striped straw

$9, h&m

This is one of those incredulous H&M pieces that cost nothing but look impressive. I actually have it in navy, but I think I like this one now even more, with its unexpected yet polished combo of striped straw and chain link!

anna october

Anna October's ruffled tops succinctly summarize my summer style! I especially love how they all turn heads, day and night. Check 'em out here.

sarong song

$140, topshop

This skirt goes from the office to the beach without breaking a sweat. And I love the chic Altuzarra-ish vibe!

1. Simon Miller tank top, $130, matchesfashion.com
2. Self Portrait x Le Specs sunglasses, $125, shopbop.com
3. GAS Bijoux bracelet, $156, shopbop.com
4. Cle de Peau in No. 10, $48, nordstrom.com
5. Lanvin clutch, $525, frwd.com
6. Tom Ford sandals, $1590, netaporter.com  

in sync

My twin sister flew to New York yesterday and as per usual called me upon arrival. Making up for the five and half hours of incommunicado airtime,  she rattled on about the photo shoots she'd be working on, how she'd hoped to spend her little downtime (running along the Hudson River, dinners out at Le Turtle with friends, etc.), and what she had packed. Because Coliena crisscrosses the country regularly (two or three times a month!), her carry-on always contains precisely what it should, and I was curious to know the current specifics of her masterful mix. Among the items she listed, she said a dress that can be both meeting-appropriate and free time-friendly, like the easy maxi, above, is essential. Inspired, I sought out some of these versatile dresses and happily discovered this Sam & Lavi, this Theory, this Asos (or this!), this Topshop, this Tome, this Vince and this Timo Weiland.

*Randomly, in a notable case of twin synchronicity: this past week my sister and I separately stumbled upon the all-of-a-sudden must-have cuteness that is BCBG's spring collection, specifically this beach-to-street embroidered dress, this boho romper, this ethnic tunic, and this striped top. All so good!

ruffles and stripes

$375, moda operandi

The stripes make it dress day-worthy while the ruffles lend evening drama. In other words: my ideal summer dress!

1. Viva Avivia one-shoulder ruffle dress, $375, modaoperandi.com
2. Rebecca Minkoff earring set, $48, shopbop.com
3. Clare V drawstring pouch, $199, clarevivier.com
4. Jin Soon Pop Orange Nail Lacquer, $18, nordstrom.com
5. Sophia Webster patent leather sandals, $495, netaporter.com

skirting around

This slit skirt is going to do wonders for my effortlessly chic run-around-and-go summer uniform. Priced at $41, it's a must-have in all three colors!

werk bag

I love the way New York City-based artist Jenny Walton goes about her business, elevating her work-ready outfit with an unexpectedly chic $60 basket bag. Inspired by a Japanese picnic tote and made of bamboo, the bag makes a street-savvy statement, plus is roomy enough for an iPhone and other on-the-go essentials. 

Photo: Nabile Quenum

scalloped sandals

$64, nordstrom

Pretty scalloped straps--and a great price--make this sandal a slam dunk!

1. Apiece Apart dress, $495, netaporter.com
2. Super Sunglasses, $250, shopbop.com
3. Shashi beaded bracelet, $83, shopbop.com
4. Shashi tennis bracelet, $66, shopbop.com
5. Mango lattice bag, $69, mango.com  
6. Sole Society sandals, $64, nordstrom.com

black magic

A sleek black dress that looks nothing like the other LBD's in my closet, boasts fashion-forward edge and a $145 price tag? But, of course!

spring skirts

Here's further proof that a bold skirt and a simple top add up to springtime success. And the  funkier-than-ever print and perkier hue, the better! Prime examples: this floral Finders Keepers, this denim Marc Jacobs, this tweed Tory Burch, this boldly-colored House of Holland, this abstract patterned J.W. Anderson, and this embroidered Topshop. A white top like this or this would be the perfect teammate.

light lace

$70, river island

I'd like to revel in the warm temperatures by wearing a fun, flowery skirt like this. (Also love it with a more subdued, office-friendly black crew neck sweater.)

1. Stella McCartney print tee, $265, netaporter.com
2. Elizabeth and James sunglasses, $185, shopbop.com
3. Aurelie Bidermann, $225, netaporter.com
4. Clare V linen clutch, $165, shopbop.com
5. Alexandre Birman sandals, $595, bergdorfgoodman.com  
6. River Island lace skirt, $70, riverisland.com

in the swim

My bathing suits will have a lot to live up to this summer. Besides possessing the innate ability to make me look leaner and longer (already a lot to ask!), I've been thinking it would be nice if they--or at least some of them--would also work as a top. Meaning I could wear it (way) off the beach with a pair of shorts, a wrap skirt or just peeking out of a button-down shirt--all without a hint of embarrassment. Take for instance, Lucy Williams' striped Zara one-piece, above, that goes the extra mile or her Marysia scalloped halter (also here), which looks perfectly at home in the arid fields. (I also adore this one-shoulder version.) Other suits that make the cut: this striped J.Crew, this ruffled Lisa Marie Fernandez, this fringed Anjuna, this lattice-trimmed Topshop, this bustier-like Kate Spade, this strapless Tori Praver and this cut-out Kore Swim. 

Photos: Lucy Williams

wrap star

$96*, j.crew

There's nothing more easy breezy summery than a throw-on-and-go wrap dress. (*Get this price--or 30% off on your entire J.Crew purchase--through April 21 with this code.)

1. J.Crew cotton wrap dress, $96, jcrew.com
2. Luv AJ earring set, $60, shopbop.com
3. August teal bucket bag, $198, augustca.com
4. Giorgio Armani Nail Lacquer in 201, $20, nordstrom.com
5. Proenza Schouler sandals, $1065, netaporter.com

off white jeans

For me, summer usually comes with the challenge of finding the newest, most flattering white jeans. But this season it's all about an off-white pair, a shade that looks refreshingly different, more sophisticated, and, I think, more flattering! Designers like Acne Studios and Gucci are also crazy for this creamy-colored denim--and they along with others are making my jean-finding mission a lot easier this time around! My cream of the crop picks come from Levi's, Mother, Rachel Comey, Citizens of Humanity, and Free People.  

nochella style

I spent this #nochella weekend at the beach and witnessed a different kind of spectacle: a great white shark ate a seal just steps from shore (and my beach chair!). LAPD helicopters arrived on the scene and hovered while the shark continued to chill in the shallows. Needless to say I didn't swim in the ocean, and since I am your faithful fashion correspondent, I did not let the commotion distract me from diligently following the desert festival's fashion. While the typical crop tops, fringed kimonos, cutoff jeans, and crochet bodysuits reigned supreme, the most compelling looks, in my opinion, were those that can be worn post-Coachella as well, such as the Altuzzara dress, above. (I love how Pernille Teisbaek styled it over shorts and with sneaks in the last pic, below, proving some serious versatility. P.S. The high slit is everything!) Scalloped denim shorts, like these, are a great summer staple, and one can never go wrong in a breezy white dress ( here, here, here, and here). Romantic maxi dresses, such as this, this and this, also go gorgeously with the warm weather festival-to-fete flow.

 

comfy and cute

$128, french connection

I'd like to roll up this jumpsuit's sleeves and get to summer work. 

1. French Connection linen romper, $128, frenchconnection.com
2. Ray Ban sunglasses, $116, nordstrom.com
3. Elizabeth and James earrings, $95, shopbop.com
4. Sensi straw tote bag, $189, matchesfashion.com
5. Miu Miu platform sandals, $575, netaporter.com

head and shoulders

Speaking of great tops, in case you missed out on Joahnna Ortiz's highly coveted off-the-shoulder blouse, above, you can do what I did and snap up this Pixie Market version at a tenth of the price instead. It's gorgeously dramatic!

scallopini

$55, stories

My first lunch at super sceney Nava yesterday called for the debut of this cute, wear-all-summer-long linen top. (My date Clare Vivier wore these cute trousers!)

summer slides

I left a cooking class yesterday afternoon with a new found fondness for gluten free black bean brownies (believe it or not, they're out of this world delicious!)--and a hankering for summer slides, thanks to a stylish friend who turned up in a drool-worthy Celine pair. (Topshop's riff on it is pretty darn good.) I've actually been wanting to invest in the classic Hermes version, above, but they're sold out. So, I hunted down other compelling options and came up with these spot on goodies by Kendall Conrad, Ancient Greek Sandals, Diane Von Furstenberg, Acne Studios, Chloe, ATP Atelier, Manolo Blahnik, and Asos.

Photo: Vogue

the multi-tasker

$180, whistles

An excellent candidate for this summer's go-to running-around, breakfast-to-dinner dress.

1. Whistles tie-waist dress, $180, whistles.com
2. Illesteva sunglasses, $300, shopbop.com
3. Jennifer Fisher gold-plated cuff, $475, netaporter.com
4. Hillier Bartley leather bag, $1191, matchesfashion.com
5. Converse sneakers, $69, nordstrom.com