LE CATCH

$165, clare v

This pretty much sums up my summer vibe!

1. Cos linen dress, $135, cos.com

2. Gucci sunglasses, $545, mytheresa.com

3. Clare V tote bag, $165, clarev.com

4. Anine Bing sandals, $350, shopbop.com

$59, h&m

Looks like this summer is going to be filled with fringe benefits!

1. H&M fringed dress, $59, hm.com

2. Agmes earrings, $275, shopbop.com

3. Staud wicker bag, $350, shopbop.com

4. The Row sandals, $1050, harrods.com

Here’s the thing about a great summer dress: it’s effortless and elegant at the same time. A prime example is this ME +EM tulip-printed maxi with a smocked bodice and adjustable neckline (read: universally flattering). It whirls about on the weekend as easily as it works downtown. And there’s more where this beauty came from. ME + EM’s summer collection features the chic boucle cut-out midi (below), this frill-sleeved cotton mini dress, this gathered-sleeve dress, and this mint-fresh front-pleated dress. See me in mine on Insta! This post is in paid partnership with ME + EM.

My NYC-based friend and fellow Substacker Lilly Sisto just kicked off her summer in Europe and already she's radiating that distinctly opulent (and very enviable) Mediterranean-steeped glow. Barcelona, it seems, has her painting the town in red, above, specifically in this Derek Lam dress (I like this less expensive iteration here or in navy blue here) and these Reformation sandals. I'm so tempted to crash her vacay and bring on the Euro-summer aesthetic with this linen lace-up English Factory mini, this divine lace Zimmermann and this happy-print Rails! And for the beach club, the Anthropologie lace cover-up, below.

Everyone was shopping like crazy at Doen's just-opened store in Sag Harbor on Sunday--including my sister and me. We ferried armfuls of the LA-brand's signature florals and feminine dresses into a corner dressing room to try on. And immediately our caked-on salt and sand from the beach yielded to Doen's wow-inducing magic, specifically the floral slip dresses, above, the plunging halter dress (on me, right side, immediately below), the swingy dayflower-print V-neck, Coco's sheer puff-sleeve white dress that she pulled off the shoulder, my ruffle-trimmed blouse (which I already own in two other colors!), and Coco's square-neck lace-paneled dress. So many options!

$169, massimo dutti

Putting pedal to the metal with this sandal. The ankle strap is detachable.

1. ME + EM dress, $195, meandem.com

2. Bottega Veneta sunglasses, $485, mytheresa.com

3. Clare V beaded bracelet, $55, shopbop.com

4. Mercado Global tote bag, $98, shopbop.com

5. Massimo Dutti sandals, $169, massimodutti.com

These Miu Miu-spirited sandals from Free People ($98) just waltzed into my weekend plans! Along with this H&M ruffled dress (a total Khaite dupe!) and the jersey Ulla, below. Sauntering in by June: the red bow-trimmed (Prada-like) TKEES ($90), the fringed canvas Topshop tote, and the polka dot Mango corset top. Let's get summer started, shall we?

$250, shopbop

Hanging on to this jumble of jolly all summer long.

1. Toteme plisse camisole, $360, mytheresa.com

2. H&M striped skirt, $64, hm.com

3. Elizabeth Cole charm necklace, $250, shopbop.com

4. Loewe drawstring bag, $490, bergdorfgoodman.com

5. The Row sandals, $763*, modaoperandi.com

* Sandals are marked down by 30%, along with tons of other coveted summer styles at Moda!

There are lots of clothes in my closet that need the right moment: an evening out, a tropical getaway, or with my kids at home. Then there are others that just work all the time. My new favorite round-the-clock staples come from ALIGNE, a London-based, female-run brand that's cleverly focused on versatile yet statement-making silhouettes, all at accessible prices. Take the denim and cotton dress, above, that's both pulled-together yet downright easy, or the strapless linen top ($135), below, that will work with a pair of denim cut-off shorts or crisp linen trousers. The summer collection is currently teeming with take-me-anywhere options, such as the full denim skirt ($135), the pinstriped belted blazer ($269) and the denim mini dress ($145). See all for yourself right here!

My first call of the morning was with one of my oldest friends, whom I met on the diving board line at La Ronde Beach Club in Westhampton Beach when I was 10 years old. After firming up our plans in the Hamptons this weekend--a cocktail party and dinner in town on Friday night, afternoon beach hang on Saturday, and a local band show, consisting of more childhood friends on Sunday night--we moved on to attire. I informed her that I was packing the new and very fun Loulou Studio skirt, above, along with some tried-and-true pieces, like the print Alemais, below, now on sale. I also suggested she hit Net-a-Porter's Memorial Day Sale, for more summer-is-here looks, including this fringed Farm Rio, this unerringly chic Mara Hoffman, this stunning Zimmermann, and this very East Hampton-sleek Tove dress. Also worth checking out is My Theresa's 50% off sale here! Long holiday weekend, here we come!