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Summer Fashion Dos And Don'ts From Kelly Cutrone


First Posted: 06/28/2012 9:42 am Updated: 06/28/2012 11:24 am

When Kelly Cutrone first came to visit me on Mondays with Marlo, New York Fashion Week was right around the corner and she sent me an amazing list of her fashion dos and don'ts to live by. Now that summer is here, she's offered up a whole new list of great tips and tricks to amp up your personal style. From slimming swimwear to haircare and how to find the perfect shades, Kelly's advice is sure to keep you looking your best this summer! --MT, MarloThomas.com

Click here to purchase Kelly's books, Normal Gets You Nowhere and If You Have To Cry Go Outside.

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  • Follow The 1920s Trend

    Do wear all of the wonderful 1920's and 1930's clothes that are out now. This trending style is a nod to Gatsby and Fitzgerald. Think sleek and silky in bias cut gowns, bejeweled multi chain necklaces and headbands, wide leg trousers and drop waist dresses.

  • Try A New Straw Hat

    Do take the straw hat to the next level! Something like this feather fedora is a summer staple that you can rock all over the world, from Cuba to Chicago, it's a go, babe!

  • No More Neon

    Do not wear neon. Not this season, not next, not ever. Accessories are the only exception to this rule.

  • Do Rock Cucumbers On The Beach

    I think cucumbers on your eyes at the beach are the best eyewear, that way you don't have to look at the people that aren't dressed appropriately.

  • Beverly Hills Hotel Towels

    Do order amazing beach towels from the Beverly Hills Hotel. They scream California in the most tasteful manner.

  • Work The humidity!

    Let Mother Nature have her way with you. Let those curls coil, babe, and rock the boho-chic island look! Flickr User: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/faanography/" target="_hplink">IrfaanPhotography</a>

  • Spend Money On One Pair

    Do not spend money on a lot of different shades. Instead, find one pair that can do everything! I think it's really important that you invest in a good pair of sunglasses that you can wear everyday. So make sure you find something to translate seasonally (Think about it like this: if you spend $300 on a pair of shades, its really only like spending $25 a month for something you can wear all year).

  • Save On Flip Flops

    Don't spend over $15 on flip flops. EVER.

  • Beware Of Meanie Bikinis

    Love handles are not lovely at the beach. Do not muffin top over the front, sides or back of your bikini--sometimes bikinis can be meanies. Note: if it takes you longer than a minute to get into your swimsuit chances are it's too small. But never fear, there are some really amazing body contouring swimwear lines on the market today.

  • Sexy Beach Waves

    Before heading to the beach, do apply hair sunscreen and braid your hair loosely. After your day in the sun, unbraid the sections and you will have loose waves, that'll look great for a night out! Flickr User: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lovemaegan/" target="_hplink">...love Maegan</a>

  • Ride A Bike

    Do ride a bicycle whenever you can - it's good for the environment, great cardio and shows that you are a sexy, independent woman.

  • Maximize Your Height

    If you're short and want to look taller, dress monochromatically in a full white look, for example, or a full cream look with two bracelets on each arm. Not only does the color make you look long and lean, but the bracelets will catch the eye and draw attention to the middle of your body.

  • Do Bandeaus Instead Of Bras

    Do buy a drawer full of bandeaus. These are wonderful alternatives to the bra. They can bring a wonderful pattern to any look and are fantastic as a peek-a-boo with an oversized white cotton button down boyfriend shirt. Do not show old bra straps sticking out of tank tops, etc.

  • Do Use Sunscreen Or Else!

    Summer is all about the sunscreen. Don't forget that your hair and scalp need to be protected from the rays. Look for a scalp treatment that also has SPF 15 in it.

  • Do Accessorize

    Do swim with costume jewelry on! Come up out of the majestic waters wearing something like this gorgeous on your hand.

  • Avoid Bright Colored Hair

    Do not dye your hair purple, blue, rocker red or green, for that matter. Smurfs and troll dolls are not the look for fashion. If you are not selling records, let me set the record straight, color on your head is a big don't!

  • Do Find A Vintage Inspired Bikini

    Do celebrate your curves with a vintage inspired bikini. Can you say "Hello, Annette Funicello!?"

  • Embrace Casual Elegance

    Do celebrate value and casual elegance by stocking up on espadrilles; a classic that never goes out of style, but is trending at the top this season. These espadrilles are a no brainer at $28.00 a pair - more than one is always fun!!!

  • Rock A Fantastic Tote Bag

    Do not carry a backpack anywhere if you are over the age of 12! Instead, grab an amazing bag for the farmer's market and roadside stands. I love the Feed Bags. Every time you purchase a Feed Bag you help the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) generate funds to feed poor children around the world. Whatever you do, do not use plastic bags - they are ugly and bad for Mother Earth.

  • Try Minimizing Swimwear

    When your belly is becoming the enemy, the bulge is not your friend and neither were those margarita, bellies can disappear with the right suit. Try waist cinching, which is super on trend right now, or camisole-style tops that graze your behind.

  • Dare To Be Different!

    Wear all black avoid the sun; you'll look avant-garde and live longer!!

  • Define Your Waist

    For women with a fuller figure you should do anything you can do to define your waist. Fabric should gather just below your bust and expand from there, which creates proportion and gives you a slimmer look.

  • Find Great Vintage Shades

    I think vintage sunglasses really rule. And right now is a great time of year to check out estate sales and garage sales and find vintage shades. Once you buy the frames you can take them to your local optician and have them put in tinted lenses for you.

  • Conceal Your Bust

    For women with more on top who don't want to share their bust with the whole world, try a one-piece with a V-shaped neckline.

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11:04 AM on 07/13/2012
Kelly Cutrone always looks like she gets dressed in the dark, why would I take fashion advice from her? Neon just came back in, it's not for everyone but more power to those who can pull it off. Bandeaus are late, that should be a DON'T.
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jrp1947
made you show yourself if you respond, got ya!
06:50 PM on 07/04/2012
i have a piece of advice you take for what it is worth. As long as you are clean and reasonably neat starting out wear any color that makes you feel comfortable. Black will make you hot in direct sunlight but if your comfortable with it and it is not something gross you are wearing then who cares? it is no one's business really. we only go around once so enjoy life, wear what you want, and have a sense of humor just in case you make a clothing screwup. I wear more black in the summer than any other color and I don't care if people like it. they can always look elsewhere and at someone else.
02:04 PM on 07/04/2012
And after you spend the day in the sun with hair braided and covered with goop, when you get home,
PLEASE WASH IT!!!!!!!!!!!!
Unbraiding it and going somewhere with "loose waves"? Can people really stand it??
01:12 PM on 07/04/2012
I don't believe there are ANY colors that you shouldn't wear in summer. The very notion is loopy. I think people should wear what they feel like wearing for personal expression.
11:05 AM on 07/13/2012
Summer is the time to wear those bright colors, this lady has no idea what she's talking about idek how she's considered such a fashion "expert" she always looks so blah.
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12:43 PM on 07/04/2012
Wearing an ugly wrinkled black on black outfit, horrific hair and nails, you're telling us what to wear? Oh please!
12:22 PM on 07/04/2012
Another load of you know what. The only color not to wear in summer is black, and what color is Kelly Cutrone wearing in the photo...BLACK! And did you notice the dandruff flakes in the woman's hair in photo #14? GROSS!!
02:10 PM on 07/04/2012
I believe that she was trying to show what happens when you don't wear sunscreen all over, even the top of your head. And obviously her point has been proven.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Sharon M Rybak
retired
11:57 AM on 07/04/2012
WHAT IS THE COLOR TO AVOID?? Can't find it....but, wear whatever you want and like!! It doesn't matter what your age is, either....I'm a grandmother, and I wear the brightest clothes around!! I look nice, too!
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
sunniegirl2
12:07 PM on 07/04/2012
Neon, is the color to avoid, You had to look through the pictures to find the answer!
01:25 PM on 07/04/2012
Thanks for providing the answer -- I wouldn't have seen it, because I don't like stories that manipulate the reader into searching for the core point.

The answer, by the way, couldn't be more ridiculous. I think the author needs to find a hobby.
01:53 PM on 07/04/2012
Neon is NOT a "color." It's the description of a SHADE. Unlike specific names like "eggplant" or "ivory" (which describe particular shades of purple and white, respectively), neon can be used with any color, especially colors like pink, orange, yellow and green; however, it's not A color.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
bostonbred111
Liars irritate me.
11:33 AM on 07/04/2012
shes as homely as a a dried up pickle on top of a cactus.
starlitejym
not empty now
10:38 AM on 07/04/2012
WEAR WHATEVER COLOR YOU WANT
10:07 AM on 07/04/2012
I tried wearing neon for a while, but I could never find an electrical outlet to plug it in everywhere I went.
09:45 AM on 07/04/2012
who care's - wear what makes you happy -don't listen to someone who looks like she got whacked with a 2 x 4 a few too many times
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
mspat44417
Rock it if ya got it...Music
09:22 AM on 07/04/2012
Wear what you want ...who cares what people think...If you like it wear it....Life is to short to try to go with what people think you should wear...I mean really....
09:07 AM on 07/04/2012
She's clearly just giving her advice doesn't mean that you have to follow it religiously. I personally love Bandeau bras. They fit much better than strapless bras and I'm a 34C. Thanks to them I can now enjoy wearing halter tops. I also love her idea of the costume jewelry. So just take it with a grain of salt kind of attitude.
08:50 AM on 07/04/2012
This coming from a woman whom I've never seen in anything but black. I would never take any advice from Kelly Cutrone! I could barely stand looking at her when she was on the Dr. Phil show.
05:50 PM on 07/04/2012
Many designers only wear black.
11:07 AM on 07/13/2012
Many designers don't look like they crawled from under a bridge like Cutrone though.
08:35 AM on 07/04/2012
Pulease!
Do you have any suggestions for REAL women?