Ah, summer. It should be a time to explore the season’s color palettes and prints. And while it's fun to dabble in bright hues, I soon return to my summer favorites: black and white. This pairing is timeless, classic, and an easy way to make a statement. Four ebony and ivory styles on my current must-have list:

The Black Dress
This one by Bop Basics is easy to pack, and can be slipped on at the beach or dressed up for dinner anywhere.

White Jeans
A fantastic-fitting pair of white jeans (like the J Brands pictured above) are indispensible this season.

Black Wedge Sandals
These wedge platforms by Jeffrey Campbell add ’40s flair to a chic, modern ensemble.

B+W Top
A sleeveless, shoulder-baring top in black or white (or both), like this one from Ella Moss, is more interesting than a simple tank.

--Lisa

A five-year ELLE veteran, Kyle Anderson’s passion for showing readers “the coolest new pieces available” is apparent in every issue. “Accessories are like works of art,” he says. “Every day I find jewelry and accessories that are so special and so unique, they could be framed.”

Today, Kyle picks a few of his leopard-print favorites.

Giuseppe Zanotti Sculpted Platform Wedge Booties (pictured)
This bootie is one of my favorite shoes of the season. Giuseppe was the first to come out with this shape in pre-fall, and I loved it right away.

Kenneth Jay Lane Leopard Print Hoops
Something a little more subtle, these are great for a first-time animal print wearer.

Only Hearts Leopard Bralette & Ruched Hipster (pictured)
A little leopard secret, for when you only want you and someone special to know you’re wearing the print.

Alice + Olivia Chrissy Faux Fur Jacket (pictured)
An amazingly cool option for those who don’t want to wear real fur or haircalf. This is one of the best takes on faux fur I’ve seen.

Joe’s Jeans Nadege Beatle Flat Booties
A downtown-cool take on leopard, these men’s-inspired boots are great with skirts or jeans—easy to wear and a casual look.

Torn by Ronny Kobo Alice Fuzzy Leopard Dress (pictured)
Super sexy for the courageous girl on a hot summer night!

Elegantly Waisted Addison Belt
A simple way to make a classic little black dress feel fresh.

Alexander Wang Cher Large Siamese Clutch (pictured)
One of my favorite clutches we featured in ELLE this season. It’s not too small, so you can actually put everything you need for a night out in it.

--Kyle Anderson
ELLE Senior Accessories Editor

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My New Year’s resolution for 2010 was to learn to wear red lipstick. It took a while–but I finally got the hang of it!

Flush with the success of pushing my fashion boundaries, I’m looking for new ways to branch out. To this end, I’m embracing everything body-conscious, bold, and blingy. My recent favorites:

(1) This Pleasure Doing Business dress is both sultry and sweet. The sweetheart neckline and just-right length balance out the skin-tight fit and bold zipper. Pleasure Doing Business – Sweetheart Dress

(2) A statement handbag is a fashion must. This bold and beautiful example from Rebecca Minkoff is edgy but functional. The alligator texture is right on trend, and the purple hue stands out in a crowd. Rebecca Minkoff – Alligator Impression Nikki Hobo

(3) These Rock and Republic beauties wed every girl’s two great loves: bling and shoes. The classic silhouette and the bold rhinestones are sophisticated but just a little outrageous. Rock and Republic – Nikki Platform Pumps with Crystals

--Rebecca

Is there anything more rad than a jean jacket? No other outerwear highlights the wearer’s femininity while hinting at her dangerous streak. Like a rattle in the desert, a jean jacket warns that only the adventurous need travel further. This chick is just as comfortable meeting the band as she is meeting the parents. She may order a can of Pabst or a bottle of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a taxi or a town car.

Current/Elliott’s Snap Jacket offers James Dean’s cool and Natalie Wood’s passion. Traditionally rebellious, this jacket is perfect for breaking curfew. True Religion’s Leah Vest is just as distressing (to uptight authority figures) as it is distressed. And the impossibly chic and incorrigible can graduate to an AG Jeans white denim jacket. This classically cool cut offers a clean and crisp option perfect for coupling with your favorite pair of jeans.

--Jason

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Booties are brilliant for transitioning effortlessly from the height of summer to the depths of winter (with creative styling and the occasional help of socks, of course). A few that might become my next It shoe:

(1) The perfect slouchy bootie, courtesy of Maison Martin Margiela. (And they’re even more avant-garde in envy-inducing green and vibrant teal.) Maison Martin Margiela – Printed Python Slouch Booties

(2) L.A.M.B. shoes are always sexy, and these high-heel booties don’t disappoint. The cutouts will help keep me cool now and show off patterned tights come fall. L.A.M.B. – Quintessa Twist Booties

(3) An open toe and a hint of cork give these Pedro Garcias an unexpected summery slant. Pedro Garcia – Chenoa Suede Platform Booties

--Tonya

Wimbledon’s underway, and this year already promises to be a historic one with its eleven-hour match and visit from the Queen. John Isner’s marathon win was remarkable, but let’s turn our focus to the fashion, shall we?

Anna Wintour’s favorite sport is a fount of style inspiration, refined preppy at its best, and though this most famous tourney is staged in merry old England, the season’s Americana trend fits right in with its Breton stripes and neutral accents. Thakoon has court-worthy mini frocks with flounced skirts—one in black and white stripes, the other in sporty sweatshirt material with nude trim, each perfectly polished yet flirty. And then there’s white, Wimbledon’s official color. White dresses are summer staples, and this airy, tiered one by L.A.M.B. is reminiscent of one worn (and designed) by Venus Williams earlier this week.

But the inspiration doesn’t have to end when the strawberries and cream and Pimm’s spritzers run dry. Fall runways featured a bevy of pleated miniskirts, tweed and wool styles with a decidedly tennis-prep feel.

--Amie
Shopbop

Twitter. Like Facebook, What’s New, and Bloglovin’, we check it obsessively. And, admittedly, we have a few favorites on our follow list. We’ve decided to pick those favorites’ fashionable brains and ask them to pick a few of their Shopbop faves every Friday in our own version of #FF. This week: co-founder of Who What Wear Katherine Power.

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Twitter Name: @katherinepower

Real Name: Katherine Power

Occupation: Creative Director at Who What Wear

Favorite Designer(s): Phoebe Philo, Isabel Marant, Jenni Kayne, Nicolas Ghesquière, Riccardo Tisci, and Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez.

Last Purchase: A pair of suede Maje booties and a pair of Joe’s Jeans wooden platforms (same day!).

Why do you tweet? For work, to give our readers insight into what I do all day.

When you’re not tweeting you’re: Working, all day, every day…

About Katherine’s Picks:
(1) This army green Elizabeth and James short suit is the perfect summer work outfit. Elizabeth and James - James Blazer & Summer Dhoti Shorts

(2) I am hardly ever without a leather jacket, and this one is a nice option for the warmer months. I love the rich brown color as well as the mesh insets on the sides. BARLOW - Leather Moto Jacket

(3) I recently wore these boots for a photo shoot in Cosmopolitan magazine and had such a hard time taking them off. I need them in my life ASAP! Giuseppe Zanotti - Lace Up Suede Booties

From Gossip Girl to Bonnaroo’s fashionable festival-goers, headbands are having a moment. Though the accessory seems intimidating (I wear my hair down and unadorned every day), irresistible versions by Deepa Gurnani, Juicy Couture, and Eugenia Kim have me determined to try the look. So I asked Shopbop stylist Amanda for a couple tips.

Tonya: I haven’t worn a headband since high school. How can I style one so it doesn’t look too cutesy?
Amanda: To add sophistication to your look, start by putting your hair in a high or low bun. Next, mess your hair up a bit–cruise with your window down or stand in front of a fan–whatever you have to do so it’s not too perfect looking! Final step, put your headband on! You’ll be sure to achieve a chic, but never elementary, look.

T: Wearing a headband around the front of the head, hippie-style, seems to be a staple of music festival fashion this summer. How can you pull them off outside of Coachella?
A: It’s easy to achieve the music festival look, even in the city. Adding a headband will add a breath of au natural, bohemian embellishment to your look, without trying too hard. Simply find a headband style you love and toss it on last thing before stepping out (hair up or down!). Whether to the office or dining a deux, it’ll be the perfect juxtaposition–exactly what you find at the festivals.

--Tonya

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On Saturday I hop a plane for a little adventure in Peru, and if all goes well, I’ll have nothing but my travel companion and a carry-on with me. That makes for some tight packing, and going over my checklist this week, I’ve found I’m coming up short in a couple areas. A few add-ons that will complete my essentials:

(1) I picked up a lightweight jersey Splendid cardigan at the beginning of the week, but after checking the weather and seeing highs of only 71 degrees, I’ll need another long-sleeve option. This Free People sweater will do the trick. Free People - Carillon Solid Sweater

(2) Scarves are miracle workers when it comes to layering. I already have one from Madewell packed, and I’ll add this one by Love Quotes for a refreshing pop of color. Love Quotes - Hand Knotted Tassel Scarf

(3) The perfect pair for the plane, these Marc Jacobs leggings will keep me comfy on the flight and work as PJ bottoms when we land. Marc by Marc Jacobs - Heather Jersey Leggings

--Amie

Summer’s here. It’s the season of Havaianas and straw hats, farmers markets and music festivals. Need something casual-cool to wear to an outdoor event? Here’s some of the breezy, boho best of Free People:

Mini Dresses
Hot weather calls for a carefree look, and there’s nothing more fitting than effortlessly polished Free People dresses. Dress them up with Jeffery Campbell platform sandals or down with a menswear cardigan and some flat ankle-cuff sandals.

Tunic Tops & Cutoff Shorts
Pretty details and bold textures set Free People’s tunics apart. My current favorites: the Grecian Gauze Tunic and the Snap Out of It Tunic. They’re summery perfection paired with deconstructed William Rast cutoffs.

Something Shiny
A sequined dress or a lace skirt I don’t have to dry clean? Sold. Easy-care pieces like the Sequin Mesh Slip Dress and the Petticoat Lace Skirt prove that Free People has everyday luxury down to a science.

--Rebecca