***Photos taken with Nikon S550 Camera***

As any Kentucky Derby fan can tell you, summer hats are far more fashionable than their autumnal counterparts. (No doubt in part due to the lack of controversial materials involved: When’s the last time you saw someone get up in arms about raffia? Now rabbits, on the other hand…)

But while perky visors, straw bowlers and Panama hats have long been de rigeur for outdoor adventures like seaside frolics and Sunday brunches, lately a new style has popped up on fashionable heads: The Topless Hat. Once reserved for retiree wardrobes exclusively, the alterna-accessory has been incorporated into tony vacation looks (like those seen at Oscar de la Renta’s recent Cruise show) and re-imagined by milliners like Eric Javits. So what’s the allure of the non-hat hat? “It keeps the sun-induced wrinkles away while bleaching out my locks,” says one of my stylish colleagues. To test drive this spa-treatment-like accessory for yourself, try one of these:

Eric Javits Halo Visor, $165

Ugg Wrap-Around Visor, $56.25

Palm Leaf Guatemalan Hat, $24.75

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Tommy Hilfiger by Sperry Top-Sider

While not 100% sure, we here at GlamChic have a sneaking suspicion that Tommy Hilfiger is RSSing GlamChic–and reading it faithfully. (Like you are, let’s say.) How else does one explain this new, all-American image that popped up in our inbox today–mere hours after our top 10 country club-chic labels post debuts? Behold the Tommy Hilfiger by Sperry Top-Sider boat shoe. Slip them on, scoop up a copy of The Great Gatsby and consider summer officially kicked-off. $75 at select Tommy Hilfiger stores including Manhattan’s Soho and D.C.’s Georgetown locations.

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Carolyn Roumeguère in Kenya

As any city-dweller can tell you, the arrival of warmer temperatures has a way of sparking one’s sense of wanderlust. Earlier this week, a few globally-minded cosmpolitans gathered to ogle at Carolyn Roumeguère’s exotic, Kenyan-inspired bijoux at the West Village’s Urban Zen. The boutique, which stocks earthy apparel to benefit Donna Karan’s charity, the Urban Zen Initiative, played hostess to the French jewelry designer and her cases of sparkling Maasai chokers and ruby droplet chandelier earrings. Carolyn, a longtime friend of Karan’s who grew up in Kenya threading beads as a child, said that part of the money raised by the event would go to help the Enkutoto Trust – a project to teach Massai children how to preserve their culture. “It’s about the bigger picture. It’s not about fashion seasons. It’s about things that will last forever,” Roumeguère said.–Jennifer Jackson

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A page from the Sex and the City book

Whether you’re a Sketchers fan or a Manolo devotee, chances are you’ve been tapping your toes in anticipation of Sex and the City film since the series’ TV finale flashed its last credit. But if you haven’t yet scored tickets to the ultimate chick-flick, better stay clear of the bookstore until you do: The corresponding Sex & The City tome, published by Harper Collins (which hits stores manana) is the glossiest, most detailed spoiler so far!

Featuring a scene-by-scene, storybook-style narrative of the film, the book includes several “bonus features” that take the reader behind the scenes with Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, and star and producer Sarah Jessica Parker, as well as other key cast and crew members. Plus, the back pages of this cosmopolitan Bible give a complete guide to the movie’s multi-million dollar fashion closet, including documentation of EVERY SINGLE outfit worn by Carrie and the gang. All the behind-the-scenes scoop is accompanied by hundreds of stunning, full-color images, making this book a beautiful keepsake that is sure to bring glitz and glamour to every reader’s bookshelf. Get yours on Amazon or enter below to win one! –Grace Daniel

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Camilla Belle wears Miu Miu at the house’s Tokyo fashion show

If this isn’t the cutest, slightly-obnoxiously-sweet-yet-completely-endearing ensemble, I don’t know what is. Cotton-candy-colored platforms! A side-part with barrette! She’s wearing a jelly-bean printed dress for Pete’s sake! Beat that Blair Waldorf!

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Can’t Buy Me Love. Maid to Order. Mannequin. Long before imported glossies, jet-set artists and French actresses started shaping my definition of style, these films informed my first impression of what was cool. Blame it on the steady stream of fashion flashbacks that brightened up the spring runway shows, but lately my closet and I have been regressing to the ‘80s—specifically to the era’s jock looks.

Now, with summer upon us, I’ve been trying to track down the perfect swimsuit to complete my Heathers-worthy wardrobe, as few things scream old-school-sexy-rich-bitch like a rainbow-bright bikini. (Just ask Phoebe Cates who was immortalized in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, thanks in part to a memorable cherry-colored swimsuit.) With the hopes of channeling these Brat Pack sex symbols, I’ve outlined my top picks for this summer’s pool-side attire:

All suits from Net-A-Porter, Intermix, and Bluefly

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Long before Ralph, Tommy, and Tory dabbled in country club-chic, brands all along the Eastern seaboard pioneered—and perfected—distinctive preppy styles. In honor of summer’s arrival—and with it, many picturesque clambakes, tennis matches, and polo games—we pay homage to iconic blue-blood brands. So before you board the puddle-jumper or pour yourself a T&T, take cues from this short-list when planning your preppy summer wardrobe:

Lilly Pulitzer

Jackie Kennedy—the patron saint of all-American style—was one of the first lady-like tastemakers to sport Lilly Pulitzer’s distinctive, patterned frocks. (The former First Lady and the designer were class-mates at the Chapin school in Manhattan’s Upper East Side.) Since the Palm Beach-based label’s inception in the late ‘60s, many of Jackie O’s fans (and really, who isn’t one!?!) have followed suit.

Stubbs & Wootton

A favorite all along the Eastern Seaboard from Palm Beach (where the label got its start) to Newport, Stubbs & Wootton slip-ons are a staple of upper-crust attire.

Emilio Pucci

A favorite of the pearl-wearing set, Pucci’s swirling prints have been hostess-attire since the 1960s, when hostess-with-the-mostesses like C.Z.Guest and Babe Paley began sporting the Italian house’s signature frocks.

Vera Bradley

Vera Bradley’s quilted duffel bags are a frequent fixture on Nantucket ferries, Palm Beach puddle-jumpers, and Newport sidewalks. Fortunately for us, these cheery satchels–priced between $50 and $150–don’t require trust funds to purchase.

Sperry Topsider

Whether on or off the water, the yachting crowd often opts for the sweet, starboard-ready boat shoes from Sperry Topsider.

CK Bradley

Founded in 1999 by young Manhattanite Camilla Bradley (then a student at the prestigious Trinity school) CK Bradley features a candy-colored assortment of cheekily-printed belts, headbands, and more Blair Waldorf-worthy accessories.

David Yurman

Those that think of “summer” as a verb prefer the sophisticated, yet simple designs of David Yurman. The jeweler’s signature twist and buckle-accented baubles complement both private school wardrobes and doyenne dress.

Kenneth Jay Lane

Coral pendants, colorful enamel, and charming aquatic animals are key motifs in Kenneth Jay Lane’s cheap’n'chic baubles. (Because the diamond tennis bracelet can be so gauche to wear non-stop in the summer.)

L.L.Bean

A must-have from Cape Cod shores to South Hampton greens, monogram-ready totes from Maine’s L.L.Bean label appeal to those whose surname comes with stately roman numerals.

Vineyard Vines

Founded by former investment bankers, brothers Shep & Ian Murray, Vineyard Vines takes its name and aesthetic inspiration—think seersucker shorts, patchwork skirts, and ribbon belts—from the tony vacation hot-spot, Martha’s Vineyard.

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At left and right, Nyphenburg figurines; center,  a Gareth Pugh design

In the style scene at least, fashion imitates art (Miu Miu’s swirling, Art Nouveau prints for spring instantly come to mind). But now it seems art imitates fashion: In celebration of their 260th anniversary, luxe German porcelain house Nymphenburg has recently collaborated with 16 designers worldwide to produce a special collector’s line of artist Franz Anton Bustelli’s famous Commedia Dell’Arte figurines. Each designer–from Viktor&Rolf to Gareth Pugh and Vivienne Westwood–will outfit their favorite Rococo-inspired figure with a new set of threads. The limited edition collection of designer dolls will be presented on July 2nd at the Palais Beauharnais–during the Paris couture shows bien sur–but don’t pull out the credit card just yet. Like any other couture creation, these dainty figurines are in short supply: Only 25 sets will be available, for a spendy 160,000 Euros a pop. Budget-watchers and bookish types may want to seek out the corresponding exhibition book, published and designed by artist / photographer Florian Bohm. Although even then, only 400 copies will be printed, each priced at 750 euros: A small price to pay for a true masterpiece.–Jennifer Jackson

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Dan Flavin

Perhaps it’s because he was just recently featured in both the MOMA’s Color Chart exhibition and had his own solo show at Zwirner + Wirth, but artist Dan Flavin is having a moment–and the fashion world is contributing to his resurgence by paying homage to his oeuvre. The influence of the minimalist artist’s masterpieces–i.e. his distinctive fluorescent light works–can be seen across the current sartorial landscape, in realms both high….

…and low:

Of course, that fluorescent lights are becoming a popular fashion prop makes sense considering the rising “It”-factor of neon hues. (Only problem is, these colored lights aren’t exactly green, but that’s for another post—and blog.) But the irony is, that since Flavin’s novel approach (the artist broke onto the scene in the ‘60s, and passed away in 1996) was that he used commercially-available items as his medium…and now similar installations are being used to make commercial visuals seem more artistic.

Flavin’s work at LACMA

Whether Flavin-esque bright lights will be a permanent fixture in the fashion world remains to be seen of course, but the artists works can be found at The DIA’s Dan Flavin Art Institute.

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Joy Bryant at the Roxy Party 

Riding the wave of models-who-do-more, Roxy spokesgirl Lisa Anderson (who also happens to be a four-time World Champion Surfer) made an appearance in landlocked Soho earlier this week to launch Surf Girl Roxy. Penned by author Natalie Linden, the lush coffee table book features 200+ photographs of the surf gear surfers and their water-logged adventures across the globe. The laid-back event drew a wide range of adventurous sunseekers including designer Tracy Feith, surf artist Tom Adler, actress Joy Bryant and photographer Dewey Nicks.—Crystal Hines

The scene at the Roxy soiree

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