Summer is here, even if the temperatures Out East haven’t quite caught up yet. Consider this your cue to get ahead of the season and make sure your wardrobe is ready. These are the pieces I return to every year, the ones that make getting dressed feel easy, pulled together, and a little more fun. Even better, you can find all of them locally. A small refresh goes a long way, and once you have them in place, the rest of your wardrobe falls right into line, making summer style feel effortless.
White Essentials: Every summer, I come back to white as the foundation of my wardrobe. It cuts through the noise and makes everything feel lighter, cleaner, and more intentional.
I build around a few key pieces that always deliver, especially from TWP and ALC. Baggy white jeans feel right for this season, relaxed and a little undone in the best way. A crisp white tank top is a non-negotiable, the kind you can wear on repeat and still feel pulled together. Make sure to purge the old white tanks you have from years past.
They can stretch out and yellow over the years. I look for a white dress with an updated silhouette, something with shape or volume that makes it feel current, like this Mila Dress with bubble hem from TWP.
And a white button-down in a slightly cropped length adds just enough edge to a classic. These staples make getting dressed simple and consistent, which is exactly the point.
Statement Swimsuit: Red is everywhere this summer, giving total Baywatch energy in the best way. I always stop by Shan to update my swim drawer. Their mix-and-match sizing makes finding the right fit simple, and the coordinating cover-ups are a bonus. If you need something quickly for a boat day or weekend away, Lidia will have you in the perfect suit in minutes and have you feeling like you just stepped off the beach in Malibu.
Brown is the New Summer Neutral: Brown is having a real moment this summer. Navy and white will always be staples, but brown is showing up everywhere in linen, silk, and cotton.
The Sylvie Dress from ALC that I’m wearing here is made from stretch linen, so it’s comfortable and very flattering. It’s one of those pieces that just works on everyone. Brown was also a standout across the summer collection from Zimmermann.
Oversized Carryall: The Sid Raffia bag at ALC is my definition of the perfect summer carryall. It is roomy enough for everything you need during the day, but still polished enough to bring to dinner. The shape feels modern and clean, and I love that it is logo-free. It comes in desert palm, black, and midnight blue, so you can go classic or switch it up depending on your mood.
Your Go-To Evening Bag: Once you have your oversized raffia carryall for daytime, a sparkly clutch is all you need for night. It works with everything from a sundress to jeans and reads like a neutral. If you are packing for a trip, keep it simple with just two bags: a raffia tote and a statement clutch. I am loving the Paige Clutch from ALC. Make sure to stop into ALC in East Hampton and ask John to show you the latest collection.
Sunless Tan: Hampton Sun is my go-to for achieving a naturally sun-kissed glow without spending time in the sun. It gives that subtle, believable warmth to the skin that looks like you’ve been outside all weekend, without any of the damage. My days of lying out and worshipping the sun are long over, but I still like that healthy, bronzed look, and this makes it easy to maintain it.
Dresses are the Summer Uniform: Zimmermann continues to set the tone for summer dressing Out East. Their pieces feel special without being overdone. The signature florals are still there, but the newer, more streamlined prints are just as good. If you have an event on your calendar, this is where I would start.
Dresses really are what make summer go round. They are the easiest way to feel put together without trying too hard, whether it’s a quick morning coffee run or a late dinner that turns into a long night outside. Some days I’ll even change my dress two or three times depending on where I’m going, like a true summer uniform shift from casual to polished to evening. It’s effortless, practical, and still feels elevated all at once.