IN THE NAVY

YO (NO) SOY MARINERO . . .

The summer is officially upon us, and Couture Carrie simply can't hit the beach without providing her dear readers (who all surely toted their iPhones and blackberries to the pool today so they could stay abreast of fashion's goings-on . . . ) with some seasonal sustenance!

If you only take one lesson away from this prep school class, it should be the following: every girl must have in her repertoire an adorable navy boy blazer, like the one pictured at left, by AKA New York. Go to http://www.ronherman.com.

For the office, a conservative dark blue dress like David Szeto’s puff sleeve frock, for purchase at Barneys New York, could be paired with a fanciful pair of stockings, like the anchor-emblazoned hosiery donned by the runway models at Jean Paul Gaultier’s spring Couture show (detail photo at right via style.com)!

Universally flattering and a versatile day-to-night transitional piece is Proenza Schouler’s petticoat tank, pictured at right, and also at Ron Herman’s sassy Los Angeles boutique.

The best in blue for shoes? Of course, Manolo Blahnik! This cleverly perforated open-toe Gloria pump can be found at barneys.com.

Sonia Vera’s Canne striped string bikini (pictured at the top of today's Couture Carrie post, in signature Molly Brown mirror-image photographic style!) is the perfect way to wear the navy trend. Go to http://www.mollybrownsswimwear.com.

In conclusion, let us all take a cue from Gossip Girl’s Blair, played by the lovely Leighton Meester, by donning (ironically, please! i.e., paired with something outré and decidedly un-preppy!) this Stacey Lapidus crystal & chain headband. Visit http://staceylapidus.com.