Style inspirations Julien Garman and Tonya Michelle are fashion-forward bloggers, while Ali Hellmuth is the founder of her own personal styling company, ALH Style. To see more of their favorite looks, you can follow Hellmuth, Michelle and Garman‘s Instagram accounts as well as keeping up with their blogs, but to get their tips and techniques for this summer, read on.
What are your favorite summer 2018 fashion trends?
Garman: I am feeling the feminine vibes this season. Give me all the ruffles, midi skirts and pastel colors, please.
Hellmuth: I’m loving this look: low-heeled strappy slides with jean cut-offs and a wrap top. That combo could work for me on any summer night. I’m also a big fan of high-waisted cropped straight leg jeans in all washes. And I love a clear, strappy high heels.
Michelle: Plastic. Plastic shoes, clothes, bags … you name it. My favorite shoes right now are plastic heels from an online store called Lolashoetique.
What colors or patterns will you be wearing most this season?
Garman: I’m really into yellow and red this season. It’s been interesting to see color be a trend this spring and summer, even among the most minimalist styles. That said, I am also really feeling tan and white together as a combination. Looking forward to implementing that more into my outfits; it just looks so chic.
Hellmuth: Pastels, monochrome white and vertical stripes. I’m also a huge fan of black, regardless of the season.
Michelle: Pastels are the latest and greatest right now. Lilac, soft pink, duck egg blue. It’s easy to add to your everyday wear.
Any fashion tips for beating the summer heat?
Garman: Linen. All the linen. I tend to gravitate towards silks, but those show sweat like crazy, so I avoid them now. Also really feeling the scrunchie trend that’s coming back into play.
Hellmuth: We all love an easy breezy maxi in the summer, but it’s a heat trapper. Go with a midi length. It’s on trend, it’s slimming, it shows off your cute shoes and it’s much cooler. If you sweat quite a bit choose navy, black or white skirts in linen fabrics.
Michelle: Dress comfortably. I love jumpsuits and dresses that have a flow to them.
What are your must-have summer beauty products?
Garman: Charlotte Tilbury Tinted Moisturizer, Tom Ford Shade & Illuminate Cheeks, Glossier Cloud Paint, Glossier Boy Brow, Clarins Water Lip Stain, GIVENCHY Le Rouge Perfecto Beautifying Lip Balm in 01 Perfect Pink and Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pen (in RoseGlow).
Hellmuth: Coola SPF moisturizer, frozen cucumbers for my eyes and an easy shimmer eye shadow that transitions from day to night; I like Texture by MAC.
Michelle: Persona Cosmetics Zuma Bronzer, Kiehls Cactus Flowers & Tibetan Ginseng Hydrating Spray, Maybelline City Eye Kit Palette and so many more.
Favorite makeup trend?
Garman: During summer months, it’s always my goal to look as “fresh out of the pool” as I can. That usually means creamy blushes and lots of highlighters.
Hellmuth: Less is more. I’m ditching foundation for summer. I’ve already replaced it with my Charlotte Tilbury Retoucher Conceal & Treat Stick (for spot coverage only). I like a fresh face. It makes me feel and look younger.
Michelle: I personally have been wearing less makeup, focusing on skincare so I can have my own glow.
Summer fashion inspiration?
Garman: I’ve been really inspired by vintage silhouettes and jewelry. I just discovered Diament Jewelry and love her pieces. I can’t get enough of the beautiful vintage finds at Kaleidos and Na Nin Vintage online as well.
Hellmuth: Natural fibers and fabrics. I’m loving all things linen and woven.
Michelle: To be honest, my sense of fashion changes daily. I think that’s the beauty in it; it depends on my mood.
What will be your go-to fashion accessory this summer?
Garman: Most definitely a basket bag. They make every outfit feel like you’re on your way to a picnic.
Hellmuth: My tortoise shell chandelier earrings and head scarves.
Michelle: My new engagement ring, haha. Also, Gorjana jewerly.
Favorite place to shop for summer clothes?
Garman: I love scoping out the Sophie Blake Collective and Kaleidos for in-person shopping, but also adore Wylie Grey and Lynn Louisa for beautifully curated online shopping, plus they’re all local. For affordable linen essentials, I always turn to Uniqlo—there’s one in Tysons Corner Center now—and Urban Outfitters for their sweet, summer dresses.
Hellmuth: I’m loving Bishop Boutique in Old Town Alexandria. They have a great selection of breezy tops and dresses.
Michelle: Favorite local boutique is Studio Twenty8Fifty7 in Leesburg and online is Vici Dolls (Discount code TONYA20 for 20 percent off).
Go-to item of clothing for the summer?
Garman: Since I’m pregnant, I plan on living in this tank dress from ASOS or this Banana Republic non-maternity dress for fancier occasions. My go-to accessory for layering has definitely been my Hedonies scarf, it’s super lightweight and airy, but terrific for dinners out.
Hellmuth: My Free People military denim jacket with gold buttons. It makes a bold statement.
Michelle: OneTeaspoon’s Bandits shorts. They are Chrissy Teigen’s favorite and mine too.
What style philosophy are you going to live by this summer?
Garman: To give myself a bit of grace. A few weeks ago, I mentioned that I was not ‘shorts ready’ yet, and a friend wrote me back and said:
Here’s how you become shorts ready:
1. Put on shorts.
2. You are ready.
It really shifted my perspective and helped me see that I don’t need supermodel legs to live my best life.
Hellmuth: Keep it simple. We only wear 5 percent of our wardrobe, so why not remove the bulk? I’ve narrowed down my wardrobe to the items that I wear regularly and I’ve added pops of primary colors and neutrals to mix and match to create new and exciting looks so I don’t get bored. For example: bright red shorts, leopard flats or a funky denim blazer.
Michelle: Love yourself and your body. I have been doing OTF (Orangetheory Fitness) a few times a week simply for myself. To make myself feel better in my clothes and in my body. Style is easy when you learn to love yourself and embrace whatever style you have.