You know those fashion catalogues you get in the mail that you bring to the couch and become fixated on every last page you flip through? Well that’s how we feel whenever we see a new lookbook from womenswear label Rae Francis in our inboxes. The New York-based contemporary line does their thing for Summer 2013 by combining uptown and downtown looks to create a versatile collection no matter what borough you’re headed to.
For a truly colorful taste of summer, Rae Francis provides a selection of sophisticated tie-dye garments that are grown up and classy but bring back blissful memories of doing arts and crafts in decades past. The youthful pattern is available on a number of breezy, sheer white sheaths dyed with a serene pale olive, a stunning fuchsia, and a tranquil aquamarine blue. My personal favorite is the light and airy Hagen dress, which features a hand-dyed burst of pink on 100 percent silk chiffon. The sundress’s high-to-low silhouette is definitely something I could see myself wearing to a semi-casual cocktail party this summer.
Another element of this line that we love is its dark blue theme. In our favorite look, the model dons a silk navy tank tucked into a flowing white maxi dress. Both pieces are made of silk chiffon and with loose tailored fits, we could see these separates mixing and matching into a number of different summer ensembles.
Finally, it wouldn’t be a Rae Francis collection without a little “uptown” attitude to throw into this hybrid line. These white eyelet pants lend just the right amount of preppy to the city girl’s wardrobe. Ideal for a pool party or a weekend away in the Hamptons, these are a wardrobe statement piece that you can dress up or down with the blouse of your liking.