Jessica Simpson in a Bad Sundress

Its summer and the perfect outfit for summer is the sundress. Sundresses are a stylish fun approach to the season letting you be cool and comfortable while still maintaining your own personal style.

There is an old misconception that sundresses are either for little girls or they’re a hippie style that’s seen its day come and go. And if your image of a sundress is a short frilly dress with spaghetti straps or a long maxi dress with a floral print then yes those sundresses probably aren’t for you and are not the look you want to don for the summer 2010.

But for those of you with an open mind this year holds a lot of wonderful sundress options. Look for hemlines just above the knee. I know that the mini skirt and short shorts are bringing the leg back but sundresses are different. A short sundress has a too youthful appearance so if you want to grow up with the sundress then select one that hits just above the knee.

Spaghetti straps still work for sundresses but wider straps give the dress a different look and feel that makes it a little more grown up and versatile. Look for wider straps and even an asymmetric strap in keeping with another one of the season’s hottest trends.

Jessica Simpson Wrap Dress

There’s something about a simple women’s dress and a nice pair of shoes that makes every woman feel sleek and sexy in the summer.

This year’s simple women’s dress is the wrap dress. Much like the maxi dress served as the go anywhere, do anything dress for a few summers past, the wrap dress is filling that void this summer.

Get the most out of your wrap dress by selecting something that is form fitting, that doesn’t billow too much at the top and the bottom. Another good idea is looking for a solid as a busy print can be distracting and the wrap portion can create visual bumps and wrinkles that aren’t flattering.

Much like the maxi dress and even the shirt dress before that, the wrap dress should be treated casually. No over accessorizing when wearing a wrap dress and keep the shoes subtle and simple.

The lesson is that almost any dress can become the style of the season if it’s worn for its simplicity and is the rest of the ensemble is treated with a light hand.

Pregnant Nicole Richie

Facing summer with a baby on the way is not usually an exciting prospect, you’re hot, uncomfortable and swelling when everyone else is getting ready for bikini season. But dressing for a summer pregnancy doesn’t have to be frustrating, new maternity clothing is more exciting and attractive than it has been in years past.

Even maternity swimsuits have changed and now offer pregnant women a way to enjoy the beach and water without feeling like a beached whale or covering up in the dreaded muumuu.

So for summer maternity looks find separates that are versatile. In maternity tops you’ll want to look for simple tank tops that you can layer under looser shirts or you can wear alone when the weather or you are too hot. Select a bright solid color that’s exciting and complements your newly glowing skin tone.

For summer bottoms a good maternity skirt or two is really a lifesaver because of the comfort and the breathability of the cut. Look for a neutral that can be worn with a variety of different tops.

Maternity dresses are another comfortable option. Select something solid with a bright color and a bit of architectural flair, such as a ruffle, faux flower or perhaps an asymmetrical cut. These structural elements draw attention away from your belly and other growing bits and bring the attention to the overall look.

With the right clothing a pregnant woman can enjoy the summer months and alleviate her discomfort.

Mariah Carey Hiding Weight in a LBD

Thin is in, although every year it seems as though someone says we’re going to start appreciating curves and a little weight, it’s still all about being (or looking) thin. So how can you dress to look thinner?

Empire waist dresses have always been a great way to hide a little extra belly and butt fat. With the high waist the dress flairs a bit early giving you more room to hide in. But don’t rely on empire waist dresses or even empire tops and blouses because if you wear them too often people will think you’re pregnant.

The color you choose can also be slimming. Who doesn’t know that a little black dress cut in just the right way can make a woman look fantastic? But not many people realize that a white dress can have just the same effect and is much fresher and more fun to wear in the summer months.

Asymmetrical clothing has really rocketed in popularity and they can work really well to hide that extra padding you don’t want to show, or to at least confuse the eye and keep it from noticing symmetrical lumps and bumps.

One look to stay away from if you’re trying to hide a little extra weight is the very popular ruffles and faux flowers. These cute little feminine touches are just added space that your clothing will take up, meaning it looks as though you’re taking up additional space.

Jessica Simpson Tank Top

One staple item of clothing for summertime is the tank top. Whether it’s a preppy tank top perfect for a day of golf or summer, a sexy tank top for date night or just a casual tank top for any old occasion, there must be at least a handful of tank tops ready for summer.

So what’s hot in tank tops for summer 2010? Ruffles are hot in all women’s blouses this year and tank tops are no exception. Look for tops embellished with ruffles and faux flowers to dress up your look and add a feminine touch. If you want to dress up an old tank top, buy a fabric flower pin or three and add them to your favorite tank. But a word to the wise, asymmetric looks are very hot this year, meaning you’ll find asymmetric ruffles on shirts and tanks. The extra fabric on one side can pull the shirt in a way that looks funny on the body so make sure you try them on.

Prints are also a hot trend in 2010 so a few printed tank tops is a great idea, but don’t go too crazy pairing printed tanks with printed pants with printed blouses and printed shoes. Use your prints wisely.

And an extra little tip, the summer of 2010 is going to be about showing a lot of skin so don’t forget to tone those arms!

Miranda Kerr Levis Denim Jacket

Those hot summer nights are coming but they’re still pretty few and far between. So going from day to night typically requires some sort of cover up that’s versatile enough to match most outfits but stylish enough to keep you off an ugly sweater website.

A black cardigan or a white cardigan is usually a safe bet for a versatile cover up for summer and the rest of the year. Look for something light and airy that will provide a little protection from a summer night’s chill but won’t make you look too bundled and won’t leave you sweating.

But women’s sweaters are not the only way to stay comfortable and stylish in the summer, denim jackets for women is another way to go and believe it or not the denim jacket is having a little resurgence in popularity right now and is a great accessory for chilly summer nights.

I think the best way to determine whether you’re a cardigan gal or a denim jacket wearer is to look that shoes you’re going to wear. This year both super strappy sandals and other feminine styles are garnering attention alongside more sturdy and tough shoes like motorcycle boots. Your best bet is to get a summer cover up that complements your shoe choice for the day.

Padma Lakshmi White Dress

I know it’s wedding season and you’ve probably already received a cheap wedding invitation or two but there’s no need to be bitter because anybody can wear white this year.

White dresses for women have become a popular trend, even for casual occasions. Believe it or not, a white dress can be just as slimming on a woman’s body as a little black dress. But it does take a brave soul to don an entirely white outfit, whether it’s a dress or an ensemble.

It seems like the only time people have been confident and very accepting of women wearing all white is when they’re parading down the aisle in a wedding dress but this is no longer the case. If you’re feeling a bit of apprehension about wearing all white, test the waters by starting with a pair of white pants and a light colored women’s blouse and you’ll suddenly feel the power of white.

But as a side note, the only time it’s still not acceptable to wear a white dress (and in most cases you should stay away from the  little black dress as well) is at a wedding.

Lady Gaga Shredded Leggings

In a season that’s turned its fashion focus to the legs a weird thing has happened, it shouldn’t surprise me but for some reason it did. The trend for the last couple years leaned toward leggings so I thought it was logical that with the focus on legs and short skirts and shorts that leggings would be on their way out. But leave it to the legging industry to come up with leggings that show off the legs while covering them.

Believe it or not, shredded leggings and shear leggings are quite the fashion statement this season. And somehow this look actually works.

The other week I saw a teen who had layered her leggings with a hot pink pair underneath and a shredded pair on top. She looked great and something about her whole ensemble spoke to the 80’s girl in me.

I actually love leggings because they can be so slimming and add just the right visual interest to a simple little black dress. So rather than throwing out your old leggings, shred them and create your own designer leggings.

Jennifer Aniston Little Black Dress

Every woman needs a few little black dresses in her arsenal for those occasions that require something sexy, simple and slimming. And we all know there are more of those occasions than we could ever plan for. The key to pulling off an effortless grace when one of those situations crops up is careful planning, having just the right little black dress on hand.

Some little black dresses are timeless and every woman should own at least one of those but there are trends in little black dresses that can refresh your look. This season the one shoulder dress is very popular as is asymmetry and both of these looks increase the interest of a simple black dress, letting the dress garner attention rather than accessories.

But if you want to go the accessory route there are some ways to dress up your standby black outfit with the latest accessories. This year a statement piece of jewelry is almost essential. The bib necklace is super hot, but word of warning, many of them are metal and can snag your favorite little black dress so give it a trial run or choose wisely. Scarves and wraps are on the way out but still so practical for those chilly evening so wear them while you can. And belts are still a hot accessory and can add some zip to a few dress styles.

Just remember that the key to looking really great in a little black dress is the effortlessness of it, so never ever let them know you’re trying.