Ahhh summer! Once the last paper has been submitted, the last scantron bubbled in, and the last class attended, the drinks and celebrations become as free-flowing as Niagara Falls. But, after the hangovers subside, and the feelings of freedom set in, this aforementioned “summer fever” is quickly replaced with a sense of panic and wonderment of what one is going to fill their “dog days” with (besides the obvious of pool lounging, BBQs, and patios).

Working a 9-5 office job is an acceptable move if you're looking for something within your career field of choice, but personally, summer jobs, in my view, were meant to be fun; school is draining, we all need a break! This is not to say your summer job shouldn't be taken seriously or that you should solely look for mindless work. Rather, to me, it's about finding the balance of something that pays the bills, but still allows me to enjoy my summer fun.

With a diploma in fashion merchandising, my motives for summertime work have typically been fuelled by the alluring call of hot nights spent in Fendi sandals, and Elizabeth and James breezy tanks. Sadly, most of my summer jobs have yet to pay up enough for me to whip out the Visa and browse through couture, but a girl can dream. Despite not having a private account at Holts, a summer job can be a fashion statement in itself. If it doesn't pay enough to splurge on the cruise collection, it doesn't mean you still can't look good earning your pretty pennies.

Lifeguarding
Stylish way number one to earn cash this summer? Lifeguarding. But be rest assured, not all lifeguard jobs are glamorous. The way to score top marks in fashion while watching over the pool is to gain employment at a private membersonly sports club. Tennis clubs are preferable as this is the summer sport most fashion houses design for (Chanel tennis racket, anyone?). Moreover, tennis is the favoured game among the fashion elite (Anna Wintour and Karl Lagerfeld are allegedly huge fans).


Any private tennis club will likely have a dazzling and immaculate pool, filled with “chi chi” club members keeping up their golden tans achieved from lounging on their yachts in St. Tropez. Cue fashionable summer job.

Lifeguarding ensures a lovely tan (easily passable as a Cote D'Azur glow), and with Lancôme, Dior and Guerlain making available their signature balms and lotions in SPF formulas, there is hardly a lack of luxury when slathering on your sun protection. Lastly, with athletic-looking gear still a major trend, many designers have presented sporty looks this season. This means that snatching up those Stella McCartney by Adidas shorts or that Gucci bikini that is as functional as it is fashionable.

Cocktail Waitressing
Do you live in or near Toronto, or any lake for that matter? If you're familiar with lakeside living, then you are surely familiar with the fine dining establishments that accompany bodies of water. Even if the view of Lake Ontario isn't quite comparable to the Mediterranean, it's the best we've got.

Seafood, Italian or more “lounge-y” shore-side restaurants are often the “toast of the town” for the summer season. Score a cocktail waitressing or bartending gig at one, and you may just smooth talk your way onto someone's private yacht.

Dressing the part is a major component of the equation, and even if there is a uniform, you can liven it up to stand out fashionably from the rest. Although heels are suicide for your perfectly pedicured feet while serving, cute shoes do not have to be ruled out altogether.

Sam Edelman and Dolce Vita both make super stylish and comfortable sandals along with flats, within budget-friendly price tags, that enable you to switch it up. So, if that Cosmo splashes onto your shoes, you can shrug it off and keep your cool.

Camp Counselling
My initial thoughts when it came to summer camp counselling positions was that they would be all arts, crafts, s'mores and canoeing. While these activities are definitely on the agenda, surprisingly, depending upon which camp you are employed at, so is dressing well.

Some snobby camps in Muskoka and many, many camps in wealthier neighbourhoods in the States practically require a pair of Prada sunglasses, along with your J-1 working visa. Take a camp in Malibu, for example: with campers paying more for their two week session than Fanshawe's yearly tuition, you have to imagine that looking the part of a professional caregiver is of the utmost importance. This, in Malibu terms, means having the latest from Fred Segal and Intermix boutique. Just because you're wearing casual denim cut-off shorts and a tee doesn't mean you can do it sloppily.

Alexander Wang makes a great line of tees appropriate for the “pretentious dressing yet relaxedvibe environment,” and you can wear them all fret-free. Smudging and ripping t-shirts is “en vogue” thanks to Balenciaga's and Proenza Schouler's shredded grunge look. The best part of working at a summer camp in Malibu? The days off! In your spare time, you can shop ‘til you drop, and buy all the fashionable threads your suitcase can fit.