Wise fashionistas have a secret to striking a chic, classic look year after year: Invest in beautiful, timeless pieces that stand the test of time and forsake fickle trends.
“You can create elegant and chic looks with even the most classic and timeless pieces. Consumers are being mindful to invest in pieces that they can see in their closet for years to come,” noted Shannon Evans of S & K Boutique in Pace.
Not only does that approach create a closet full of enduring options, but it is also easy on the pocketbook and the environment.
Evans’ customers are gravitating away from seasonal pieces that are only worn once or twice and toward looks that will be wardrobe workhorses.
Preppy looks are “in” but also ageless. Midi and maxi skirts as well as wide-leg crops and straight leg denim are on point, recycling bygone fashion eras. Classic blues, yellows and Pantone’s citrusy color of the year, peach fuzz, are favorite summer hues that will look fresh for years to come. Monochromatic is a winning option this summer and likely for many more.
New accessories are a great way to reinvent classic pieces. Look for dainty layered charm necklaces, colorful earrings, wedge sandals, tennis shoes and tiny bags.
“Nobody wants to lug around a large bag when it’s already warm,” Evans said.
Lighten up with a simple clutch, crossbody — or choose one of the jewelry-like chains featuring clips for phone and small accessories.
Elizabeth Royappa
Pensacola native Elizabeth Royappa’s local roots run deep.
“My parents homeschooled me all the way through 12th grade. In 9th grade, I started dual enrollment at University of West Florida, so that was sort of like my high school.”
Royappa graduated from the UWF honors program this spring with a major in communications and minors in sociology and anthropology, She participated in speech and debate, placing first at the March Pi Kappa Delta national speech and debate tournament in both impromptu and persuasive speaking. She was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority, which supported local domestic violence prevention. Royappa was so inspired by the cause that she organized a punk/grunge fundraiser benefiting FavorHouse for her senior honors project.
“Domestic violence prevention is a cause I care a great deal about, so I think FavorHouse is definitely one of Pensacola’s brightest lights. I really look up to the people who work there, especially Tracie Hodson and Jennifer Hill.”
Enthusiastic for a new chapter, Royappa will take a breath to consider her next step while working for the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition and editing for Inweekly.
In addition, this summer she will be working as a political campaign intern. And on the urging of friends, Royappa is dipping her toe into modeling.
When it’s time to relax, Royappa takes in Pensacola highlights.
“I love to walk, hammock and read a good novel in Bayview park; visit Palafox Market on the weekends; and catch shows at Subculture, Vinyl and the Handlebar.”
