THE heat is on! That familiar feeling is back—the scorching days and the humid nights, and that constant nagging urge to hit the beach or sip an ice cold pinacolada. Yep, summer is in full swing in our festive, fabulous country. And of course, with summer comes all the essentials that we need to stock up on to ensure a fashionable new season. Here’s our list of top picks:
Neon Havaianas
Neon accents. Whether it’s a bikini, a lime T-shirt, or a cute little neon mini, neon is definitely a must-have throwback from the 90s this summer. And the best part is, Havaianas, our all time favorite flip-flops brand, also has a neon collection. Reminisce those candy-colored rave nights with picks in neon pink, yellow, orange, green or lake green. Can you think of anything cuter for your tootsies? Don’t forget to get a pedicure and foot spa to make sure you’re ready to show them off at the beach (or anywhere else for that matter). You can score your Havaianas at All Flip Flops branches in SM Cebu, SM Consolacion, Ayala Center, Rustan’s, Republik at BTC, Virus Boutique at The Henry Hotel, resorts like Maribago Bluewater, Abaca, Imperial Palace, or at District 32 at the Mactan airport. Get them before they completely sell out!
Stylish sunnies. There are usually only two types of sunglasses: ones that are so gorgeous but also quite pricey (which you can’t just wear anywhere near 
the pool or at an outing), or ones that are cheap but of poor quality—no UV protection, cracks easily, stuff to wear once and toss out. But now the brand Sunnies by Charlie has arrived. It’s the ultimate must have because nobody can survive this heat without a pair of great shades. The brand was born last year out of Manila, as a brainchild of trendsetters Georgina Wilson, Bea Soriano, Martine Cajucom, and Eric Dee Jr. These sunnies are totally cute, come in over 150 styles, have UV protection, and are surprisingly affordable. They’ve even got unisex varieties. Start your collection today by hitting the Sunnies by Charlie Stations at SM Northwing near Kultura, or in various places in Manila like SM MOA, Megamall, Glorietta 2 or online through Zalora. Follow @sunniesbycharlie on Instagram and Twitter or check out www.sunniesbycharlie.com for updates and new style alerts.
Denim Jacket
The 90s. My favorite decade of all. With movies like “Reality Bites” and TV shows like “Beverly Hills 90210,” it’s little wonder that the 90s was known for its minimalism and edgy appeal, but is also one of the most sleek, stylish eras in fashion. Hello to the Calvin Klein aesthetic! Anyway, I’ve been so excited because Topshop, one of the best high street fashion labels there is, has come up with a new collection for this summer that’s heavily inspired by the 90s. Check out their shop at the Ayala Center Cebu and hoard on the ‘boyish slouch’ aesthetic—cullotes, playsuits, shirt dresses, denim jackets (you can probably only wear a jacket in the airport in this crazy heat but whatever). Aside from the 90s, there’s also the 50s beach look, with linens, A-line shift dresses, cropped blouses, high waist jeans, ginghams, and pencil skirts. Monochrome is big this year as well, with lots of all-white or all-black looks. And lastly, what’s summer without the tropics? Prints of flowers, fruits, plus embellished necklines and bold patters reign supreme.
Jumpsuit
Festive. Summer has always been a season to celebrate in this country—no typhoons, no floods, lots of color, activities abounding in all our islands. There’s no better time to look and feel festive! There’s a new brand that opened its doors at the new wing of Ayala Center and that’s British label F&F. It’s very current, spot on, and has a practical price range to boot. This season, their look is reminiscent of Rio, Brazil. Totally vibrant, with touches of luxury, you’ll adore their swimwear, jumpsuits, shorts, and maxi dresses. And the variety! With the exoticism of the Aztecs, or the edginess of bleached denim, modern florals, crochet, lace, tribal beads, and even animal print, they’ve got it all. Beyond clothes, the brand also carries
lingerie and accessories. Looks like we’ve all got a new one-stop shop for all things stylish!
So whichever of our 7,107 islands you’re headed to celebrate this summer, make sure you’re current with the trends in this list—sometimes just one little piece can add that missing zing to any outfit. Now you’re all set to make a splash! Cheers, chicas!
