Summer's Hottest Looks: 4 Trends to Wear Now

Yesterday, People.com senior style editor Zoë Ruderman shared a behind the scenes look at what went into selecting the Hottest Bodies of 2012. Today — with her favorite finds for the season available in our Summer's Hottest Looks sale — she’s back to let you in on her must-have style secrets.

• Bandage Dresses: Bandage dresses, like this WOW Couture mint dress, are a nice substitute for going to the gym (kidding . . . sort of).
• All White: A lot of people assume they should wear black to look slim, but head-to-toe white or cream also has the same effect. We’re seeing a real resurgence of the Little White Dress!
• Midi Cuts: I'm loving the midi cut this year, like the Green Envelope orange-striped one I selected for the sale. I really liked this dress on the hanger, but as soon as I saw it on the model at the shoot, I fell head over heels. The back cutout detail is so sexy, and the length is ultra-flattering. I could see it teamed with a bold belt or statement necklace to take it from day to night.
• Tye-Die: I'm anxious to try the tie-dye trend, so I’m eyeing the Vix France bikini!

Find these pieces — and so much more — in our Summer's Hottest Looks sale now (ends June 21 at 10AM EDT)

Tory's Shop: Sara Designs

This summer we’ve partnered with bestselling author and Good Morning America contributor Tory Johnson to celebrate the daring women who’ve turned their passion into thriving small businesses. As Tory inspires women entrepreneurs on the 20-city tour for her new book, Spark & Hustle, we’ve launched Tory’s Shop, a series of sales curated in collaboration with Tory that feature some of our favorite finds.

This week we’re featuring Sara Designs, a New York City-based design studio known for its unique and colorful jewelry and watches. Founded in 2002 by Sara Bar, Sara Designs has grown quickly, moving from the shelves of NYC boutiques to stores like Anthropologie and Free People in just a couple of years. Sara’s still in touch with her roots, though, with her studio remaining in the same Upper East Side building that she lives in with her children.

We chatted with the accessories designer, asking how she got started and what it’s like to run her own label. See what she had to say below!

Q: You started out designing clothes at a pretty young age, why did you decide to switch to accessories?
A. These days, everyone understands the importance of accessories — it’s the “new” clothing. Women are able to change their look and express different styles with the change of a watch, bracelet, or necklace. There are fewer design constraints with jewelry, which allows me to reach more people.

Q: How did you you decide to go out on your own as a designer?
A. I have always been a very independent woman with strong ideas and, fortunately, that allowed me to support myself and not need to work for someone else.

Q: What do you love most about running an independent design business?
A. From the beginning, I have been able to enjoy complete creative freedom and am always ready to take full responsibility for the results. My designs make me proud and provide a platform for which I can be a great role model for my children.

Q: What’s the biggest challenge you face?
A. Keeping up with four new collections a year, while balancing the custom-design needs for each of my major retail buyers.

Q: Your designs incorporate a lot of different materials—which ones are your favorites right now?
A. Leather, stones, crystals, shells, and fabric. My designs begin with different materials that I discover and feel passionate about, which can vary from season to season. Then I take them to my design studio and let my hands create whatever comes to mind.

Q: Everyone knows that the right accessory can completely make an outfit—can you share with us your favorite go-to accessories for pulling any look together?
A. Watches have always been a status symbol that gives a woman the ability to express herself. My watches are designed for the free-spirited individual who wants to make a fashion statement. If a woman is wearing a monotone outfit, she can completely change her look with a brightly colored watch. This woman can also own a neutral, leather, and chain watch to exude a soft and sophisticated style.

Want to see more? Check out Tory’s Shop, featuring pieces by Sara Designs, on sale now through June 14 at 10AM. And to meet Tory and tell her about your small business at a Spark & Hustle conference, visit sparkandhustle.com.

Rush Hour: TOD’S Ballerina Dee Laccetto Flats

Start revving your engines, Twitter mavens, because every Friday afternoon, you've got somewhere to be.

It's no secret that we love a good giveaway. So in the spirit of all things swag, we're switching up the game with Rush Hour, a Twitter giveaway that will have you racing to the finish for sweet finds — think statement-making dresses, covetable designer accessories, and tons more! This week’s prize? A pair of TOD'S Ballerina Dee Laccetto flats from our sale (ends 6/10 at 10AM EDT).

Handmade with exceptional Italian leather, these slip-ons mix fashion’s two favorite things: right-now trendiness and old-world craftsmanship. With bright colors, perfectly round toes, and elasticized toplines, these ballet flats are sure to become your go-to favorites, no matter how big your shoe collection.

For a chance to win pair of these shoes, tune in to our Twitter feed and look for the hashtag #RUSHHOUR. We'll randomly pick ONE ideeli follower to win when you tweet us the answer to the contest question. Please note: Limited colors are available in each size.

What's the contest question, you ask? Get on Twitter and find out!

Here's a recap:

1. Follow us @ideeli on Twitter.

2. Tune in 9am-6pm every Friday for a surprise giveaway lasting just 1 hour.

3. We'll announce the contest question when we announce the giveaway.

4. Tweet your answer with the hash tag #RUSHHOUR to enter the giveaway (or if you're just excited, we won't mind)
.
5. We'll announce winners soon after the contest ends.


Sound good? Do you feel the need for speed? See you at Rush Hour!
*Winners will be chosen at random, and must be 18 years of age and over. Item subject to final availability. Contest only open to U.S. residents. Sorry, but we cannot ship outside the U.S. One entry per person only. Winners will be announced via Twitter and will have 7 days to claim their prize. After 7 days new winners will be chosen. Winners must be followers of ideeli's Twitter account at time of drawing.

A REFRESHING, NEW LOOK (DOWNLOADABLE PRINTS AVAILABLE)

Hello, June! The days are long and the nights are warm, and that means one thing for us: Summer is finally here! It's time to break out our sweet summer favorites, and make a splash in an endless sea of beachy basics. Whether you're shore-bound or not, we're making every day will feel a bit like vacay, thanks to our downloadable prints.

So, get in the summer spirit with these downloadable desktop, iPhone, iPad, Twitter, and even Facebook timeline backgrounds.

IMAGES
Desktop
1280x800

1366x768

1440x900

1024x768

Facebook Timeline

Twitter

iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S

iPad

Let us glam up your gadgets every month! Keep an eye out for new photos that inspire us in July.

Introducing "Tory's Shop"

This summer we’re partnering with bestselling author and Good Morning America contributor Tory Johnson to celebrate the daring women who have turned their passion into much, much more — be it a fashion label, an accessory line, or a home décor company. As Tory embarks on a 20-city tour to promote her new book, Spark & Hustle, and inspire women entrepreneurs, we've launched our Tory Shop, a series of sales curated in collaboration with Tory that feature some of our favorite finds from women-run, small businesses.

First up is designer Julie Brown! Julie was a buyer for Ralph Lauren who knew she had more to offer, so she launched Julie Brown Designs as an accessories line in 2001. Today her line ranges from apparel to accessories to home, and is known for its classic silhouettes finished with fun, feminine details.

We chatted with the New York-based designer, asking how she got started and what it’s like to run her own label. See what she had to say below!

You come from a family of artists, how did fashion become your medium?
I used to set up my closet by color . . . take my babysitters into it and show them! My mom and I used to go see all of the different styles and amazing stores in New York City. My grandfather had a men’s store right near Wall Street, and he was a very, very big inspiration to me — he was beyond talented.

What made you decide to go out on your own as a designer?
I knew it was something I just had to do. I knew that I could do it, and I followed my heart and my passion.

What do you love most about running an independent design business?
Every day is like an adventure!

What’s the biggest challenge?
Knowing that I need to have a balance and make designated times to focus on one aspect of my business at a time.

You’ve said you can create stories with clothes, what stories are you trying to tell?
The story is always a happy and bright one. Imagine yourself somewhere wearing my clothes. The wrap dresses are great wear to work, but the beach chairs and totes take you to your destination. You get to create your own story.

Do you have any tried-and-true tips for pulling an outfit together?
Always be comfortable in what you are wearing. Stick to the basics: Start with a timeless silhouette and then add a trendy piece that gives your outfit a twist and keeps it current.

Want to see more? Check out Tory’s Shop, featuring pieces by Julie Brown, on sale now through June 1 at 10AM. And to meet Tory and tell her about your small business at a Spark & Hustle conference, visit sparkandhustle.com