RED (WHITE & BLUE) ALL ABOUT IT!

AHOY, DARLINGS!

With the Memorial Day weekend nearly upon us, we are FINALLY able to bust out all of our preppiest, yachtiest looks.

Nothing says sexy sailor, on or off the boat, more than red and white wardrobe pairings. Toss in a little navy for fun, if you like. But please refrain from literally nautical nods, such as large anchors emblazoned all over your attire (though oceanographic hosiery a la Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture is acceptable - see detail photo at right of jellyfish-adorned legwear, courtesy style.com).

We’ll start from the ideal underpinnings and sail on from there: try this Lisa Curran mod striped bandeau bikini (at top left), available at shopbop.com with free ground shipping, always!

Or, even more naughty-cal, sport a Jessica Simpson striped halter top and denim cheeky boyshort bikini (at right), currently on sale at victoriassecret.com!

Layer on top: a playful sundress! Try either of these two amazing red and white dresses at left from Ron Herman’s L.A. Boutique: Ella Moss pleated stripe dress (top) or Jill Stuart Robin floral print frock (bottom). Go to ronherman.com. Alternatively, don this Juicy Couture scallop dress, with adorable self-belt, available at shopbop.com.

Stow your Ray-Bans, Bain de Soleil and MAC SPF lipgloss in this delectable Foley + Corrina patent and canvas mini city tote (at right), a style recently popularized by Gossip Girl. Go to shopbop.com.

No matter what, you MUST have a seasonally appropriate wrap, like this Brooks Brothers red and navy linen scarf (at lower left), for purchase at brooksbrothers.com. So chic!

Now you are truly seaworthy!

BEACHY GREEN

EMERALD ISLE

There’s something peculiarly pretty about wearing verdant volumes on the veranda!

First thing in the morn, when you part the curtains at your beach house and see that the sun’s a shining, don your fabulous Milly green paisley print bikini (upper left, at shopbop.com) and a sassy cover-up. See CoutureCarrie's April 21st It Takes Tunic to Tango post for ideas, or try this inexpensive Echo seaside stripe caftan.

Toss your towel and your No-Ad sunscreen into this adorable Echo Spectator Diamond Beach Bag (right, at echodesigns.com).

Lounge all day under a chic beach umbrella like this exotic leaf (at left, from shadeusa.com).

Or prance down the beach with a purpose by flying an

amazing L.L. Bean Prism Box Kite (in citrus at right, courtesy llbean.com).

For the cabana or the club, these Delia*s rugby stripe bangles are chic and utterly affordable. You can buy the set of three pictured at right at delias.com for a mere twelve dollars; talk about saving some green!

Once you’re back at your spectacular Hamptons manse, sipping muddled mint mojitos on the teak deck, keep the kelly coming!

Depending on the tenor of the gala, you may have the good fortune to don this extraordinary Diane von Furstenberg washed silk strapless maxi dress, as sumptuously comfortable as it is glamorous (at bloomingdales.com).

For a more "shrimp on the bar-b" vibe, pair these sexy grass-hued Rich & Skinny Sleek jeans with an alluring off-the-shoulder top or even a simple white Helmut Lang tank (pants at shopbop.com).

And what summer wardrobe would be complete without the perfect pair of practical yet gobstoppingly glamorous sandals? Go green by sporting these Jimmy Choo Aspen flats. After all, stilettos are splendid, but they have a nasty habit of getting caught between the slats of the wood deck – and the ship captain gets mightily annoyed when you try to wear them on the yacht, as they tend to scuff the finish . . .