Summer 2010 Essentials

By Author: Barton Loi
Total Articles: 67
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Every new season comes with its own set of essential items. Some you may be able to recycle from the year before, others may have to be replaced. If you are a little late in starting your summer holiday shopping this year, here''s a quick rundown of those summertime items that you are most likely to be needing throughout the season.

The summer dress - reinvented in a new way every year - is one of the most fun purchases you can make before embarking on your summertime escapades. Whether you go for the fun and flirty mini dress or the fresh and floaty maxi style, every wardrobe and suitcase should be stocked with at least one fabulous summer dress.

No beach bum''s bag is complete without at least one pair of flipflops. These inexpensive shoes should be bright, fun and funky, with flowers, jewels, animal prints and metallic shades depending on your mood.

All budding beach bunnies will also require a bikini or two. There is reams and reams of advice available on how to find one that is flattering to your shape, but essentially there is no getting away from the fact that the beach is one of the very few public ...
... places where you will gambol around in no more than your undergarments. Pick a style that you like and that puts you in the right beach mood. A great colour or a funky print that makes you smile will all help give you beach confidence.

A beach cover-up is another essential item. This can come in the form of a stylish sarong dress or the ever-popular kaftan - anything you can throw on while grabbing a quick bite to eat at lunch time or when the sun simply gets too much.

If you''re on an island somewhere you might find that temperatures drop rapidly once the sun goes down. Of course, you won''t have to deal with anything like British summer weather but a light summer cardigan will not go amiss. Summer ladies cardigans can be short or long, loose or fitted. Anything goes, but be sure to match it to your favourite summer dress.

Finally, don''t leave home without a comfortable pair of shorts. Thankfully, the super short shorts of last year have been replaced with more flattering lengths in 2010 so there should be a suitable pair for you no matter what your shape or size.

Whilst you may look to the catwalks for summer style inspiration there are plenty of affordable versions of high fashion pieces to be found in high street stores such as New Look. Shop around and find the store with the designs that suit your summer tastes the best. Barton Loi is a freelance fashion writer. They recommend New Look for ladies cardigans.