White After Memorial Day. And Before.

By Karen and Erica

We wear white year-round. We were never part of the population that went to the seaside between Memorial Day and Labor Day, wearing white then and only then, because we left our white wardrobes in our palatial summer homes. We regard the rule as inapplicable to modern life. But—we do like white dresses during the summer.

Here are ten dresses to think about, and one not to.

1. We love this Naked Cashmere dress. It is neither naked nor cashmere—it covers key parts and is linen—but it is exactly what we would want on a hot summer day. Dressed up with silver jewelry and sandals if we were going to a soiree.

2. J. Crew has some pretty nice offerings. Here is our favorite. Classic shape and fabric. Feel the summer breeze. Wear some jazzy sunglasses.

3. Vineyard Vines has dresses! Who knew? This  eyelet cotton dress looks crisp and bespeaks summer. With a straw hat maybe?

4. Have you ever heard of St. Agni? We had not, maybe because it is in Australia, which means shipping adds up. But this dress is another classic. Why anyone would pair it with black pants is a mystery, though.

5. This Kerrigan linen dress has great lines. It looks a bit short, but we often find such dresses are really knee length on us. Yes, we would like to be as tall as that model. Maybe these red heels would help. Though we might end up in the ER.

6. Cuyana is a brand we like, and this dress looks great. We don’t know what practice pockets are, but we do like pockets. Maybe pair it with a sequined bag just in case pocket practice was insufficient.

7. Got a wedding to attend? This Elliatt dress would work, paired with some upscale costume jewels.

8. This Mara Hoffman dress is also wedding material. And, of course, fine for a sidewalk cafe dinner. With big gold earrings.

9. We don’t really wear career dresses anymore, most of the time—but you never know when you might want to look corporate to meet with those financier types. We think this Max Mara dress would open those checkbooks. Wear it with some cat-eye sunglasses.

10. A tailored Massimo Dutti ensemble might have the same effect. Maybe with an oversize neon pink briefcase and matching heels?

So go out and have some light-hearted fun in your whites. Don’t, however, spend $3000 on this—an outfit that seems to have missed the entire point of summer!