In the midst of summer it’s difficult to stay cool and sometimes we need a little inspiration for our closets. We always recommend our clients pick a couple of style icons when they begin their journey to uncover their personal style — these ’style crutches’ help to keep us on track. A fun and casual style icon is Cameron Diaz who always looks like a breath of fresh air. Never afraid to try new and adventurous looks, even in head to toe neutrals, she still stands out. Here is a casual look any woman could wear and make her own.

Shorts: Cameron’s bubble shorts look adorable but if you’re looking for something a little more wearable these shorts from Forever 21 have the same loose look with a self tie belt and a relaxed cuff.

Denim Vest: Instead of Cameron’s light blue blazer, a denim vest adds edginess and gives it a vintage vibe. Make denim look polished by pairing it with feminine accessories and tailored pieces.

T-shirt: A basic white tee in a scoop neck is a must when layering, and helps to make the vest and accessories really pop!

Flip Flops: Cameron keeps it neutral in her shoes, making her legs look miles high. These pale gold flip flops are a little more casual but just as feminine with the sweet flower detail.

Necklace: This necklace at first glance looks like a simple gold chain but it’s actually the perfect combination of sweet and tough. The ribbon loosely twirls around the chain links and ends in a simple bow.

If you’ve stepped one toe outside this summer you’ve probably felt those rays beating down on you within seconds! The sun is relentless, all the more reason to invest in some great sun protection all summer long. Sunscreen is a must at all times (in fact, La Roche-Posay Anthelios is the best out there) but an additional way to be sun-smart is adding an over-sized sun hat, on and off the sand. Keep your look fresh and stay away from any over-sized tees or muumuu’s!

Hat: Start with a classic wide brim straw hat but look for one with a little twist. This one from Juicy Couture has flirty pom-poms attached, giving it a whimsical touch.

Dress: This bohemian dress lets the sun hat take center stage, but the sweet embroidery details and buttoned top keep it interesting. This is a great dress for hourglass body types.

Sandals: To prevent the look from getting too casual add some sandals with glitzy details like a metallic sheen or rhinestones. These sandals definitely keep the glam factor up with all-over metal beads in shiny silver.

Clutch: A great envelope clutch can store all of your necessities whether you’re heading to a backyard BBQ or a night out. This is a perfect day-time clutch because of its natural material and the relaxed fold-over handle. All of the mar y sol bags are made through collaborations between artists in New York and artisans in Madagascar, using only sustainable materials.

Bangles: For a final touch add some silver bangles to work off the silver in the sandals; these ones have a mesh finish in different sizes giving them a unique look.

It’s the last quarter of the year and you have tons of deadlines and meetings before closing shop for the holidays. With the promotion that you just received, you are now finding yourself dealing with the big wigs and CEO of the company. This calls for a more professional wardrobe that exudes credibility to the max. For all you hardworking women attending power meetings at work, this post is just for you.

Finding a balance between being a woman and conveying reliability and trustworthiness to colleagues, especially to males, can make it more challenging. One way to get across your talents and skills is to dress the part. Power meetings usually involve management and upper level personnel, so make sure to look as professional as possible.

Although most people wear their go-to suit for these types of meetings, you don’t have to limit yourself to wearing just that. If you work in a corporate environment, a suit may work best, but there are other alternatives to looking professional. Here we show you a dress alternative to the suit that works and looks just as good for meetings.

The Super 120s Blair dress by J Crew, with it’s clean lines and classic look, is a great option to wear. Shown in a slate color, this professional sheath packs a lot of punch when worn with a cropped jacket.  A one-button jacket is especially flattering because it creates the illusion of a waist by the way it flares out.   For the colder months, wear some black opaque tights with a modern buckled pump like this one by Nine West.  Add some contrast and interesting detail with a skinny patent belt in a sandy neutral shade. Don’t forget to wear a watch to keep track of time. Top off your outfit with some diamond stud earrings.

You’ve been dating your significant other for awhile now, and the time has come for you to finally meet his (or her!) parents. This can be a very daunting event, but just like any other important occasion, the right outfit can soothe your worries. You’ll want to feel confident, yet at the same time come across as charming and put-together. Here is a fool-proof inspiration outfit for those of you who are triangles as well as hourglasses who don’t have broad shoulders.

Since your top priority is to make a good first impression, you may want to steer clear of wearing denim, something too dressy or something overly trendy. Instead, go for a sophisticated look that is comfortable and chic.  Wear a light colored top like this one by Corey Lynn Calter with soft ruffles, puff sleeves and a split neck detail to draw the eye up. Slightly sheer (yes, it’s a trend!), this feminine top has enough sass and lady-like qualities to win the parents over.

Color choices are also important. The flesh-tone color may cause some of you to steer clear but this color makes you much more approachable so even though the outfit altogether is sleek, utilize a muted or skin-toned color on top to soften your look.

Tuck your top into a dark colored skirt to de-emphasize your bottom half and wear a timeless open toe pump like this one by Marc by Marc Jacobs to complete the look.  Accessorize with a simple earring and great tote by Chloe and you’re ready to let your wonderful self shine through. Good Luck!

8/7/08:  Non-working links have been fixed!

You’re hip, you’re young, and you want to come off as professional at your job without sacrificing your own style.

This outfit is entirely by J.Crew but I didn’t dip into their suit department because I think it can be too traditional for most 20-somethings (unless you’re an attorney or in the financial services industry.)  Instead, focus on the key trends for this Fall:  wide-leg pants, bright colors, vests and layering.  The wide-leg pants are in coal and paired with a navy-striped vest and mustard silk top.  The herringbone Bella jacket is a great addition and steers from a “matchy-match” look.

The Charles David shoes really complete it and add some fun.  Of course, my favorite shoe store is Zappos.com and that’s where you can find these along with the suede handbag which is by Sigrid Olsen.