How to Dress Like a Florida Girl
Summer is here and who does summertime and sunshine better than the ladies in the sunshine state? When we think of fall and winter’s chic layers, we may think of posh Londoners, sophisticated New Yorkers or elegant Parisians; when we think of spring with cool breezes and sunshine, we may think of those laid back and effortlessly cool Cali girls. But when it comes to summer fashion...well, there’s a reason the fashion industry converges on Miami every year for Miami Swim Week.
Florida girls know how to rock the heat as their best accessory! They are experts at looking tropically chic in weather that would trip up even the most seasoned fashionistas from almost anywhere else in the U.S. They are dressing for hot, humid weather that can range between the lower 70’s at the coolest, to the high 90’s, and STILL slaying every day! Here are some ways you can exude Florida Girl Style this summer!
Bold Colors!
Let’s start with the simplest rule. If you want to channel that inner beach babe, Florida style, you have to scoot those dark colors and neutrals to the back of your closet and go BIG with your color selection. Florida girls love color! It’s a tropical climate and the local style reflects that!
Invest in some yellows, corals, bright pinks, electric blues and whites. Try out some beautiful, bold prints that make use of multiple colors at once. Go for fresh combos like pastels with neon trim, like lavenders with lime green/yellow seams, or mint greens with bright orange stitching. You can do color with a monochromatic one-piece or matching set, or you rock a neutral colored outfit and add colorful accessories like a red purse, pink pumps, lime green hat, etc.
Sundresses
This is a staple in Florida. The flowy, ultra-feminine sundress is as picture-perfect as it is comfortable. It can be as casual as a beach-cover up or an errand-day outfit, or it can be as dressy as a wedding guest look. Sundresses allow for airflow while making you look well-dressed. Try floral prints or abstract, multi-colored patterns. For silhouettes, bodycon, fit and flares and loose-fitting, boho silhouettes are great. Any sundress with a beautiful textile, print or solid color will have you looking like a breezy beach babe ready to soak in the sun!
Tropical Prints
The beauty of living in the sunshine state is that bright, bold prints are acceptable pretty much year-round. Rock some beautiful floral printed dresses for that day at the mall. Going to workout then a smoothie bowl date with friends? A gorgeous palm-tree printed sports bra and legging set with some white sneakers and a ponytail is perfect. Florida prints include anything that reminds you of vacation: pineapple prints, floral prints, palm-fronds, mermaid prints, lemon prints and so much more! If you can picture yourself wearing it with a piña colada or a margarita in hand, it’s just right.
Athleisure ANYwhere
Another rule Florida girls abide by is that there ARE no rules. Who says athletic wear can’t be streetwear? Take a walk on Ocean Drive or the beaches of St. Pete. Go into any Publix or any mall. You’ll see so many cute matching sets of biker shorts and sports bras; sometimes layered with a light shacket, but sometimes just on their own. You’ll see jogger pants paired with cute, fitted crop tops. You’ll see printed yoga leggings paired with loose-fitting tank tops and sneakers. No need for a whole dressed up look all the time- if you have a cycling class before you head to the post office, athleisure is super IN. Headed to a girls’ business meeting at the local smoothie bar, then doing a yoga sesh at the beach? Biker shorts and a crop top.
Sleeveless Tops
90% of the time, it’s too hot for sleeves in Florida, so why bother? Florida girls know the art of investing in a solid bar of strong deodorant, then rocking nice, light, airy, sleeveless tops and dresses. Collar bones and tanned shoulders are a necessary part of your look! From sleeveless shift dresses to spaghetti strap tank tops and sleeveless tunic tops, this is another super Floridian element to incorporate into your summer looks.
Cute Sandals
The same way Cali girls are all about sneakers is the same way Florida girls are about sandals. Once again, it gets too hot to deal with hot socks and covered toes. Cute sandals are a staple for any Floridian fashion look! Pair cute gladiator sandals or backless slip-ons with glam embellishments like rhinestones, or metallic finishes. Neutrals pair well with colorful outfits and bold colors will give a pop to more neutral outfits. Throw on some sandals and look like a quintessential Florida babe this summer!
