A Kitschy Summer Classic

Fashionistas, no matter what the calendar says, summer is just around the corner, and what says summer more than the beach or something that is closely associated with it, like sand, sea, and the sun? Seashells are one of the perfect visuals to call to mind the beach, so it’s only natural and appropriate that seashells are often used as inspiration or embellishments on summer fashion items.

At first thought, seashell-inspired garments, shoes, or jewelry may seem kind of silly and too kitschy to pass as serious fashion. You have to admit a bunch of seashells strung together, sprinkled all over a garment or in the print, is not exactly what your average high fashion and oh-so-glamorous fashionista might wear. These items are often strictly worn when you’re on a tropical vacation. I am defiantly one of those folks who thinks overly themed or kitschy when I visualize shell-inspired garments, but much to my surprise, there are some absolutely lovely and actually quite glamorous shell-inspired fashion items for summer 2012. Once I started examining what was available, I was surprised to find lots of really attractive items.

Relax, you won’t have to look like a tourist if you can’t shell out, pardon the pun, for some stylish garments and accessories with shell motifs. No matter what your budget is, you won’t have to look too far or spend too much because there is something for everyone from some very well-known brands. Names like Coach, Versace, and Lavin, just to name a few, have shell-inspired items in their lines. If those names are out of your league, why not take a look for inspiration and then choose from what’s available from more affordable brands?

If you’re not a seashell kind of gal, some of these shell-inspired fashion items are cleverly disguised by the use of other textiles like silver and gold tones, or used as inlays in jewelry and buttons. Whatever fashion item you’re shopping for to add to your summer wardrobe, check out this warm weather shell inspiration, even if you have no intention to hit the beach anytime soon.