The summer breeze, the salty air and the vibrant color. Here is where some of the most favorite summer trends occur.
During this summer 2016 season however, one stands out as the most cheery. I'm not talking about pom poms that you use when your cheering your favorite college football team, I'm talking about the simple and most kindergarten-craft-store pom poms that come in one shape, but all colors and sizes.
Fashion bloggers and gurus everywhere are taking the words "cultural" and "ethnic" to a whole other level. Designers are lining just about everything with gorgeous yards of pom pom ribbon--including my favorite shoes! It makes the idea of a regular straw beach bag a whole lot cuter. Alongside the pom poms includes a breakout of embroidery and embellishment.
A fiesta consists of having strung pom poms on a Mexican hat or on the cultural poncho. All of this plays into the "ethnic" and "cultural" aspects because so many countries like Mexico, India, and Bangladesh include colors as part of festivals, which are a sign of happiness and celebration. These cultures incorporate colors that pop into their everyday clothing because it allows for expression of different emotions of experiences in their lives.
During Holi, a Hindu festival that usually occurs in Nepal and India, the remembrance of the famous legend of love is celebrated; which Holi diverged from. It is the marking of good harvest to come and the triumph of good conquering evil. These celebrations call for a 16 day color powder throwing on friends and family.
The trend of such saturated colors is popular in fashion trends among the countries who do not celebrate it because it is so different from the typical cultures, for example of America. It is a country of red, white and blue, fireworks and barbecue when celebrating it's nationality. Hinduism is not as much of a widespread religion in the Americas as much as it would be in Asia. The people in America find these cultures rich with life and love and want a different perspective on culture. They grasp color and ethnic fabrics to a whole different level.
The fashion world today is being walked across by the popular last summer gladiators, yet updated with the lines of pom-poms and trailed with tassels, gems and patterned woven ribbon.
Here are five of my favorite pom-pom pieces this summer:
1. Shoes
The babies you use to get around the shopping mall need some pampering too! Make sure to dress them up, shoes can be the difference between a $5 looking outfit and a $100 looking outfit. Most of these sandals became most popular during the Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2016 Show and since then, various Etsy shops have taken it into their own hands to customize gladiator wrap up sandals to similarly reflect those seen on the catwalk.
Designer: Dolce & Gabbana Pom-Pom Sandals
Affordable: Etsy, Penelope's Temptations
2. The Beach Bag
Although you may not end up pairing everything on this list together to not over-"pom"pify, straw bags that have been accessorized with pom poms, tassels or embellishments can catch the eye of just about anyone. A bag is just about every woman's prized possession. The more unique it can get, can really spice up a clean simple outfit. The only splurging you would have to do is on the accessories.
Designer: Sicily Bag, Sicilian Straw Coffa Bag
Affordable: ASOS, Woven Pom-Pom Shopper Tote
3. Arm Candy
Many local handmade jewelry sellers don't necessarily sell their jewelry at high prices, it just depends where you shop. Etsy has some amazing sellers selling at amazing bargains, and even on Ebay it can be bought as low as $0.99 with free shipping. If you're looking for quality, you might not find it there. If you are looking for designer in particular but want it at cheaper prices websites, TheRealReal or Poshmark may be your best bet.
Designer: Hermina Wear, The Anna Cuff
Affordable: Etsy, CHEZMOIMYHOME Hmong Bracelet
4. Sun Hats
The UV Rays are terrible! Especially if you are trying to up keep that youthful and glowing skin. Being extremely fair skinned, I've come face to face with some of the dangers of it. Freckles can be cute until the dermatologist needs to do a lab on it! Keep yourself hydrated, and sunscreen covered. If you don't feel like applying sunscreen because of its smell or because it can make you look a little greasy, your best bet is a sun hat. Cute, of course! The wide brimmed ones are the best recommended. They cover the shoulders and the back of your neck. The pom-poms add a touch of festivity and fun.
Designer: Garmentory, Eliza Gran Straw Pom Pom Hat
Affordable: Etsy, FolkFortune
5. The Cover Up
These are my favorite pieces! Many times I also end up using my linen tunics as coverups because they are also very similar. The cover-ups that are lined with pom poms and embroidered with bright swirls resemble the ponchos and clothing of some of the ethnic cultures I introduced to you earlier.
High End: Etsy, Deshabelle Beach Pom Pom Coverup
Affordable: Pink Queen Decor Beach Cover Up
Sharing cultures is a huge part of America and its nationality. Our ancestors come places unfamiliar to us. They migrated for a reason, maybe to have a better life than the one in their original country. It's crazy to know that we are so attracted to the cultures that may be different from ours. In this case, through fashion!
