neutral-colored sandals. They can have a heel or be flat, and they should coordinate other items in your wardrobe. A pedicure is also a good idea when wearing strappy summer sandals.

-Hip pair of sunglasses. Aviator sunglasses work well and create a trendy look. For a classic look, choose sunglasses that are a neutral color such as black. Plastic frames are inexpensive and can be a great addition to your outfit.

-Cool pair of earrings. Hot summer weather is excellent for wearing your hear up and showing off a great pair of earrings. Dainty, dangly earrings are perfect with an upswept hairstyle. Small, simple studs and hoops also compliment a ponytail.

-Sophisticated handbag. Splurge a little on this important piece of your perfect summer outfit. A neutral color is best.

Sunglasses – protecting one’s eyes from the sun is very important. Besides sunglasses can be stylish and fashionable and there are so many designs to choose from.
Bikini / bathing suit – enjoying the beach is most of the summer fun and so is having the perfect bikini or bathing suit.
Wide brim hat – no summer wardrobe can be complete without a cool summer hat. Keep the sun from damaging the hair and the eyes at the same time.
Slides or sandals – no summer attire is complete with the proper shoes. Walking on the sand without a nice pair of sandals or a cool pair of slides is unheard of.
Cotton sundresses – dressing for the hot summer weather can be fun and exciting. Cotton sundresses are cool, lightweight and appealing.

Right now, floaty, fluttery, super-feminine dresses are pretty and right on trend. To update for summer, look for cap-sleeved or sleeveless styles in shorter lengths — knee-length or above — and cool, natural fabrics like linen, cotton or silk. Or, go in the opposite direction and try one of the ultra-popular maxi dresses that keep you covered but cool.

Adapt the chic leggings-and-tunic look for summer by swapping out cold-weather long-sleeved tunics for sleeveless shells in lightweight fabrics, and pair the outfit with sandals instead of boots or ballet flats. And don’t forget to update your swimwear wardrobe with an always-chic bikini or cutaway one-piece.

Summer accessories are key. Those dark shoes and boots, heavy handbags and knit scarves look too wintry for the warmer seasons; update with sandals, straw handbags or totes and gauzy scarves.

What about black as a seasonal rule. Has anyone ever clarified the use of dark colors during the bright seasonal days. We have all been warned about dark colors (black in particular) draws in the heat, but what about that fashion rule of black goes with anything and how is it possible to dress comfortable without always looking like a spring flower everyday.

Here’s the rules on black for summer. Wear it. Enjoy it. Dress as you would at any other time, but in smaller doses. A black shirt with those cute khaki shorts would be adorable; but the shirt should be an airy, thin fabric. For hot summer days one should pick black clothing that wont set them up for heat stroke. Select chiffon, or eyelet lace, avoid high collars and long sleeves.

Even better for a fashionable look that will still keep one chilled, is to wear the lighter colors like a white shirt, cut off jean shorts and a black chiffon scarf tied in the front. The black weighs the outfit down adding the flare to keep one in character without attracting the unwanted heat.

So to clarify the rules of wearing black in the summer: do it. Wear black as an accessory, or wear lighter weight fabrics. How ever you decide to hang onto the comfort of the go with everything versatile wardrobe piece, just remember that for summer it’s still a great piece as long as it’s not bulky, heavy, and a heat stroke magnet. And last but not least don’t forget those ever popular black sunglasses to complete that ever so hip summer look.