March just rolled in and we've been in such a summer frenzy—booking trips, working on an enviable beach bod, and generally setting aside our fashion mentalities from the previous season to make way for the sweltering humid days ahead. That said, every turn of the season calls for a shopping trip to update our wardrobes, and what better place to blow our cash than at everybody's perennial favorite, The SM Store.
Trust us, our picks go waaay beyond this list, but for brevity’s sake we’ve narrowed it down to ten items. Without further ado, here are the top summer pieces that every fashion girl has to have.
A denim maxi
Wallflower dressing is finally in, but aside from the granny print persuasion, the trend extends to choice of silhouette. So in lieu of a denim mini or high waisted Daisy Dukes, we're putting our trust in the below-the-knee denim skirt as our grab-and-go fashion piece.
Denim maxi skirt, P799.75, Coco Cabaña Basic
A nude bag
Maybe it's just summer's tendency to make us feel lazy, or that the heat just makes us generally averse to anything brightly-hued. Or maybe it’s because we fell in love with Mansur Gavriel's nude bucket bag the minute we saw it on every single It girl (and her mother)? Whatever reason, tan bags just perfectly capture our chill summer #mood.
Nude sling bag, P599.75, Parisian
Espadrilles
We'll get this particular reason out of the way: they're great (and we mean awesome) summer Instagram fodder--carefully orchestrated flat lays by the beach with a chic pair of espadrilles satisfy our #feedgoals more than any other pair. Practically speaking though, a woven pair is an instant way to add beach vibes to your look, even when you’re stuck in the city.
Tan espadrilles, P599.75, Parisian
Perfect skin
Summer's not the season to pile on heavy face paint—an au naturale look is the beauty look du saison. But if you aren’t blessed with genetically perfect skin, then there's no harm in achieving the next best thing: perfect-looking skin courtesy of light foundation. Just be sure to pick a lightweight formula to combat the stifling heat.
Foundation, starts at P725, SM Beauty Store
Minimalist accessories
While fashion girls know that layering in the summer is acceptable when done right, when we’re talking about accessories, we say take it easy and don the most minimal amount possible. By saying minimal we don't mean dull or nonexistent—light accessorizing with statement accessories (say, structured pieces in silver or a sleek pair of sunnies) update your outfit while making it look easy breezy for the season.
Tassel belt, P199.75; silver accessories, P199.75 and clubmaster sunnies, P249.75, all from SM Accessories
A man's printed polo
Gender bending made summer-appropriate. Instead of the requisite printed kimono, why not use your guy's summer shirt as a beach cover up? Its structured cut does wonders to flatter your body, and the unexpected boy-meets-girl styling will considerably make your otherwise girly bikini stand out.
Men's print button-down, P599.75, Coco Republic
Sandals that go with everything
Flats are taking double the space in our list because really, aren't languid, easygoing summers the best reason you have all year for giving your heels a rest? A dainty pair of sandals match any summer ensemble with ease, and even if you're not the feminine type, the pair goes just as well with a boxy top and culottes.
Black sandals, P599.75, Parisian
Floral home decor
We'll throw this one in the mix because it's about time you made your home as fasyon as your wardrobe. Start with unintimidating decor you can use to spruce up your side table for the summer. And since fresh flowers aren’t always readily available (and cheap), then get a bunch that looks just as fine as the real deal.
Faux floral decor, P399.75/set, SM Home
For him: Mandals done right
Yeah, yeah, your man's feet are practically glued to his painstakingly-curated collection of limited-edition Jays—but it wouldn’t hurt to convince him to let his feet breathe and get a pair of sandals for his more relaxed days. Men's sandals work just as well as structured shoes when given the proper pair—say, an understated style in a masculine hue.
Men's sandals, P499.75, Milanos
Bonus: A cute shirt from the Kid's section
While baby tees post-Spice Girls era is a tricky situation all over, we can't help but fawn over cute kidswear we wished we had in our sizes. In our book, correct styling should do the trick: high-waist gaucho pants or a '90s denim pencil skirt should make it pass the adult area, but if not, buy the piece anyway and take it as an opportunity to get your little sis started on the fashion girl life--that'll make a happy summer memory, for sure.
Kid's shirt, P249.75, Justees