Julianne Costigan’s Five Bold Twists to Summer Dress Styling
It’s mid-summer - the perfect time to elevate your wardrobe with stylish summer dresses that keep you cool and chic. The right ones effortlessly blend comfort with fashion, offering endless styling options for warm, sunny days. We’ve called upon celebrity stylist and Reitmans Stylist-in-Residence, Julianne Costigan, to share some of her insider styling tips on summer dressing to keep your readers feeling fresh and on-trend with key Reitmans pieces.
Based in Toronto, Julianne is a fashion stylist celebrated for her sophisticated approach to personal and celebrity styling, bringing a polished flair to mainstream dressing. Her philosophy focuses on accentuating natural beauty to create a unique, meaningful style among her clients. Julianne became Reitmans Stylist-in-Residence in February 2024.
Tip #1: Belt Your Dress
“To elevate your look, try belting an effortless dress like Reitmans Sleeveless Dress with Square Neckline. Of course, this sleeveless dress with the flattering smocked square neckline works beautifully on its own, but I love how a belt, such as this Faux Leather Belt with Perforated Details adds interest while defining the waistline... A cinched waist paired with chunky sandals gives the dress shape and versatility!"
Tip #2: Printed Dress + Summer Hat
“An effortless way to update your summer dress collection is by investing in a beautiful printed dress, such as the Sleeveless V-Neck Shift Dress. Accessorize with a quality Straw Fedora Hat and finish the look off with a tie-up wedge or sandal! ”
Tip #3: Headband + Off-White Dress
“Bohemian dressing is trending and achieving an elevated version of the look is simple. Pair an off-white dress, like this Sleeveless Bodycon Sweater Dress with Open Stitches and this Straw Headband in Natural for a charming boho-esque ensemble.”
Tip #4: Layers, Layers, Layers!
“I love layering a button-down shirt over a dress - it’s so easy to layer with! It adds interest without overheating in the warm weather. Consider a light and airy fabric, such as the Short-Sleeve Buttoned-Down Blouse, for a relaxed yet polished look. Alternatively, throw on a thin knit like the Long-Sleeve V-Neck Bolero over your shoulders for a more trendy style.”
Tip #5: LBD + Bold Accessories
“Everyone needs a little black dress in their wardrobe. The key to keeping it from feeling mundane? Accessories! Adding bold touches can instantly transform your look. Try pairing this Off-The-Shoulder Dress with a patterned scarf, such as the Square Satin Scarf with Animal Pattern. Wear it in your hair, tie it around your wrist, or add it to the handle of your bag for a surprising twist that works day or night.”
Loving what you see? See the fulsome Reitmans Summer lookbook here, and let us know if you'd like any additional images and details sent your way for other things you’re working on!
Erika Johnson
Karen Oommen