Beat the heat with sizzling summer fashions

Summer is a great time to take a break not only from your everyday routines, but also from the tried-and-true fashion favorites that may have fallen a little flat lately. Think about putting your clothes together in different combinations and express yourself in a whole new way. Step out of that mundane closet and get a new fashion life.

Here are a few updated summer sizzlers to give your classic fashion items a twist and a fresh fizz for the hot days ahead:
- Update the little black dress with a little brown dress. Chocolate is the hot stylish drink of the summer, and it's even better when paired with metallic bronze or gold accessories.

- Dare to wear a frilly nightgown - well, not really, you might get arrested - but there are some little lacy and chiffon slip dresses around this summer that look like they may have slid right out of bed - all lined, of course!

- Have a knack for knickers. They can be casual when paired with tank tops and thong sandals or dressed up with ruffled blouses and espadrille wedges. Take your pick, they're definitely a trendy sign of summer 2006.

- Sparkle in jewels. Step out of those boring rubber flip-flops and buy a pair of slingback sandals that glow with shiny stones. An easy way to upgrade your classic denim skirts.

- Can't do without that black swimsuit you've worn for years? Use it as a basic layer and dress it up with a zip-front hoodie, a crochet shrug, a flowy skirt and top it off with a colorful head wrap and huge cat's-eye black crystal sunglasses.

- Stash your usual bootcut jeans and shop for a pair of loose, rolled-up denim shorts or pants. A great new look for the beach over swimsuits or with T-shirts and tanks for informal occasions. Pair shorts with shrunken blazers for a more dressed-up look.

- Brighten up with white. We all have a few basic black pieces in our closets. It's easy to give those dark classics a new lighter lease on life this summer by adding a giant dose of white to them: white linen cropped pants to a black tunic top, white cotton Bermuda shorts to a black halter top, white stretch jeans to a silky georgette black blouse, a white hobo-style handbag with a black suit or an oversize white shirt to top your swimsuit.

- Mix and don't match. It's easy to get the season's black-and-white combos right, but if you like a little more edgy fashion, scan your wardrobe for possible prints and patterns to layer together: a paisley caftan with a striped pant; a floral skirt with a checked blouse. One rule of thumb: Try to keep the prints in the same color palette and discover your inner fashion artist.

- Last, but not least, be sure to update any summer wardrobe with sunscreen and a sun hat!

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Sharon Mosley is a former fashion editor of the Arkansas Gazette in Little Rock and executive director of the Fashion Editors and Reporters Association.

© Copley News Service

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