Six ways to turn summer heat into sizzle

JUNE 21, 2010

Today's officially the first day of summer. Whatever. We've been baking for weeks in Florida. If you're feeling grumpy about the four sweltering months in our future, here's six reasons to embrace the heat:

Open-toed shoes: We take for granted how much they improve our quality of life until a cold front rolls around and we realize there's nothing else in our closet. Peep toes, thongs and sandals keep feet stylish and sweat-free. Celebrate summer's arrival by treating yourself to another pair!

Totes: Only in the summer can a cheap, colorful bag be fashion forward.

Tank tops: Spaghetti, ribbed, layered or cowl-necked, tank tops are summer's saving grace. Here's a place where women have it better than men. When we go sleeveless, it's sexy. When they do, it's trashy.

Hat head: Fedoras, caps and straw hats help to guard against sunburn, with extra style points!

Sunglasses: Speaking of shade, where would you be without sunglasses to protect your eyes outside and keep your hair out of your face inside. Nowadays, you can find a style to flatter just about every face, from aviators to Jackie-O style.

Sundresses! Is it possible own too many?

Deal Diva Letitia

(Photos: Rope wedge sandal, $24.99, Payless; bamboo straw tote, $49.50 Canvas Lands End)

Posted by Times Editor at 4:41:00 am on June 21, 2010 in

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THE AUTHORS

Stephanie Hayes came out of the womb wearing high heels. While other kids were reciting multiplication tables, she was learning to calculate an extra third off the half-price discount during buy-one-get-one week. She loves animal prints, black mascara and anything that sparkles. She objects to visible panty lines, Crocs and anything that costs more than a car payment. And she doesn't drive a nice car. She can be reached at (727) 893-8857 or shayes@tampabay.com.

As a sullen teenager, Emily Nipps refused to wear anything but black, olive green or burgundy, preferably ripped. She has since added color to her life but still experiments with her dark streak. A product junkie, she has tried tons of overpriced face creams and hair products but loves drugstore brands that work the same. She's an Aries and a bassist in a punk band. She has a pet pig, seven chickens, three cats and a rabbit. And just as many lip glosses. She can be reached at (727) 893-8452 or nipps@tampabay.com.

Kameel Stanley has never encountered a thrift store she didn’t like. Her mother taught her that the true value of clothes isn’t how much they cost, but how many outfits one can create from them. Having grown up in Michigan, she was delighted to learn upon moving to Florida that she almost never needed to wear socks or boots again. There’s a lot of turnover in her closet, and she’s obsessed with dresses, necklaces and wedge heels. She can be reached at (727) 893-8643 or kstanley@tampabay.com.

A disciple of the little black dress classics school, Letitia Stein stretches her budget by looking for styles with staying power. She lives for 80 percent off shoes at DSW, floral sundresses and bohemian chic tops. She confesses to being a bit of a snob when it comes to handbags and jewelry. She can be reached at (813) 226-3400 or lstein@tampabay.com.

Coming from a long line of fashionable women, Kim Wilmath considers herself lucky to fit into their hand-me-downs. Her wardrobe staples include her grandma's vintage blouses and her mom's funky jewelry. When she's in the market for "new" items, Kim hits her favorite thrift stores -- a habit she also picked up from mom. But when circumstances require a visit to the shiny stores in the mall, you'll find Kim at the sale rack like a good little diva. She can be reached at (813) 661-2442 or kwilmath@tampabay.com.

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