After time in Europe, I am very clearly still shopping with pattern on the brain. A hotel with print in every corner will do that to you. Wallpaper, upholstery, painted plates, tiled details, stripes spotted between meals. Suddenly, everything in my cart has that same layered, transported feeling.

Right now, I am drawn to pieces that feel like they have a story behind them, the kind you might come across in a sun-drenched piazza or tucked into a grand hotel lobby. Vintage prints, woven textures, hand beading, painted motifs, and colors lifted straight from the details that make a place feel unforgettable. The kind of pieces that make summer feel more vivid, more imaginative, like you get to bring a little piece of the trip home with you.

OUTFIT DETAILS: Solid & Striped Bikini Top, Solid & Striped Bikini Bottoms, Maria De La Orden Top, Muzungu Sisters Pants

There is something about ruffles by the water that just makes sense. They move the way a wave does, a little flutter, a little lift, and pairing them with swim makes it feel like a real outfit instead of a suit with a cover-up thrown over it.

That is exactly why I love styling them together. Swim keeps everything easy, while a frilled edge, a fluttered hem, or a soft bit of volume brings shape, bounce, and a little sense of occasion without making anything feel too dressed. It can take the whole idea from practical cover-up to something much more charming. Think of it as a finishing touch that works best on the beach, the kind that lets your outfit catch the breeze before you have even left the ocean.

OUTFIT DETAILS: Chanel Dress & Pumps, Hermes Bag (similar, less expensive here), Dior Sunglasses

Animal print is one of those things I never really put away. I think of it as a print I can work in at any time of year, in any season, something that adds a little wit to an outfit. Leopard, cheetah, zebra, tiger stripe, they all have their moment.

Animal print is bold by nature, but balanced with more polished accessories, it feels just right. In summer, the pattern works best when there’s a lightness to the piece, whether that’s a leopard sandal peeking out from a skirt, a small printed bag that adds a pop, or a sheer pant with a little movement. The print I love year-round, worn a little easier.