As summer’s swelter kicks into high gear, turn to a sartorial staple to get through the dog days: the white dress. The seasonable cousin to the ubiquitous LBD (little black dress), a breezy white frock is a must-have for a heat-wave wardrobe.
But how to channel Grace Kelly without venturing into old-school-nurse territory? Whether you opt for a strappy sundress or a classic shift, choose one with interesting details, be it feminine ruffles or the touch of transparency. Mixing in spring’s punchy brights by way of a scarf or candy-colored flat can spice up a monochromatic ensemble, but this look works best when it’s pared down and effortless — after all, the key is NOT to sweat it.
Georgetown University student Victoria Ferreira, 20, balanced her white cotton sundress by Diab’less with a scarf by Chan Luu from Intermix. She said she scooped up this airy summer frock at a boutique in her hometown of Miami. “It’s very light and delicate, so I feel almost like a little girl in it,” she says, “but the lace and the material is a little transparent, so it’s kind of tasteful-sexy.”
As for the scarf, “I try to add bright colors when I wear something that’s more subtle. I think they transfer to your mood and your confidence.”
The bracelets are Cousin Claudine beads, also from Intermix. “I love the combination of turquoise, gold and white,” says Ferreira, an avid bracelet collector.
The look works because Ferreira accessorizes her lacy frock with bright splashes of color and an elegant summer sandal, striking a balance between flirty and feminine.
For Laura Masterson, 21, of Louisville, Ky., her white cotton Gap sundress was an impulse purchase a week before we spotted her. “It’s just a really easy thing to wear, and on the weekends it’s really comfortable,” she says.
A student at George Washington University, Masterson says she hunts for comfortable, sophisticated pieces. She counts 3.1 Phillip Lim and Madison Marcus among her favorite brands and steers clear of anything that screams “trendy.” “I’m very cognizant of things that fit my body, and I like things that can carry me through different seasons,” she says.
Masterson completes the outfit with a seersucker headband from the Gap, a Kooba leather satchel and leather flats by BC Footwear. Her crisp sundress, simple flats and no-fuss hairstyle epitomize summery chic without being boring.
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