What to Wear if You're Mentally OOO

Because Italy is just a state of mind....

Is anybody else panic shopping for vacation or is that just me? I’m traveling tomorrow and can’t shake the belief that I need an entirely new wardrobe every time I leave the state. This inevitably leads to a prolonged fear of opening my bank app, a box fort in my apartment, and about 1000 things I don’t need, that don’t match, and I likely will never wear again.

SO!

Behold—a curated shopping list for summer, whether you’re hopping skipping & jumping to the Amalfi Coast or sipping martinis at Fanelli’s. Some of these things have been tried & tested, and the rest have been sitting in my cart for at least a week (a unit of measure that I use to determine whether or not I *really* love something). Regardless, they don’t fall into the category of impulse-purchase so I feel pretty good about it.

FOR DRESSING

Summer dresses are sneaky hard—I always struggle to find one that’s not so fancy that I can’t wear it around town but still nice enough that I can also wear it to dinner (the perfect vacation recipe). Someone recently dubbed me ‘dumpy dresser’ which I personally take as a compliment, but summer means it’s finally time to ditch the cargos and show some skin. I was particularly inspired by one of Laurel Pantin’s recent newsletters, the subject being: Looking Like a Hot B*tch: A Shopping List. So ladies, you heard her…it’s high time to look like a hot b*tch. I only own one of these* but want them all.

*Since publishing I actually now own 3 of these and I’m not even a little bit sorry about it

1. This dress has been spammed all over my social feeds so often that I almost didn’t give it the time of day but it really is the perfect summer dress. 2. I grew up in a ribbon closet household (IYKYK) so I’m a sucker for ric rac. 3. Do people still shop at Reformation? I can’t keep up these days but their linen is always a sure bet. 4. TRUST me on this dress. I own it in black and it’s so flattering that I might just need the white one too. 5. More Doen! All the Doen! We love Doen! 6. Love a mini, love a square neck, love a plaid—too much to love here I’m giddy just thinking about it. 7. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry but Abercrombie is back and better than ever. 8. Hot take: geometric prints can skew very basic very quickly but I actually like this one. 9. I don’t wear a lot of color (I’m working on it) but I love this red dress. The neckline is also perfect for a fun necklace. 10. I’d never heard of this brand before, but everything is hand made in Nigeria and absolutely gorgeous. 11. Rosie Assoulin is personally responsible for taking all my money and that’s not stopping any time soon.

FOR WALKING

Shoes are also HARD. I’m sensing a theme here. Unpopular opinion? I am pro-winter, especially in the shoe department. I hate (HATE) blisters and have a zero tolerance policy for uncomfortable shoes*, a trait likely passed down from my mother who has been wearing the same pair of loafers for the last six years. All of these babies seem equal parts comfy and cute and jazz up that plain white dress in an instant.

*this does not apply to Manolo Blahniks

1. I unfortunately am not able to wear more than a 2” heel due to a dumb fall that has left my right foot crippled but if I could I’d wear these. 2. Not all white flats are created equal as proved by this woven leather pair. 3. Bury me in these sandals. They are worth every penny. 4. Do I love them or hate them? I’ll probably never know but we love a good knock off of The Row. 5. Who wants to buy me these? 6. These are an easy way to add some oomph. 7. Cute!!!! 8. If you’re going on vacation you’re likely going to be doing a lot of walking and these loafers are blister-free. 9. I love raffia, loafers and the color black so there’s really nothing not to love here. 10. ALSO CUTE!!! 11. These are chic and seem like they’d be comfortable but also expensive so it’s really all about priorities at the end of the day. 12. Roger Vivier can do no wrong especially in regards to espadrilles.

FOR THE BEACH

While it hasn’t been hot as hell in Manhattan (yet), I’m sending out a silent prayer that all of you find yourselves on a boat or a beach at some point this summer. And if (when) you do, plz wear any and all of the below.

1 & 2. Lumping these together even though they are equally great as separates. 3. I am not 100% sure if I can pull off a bucket hat but if I decide to attempt it will be with this one. 4. Another terry cloth short…these are so fun to throw on with a simple tee or just a bathing suit and I bought them for myself. 5. The easiest little coverup from J. Crew (am I a J. Crew girl now?). 6. I’m a sucker for as tripe and this is yet another great beach-to-lunch option. 7. I will come clean and admit that I actually ordered this and returned it but I don’t love it any less—it comes with matching shorts and if you don’t have a whole lot going on up top then it’s absolutely perfect. 8. COS is good right now!!! 9.Nothing beats crochet in the summertime and this colorful stripe is an instant mood-booster. 10. I’m surprised I haven’t seen this anywhere as I think it’s FAB. Wear it to the beach or get a little cheeky and wear it out on the town. I support both. It also comes in white. 11. I repeat, am I a J. Crew girl now…? Half my suitcase is stripes or gingham so if the shoe fits…. 12. I can already hear my mom telling me I look like a child in this dress when she sees me in it on our family vacation. Sue me! Juvenile dressing is better than botox. 

FOR SEEING IN THE SUN

Don’t shoot the messenger but Celine is superior in regards to eyewear (and most things in general). If you tend to lose your sunnies, don’t buy them. If you’re responsible, do it. You’ll wear them every day. Price per wear is basically nothing for the summer so really it’s a no brainer.

1. I have these in black and they are so so so chic. I blame Lilly Sisto for making me cave. 2. I usually find Loewe sungasses extremely fun to look at but extremely hard to wear—these are an exception to the latter but definitely not the former. 3. I hadn’t heard of this brand before but seems like. good Celine or Oliver People’s dupe at half the cost, no? 4. I secured the tortoise version of these on the Outnet a few years ago and somehow have managed not to lose them. They’re perfect. 5. These are what I envision when I hear the term ‘hater blockers’. 6. The Celine sunnies in pink…… 7. Another Loewe pair that is working for me!! Might just pull the trigger on these bad boys. 8. I know these are technically on here twice but they are TIGER. 9. I actually haven’t seen the hexagon-ish shape before and I like it as a cross between a round and a square.

FOR SWIMMING

There’s nothing I like shopping for less than swimwear, but this season I’ve actually found some gems so I’m not that upset about it.

1. Gingham, gingham and more gingham. 2. La DoubleJ can be a sensory overload but their swimwear touches just the right amount of chaos. Bonus points because it’s reversible. 3. Nothing is sexier than a sexy one piece. 4. I almost didn’t put this one on here because I am (unapologetically) a gatekeeper but I was feeling generous. 5. I always find Mikoh’s swim to be the best quality—so comfy and well-made. I also love that their colors and prints come in different styles so there’s a little something for everyone. 6. I repeat, nothing is sexier than a sexy one piece and this one is the perfect combination of sexy and cute. 7. Baywatch meets sailor chic? Idk but it’s working. 8. Love this print, fun but easy to wear. 9. I’d never heard of this brand but they also have fun prints and I love the tie shoulders. 10. The Barbie movie has invaded my psyche and I might just need my first splash of bubblegum pink.

FOR WHEN I DECIDE TO CHECK A BAG

I’m about to go on a 12 day trip with a carry-on bag (pat me on the back please) but one day I will actually decide to check—and when I do, I will be throwing in the below assortment and then some.

1. Are you sensing a trend here? The perfect plaid bag for the beach. 2. I love how the girls are wearing their scarves as tops but that’s a risk I’m just not willing to take. The halter neck makes this one a safe bet. 3. Not so good with babydoll dresses but I’m more than okay with a babydoll top. 4. Another great beach bag…. 5. My dear friend and talented jewelry designer turns seaside treasures into wearable art and I cannot recommend her pieces enough. 6. I wanted the top version of this but it sold out. The dress is a close second. 7. Social media is a lie and so is this newsletter because I actually did pack this and plan to wear it as both a coverup and a top. Size down, it runs small. 8. Apparently Gap does Khaite better than Khaite does Khaite. 9. I find jewelry to be the easiest way to up your swimwear game and this would be gorgeous with any suit. 10. I’m always skeptical of tunics this length but think this would look great with short shorts and a low heel.