7 Tips For a Head-Turning Beach or Island Style

Summer is here. Whether you dress up in fashion jeans or full figured clothes, there is always more than one way to make a sharp fashion statement and be in your element.

Here are seven suggestions:

1) Build on basics. Vibrant colors and eye-catching islands wear is cool but don't forget the pastels and clean white shirts and shorts that go with everything. Establish a baseline of cool grays, whites and blacks and then garnish it up with accessories and colors. A denim skirt or a skort, for example, would be such a "foundation piece" that you can build up or down by adding appropriate tops.

2) Choose cotton, especially organic cotton. Why? Because it breathes well, keeps you cool with easy unimpeded air circulation. Organic cotton is not treated with fungicides or pesticides and thus does not present a health risk. No chlorine beaching is used to whiten organic cotton. That's why it not only looks good and natural but it's safe too.

3) Avoid plastic accessories and flip-flops not only because they reflect the heat and sometimes smell but they look (let's face it) cheap too. Summer time is perfect for open-toed sandals. So get yourself a pair of good quality leather sandals to create the appropriate first image. It goes well with both women's and men's island and beach clothing. Especially in vogue are sandals with straps for that "Roman look."

4) Stick to classic lines and colors with your swimsuit. If you have a model's or body builder's lines you can go for some flair and extravagance. But if your body shape is less than ideal, stay away from bikinis and brightly colored shorts.

5) Avoid risky or stale statements like short-shorts (for women) and vests (for men). Try to refrain from wearing dark sunglasses indoors (although they are a must outdoors). Save your heavy makeup for cold winter days and indoors, not for the beach or the deck.

6) Women can try berets and headscarves. They have a high head-turner quotient and work great to offer an attractive solution to the problem of unruly or unwashed hair. Especially if you spend a lot of time on a windy beach or island resort, have a colorful silk headscarf handy for all kinds of fashion emergencies.

7) Go easy with fragrance. Heavy perfume is more of a winter and indoors idea. Use plenty suntan lotion and moisturizing cream to protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun. A healthy suntan is the best fashion accessory you can have in summertime.

To see great samples of summer and winter styles, visit Island Issue, a fresh, relaxed clothing and accessory line that is versatile, easily packable and ideal for the stylish traveler.