Chic and Trendy spotlights linen, butter yellow and beach-ready looks for summer

Chic and Trendy owner Rana Mikal joined a Smile Jamaica summer style segment to highlight heat-friendly wardrobe picks, then helped outfit model Misha Gillespie for a spontaneous beach dinner date.

Mikal said shoppers should favour versatile, timeless pieces over short-lived trends. Linen sets, she noted, work well in Jamaica’s heat because the fabric breathes while still looking classic. She pointed to neutrals—browns, blacks, light blues and pastels—as easy to mix and match, and named flowing maxi dresses as a current favourite. Asked for the season’s colour, she chose butter yellow, describing it as soft yet flattering against the skin.

On the rack, the segment featured a breathable linen set with embellishment that lifts it beyond a basic look, including a plus-size option. Other pieces included earth-tone dresses with pockets and elastic at the back, a backless maxi style aimed at evening wear, stretchy staple pieces that can be layered with a jeans jacket, and a neck-tie work look with mid-length sleeves and a looser cut meant to stay comfortable when temperatures rise. An emerald green statement dress was flagged for weddings and dressy occasions, with emerald called out as a strong colour choice this season. Brunch, dinner and vacation looks were also shown, with some styles offered in black as well as blue. Mikal said the store also carries kaftan sets and workwear suited to summer.

Gillespie said she was dressing for a date and settled on dinner on the beach. The chosen look used a high-neck embellished dress, so the stylists skipped a necklace and instead paired chunky gold statement earrings chosen not to fight the dress, plus bangles and a white clutch. Heels were ruled out for sand; the finished look was barefoot for the beach setting.

Mikal said customers can find Chic and Trendy at Essential Plaza in Half Way Tree, the same plaza as Pinks and Pablo’s, and can ask in-store for Lisa, Nadine or Deja for help.