Fashion & Beauty

How to pull off summer’s 4 trickiest fashion trends

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Published July 13, 2014, 8:56 p.m. ET
Ugly sandals, crop tops, Western wear, oh my! Here's how to make them work for you this season. Brian Zak; Tamara Beckwith; Anne Wermiel

The secret to pulling off summer’s trickiest style trends? Just do like these NYC gals, and hit the concrete with plenty of confidence and ’tude.

Ugly Sandals

No longer just for tree huggers, Birkenstocks, clunky platforms and other “ugly” sandals have seen a triumphant rise from ’90s mundane to must-have. Thank trendsetters such as Elle Fanning and the Olsen twins.

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“When me and my friend bought [Birkenstocks], her mom was like, ‘Oh, those are so ugly!’ ” recalls Shannon Lindee, a 20-year-old intern from LA. “But then, after a day, she said, ‘Wait, I’m going to get myself a pair.’ And we were like, ‘Yeah, exactly.’”
“When me and my friend bought [Birkenstocks], her mom was like, ‘Oh, those are so ugly!’ ” recalls Shannon Lindee, a 20-year-old intern from LA. “But then, after a day, she said, ‘Wait, I’m going to get myself a pair.’ And we were like, ‘Yeah, exactly.’”Brian Zak
Aussie student Madison Costello, 21, matches a printed Topshop dress with a minimalist take on ’90s chunky platform sandals — summer kicks she picked up in her hometown, Sydney.
Aussie student Madison Costello, 21, matches a printed Topshop dress with a minimalist take on ’90s chunky platform sandals — summer kicks she picked up in her hometown, Sydney.Brian Zak
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“I can wear a flat to work and not feel like I’m being lazy,” says Courtney Grant, 23, a manager at Intermix, of her Sam Edelman sandals. “We’re selling slides from Birkenstocks, Barbara Bui and Tibi. We can’t keep them in stock.”
“I can wear a flat to work and not feel like I’m being lazy,” says Courtney Grant, 23, a manager at Intermix, of her Sam Edelman sandals. “We’re selling slides from Birkenstocks, Barbara Bui and Tibi. We can’t keep them in stock.”Anne Wermiel
Fashion planner Leslie Garner, 33, shelled out hundreds for Givenchy’s designer interpretation of the trend — a small price to pay for the high-heel liberation, says the Williamsburg local: “I saw that flats were happening and was like, ‘Let me get on that!’ ”
Fashion planner Leslie Garner, 33, shelled out hundreds for Givenchy’s designer interpretation of the trend — a small price to pay for the high-heel liberation, says the Williamsburg local: “I saw that flats were happening and was like, ‘Let me get on that!’ ”Tamara Beckwith
“I got them in Ireland,” says Dubliner Julie Shanley, a 28-yearold music teacher staying in Bed- Stuy. “My mom got me these Birkenstocks before I ventured off on my travels this summer.”
“I got them in Ireland,” says Dubliner Julie Shanley, a 28-yearold music teacher staying in Bed- Stuy. “My mom got me these Birkenstocks before I ventured off on my travels this summer.” Tamara Beckwith
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Fashion designer Emma Kebler wears her Sam Edelman sandals for the style — and the comfort. “They’re definitely an updated version of the ’90s slide. And they have great arch support,” says the 23-year-old.
Fashion designer Emma Kebler wears her Sam Edelman sandals for the style — and the comfort. “They’re definitely an updated version of the ’90s slide. And they have great arch support,” says the 23-year-old.Anne Wermiel
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Crop Tops

The crop top has been a runway staple for many seasons, but celebs from Kim Kardashian to even Jessica Seinfeld have ushered the midriff (paired with a high waist) into the mainstream.

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Carroll Gardens resident Monica Sordo, 32, is the creative type — she ties shirts to make her own crop tops, to be paired with mom jeans and pieces from her eponymous jewelry label.
Carroll Gardens resident Monica Sordo, 32, is the creative type — she ties shirts to make her own crop tops, to be paired with mom jeans and pieces from her eponymous jewelry label.Tamara Beckwith
“I definitely have love for the ’90s, but this is more for comfort,” says model Kaya Wilkins, 23, of her crop top and baggy jorts scored from a thrift shop.
"I definitely have love for the '90s, but this is more for comfort," says model Kaya Wilkins, 23, of her crop top and baggy jorts scored from a thrift shop.Anne Wermiel
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“I’ve always liked ’90s fashion and the aesthetic of the high waist with crop tops,” says Reece Solomon, a 28-year-old designer behind accessories label Reece Hudson.
“I’ve always liked ’90s fashion and the aesthetic of the high waist with crop tops,” says Reece Solomon, a 28-year-old designer behind accessories label Reece Hudson.Anne Wermiel
Issy Hussain, a 38-yearold manager at Topshop, takes the crop top high-end, pairing the cutoff T-shirt with stylish culottes.
Issy Hussain, a 38-year-old manager at Topshop, takes the crop top high-end, pairing the cutoff T-shirt with stylish culottes.Anne Wermiel
Torn mom jeans and an eyelet crop top go together like peanut butter and jelly on 24-year-old Topshop personal shopper Julie Fingerhut.
Torn mom jeans and an eyelet crop top go together like peanut butter and jelly on 24-year-old Topshop personal shopper Julie Fingerhut.Anne Wermiel
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“Crop tops are my thing. I own about 10,” says Krista Chiu, 27, in an Alexander Wang top and Zara blazer.
“Crop tops are my thing. I own about 10,” says Krista Chiu, 27, in an Alexander Wang top and Zara blazer.Anne Wermiel
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Western

Wide-brim hats, fringe and farmhouse chic have been au courant ever since French label Isabel Marant brought the wild, wild West to the runway. Now stars like Kate Bosworth and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley set the style standard for New York’s urban cowgirls.

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Photographer Jill Kate picked up this Stetson in her Arkansasnative father’s closet last year and hasn’t taken it off. “This is an urban cowboy look. It all starts with the hat,” says the 23-year-old.
Photographer Jill Kate picked up this Stetson in her Arkansasnative father’s closet last year and hasn’t taken it off. “This is an urban cowboy look. It all starts with the hat,” says the 23-year-old.Anne Wermiel
Violet Boix, 15, recycled a 2-yearold Billabong purse to go with her prairieinspired frock. “My best friend is into fashion and designs [cowboy] stuff for us,” says the Upper East Sider.
Violet Boix, 15, recycled a 2-yearold Billabong purse to go with her prairieinspired frock. “My best friend is into fashion and designs [cowboy] stuff for us,” says the Upper East Sider.Anne Wermiel
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Cowboy hats: too literal. Make like Jesaca Lin, a 28-year-old photo editor from Washington Heights, who opts for a hipster version of the classic topper, feminized with a lace dress.
Cowboy hats: too literal. Make like Jesaca Lin, a 28-year-old photo editor from Washington Heights, who opts for a hipster version of the classic topper, feminized with a lace dress.Tamara Beckwith
Kendall Meehl, a 22-year-old art student at Hampshire College, goes Western by way of Bohemian with ethnic-inspired jewelry to offset rustic fringe accessories.
Kendall Meehl, a 22-year-old art student at Hampshire College, goes Western by way of Bohemian with ethnic-inspired jewelry to offset rustic fringe accessories.Tamara Beckwith
“Summer feels like a time to express oneself sartorially,” says audio editor Cambra Moniz-Edwards, 32, who daringly pairs cowboy boots with patterned dresses like this one she found at 21 Tara, a shop in her Clinton Hill neighborhood.
“Summer feels like a time to express oneself sartorially,” says audio editor Cambra Moniz-Edwards, 32, who daringly pairs cowboy boots with patterned dresses like this one she found at 21 Tara, a shop in her Clinton Hill neighborhood.Brian Zak
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Elaine Hargrove, a 25-year-old artist from Flatbush, snagged her shoulder-baring prairie dress at an LES vintage shop. “I like my collarbones!” she quips.
Elaine Hargrove, a 25-year-old artist from Flatbush, snagged her shoulder-baring prairie dress at an LES vintage shop. “I like my collarbones!” she quips.Brian Zak
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Hair Hues

Pastel and colored hair have been seeping into pop culture for the past two years through the follicles of Katy Perry, Nicole Richie and Kelly Osbourne. Now Manic Panic is spilling onto the streets.

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“It’s been blue, purple, pink,” says editorial director Gayle Taliaferro, 30, on her everchanging tresses, now a striking shade of silver.
“It’s been blue, purple, pink,” says editorial director Gayle Taliaferro, 30, on her ever-changing tresses, now a striking shade of silver. Brian Zak
Park Slope’s Alexa Rivera, 20, sports a grunge-meets-sweet shade of pink that perfectly suits her occupation — dessert-shop server in Williamsburg.
Park Slope’s Alexa Rivera, 20, sports a grunge-meets-sweet shade of pink that perfectly suits her occupation — dessert-shop server in Williamsburg.Tamara Beckwith
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For Victoria Reed, 24, it was now or never. “I felt if I’m not going to do it now — living in Williamsburg, playing music — when am I going to? When I’m the weird old lady with blue hair?”
For Victoria Reed, 24, it was now or never. “I felt if I’m not going to do it now — living in Williamsburg, playing music — when am I going to? When I’m the weird old lady with blue hair?”Tamara Beckwith
Kate English, a 23-year-old student from Australia, has been dying her locks this grayish purple for a month now, and considers Nicole Richie her hue inspiration.
Kate English, a 23-year-old student from Australia, has been dying her locks this grayish purple for a month now, and considers Nicole Richie her hue inspiration.Anne Wermiel
“I’ve had every color in my hair, including three this summer. My next one is pink,” says Jane Spencer, a 17-year-old from Virginia who has been putting Crayola colors in her hair since she was 12.
“I’ve had every color in my hair, including three this summer. My next one is pink,” says Jane Spencer, a 17-year-old from Virginia who has been putting Crayola colors in her hair since she was 12.Anne Wermiel
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