Outfit Details: Montce Bikini & Pants, Eliou Necklace (old, similar here), Janessa Leone Hat, Ancient Greek Sandals, Retrosuperfuture Sunglasses

There is something so satisfying about a matching set, that feeling of being put together head to toe with almost zero thinking required. Swimwear makes an especially good case for it. I love when a suit has a second act, a sarong, a pair of pants, or a linen dress cut from the same print, so the move from pool to lunch barely counts as an outfit change. The last thing I want to think through is an elaborate look when the whole point of the day is relaxing by the water.

That is what a set like this solves. It adds polish and intention to beach dressing, building a look full of color and personality that still makes sense for a swim but can carry you through the rest of the day.

Miu Miu Dress & Flats (sold out, similar here and here), Hermes Bag (similar, less expensive here), Janessa Leone Hat

When it comes to getting dressed on the hottest days of summer, a dress has to pass the fabric test before I’ll even consider it. Some days I’m reaching for a look that is a little more polished, one that needs to keep its shape and feel sharp even when the sun is doing the most.

I always look for a few fail-proof dresses to have on hand for this time of year in a mix of cotton poplin, linen, or breathable jersey. Those fabrics stay light on the body while holding their shape and clean lines, while eyelet or delicate embroidery adds texture without extra weight. You get the ease of hardly feeling like you are wearing anything, but the silhouette carries that polished feeling across the finish line, so that getting dressed in the peak of summer feels like a breeze.

Outfit Details: Pucci Bikini Top and Bottoms, Ciao Lucia Shorts, Loeffler Randall Scarf (similar here), By Present Belt, Briony Raymond Earrings

Certain pieces just feel like they were made to be worn on vacation. Not because of where you are, but because of where they take you. A scarf print drops you somewhere along the coast. A sandal trimmed in sequins belongs to warm nights with nowhere practical to be. Patterned swim carries a whole afternoon with it, striped umbrellas, painted tiles, salt air. Even a digital camera in a bright color feels like a promise that there will be something worth capturing. That is the feeling behind this edit, pieces that make you want to book the trip, or at least take one in your head, each a little like a postcard from somewhere far away.