Fashion Friday :: The Summer Staple

Fashion Friday posts are published regularly by fashion and lifestyle blogger Heather.

Jean shorts cross the borders of fashion. They can be worn boho with a tank and kimono, classic with a white tee and leather jacket, grunge with a half-tucked flannel shirt, or preppy with a blazer. Styling is everything when it comes to cutoffs, and with so many looks, they're the perfect staple for summer travel.

Styling Tips
This season, look for a pair that's ripped and slightly high waisted, either cuffed or frayed. Gentlemen: keep them long and slim. {Short cutoffs on men are not cool! I can never erase the vision of a dad in short jean shorts strolling around town on the Croatian coast last month. Keep that look on your sailboat only, sir!}

In the same way that you wouldn't wear a loud necklace with big earrings, you should avoid wearing tiny cutoffs with a tiny top. Balance out your leggy look with a more conservative top half. And don't forget to match your footwear to your look -- flat strappy sandals, mid-rise wedges, moccasins and sneakers work well with jean shorts. And if, like me, you wore wedge sneakers and booties all year long, there's no reason to stop now.

Buy or DIY?
Denim cutoffs are the perfect style for both the budget conscious and the big spender. If you decide to DIY, select jeans with little to no Spandex, as they won't distress well and will cling to your thighs. For a flattering fit, instead of cutting the legs straight across, angle your cut so the inside seam is slightly lower. Reduce, reuse, recycle, right?

Trip Styler Tip: Call me the modesty cop, but when your pocket linings are hanging out the bottom of your cutoffs, they're too short. Often less is more ... just not where jean shorts are concerned.

Now What To Buy?
(left to right)
J Brand high rise shorts, Zara high waist shorts, Madewell high rise denim shorts, Cheap Monday short skin blue rinse, 6397 slouch short

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Fashion Friday :: Summer Style With Heidi Merrick

{Editor's Note: One of my fave things to do in Vancouver is attend the Vancouver Art Gallery's seasonal FUSE events, and this summer's edition is going to be BIG: think dance, DJs and world-class art... Matisse, people! Comment on any Trip Styler post -- and like us on Facebook if you're not already a fan -- FOR A CHANCE TO WIN two FUSE tickets for Friday, July 6th (8pm - 1am), a $50 value. Contest open Friday June 29th to Wednesday July 4th at noon. Winner must be from Canada or the US, be over 19 and respond to the email with winner details by Thursday July 5th at noon.}

Summer: Hey you! I'm here now! Me: Finally, you little tease. Summer: I come at the same time every year... Me: I know, I just wish you were here all the time. I was ready for beach days, iced coffee and shorts forever ago. Summer: Well then move to California, why don't you? Me: Touché, Summer, touché.

It's officially summer. Unless, of course, you live in the Southern Hemisphere, but I digress. What was it the Fresh Prince said about Summertime? "The weather is hot and girls are dressing less". True that, Will Smith.

When I think of summer style, I think of Heidi Merrick. Raised in Carpinteria and based in Los Angeles, this true Californian creates beautiful clothes that are summer personified. Her spring 2012 collection is an homage to the glamour of 80s pro surfing, a culture that embodied her upbringing since her father made surfboards and her mother owned a surf shop. Her clothes have a breezy west coast ease to them, but always with a special touch -- a little somethin' somethin' that sets them apart. Bonus: they're made in LA within walking distance from her studio.

Here's a mini Q&A with Heidi, who believes that when dressing for the beach, you should dress to honor the beach. {I love that. Thanks Heidi!} And what better way to honor the coast than by rolling up in a pair of black lace shorts?

What does summer style mean to you? Summer is when everyone tries to look like Californians and Californians are their most cool and natural! I love to wear something beautiful, like exquisite, to the beach. Because the coastlines are the most beautiful settings the world has and they deserve it. Besides you only wear the clothes for a hot second of greetings and kisses, then you're off in the water.

What's your summer uniform? Right now {at work} it's the La Paz shirt, any pant and sandals.

What's your next summer travel destination? I think my next stop is Scorpion Bay.  A girlfriend of mine has the coordinates tattooed to her gorgeous body so I'm guessing it must be amazing!

*Heidi Merrick is available at heidimerrick.com as well as online and in store at {the lovely/must-visit} Oliver & Lilly's in Vancouver. Traveling to Los Angeles? Make an appointment to visit Heidi's studio in downtown LA. I mean COME ON -- how awesome is that?

{Fashion Friday posts are published on the last Friday of every month by fashion blogger Heather.}

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[collage by @heatherlovesit, images from heidimerrick.com]

Fashion Friday :: Festival Style

[trip style = sun]

We all know that music festivals go hand in hand with denim cut-offs, boho style and beer gardens, but did you ever think about how they go hand in hand with portable toilets? I didn't until I found out that next year's Glastonbury Festival would be cancelled due to lack of toilettes. Why, you ask? Because the London 2012 Olympic Games needs them all. Well, to be exact, they need lots and lots of potties and police, thereby making them unavailable or too expensive for Glastonbury. Now that your music festival trivia is out of the way, let's talk fashion.

What better reason to travel than live music? And what better reason to dive into your parents' clothes from the 70s than a festival? Festival fashion has always been pretty hippie inspired. Maybe because there's an inherent homage to Woodstock and Deadheads in festival history. When dressing for a festival, you have to think practicality first. What's the forecast? What are the grounds like? How long will you be on your feet? How much do you want to bring in and out with you? What is forbidden inside the gates?

Clothing Comfort and style. Ladies: denim cut-offs, tank, tunic, midi skirt, roomy cropped t-shirt. If you opt for a skirt or dress, you may want to wear little Lycra shorties underneath. Gentlemen: long denim cut-offs, rolled khakis, tank, t-shirt. And don't forget an extra layer for cooler evening sets!

Footwear Boots were big at Coachella this year, and traditionally galoshes are big at Glastonbury due to muddy conditions. Other footwear choices include flip flops and beaded sandals, but stay away from anything with a heel - even a wedge. And sneakers or Toms are always appropriate for ladies and gents.

Headwear & Eyewear Fedoras are popular picks for guys and gals because they shield your face, and they're not so big that you knock hats with your neighbour. Other looks to try: a panama, a boater (Anne of Green Gables-style hat), or a floppy straw hat. OR you could fashion your evening scarf/cover-up into a turban. And don't forget to protect your pupils. Festivals are a great excuse to try out trendy styles like candy-coloured, cat-eye or round frames.

Bags You don't want to bring anything that will weigh down on your shoulder. You also want to be hands free in case it's appropriate to throw some diamonds in the sky. Oh, and safety first! Keep your valuables in front of you.

Trip Styler Tip: Lockers can be a festival lifesaver, according to Nicole. They enable you to store any non necessities that don't fit in your small cross-body purse, hip sack or backpack, like sunscreen, a footwear alternative and a warm layer. Check in advance if the festival you're attending has them. For example, Coachella and Bonnaroo have lockers, while this weekend's Sasquatch does not.

Now what to wear? Men (top to bottom from top left) Saturdays collett stripe boat neck, Saturdays tommy chino short, ASOS clubmaster sunglasses, Vans canvas authentic classic, Rag & Bone panama fedora, Polo Jeans chambray shirt

Women (clockwise from top middle) Madewell chambray sightseer skirt, Ralph Lauren keyhole printed sunglasses, Babooshka boat neck oversize, Rag & Bone wide brim beach hat, American Gold gold dust kimono, Tristessa tiered skirt (vintage), Carolina K hanging gardens tank, ASOS printed dress with split sleeves, Madewell garment-dyed midi shorts, ASOS wide headband scarf

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{Fashion Friday posts are published on the last Friday of every month and written by fashion blogger Heather.}