Summer Fashion Trend Report with Melissa Vale

Originally published at The Hollywood Times: https://www.thehollywoodtimes.today/summer-fashion-trend-report-with-melissa-vale/

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Summer is almost here so that means it's time to talk new trends and to shake out of your comfort zone. Here to help us help you get ready for summer is influencer Melissa Vale.

Vale had an interest in creative arts and fashion from a very young age, before it became such an Instagram, blog-centric world. The native New Yorker started off acting on Broadway, modeling for Ford, and eventually covering fashion and philanthropy events for The Huffington Post and other online publications.

The influencer has over 145,000 Instagram followers that look to her “influence” for all things fashion, beauty, travel and accessible luxury. The Princeton and Harvard graduate also has her own fashion and travel blog that delivers trend reports, outfit ideas, gift guides, life advice, and inspiration, as well as the best destinations to travel to in style.

Vale’s top trends for this summer are neon, blazer and short sets, one shoulder tops and dresses, lavender and 90s slip dresses, and polka dots. For the neon trend, the influencer predicts that it will be less of a utilitarian trend and shift to a more feminine, a bit more dressy, cocktail attire.

“It can be dressed up with some jewelry and some strappy shoes or it can be more casual and a more beachy type of thing. But I feel like that’s kinda the direction that we’re going to be seeing it in as we obviously shed our layers.”

The blazer and shorts trend is perfectly suited for hot summer days and nights. A lightweight blazer paired with matching shorts and strappy shoes leaves you with a look that is still very polished. To make the look more summery, sun-kissed vibe, throw in hints of marigold or pastel colors.

“I feel like sometimes in the summer, or I should say in extreme temperatures, it’s harder to look sophisticated because in the summer you’re just like ‘oh I wanna wear this sundress and flip flops.’ It’s more of a challenge, it’s definitely not extremely difficult, but it takes a bit more creativity to create sophisticated looks.”

The one shoulder trend is something we have seen a lot of in the past year. Whether it is a short off the shoulder dress, a long dress with more of flowy skirt bottom, or a top with jeans, Vale predicts this trend will dominate the summer.

“Strappy heels are perfect here, and as a jewelry fanatic… you want to stay dainty. I would stay away from chunky, but I might pile on a little bit more here with some necklace layering.”

The lavender and 90s slip dress trends work fabulously together and individually. This shade was extremely popular at fashion week and slip dresses are making a comeback. Brie Larson was recently worn rocking this trend on the Avengers:Endgame premiere.

“You can totally not do jewelry here and it’d look great. It’s a very minimalist look. It’s a 90s slip dress, it’s not 90s for nothing. So you could do something that’s very minimalist or even slick your hair back and keep it really clean… I would probably do it up a bit… maybe just add a drop earring with a very small stone.”

Vale’s final trend suggestion for this summer is polka dots. This trend is commonly seen in the form of very light (in color and lightweight) sleeveless jumpsuits that easily transition from work to cocktail/day to night. For a daytime look, Vale suggests pairing the jumpsuit with ballet flats. To dress up the polka-dot jumpsuit, she suggests an updo hairstyle.

To learn more about Vale and to stay up to date with all her fashion, styling and travel tips, follow her on Instagram, @melissadvale, and head over to her blog, www.themelissavale.com.