Many of those airy, floaty summer styles can make a petite woman look as if she is drowning in fabric. Capri pants turn into awkward-looking ankle-length pants on those of us who are 5-feet-4 or shorter. The solution? Shop the petite section. Both Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor LOFT have wonderful summer offerings on sale, with discounts up to 70 percent. This sleeveless mesh medallion print top with scoop neck and shirred bodice ($44, pictured) matches up nicely with the dark Lindsay denim slim-leg Capris ($68; pictured). This cotton lattice yolk dress is a charmer with its cut-out neckline, pintuck detailing and cap sleeves ($50). Ann Taylor LOFT’s empire sheath dress ($59) is a chic cotton ethnic print, perfect for those summer parties. For a glamorous evening, look no farther than eDressMe, for wow-factor Nicole Miller styles in form-fitting black satin ($330) or shimmering aqua satin ($420). Lord & Taylor caters to petites and puts fun into summer with the bold palette of the Ralph Lauren Leei skirt with a flirty flared hem ($139). The Ralph Lauren bootcut jean is a fun twist on typical denim with a screenprinted floral design ($119).

Thank goodness for the Web. How else would you be able to score handmade home goods from around the world? (Unless of course you’re going to pull a Phileas Fogg?) Enter Poppytalk Handmade, an online “street market” showcasing handmade goods from artisans worldwide. The key differentiator from other craft sites like Etsy.com is that Poppytalk Handmade features a monthly theme. July’s market is themed “Home Sweet Home!” and features goods to make a house a home. August’s theme is “School Days!” appropriately enough. Much like an antiques emporium, the site features a limited number of screened “sellers,” who rent their space by the month. We were drawn to artist Michelle Brusegaard’s unique take on formalwear, which includes striking, signed digital prints of gowns hanging on clotheslines ($15 each). Also nifty: Domestic Construction’s pendant lighting made entirely of tea cups ($58). Beehive Kitchenware’s bird measuring spoons ($88; pictured) and other kitchen goods are the antithesis of standard issue culinary wares. The same can be said for Flappergirl Creations’ sexy aprons and coffee cup cozys ($28, $12).

Skulls aren’t just for bikers and pirates anymore. If you thought skulls and crossbones were morbid, menacing, or just plain silly, it’s time to bone up on your fashion sense. Anyone with a pulse has to have noticed the proliferation of skeleton craniums on everything from aprons ($30) and maternity skirts ($70) to this pink skull T-shirt dress ($21) for toddlers. Skulls are about as hip as you can get, as evidenced by these Christian Audigier Charmed Skull men’s board shorts in black ($128) or these Juicy Couture men’s skull-print board shorts ($78). Girls like empty heads, too. Check out this black and white sundress (on sale for $37) or this pink bandanna halter dress ($59; pictured). Both would look mordantly good with a pair of flip skull sandals ($23). For boys, a pair of Vans Ferris skulls skate shoes ($45) might revive a fading fashion reputation. Skulls can even be cute, as on this pink skull denim handbag ($29) and this sterling silver skull and crossbones bracelet ($68). The trend is more than a bit of skullduggery. It appears to be serious business.

With the Olympics only two weeks away (Aug. 8 to 24, in Beijing), the world’s focus is on American swimmer Michael Phelps, who won six gold medals and two bronze medals during his last Olympic outing in Athens in 2004. For all things Phelps to show your support, SpeedoUSA is the place to start. While in Beijing, the Phelps and the rest of the American swim team will be wearing the Speedo LZR Racer Bodyskin (pictured), billed as the world’s fastest swimsuit — since its release in February, swimmers wearing these form-fitting suits have set nearly 40 world records. The LZR Racer can be pre-ordered for October delivery ($550). The Speed Socket goggles are like the ones Phelps wore in Athens; they have shatter-resistant polycarbonate lenses with UV protection ($25). A Michael Phelps silhouette T-shirt ($24) has an image of Phelps on the back, along with his signature, and the Speedo USA logo on the front. Zazzle sells a grey and blue “Team Phelps” T-shirt ($21) with a more basic design. Put up this “Michael Phelps One More Time” poster with a striking photo of Phelps underwater ($10). Get a look at Phelps’ rivalry with fellow swimmer Ian Crocker in the DVD Unfiltered ($20) or improve your technique with the instructional DVD Personal Best: Butterly Instructional DVD with Phelps and his longtime coach Bob Bowman ($35). For the full story on Phelps, check out his autobiography, Michael Phelps: Beneath the Surface, ($16.50), which he wrote with Sports Illustrated writer Brian Cazeneuve.

Whether McCain’s your man or Obama’s the one, cast your vote for fun this election season with a variety of playful politically themed goodies. Beauty buffs will love Stila cosmetics’ bold new lip color called Rock the Vote Red ($17); 25 percent of the proceeds will be donated to Rock the Vote. Your dog can’t vote, but that doesn’t mean Fido can’t be politically active. If Spot more closely identifies with elephants, you might pick up the Republican dog leash at H. Doodle ($14). If donkeys are more his/her thing, try the Democrat dog collar ($12). Or if your pooch’s political leanings are middle of the road, select from a variety of canine Rock the Vote T-shirts ($14; pictured). Who says there’s no place for politics in the bedroom or bathroom? Pick up a pair of thong panties emblazoned with “Vote” ($8). Guys can join the fun with “Wake Up and Vote” boxer shorts ($21). Your newborn can even get into the swing of things with a W.W.O.D. (What Would Obama Do?) onesie ($30) or the more straightforward McCain blocks onesie at the official McCain store ($15). Democrats will love watching red states turn blue when the fill up the “I Have a Dream 2008” mug ($13). For Republicans, the “Make My Day 2008” mug turns blue states red ($12) . Sure to be a collectible is the Obama “Yes, We Can” opener ($5). Designer Helen Ficalora’s sterling-silver “Vote” charm at Shopbop.com is only half an inch wide, but we think it speaks volumes ($55). Need help sparking a “lively” political discussion at your next dinner party? The Political Topics To-Go card set includes 40 cards with topical questions like “Whose opinion do you value when deciding how to vote?” ($10).

Holy credit card, Batman! The Dark Knight sure does make you want to shop. The film, starring Christian Bale and Heath Ledger, scored the biggest opening in Hollywood history with $155 million. And while you may have already spent $10 on a movie ticket, there are superhero-sized amounts of Batman-inspired goods to keep the spirit of the movie alive. The official Warner Brothers Batman Store is a good place to begin. The general consensus is that Ledger steals the show as the Joker, so no doubt the black Joker T-shirt ($20) or the white “Why so serious?” Joker T ($20) is a good addition to any collection. A lunchbox with a Batman emblem is the perfect accessory for back to school ($14), while The Dark Knight limited-edition Batman bust ($66) or Joker statue ($165; pictured) could adorn the mantle of any comic-loving fan . At Target.com, fans can purchase The Dark Knight, a book featuring character sketches, director Christopher Nolan’s original shooting script and personal behind-the-scenes material created during filming ($27). Buzz is already growing for a possible Oscar nomination for the film’s music; pick up the movie’s soundtrack at Amazon ($13). Kmart offers fun Batman decor for youngsters. The Warner Brothers Batman rough bat valance ($12) goes perfectly with the Batman dark bat comforter ($25). Sweet superhero dreams!

Harajuku is Tokyo’s trend-setting style district, where hundreds of teenagers dressed in elaborate anime-inspired and avant-garde fashions congregate. They’re often photographed by tourists and featured in fashion magazines. So it’s no surprise that pop fashion icon Gwen Stefani has launched the Harajuku Lovers line of accessories and stationery (at the World of Harajuku, we’re told, “Let the Cuteness Begin!”). A little background on the name: Stefani’s four Japanese backup dancers are known as the Harajuku Girls, which is also a name of a song on Stefani’s album Love. Angel. Music. Baby. (and Love, Angel, Music and Baby just happen to be the nicknames of the four dancers). The Harajuku Lovers Candy tote sets the tone with its cheerful cartoon drawings of the Harajuku Girls ($68). The Gwen striped tee ($42) is a bright look for girls while the Yummy Cones tee is a whimsical look for women, with four ice cream cones on the front and “Don’t Get Twisted” on the back ($44). Teens will be all about the Faders Kanji tube ($48), a red fleece take on the tube top but with side pockets. It’s always Harajuku time with the pink striped Twisted watch ($75). Coming this fall to Macys is the Harajuku Lovers fragrances. Each of the five scents — Love, Lil Angel, Music, Baby and G — comes in a bottle made up of a glass base and a doll stopper (pictured). Four of the dolls are styled to resemble the Harajuku Girls and the fifth one is meant to look like Stefani herself ($45).

You wouldn’t know it from walking around most city streets, but this was supposed to be the summer that boys and men embraced pink, freeing them at last from its ability to raise questions about their masculinity. Pink has long existed as a “safe” choice for classic polo shirts from Lacoste and Ralph Lauren, but we wanted to know what else a guy could buy in proud, prowess-strutting pink. It turns out that “fuchsia,” the shade also known as magenta or hot pink, is the real trend for men young and old. The bright bomber jacket (pictured), for instance, is a highlight of the Dior 2009 spring-summer collection. A lot of teens are into skate apparel like the Foursquare Woods fuchsia/purple striped short sleeve T-shirt ($14) at Tactics. From Quiksilver, we discovered the warpaint tee ($20). And at Emage Network, there’s the silky acrylic Rosa scarf ($24.57), the brightest of the three. Getting back to polo shirts, at Jos. A. Bank the bright pink David Leadbetter polo ($29; reduced from $89) is anything but traditional. And when the weather changes, the trend can continue with the fuchsia merino wool crewneck sweater from Bluefly ($75). For men of means, there are exquisite dress shirts from Etro ($302) and from Thomas Pink ($180). If accessories are needed to match, there’s a sparkly pair of fuchsia pavé ball cufflinks at UK retailer KJ Beckett ($179), a boys’ plain fuchsia tie from TieWarehouse ($25) and a debonair fedora from Bailey of Hollywood ($52).