Brazil has become a force to be reckoned with in the fashion industry over the past few years. The Oi Fashion Rocks show that took place in Rio de Janeiro last October had everyone atwitter (drawing a crowd of 5,000 and Big Name designers like Givenchy and Marc Jacobs) — and let’s not forget that Brazil is where Gisele Bundchen and Alessandra Ambrosio hang their hats. But even without the recent buzz, Brazil and its fashions have always been affiliated with a certain vividness — a festiveness — and an open-armed joie de vivre. Let’s toast to that copacabana livelihood by throwing on some vibrant prints and downing a few caipirinhas!
We’ll begin by jet-setting down to the center of Brazilian culture and fashion: Rio de Janeiro. Embrace the national colors with this jolly green Tibi dress (on sale for $200, Net-A-Porter):
(Love the racerback — check it out.) Perfect for afternoon shopping or for throwing on over your itty-bitty bikini (we are, after all, in Brasilia):
The set above is by Tiger Lily ($149, Tiger Lily), and it’s skimpy enough to make Gisele proud. Add a pair of sporty-cool shades to the mix — you know I’m obsessed with Carreras, which come in a range of festive colors and ring in at around $125 a pop, but you can get the look for much less with this $10/a pop 80s Purple version ($10, 80s Purple):
(Also comes in sunny yellow, hot pink, and a few other electric-cool hues.) For daywear, pair a punchy little asymmetrical top (the one below is by comeback queen Halston Heritage — on sale for $171, Net-A-Porter):
Alternately, I might reach for this aptly named “Sao Paolo” maxi by Tibi ($398, Saks):
I think it’d look smashing with these David Aubrey coral baubles ($58, Kitson):
These yellow-stone sandals by Mystique would round out the look nicely ($150, Mystique):
Don’t forget your too-cool-for-school supermodel aviators (Carrera, $145, Kitson):
You’d look just as fetching pairing your skinny white jeans with this festival of a palm frond top by Milly ($213, Revolve Clothing):
Pair with these vibrant green wedges by Ralph Lauren ($375, Endless):
If that’s too much of a color commitment for you (how often do you wear green?), a crisp white or a hot pink would be solid options as well.
This brings us to our next point: if you’re enjoying the caipirinha I mentioned earlier (Brazil’s national cocktail! — made of cachaca, sugar, and lime), you might want to dress in refreshing green to match anyway!
Try this zesty Milly (on sale for $318, Net-A-Porter):
Love the beaded neckline. I’d pair with some of-the-moment white t-straps ($69, Steve Madden):
Evening out at the copacabana? I got you covered. How about this vacationista coral frock by Jets by Jessika Allen ($220, Net-A-Porter)?
Slip into some bold, festive footwear — these Louboutins ($509, Barneys) have been on my lust list forever, but I’m also crazy about these lace-up cha-cha-cha espadrilles in punchy geranium by Kate Spade ($225, Endless):
Alternately, inspired by the gold-adorned reinas of the carneval (a HUGE annual festival in Brazil before Easter), how about some glitzy gold shoes (below, $140, Ted Baker)?
Accent the shape of the silk flower with this precious gold ruffle cocktail ring ($55, ByBoe):
You can either wear a simple gold clutch (hard case might be best given the flowiness of your dress) or test out this splashy little thing ($78, Anthropologie):
Other evening wear options? I know it’s black-and-white, but something about this print is just so…BRASILIA! (Diane Von Furstenberg, $385, Net-A-Porter):
Add some punchy heels — these Ted Bakers are picture perfect ($95, Ted Baker):
I’d probably pair with a streamlined (don’t want to compete with the bold shoulder of the dress) yet statement-making long clutch ($195, Kate Spade):
Saude! (Cheers, in Portuguese!)