The Dresses That Caught My Eye
When I’m packing for a warm-weather getaway, there are a few essentials that always make the cut: SPF, a raffia beach bag, and a handful of dresses that allow me to go into mai tai’s (or “wine tai” for me) and peace mode. I’m talking about pieces that are breezy without being boring, easy to throw on, and stylish enough to carry you from lazy daytime strolls to rosé at golden hour.
So what makes the ideal getaway dress? For me, it’s a mix of fabric that breathes, silhouettes that move with you, and just enough detail to feel pulled together – without feeling done up. These are the kind of dresses that work for different occasions and are easily built up/down for day to night.
Here are the summer dresses that caught my eyes while shopping for clients.
1. Crisp Cotton Poplin
There’s something about a cotton poplin that just exudes elegance in warm climates, it’s like a sign to the world that says “I’m on holiday”. It holds its shape beautifully, doesn’t cling, and always feels polished even when you're melting under the sun, which is why it’s best served with a shading straw hat – the bigger the better. Add oversized sunglasses, style your hair in a sleek bun, and you have a no effort, picture-ready look.
2. The Day-to-Night Maxi
This is your MVP: the one dress you can wear for everything. Mine’s a silky-feel maxi in a solid tone (Black of course, I'm sure you guessed it). In the morning, I pair my maxi with some casual slides or even sneakers. At night, I swap in a metallic sandal and bold earrings. Done. The silhouette is clean and fluid, which gives it that laid-back glam we all secretly hope to channel on holiday. Very White Lotus…
3. The Unexpected Detail
A little (or big!) twist goes a long way. Recently I’ve been drawn to dresses that are simple in shape but have a standout feature: a see through material that doesn’t feel too revealing, a statement design, or an interesting fabric. These small details make the difference – and feel more personal than just another sundress. Not to mention, they can stand the test of time, elegant and yet modern.
A warm-weather wardrobe doesn’t need to be big to be beautiful. A curated edit of dresses that work hard (so you don’t have to) is all it takes. While I prefer more simple styling, you can remake any dress by playing with accessories and don’t forget that makeup is an accessory too - a bold lip or a sharp eyeliner.
Now all that’s left is to figure out what cocktail you’re ordering first - I think everyone knows what I’ll be ordering!
Bisous,
Lili