Easy breezy summer

The lazy days of summer apply to all things from June through August, when temperatures run high, leaving us prone to avoid any kind of exertion, including getting dressed in the morning.

For men, pulling on shorts and a T-shirt from the floor might be enough to get through the day. And women are always in search of easy one-and-done dresses that require no more fuss than pulling it over one’s head. The right dress can allow you to get out the door quickly for summer travels, a lunch date or simply running errands.

The new summer collection by local designer Roberta Oaks easily fits the bill. Her pieces include fun striped and polka dot dresses with shirred bodices and pockets for purse-free convenience. Prices run $118 to $145.

Pair them with flats and sandals by day for a casual, breezy look, or dress them up with nothing more than heels and pulled-up hair for a playful evening look.

Although the looks make every day feel like the weekend, they’ll work for you in an office environment, too, when paired with a summer jacket and serious accessories.

For the first time, Oaks is introducing floral prints for women, but her rationale for using the colorful prints lies beyond mere cuteness.

Oaks started as a women’s designer who often relied on solid colors. But now "my business has shifted so much to where it’s 50 percent menswear," she said. "It’s so crazy having a store because everything in it needs to be balanced, and I had so many prints on the men’s side.

"Now when I’m planning collections, I’m planning into the big picture. I have to find that delicate balance between print and color and solids. Now I think everything plays well off each other."

The Roberta Oaks boutique is at 19 N. Pauahi St. in downtown Honolulu; or shop online at www.robertaoaks.com. Call 428-1214.