Summer is in full force at H&M, and the fast-fashion chain has everything you need for BBQs, the beach and beyond. Trends to note include crop tops with high-waist shorts, boho maxi dresses, touches of lace and crochet, botanical prints and fluent florals, white on white, and classic stripes. Highlights for me included some cheeky "Aloha, beaches" smoking flats, preppy anchor-embroidered shorts, J.Crew-esque sleeveless cotton button down shirts, gingham pants and the prettiest floral chiffon maxi dress ($59.95, shown above). I went a little crazy snapping pics so I've divided my posts into two - here's part 1, check back tomorrow for part 2 (when I'll also reveal what I bought!)

See anything you love?

Target is going mad for plaid this fall by rolling out more that 360 everyday items in assorted plaid prints, plus a limited-edition collection by designer Adam Lippes. This is Target's second collab to be announced in recent weeks with a lesser known, inner-circle designer, the first being their jewelry collab with Eddie Borgo.

What do you do on a cold and rainy day in June? Head to Target for some retail therapy! On one such recent trip this week, I spotted a few new items worth checking out to liven up your summer wardrobe. For everyday, I'm loving these stripe maxi skirts ($19.99) - the blue stripes remind me of a serape blanket - and for the boho babe, this Mossimo lace-inset maxi skirt ($19.99) looks very Free People but at a fraction of the price. I also loved this crochet-trim halter top ($17.99) as a stylish alternative to basic t-shirts that's just as easy to wear.

I'll never say never to a trend, and right now gauchos are seriously growing on me! Actress Keke Palmer was recently spotted wearing gauchos from Forever 21 at the unveiling of a Jesse Owens mural at an Inglewood, California, elementary school. The funny thing is, I recognized Palmer's pants before I read the press release, having seen them on Jennifer Lopez just a few days earlier (the pop diva wore hers with a black lace top and black ankle-strap pumps). What do both looks have in common? You'd think these celebs paid a fortune for such fashion-forward bottoms, but no, the stars' exact gaucho pants are just $24.90 at Forever21.com. Personally I prefer how Keke styled her pants with a boxy floral crop top and sexy yet understated D'Orsay pumps. Who do you think wore it better?


Get the look:
Forever 21 Gaucho Pants (exact match!) // ASOS Boxy Crop Top // JustFab 'Dionne' D'Orsay Pumps

While today's look for less lacks some of the bells and whistles we usually see on our favorite celebs, it's still worth taking notes from Emmy Rossum - after all, some situations call for classic style and polished picks. Plus, all these pieces - from the blue button-down to the lightweight trench - can be remixed with other items in your wardrobe. Call them closet staples - and you don't have to spend a small fortune to get them!


Shop the celebrity look for less:
Oasis Skinny Jeans // H&M Trenchcoat // Joe Fresh Shirt (also love this sleeveless blouse at Oasis) // Merona at Target Satchel // Payless Pumps


Photo credit: STPR / PRPhotos.com