This is Summer. Summer is about letting loose. It’s about sun-inspired style, coast-brightening colors, and the salty breeze blowing through your hair.

No RAs, TAs, or GPAs. No cafeteria food or 6 a.m. alarms. Summer’s about beach bonfires in your favorite shorts.

Warm days in surf stripes, tribal prints, and Ts.

No rules. No worries. Just road, waves, and freedom. This is Summer. Your Endless Summer. Live Your Life.

Shop the look:
AE Shine Open Stitch Tank
AE Paisley Corduroy Midi Short
AEO Embroidered Fringe Bag
AEO Studded Fringe Sandal

Plus, show us how you wear AE on Twitter & Instagram with #AEStyle for a chance to be featured on our blog!

One of the greatest things about summer is the freedom to go wherever and do whatever you want. But dressing for infinite possibility might seem impossible. Take it from us though – once you find your go-to swimsuit, the rest is easy.

Just like AE jeans, our collection of summer swimwear features a huge assortment of silhouettes and fits to match your style. Check out all of our sun-inspired and beach-ready styles and find your perfect fit. We love the AE Macrame Triangle Bikini for the classic shape and intricate crocheted design.

Beach to Boardwalk
To prep for a casual day in the sun, top off your swimsuit with trend-right Photo Real Tanks and the true essential of summer: the shortie.  Finish the look with metallic flip-flops and a bold embroidered backpack to help you stand out from the boardwalk crowd.

Stay cool in the summer heat with look #1

Get the look:
AE Beach Tank
AE Destroyed Festival Shorties
AEO Summer Flip-Flop
AEO Embroidered Backpack
AE Square Sunglasses

Beach to Pool Party
Even better than being at an awesome pool party? Being best dressed at an awesome pool party. Layering a simple tube or corset top over your swimsuit adds an unexpected element that will take your poolside look to the next level.  Balance things out with a flowy maxi skirt, boho accessories and dark shades.

Go bohemian with look #2

Get the look:
AE Sweetheart Copped Corset (similar)
AE Pleated Maxi Skirt (similar)
AEO Beaded T-Strap Sandal
AEO Beaded Floppy Hat
AEO Beaded Bracelet Set
AEO Oversized Sunglasses

Beach to Night Out

Dressing your swimsuit for a night out may actually be the easiest look of all. A simple striped sundress is both effortless and perfectly put together. Add a little shine with a classic necklace and metallic clutch, dress things up with strappy wedges and a boho printed scarf and VOILA! No one will ever know you came straight from the beach…

Go “Nauti-cool” with look #3

Get the look:
AE Knit Coverup (similar)
AEO Faux Snakeskin Clutch (similar)
AEO Strappy Wedge Sandal
AEO Wrap Watch
AEO Chain Necklace
AEO Printed Loop Scarf

How did you discover your passion for styling and fashion?
I’ve been creative for as long as I can remember. My start in the industry was creating window displays and working in Visual Merchandising. I really started to enjoy pulling looks, pairing items together, and working with color and textures. Oddly enough, dressing mannequins ended up not being so different from dressing models – except the models are a bit more talkative.

How did you get your start as a stylist?
I was working retail in Boston during college and was recruited by an executive for a large, American luxury brand. What seemed to be a simple interview turned into almost 10 years of creating, styling, and learning the business. After years in the visual merchandising world, I still found myself wanting to do more…. at the same time, a stylist role became available at the company, and the rest was history for me.

What’s the coolest place you’ve traveled for your job?
The last brand I worked with was a British heritage brand, so I was lucky enough to travel to London almost every month. As much as I fell in love with London and considered it my second home to NYC, I would say Paris was the best place to work. The dining and shopping were obviously incredible, but the people and style watching was amazing.

 Who or what has been the most important influence in your life?
My parents have been a huge influence in my life, teaching me the rewards of working hard and staying dedicated. I had my first job when I was 14 working at an apple orchard in Pennsylvania. Although it seemed like a horrible idea that my parents had back then, it really taught me the important of work/life balance.

What is your dream job?
I love styling, creating, and the overall business of my industry. One day I’d love to work on my own products, whatever they may be.

What is next on your ‘To Do In Life’ list?
More travel to Europe!

Where do you find your inspiration?
Living in New York inspires me. I really take note of what people are wearing, from downtown kids to the uptown set – it’s all important.  Of course the shows and trend reports are always important, but I like to take inspiration from the city itself.

Preston on the streets of NYC.

How would you describe your style?
I grew up on the East Coast, living in Philadelphia, Boston & New York, so I’ve always been a pretty preppy guy. I like to mix my love for classic American dressing with some cooler, more trend driven elements.

How does your work influence your style?
Work & my style are one in the same for me. Working on different shoots, brands, locations, and trends always tend to influence the way I dress. The AE crew was making fun of me in Mexico during our summer shoot – I flew into town wearing chino shorts and a chambray shirt, and left wearing way too many neon bracelets, beaded necklaces and straw hats.

Preston took up the local style in Sayulita during our Summer 2013 photo shoot.

What trend are you most excited about this season?
For guys I’m still liking the interjection of camouflage into an everyday look. I think of it as kind of the  new leopard print for guys. Girls wear leopard bags, hats, jeans and shoes… we have camo.

What jean fit do you live in?
I’m liking the AE Destroyed Slim Straight Jeans. They’re slim without being too skinny and have just the right amount of wear & tear to give a cool, worn-in look.

What is your favorite look with jeans?
I like mixing textures: a ripped up jean with a more tailored suit jacket, or a clean selvedge jean with a vintage army coat.

Want to see more from Preston? Check back on Thursday for our first video in our Styled by Preston series. He’ll be taking your through all of the biggest trends for summer and how to wear them.

Follow Brianna
Twitter: @briannaniessner
Instagram: @briannaniessner

Check out Brianna’s Pinterest board to learn more about her and see her favorite AE styles.

Song: “Demon Dance” by Surfer Blood

Follow Davanna
Twitter: @davannaedwards
Instagram:@davannaedwards

Check out Davanna’s Pinterest board to learn more about her and see her favorite AE styles.

Song: “Weird Shapes” by Surfer Blood

Follow Elexa:
Twitter: @LouLaLex
Instagram: @LouLaLex

Check out Elexa’s Pinterest board to learn more about her and see her favorite AE styles.

Song: “Demon Dance” by Surfer Blood

Follow Zain
Twitter: @ZainAzaam
Instagram: @ZainAzam

Check out Zain’s Pinterest board to learn more about him and see his favorite AE styles.

Song: “Weird Shapes” by Surfer Blood

Follow Hannah
Twitter: @hannahisjolly
Instagram: @hannahjolly

Check out Hannah’s Pinterest board to learn more about her and see her favorite AE styles.

Song: “Say Yes To Me” by Surfer Blood