All-American Style: The New Sporty Chic
Tina, here.
This month we're looking at the many faces of all-American style. We covered the cool southwest flair of Western Glam; now we're taking a look at the new American Sporty Chic. Americans invented the category "sportswear" to suit our busy yet relaxed approach to living the good life and chasing the American dream. We like to do it in casual separates, thank you very much. We are an active set, are we not? The all-American Sporty Chic style is a little bit Palm Beach preppy, a tad East Coast collegiate with a dash of that West Coast laid-back casual attitude.
1. Palm Beach Preppy à la Lilly Pulitzer
Let's hear it for Lilly! I heart Lilly Pulitzer because, as you've heard me say, my Gannie bopped around in printed and colorful flared Lilly pants in the '70's with her cute Tretorns. If you wear the ones with huge lobsters or flowers on them, go quiet with everything else. Vault insiders, shop similar Lilly pants and dresses inside the July Style Vault, Style Notes.
You gotta be careful with Lilly...if you're wearing a large colorful pattern of hers, quiet it down a bit with a solid, and keep your accessories simple and clean. Otherwise you run the risk of looking like a sorority sister, or like an actual flower costume.
2. East Coast Collegiate à la Ralph Lauren
A blazer is about as Ivy League collegiate as you can get. Mine is a lime green linen by Ralph Lauren. Who am I?? I'm in color-overload at the moment. For someone who wears mostly neutrals, my head is spinning. But summer is the perfect time to indulge in a little color and pattern because the light is stronger and the attitude is less serious.
Don't take yourself so seriously. Wear lime green with shades of blue. But you MUST pair with something white. White bermuda shorts are also as about as collegiate as you can get in the summer. Am I playing golf? Nooooo. But I sure would look great at the Club.
Plaid is huge right now. It was last fall, it is this summer, and I'm seeing it for the upcoming fall season. Yay. I love a good plaid. This blouse is one I've had (like all my clothes) for years. Vault insiders can shop a similar style in the July Style Notes section.
3. West Coast Casz (without the yoga pants)
The polo shirt. An American icon. I prefer mine without an animal or logo on it. And there are rules for wearing. To avoid the camp counselor look, I implore you to wear your polo with a cute skirt, not shorts. Got that?
This is a great t-shirt and shorts alternative for running around all day. Toss on a polo and a simple summer skirt and some tennies, and off you go. A ponytail completes the cool casz look, too.
Notice I have popped my collar just so. I'm demonstrating here how you pull it up in the back and then fold it in half, and then you have to lay down the sides so it's really just a half-pop. Otherwise you'll look awfully pretentious.
And oh one more thing. Converse are SO all-American sporty chic. Mine are from Target, a mecca of all-American sportswear (and consumerism).
So now you know how to pull off that sportswear thing without looking like a country club rat or a cartoon character with giant lobsters splayed all over your pants. The key is to take it easy and balance your sporty chic look with something subtle like a white pair of shorts or a plain athletic shoe. Carry on, you sporty chic dolls!
To shop these looks our Vault insiders have already been buying, check out the Style Vault. All our fab must-haves in one place, with exclusive discount codes. Our upcoming August issue is full of new fall fashion!
And don't forget our amazing Nashville Wardrobe Consulting services. Check out how you can access our in-store discounts and have us in person to get you to your most stylish self.
Best,
Tina
