Get ready for summer with five essential dresses for everyday and vacation adventures.
Happy Weekend Friends!
It’s time for the weekend post with Kim and Elizabeth.
Our weekly roundup of inspiration and goings on.
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The sun’s shining and it definitely feels like spring.
If not summer.
Speaking of summer, it’s coming.
So are summer vacations.
My rolling rack is already collecting dresses
and other pieces I’ll be packing for our trip to Italy in June.
I know, boo hoo.
Without further ado, five essential dresses for your summer and summer vacation wardrobe …
QUINCE EUROPEAN LINEN SLEEVELESS SWING
My favorite summer dress find so far. It ticks all the boxes … and comes in several colors.
It’s easy to throw on … and shockingly affordable, I might buy a second color. Hard to decide but I’m learning toward the blue pinstripe.
I bought it in black and I’m wearing a small.
To mix it up I tied a chambray shirt around my waist. And a striped sweater over my shoulders with my very ancient Kate Spade woven clutch that I’ll never part with. I love this black raffia clutch and this two tone clutch too. I’m wearing black braided slides I bought last summer but are sold out. These crossovers sandals would look great.
BANANA REPUBLIC LINEN MIDI
The moment I saw this dress I knew I had to have it. And it’s a favorite purchase this year. I bought it with our Italian travels in mind, it’s going to be perfect for dinners out on warm Italian nights.
Do you love the back detail?!
This dress will for sure be a summer and vacation staple in my wardrobe for years to come. In addition to the fun giraffe print, it comes in a soft butter yellow and gorgeous coral. As you can see, Pippa and Maggie are riveted by my fashion show.
H&M SMOCKED OFF THE SHOULDER
This off the shoulder print dress was an impulse purchase and I’m glad I followed the impulse.
I love a flared skirt. My only complaint … I wish the dress had pockets. For the price I can’t really complain and I may see about having pockets added.
Can we just take a moment for my Vince Camuto Selaries slides? I bought them last summer and wear them constantly and with everything. They’re super comfortable with a block, kitten height heel. They’re sold out which is such a bummer. A couple similar options here, here, and here. Oh, and I found the black in a size 9 here.
JENNI KAYNE CLASSIC – SEERSUCKER SUMMER DRESS
This dress is a classic and I’ve been wearing it for years. The seersucker is so lightweight – the dress is lined – and it’s the best dress ever for hot summer days. And travel.
It also comes in a cotton/linen blend that I have in willow (khaki). It also comes in black, white, navy and a stripe. Even though these dresses are pricey I’ve worn them countless times over many years.
I pack it for just about every warm weather vacation. It went to Italy last summer and it will be in my suitcase again this year. Oh and I love these crossover sandals.
As mentioned, Jenni Kayne is on the pricey side, and this dress is a less expensive option. And, it has pockets and the straps are adjustable. I have it in black and it’s offered in at least 20 colors and prints. I’ve been wearing my Born Sunny Sandals constantly.
TALBOT ORGANIC COTTON GAUZE CAFTAN
This striped, gauze caftan recently caught my eye in Tablots window and I added it to my favorites tab. A lot of you liked it too so it definitely deserves a spot here. Perfect for a warm summer day at home, out and about (wine tasting in Italy?) or as a pool coverup. And it has pockets. Can you tell I love pockets?
I think this dress works really well with a nude sandal. And I love the loose three quarter length sleeve.
What makes an essential summer dress ~
I’m glad you asked. In my opinion, it’s lightweight and packable – not easily wrinkled. And versatile. By versatile I mean easily dressed up or dressed down and appropriate for anytime of day … with a few accessory switcheroos. If one dress can do double or triple duty while on vacation that makes it a summer wardrobe hero. And creates more space in your suitcase to pack more stuff or bring home new stuff.
A word about linen ~
Linen is the quintessential summer fabric and these days we’re more relaxed about embracing the wrinkles that come with it. I think linen travels well, with a quick touch up after unpacking. Do you travel with a steamer? I don’t, only because I haven’t found one that’s compact enough … and still gets the job done. A friend recently recommended this one. Most hotel rooms contain an iron or a steamer. If they don’t, a quick call to housekeeping will get one to your room in no time. Jim loves to iron and it’s the first thing he does after unpacking. Yep, he irons my stuff too.
So there you have it, five essential dresses for summer … and summer vacations.
Odds & Socks ~
Earlier this week I shared a few simple updates I made in our kitchen.
Shirt dresses are also wonderful for summer and Kim (here) and Cindy (here) styled them this week.
Hood Canal’s popular Limoncello candles are back … get them while you can!
Reminder that the May 4th Lafayette Lifestyle Tour tickets are on sale here.
What I wore on our Italian travels last summer.
More Favorite Summer Dresses & Accessories ~
And that’s what I have for you today.
Let’s visit Kim and Elizabeth to see what’s inspiring them.
If you missed last weekend’s post, you can catch up here.
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Cheers from Snowberry!
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