LE CATCH

For my trip to Sardinia next month, I'm looking to Italian stylist Giovanna Battaglia Englebert (above left and below) for what-to-pack inspiration. With flashy prints, long skirts, ruffled tops, and statement sunglasses, she has Mediterranean-glam nailed. Accordingly, I'd like to holiday in this punchy Dolce & Gabbana-inspired strapless frock, this ruffled Lisa Marie Fernandez swimsuit, this beach-to-street Stelen dress, this buttoned-up Pixie Market mini, this flouncy Reformation midi, this Rebecca Taylor wrap dress (and this fun print top!), this Altuzarra cherry-print skirt (on sale!) and these statement sunnies.

Photo: Giovanna Englebert

$128, banana republic

This day-to-night, sandal-to-stiletto LBD is poised to work overtime this summer.

1. Banana Republic one-shoulder dress, $128, bananarepublic.com
2. Stella McCartney sunglasses, $330, shopbop.com
3. Marc Jacobs Beauty Le Marc Lip Creme in Oh Miley, $30, netaporter.com
4. Perrin Paris bucket bag, $1495, modaoperandi.com
5. Attico sandals, $740, netaporter.com

In this Insta snap, French blogger Marta Cygan provides a lesson in effortlessly chic summer dressing--and, thankfully, it's easy to learn! All it takes are straightforward basics, along with a few unexpected elements thrown in! Let's start with the fundamentals: the perfectly fitting white tee, like this or this and cropped white jeans, such as these, these, or these. A structured basket bag (a summer must!), such as these by Lindroth Design, Nannacay, Muun, yields Parisian elan. For the unexpected touches that pull the look together, try a statement geometric earring like this or this. An holster-like vest kicks up the cool factor. Footwear that's classic with a twist punctuates (and at the same time updates) the outfit. I'm obsessed with the feminine suede mules, above, by The Row (also here), and I also covet these beauties from Balenciaga, Nine West, Topshop and Valentino (on sale!).

Photo: Marta Cygan

$49, h&m

The kind of blouse I'll reach for again and again. (P.S. The grommet-trimmed sleeve are so good!)

1. H&M eyelet blouse, $49, hm.com
2. Yvonne Leon palm tree earrings, $1550, kirnazabete.com
3. Gucci Sheer Lipstick in 670 Ladybird, $40, neimanmarcus.com
4. Clare V sisal tote bag, $285, shopbop.com
5. Marc Jacobs sandals, $227, shopbop.com
6. Mother cropped jeans, $200, netaporter.com

Last weekend's Veuve Cliquot polo match in New York provided excellent summer dress inspo, as evidenced in these snaps. (The HVN dress, above, can be found here, and the lace Storets, below, here.) I also love these sunshine-worthy frocks by The Reformation, Misa, Cynthia Rowley, Love Shack Fancy, and Self-Portrait.

Speaking of staples, I just spruced up my khakis game with these A.L.C. lace-up, cropped pants. They're perfectly stretchy (read: ultra comfy!) and amazingly flattering. I'll be breaking them in tomorrow on a 4th-grade field trip to Sacramento. Wish me luck!

Anyone looking to stock up on summer staples should immediately hit J.Crew's today-only 40% off sale. There are loads of desirables, including the tie-front shorts, above, this eyelet caftan, this off-the-shoulder ruffled dress, this embroidered linen blouse, these flattering white jeans, and this pom pom-trimmed linen sweater. Get the code here.

The Row's highly-coveted (and just about sold out!) satin bow slides have ushered in a slew of tempting derivatives, including the ones, above, by Mango, as well as these from J.Crew, Sam Edelman, Vince Camuto, and H&M.

Photo: Camille Charriere

$90, river island

It may be Monday, but I'm still in (stylish) Sunday picnic mode.

1. River Island gingham cut-out dress, $90, riverisland.com
2. RAEN x Alex Knost sunglasses, $150, nordstrom.com
3. Smith & Cult Lip Lacquer in The Warning, $22, netaporter.com
4. Giselle tote bag, $135, shopbop.com
5. Sophia Webster slides, $395, bergdorfgoodman.com

Leave it to H&M to dream up a super cute, sunny-hued beach blanket that includes a handy dandy carry strap. Love! Other great summer-ready, wallet-friendly finds: these H&M ruffled shorts, this J.O.A. eyelet top, this Mango lace dress, this Asos jumpsuit, and this English Factory striped, cuff-sleeve tee.