I once heard someone say summer dressing is just a dress and a dress and a dress and a dress. Indeed, fashion innovation’s hard to come by when everything you wear does little to minimize the threat of body melting into a puddle under the steady beat of the sun.
I find thoughtful accessorizing goes a long way during these hotter months. You embrace the basics, and find little gaps to add a flair of personality. A chunky necklace or bracelet. A silk scarf tied at the corners into a shawl. A statement shoe. A straw bag in lieu of a canvas tote. Consider it the summer version of layering.
Someone recently advised scoping out the sale section of Tory Burch for shoes and Mrs. Burch did not disappoint. If I were going into an office regularly, these mules with a gold hardware accent would be my go-tos. And for anyone on the hunt for a strappy summer heel, I’d point them to these sandals. They bring the same delicate look that’s fast become a pervasive summer shoe silhouette this year, but the metal hardware “toe ring” gives it that extra little something to help you stand out in the crowd.
J. Crew just released new editions of their Roll Neck sweater, and I need them viscerally. Just bought this navy blue sweater stitched with sardine motifs for a July 4th beach trip.
This black Skims tank top is quickly becoming my summer MVP. The fit is incredibly flattering, the neckline hits exactly where you want it to, and it’s super light. At $38, it’s probably one of the best tank tops you’re gonna find. I bought it in a small and find it fits great (but I don’t think sizing up could hurt).
My other “summer sandal” contender were these leather sling backs from the recent Mango x Eckhaus Latta collaboration. The darker material lends a sort of “aged under the beating Tuscan sun” look that pairs perfectly with a tan.
I’ve spent the last year or so attempting to flesh out my jewelry collection. Most good jewelry has a pretty steep price tag to go with it, so I try to prioritize classic albeit eye-catching pieces you likely won’t find elsewhere that can help me justify the price tag a bit more. This sculptural, ribbed Peekaboo ring from At Present fits that bill.
Big straw bags are in this summer. They were never really out to begin with, but there’s certainly a renewed interest this season—and it makes sense why. It’s the ideal beach bag that can carry everything you need, but that you can still bring to a restaurant for dinner after a long day in the sun. I’ve seen a lot of people toting around Sezane’s Justine basket bag, which is available in a variety of embroidered embellishments and colors (I’m partial to flower motifs). For cheaper options, I’d check out Banana Republic, Gap, or J. Crew Factory.
Pair with a white t-shirt for a breezy work outfit, or tank top for a laid back brunch or happy hour.
Shirts: Madewell white t-shirt and Skims black tank top
(switch them out depending on the need)
Pants: Banana Republic
Shoes: Vagabond Izzy Sandal
Necklace: MEQ Jewelry on Depop
There will be no new episodes of The Cutting Room Floor until Fall 2026. The production pause news comes following the podcast announcing it signed a three-year partnership deal with Patreon, in which the platform will help market and fund The Cutting Room Floor and its various ventures. A post from the podcast states it’s taking the summer to “build,” but will continue its written Quick Cuts newsletter.
Hill House Home released a new collaboration with Williams Sonoma. I attended a press preview hosted by Hill House founder, Nell Diamond, and Williams Sonoma at the store’s Columbus Circle location last week. The press event was followed by an extremely well-attended, open-to-the-public launch celebration that honestly felt a little like a Taylor Swift meet-and-greet for nap dress enthusiasts. I don’t think I’ve seen a CEO and their brand with this kind of loyal cult following since Ty Haney of Outdoor Voice or Glossier’s Emily Weiss. Attendees could receive custom embroidery (which I’m noticing is slowly becoming the party favor at events), peruse the collection, and meet with Nell herself—who was far and away the belle of the ball that night. Highlights from the release include:
The climbing vine dinner plates and bowls
This shell-encrusted table lamp that looks straight out of a Nancy Meyers films
If a Hill House nap dress is your go-to summer piece, you’ll want one of these aprons in the signature romantic Hill House silhouette.
I foresee the produce-patterned farmer’s market pillow cover selling out the quickest.
Reformation recently filed for an initial public offering. It’s been a while since a fashion start-up has gone public, leaving many to speculate what it might mean for the landscape going forward.
Popular romance author Emily Henry released an exclusive line of pajamas with Print Fresh earlier this month.
Why your group chat is confused about Kiki’s. Last Wednesday, one half of the popular Dime’s Square haunt Kiki’s (which boasts two locations on either side of Division Street) was seized by he New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. Citing public records from New York State, Grubstreet stated there were 12 different tax warrants open for Chinatown Greek Food Services (an LLC that includes Kiki’s) with over $1 million in outstanding balances—and that’s just the LLC itself. There’s an additional warrant out for Kiki’s owner, Kiki Karamintzas, and some yet-to-be-paid personal-income tax by one of Chinatown Greek Food Services’ owners. Kiki’s across-the-street annex remains open and functioning for any in desperate need of zucchini chips and saganaki.
Speaking of recent New York City restaurant shake-ups and happenings…
Brooklyn restaurateurs Frank Castronovo and Frank Falcinelli—who own the popular Carroll Gardens haunt, Frankies Spuntino—made a cameo during episode seven of the final season of Hulu’s The Bear. The restaurant is a favorite to many of the show’s cast and Jeremy Allen White even famously cooked his way through the Frankies Spuntino Kitchen Companion & Cooking Manual when preparing for the show. If you’re planning a visit, I’d personally recommend a bottle of the Lambrusco and the gnocchi marinara with fresh ricotta.
Brooklyn Mediterranean restaurant Theodora is collaborating with Resy to host a summer dinner series on Governor’s Island with a “tasting menu experience on live fire.” The experience, called Theodora Beach Club, runs on select dates from now until August 29.
The Gourmet Magazine newsletter announced they are being sued by Condé Nast over the use of the Gourmet name. I covered Gourmet’s re-launch as a newsletter a few Party Talks back, but to recap: Gourmet was once a well-regarded food magazine owned by publishing conglomerate, Condé Nast (which also publishes Vogue and Bon Appetit). The company shuttered the publication in 2009, but still maintained the trademark on the name—but let it lapse sometime in 2021, at which point five food journalists applied for the trademark. They officially re-launched the magazine as a newsletter early this year. Earlier this month, the newsletter told its subscribers and followers Condé Nast is currently suing them.
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