Trend watch: Tangerine

Tangerine is a huge color right now (especially after tangerine tango was named Pantone's color of the year), but it can be hard to pair. Here are some questions to ask yourself so you can make it work with your style and skin tone.

Statement or subtle?
Are you trying to be bold with your color choice, or merely show your knowledge of color trends off in a simple outfit? If its the former, go all out and wear a cool pattern involving tangerine, or maybe a statement necklace. If it's the latter, go for a pretty lightweight blouse in tangerine, perfect for the warm summer months!

These cute floral shorts

This gorgeous J. Crew Bubble necklace

This polished but casual polka-dot blouse

Formal or casual?
Will you wear tangerine to a nice dinner out or to the beach with friends? If you need a more formal look, a darker color would be better, in a more polished fabric like silk or satin. Try a deep tangerine dress, or a sheer button down tucked into a white pencil skirt. Add some nude pumps and you'll be looking classic yet trendy! If you're going casual, opt for a softer fabric in a pastel or neon. Try a pretty pastel tangerine floaty dress as a coverup on a trip to the beach, or toss on some bright shorts to hang out at the mall with friends.

This gorgeous number from Free People for an evening party- also comes in mint, another trendy color this season!

This light piece for fun at the beach.

Pale or tan?
If you're pale, orange is probably already a hard color for you to wear. Stay away from pastel tangerine, as it will make you look washed out (pastel pink or lilac would be more flattering). However, a neon hue can actually make you look tanner, while a darker shade of tangerine will bring out your porcelain skin in a good way. If you have a deeper skin tone, it will be pretty easy to get away with this. If you get your tan from a bottle, though, you have to be especially careful not to use an orange-y spray tanner. Wearing a shade of orange with that will just bring it out! Pastel or a dark shade would look great and bring out your tan even more, while a more muted color will blend in and do little for your skin tone.

For pale skin, try this gorgeous neon orange in a classic cut

If you're tan, check out this pastel pinky-orange with cute neon detailing

A great option for pale OR tan skin is this deep tangerine- the red tone will work well with either skin type!

Once you've thought about your answers to these questions, you should be good to go. I hope this helps you pull off this gorgeous, fun color!

Happy Independence Day!

How are you celebrating? My family likes to wipe down the grill and enjoy some burgers and hot dogs. Sometimes we watch a patriotic movie, but otherwise we like to maximize our time outside, whether chilling on the patio with some lemonade, watermelon, and yummy Popsicles, or at the pool. A few years we've gone to the beach, but this year that was unfortunately not the case. At night, we either go to the public fireworks display in our town and meet up with friends, or if we don't feel like getting eaten by mosquitos, stay in and tune into the televised NYC fireworks, which everyone knows are the best anyway :)

So how do I show my patriotic spirit through fashion and beauty? Here are some ideas.

Sundress:
Last year, I wore a navy and white striped sundress with white shoes. To finish the trifecta, I added a pop of red with my lip color. The dress is in a flattering fit, ties in to the nautical trend that's been big the past few summers, and can be easily worn for other events. A red lip is flattering on most skin tones and makes your teeth look whiter! Play around with blue and yellow toned shades to find the one that's right for you.

The lovely dress by Motel. I don't think it's available anymore, but the brand has some other lovely pieces through Asos. I'm eyeing this dress, which is also patriotic... for Brits!

This year I'm going more casual with a red tee, blue shorts, and white shoes. Boring, I know, but I'm away from home for an internship, so I don't have much to choose from! Instead, here's what I would choose in a perfect world for a casual but still patriotic look!

This floaty tank- stylish and practical for those muggy summer days.

Pop on this bandeau underneath to add some extra spirit and stay appropriately covered.

With these trendy shorts from Lulu's

Over these awesome tights from Asos if you're feeling adventurous.

This is a cute and practical shoe for running around, at barbecues and fireworks displays.

C'mon, you knew I was gonna include these. Not for the weak of heart, these bold shoes make any Independence Day look complete, though I'm not sure when else you'd wear them. Surprisingly comfortable, don't rule them out for a day of partying and fun, but I wouldn't recommend wearing them on a hike or anything.

Hope you all are having a lovely 4th of July. Remember to appreciate the freedoms we often take for granted, look back and take pride in the incredible and unbelievable moments of victory in our history, and learn from our mistakes. Enjoy the fireworks!