Summer Dresses To Wear Into Fall

&: I'm giving away one of my favorite summer dresses and a pair of sunglasses—plus the best pieces from the new ZARA x Collagerie home collab...and some vintage T-shirts, too.

Hi friends…what a week 🫠. We’ve had two shoots in the cabin recently, and I can’t wait to share all the photos with you VERY soon. Seriously, the highs and lows have been…something. After four years—nearly a whole year later than we thought it would be 🤠—we are finally reaching the finish line…ish:).

Just a few hours before one of the shoots, I was struggling not to overthink this little nook under the stairs to the loft (it was looking too…cute, I think). So, my friend Hallie was kind enough to drop off a marvelous vintage cast-iron planter (she called it the “zig-zag” thing, and I just LOVE it). Somehow, that was all it took to completely change the vibe—one unexpected piece that transformed this tiny alcove from sort of flat to something soulful + interesting. (This planter consequently inspired me to add a whole newsletter to the schedule dedicated to decorating with plants + out-there/sculptural plant stands, so stay tuned 🎍).

My attempt at nook restraint. How’d I do? Vintage planters from my friend Hallie, painted bucket from the Goodwill for $5, floor lamp on the right was a SCORE from the Public Sale clear-out last weekend for $20, and the cabinets are Sundays. Cheap design tip: The construction clamp lamp has been rattling around the cabin since we started building, and now it’s part of the permanent space…it warms my heart + that corner beautifully.

So, to everyone who’s been following along with our buildout, breakthroughs/breakdowns (ie: paid ATA subscribers, I see you), your notes and presence have been a huge part of this journey, and I’m just so grateful for it every single day ❤️.

Before we get into my super edited check-list of shape-shifting summer dresses (LOTS on sale now, too), a speed round of the week’s very good things…

First, what’s your take on the latest ZARA Home x Collagerie collab? My FOREVER style muse Lucinda Chambers co-founded Collagerie w/Serena Hood, so I’m inclined to want to buy more than I need. I think though, after seeing the below checked reversible cotton bedspread loosely draped over a sofa, I’m going for just that (seems very versatile) and MAYBE this wonderful runner rug, too. Other color-clashy faves below…

Last month I did a partnership with the wonderful people at Boll & Branch, makers of my much-loved Signature Vintage Washed sheet set, and they are kindly offering all A Tiny Apt. subscribers a 20% discount to anyone who needs/wants some delicious new organic cotton sheets, too. Just use the this link and the code CHRISTENEB20 at check out.

It’s Upstate Art Weekend this weekend, and there is lots to see. I’ll be dropping in at Foreland Open Studios on Saturday where Hallie has her design studio…and check out this wonderful linen divider she created for a storage area that she customized with lovely fringe at the bottom. And what a great idea as an instant room divider! (The ceiling trackers at IKEA are pretty solid, too).

Quick Skincare Q!—Has anyone tried this new tinted sunscreen? I’m curious since testing out new ones has become a mild obsession (the glowier and more like a light hydrating foundation, the better). Any other favorite tinted sunscreens, pls drop ’em in the comments and I will add them to the follow-up to last year’s Summer Skincare In A Nutshell story, coming very soon.

Okay…let’s get into it… 🌞

Despite my soul being firmly rooted in cooler seasons, I am a sucker for the ease of a GREAT summer dress. As much as I love the fuckery of a little off-kilter layering, some tulle here and there, or hauling out my favorite vtg rhinestone necklaces (omg this is gooood:)), the very best summer dresses offer as much of that creative satisfaction with a fraction of the moves/effort.

If you have one or two in your closet, maybe for many summers in a row, you know that the best summer dresses are freeing. Not just from the heat or humidity, but from the expectation of showing up in a way that doesn’t always feel natural. A perfect summer dress brings out the best in us, gently giving our bodies permission to move and breathe and feel absolutely RADIANT should we find ourselves over at Odeon stealing an afternoon away w/a girlfriend for an omelet and fries. A GREAT summer dress Does It All and reminds us that we shouldn’t ever have to work that hard to feel 🔥 because the best outfit ever took about three minutes to create.

Which is why you should feel liberated to wear your summer dresses as LONG as possible. Up until the first frost, maybe later. Who knows/who cares! Pile on the tights/button-downs/blazers and just see what happens. (We can circle back with more ideas in that department come October).

Oh yeah—ATA GIVEAWAY #1 🚨! Because sharing is caring, anyone want my favorite No.6 Store dress that sold out early on in the season (she’s a BEAUTY/still in mint condition; btw No. 6 is having their annual NYC warehouse sale now if you’re local ). Drop a comment below and I’ll choose one of you at random. It’s a medium and very generous, great for wearing over a sweater come fall, so keep that in mind 😬.

ATA Giveaway #2 🚨! The wonderful people at Sardine gifted me these Louie Sunglasses, and since they pretty much look great on everyone, I want to give them to one of YOU (retail $179). Just drop a comment below to be in the running to win them, brand new in their adorable striped traveling case, which I highly recommend using as a cute holiday clutch ⛵️.

I am OBSESSED with this Toast folk collage-print dress. It’s wonderful and would look absolutely amazing with a tuxedo blazer or over a button down shirt. Almost sold out…I think I’m going for it.

I love ALL of these Rachel Comey dresses for different reasons.

Each of them is special—and a SOLID investment—in that each could be worn now and all year long, dressed down or WAY up (important to note the resale value on RC designs is solid, too, in the event you ever want to move a piece back on the market to someone else). From top left: Black beaded Lazulli dress (YUM), metallic + lace Argas dress, black windowpane Hilo dress (I would totally wear this to anything formal or black tie with a fantastic festive coat), white lace Lush dress. I love the below Faden dress, too…it’s so timeless and the shape and placement of the embroidery seems brilliantly flattering.

J.Crew really has cornered the market on sweat-proof summer dresses, don’t you think?