Trunk Show is a recurring series that features noteworthy, smaller-label fashion brands worth discovering. Like a trunk show held in a friend’s house, you’ll find a curated assortment of standout pieces from each brand handpicked by our editors—just add your own glass of wine and music. Happy shopping.
Our latest trunk show selections include summery pieces from romantic, on-trend brands.
ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILERS
The ultimate summer wardrobe is like a great summer playlist—it’s the perfect mix of feel-good and carefree. To help you curate a closet with vacation vibes, we rounded up the best brands for chic summer clothing. Think: breezy fabrics, relaxed silhouettes and fashionable accessories that inspire wanderlust. Don’t miss Cara Cara’s unique prints, Staud’s body-skimming silhouettes, Dôen’s romantic dresses, Sézane’s French-inspired staples and Cleobella’s colorful handwoven textiles.
Cara Cara
Cara Cara clothes are everything you’ll want to pack for a dreamy summer vacation—they’re ideal pieces for beach parties, strolls down cobblestone streets and moonlit dinners. Female founded in 2019, the brand’s dresses are typically constructed from crisp cotton poplin in happy colors and unique, garden-inspired original prints. Their styles are flattering, comfortable and versatile.
Cara Cara
Cara Cara Mattera Dress
Think of this one-shoulder style as your next showstopping summer night out or vacation dress. It’s polished but also comfy—it has elegant ruching and pleating at the waist, a tiered skirt and pockets, so you can feel relaxed even when you’re dressed up.
Blue and white are a classic summer color pairing, and this glamorous cropped style will become your next wear-everywhere staple. Pair it with high-waisted white denim or the matching maxi skirt for an effortless look. This top comes in three other patterns.
At first glance, this elevated dress appears sweet and demure, but the back-baring design makes it decidedly less prim. It has an elastic waist and shoulder straps, pockets and a stylish round neckline. Wear it with flats for daytime or strappy sandals to dinner.
Shopbop
Cara Cara Palmer Belted Shorts
Dressy summer shorts can be hard to come by, but this relaxed, pleated style is polished and easy to wear. The raffia-trimmed belt gives summer vibes and the botanical flower print is unique and unexpected. Pair it with a fitted top and neutral sandals for an instant outfit.
We love crochet for summer, and this pointelle stitch polo will be a versatile addition to your vacation wardrobe. This short sleeve style is both on trend and easy to style—try it with high waisted shorts, maxi skirts and denim.
Staud
Launched in 2015, Staud initially became known for its chic bags and shoes, but now it’s equally popular for its clothing. It can be hard to classify this enigmatic brand because it does so many different things well. Staud uses retro silhouettes, color blocking and lots of stripes, and their collection includes slinky satin maxis, halter minis, geometric prints, and fit-and-flare day dresses. Overall, the brand represents a high fashion aesthetic at a more accessible price point.
This slinky halter maxi style is fabricated from lightweight, flowy viscose and it’s cut low in the back, making it ideal for steamy summer parties. The placement of the navy and white stripes—which are vaguely nautical, but in a modern way—makes them visually elongating.
This suit is equally sporty and sexy, with tasteful side cutouts, wide straps and a contrast border. It’s not overly revealing in back with moderate coverage, so you can wear it for lounging by the pool, at the beach or while doing water sports. This style comes in seven colors.
Staud
Staud Mini Wills Dress
Crafted from summer super fabric cotton poplin, this is an easy wear, universally flattering dress. It has a stylish square neckline, corset seaming at the midsection and an A-line silhouette with a pretty drape and movement. The Wills dress comes in nine colors, including navy and tangerine.
Raffia is a great summer material because it’s light, packable and easy to shake sand out of. We love this bag’s unique shape, which allows just enough room for the basics—a cell phone, wallet and sunscreen, of course.
Dôen
While Dôen channels coastal California cool, many of the brand’s styles would be equally at home in the French countryside. They feature romantic silhouettes in fabrics like lightweight cotton poplin, voile and linen. Dôen’s palettes are often inspired by nature in ethereal whites and lots of small-scale florals. The brand recently even did a collaboration with The Gap, which proved immensely popular.
An updated take on a nap dress, this Bridgerton-inspired floral is flowy while still accentuating your shape. It has a smocked bodice with an adjustable waist tie that can be cinched for a close fit, and the puffed sleeves add volume without being overwhelming. Note that the fabric can be slightly sheer so you may want to buy one of the brand’s slips to go with it.
A large tote bag is something you’ll use daily in summer—whether for hitting the shops or toting towels to the pool or the beach. We love the roomy square shape and unexpected gingham pattern on this shopper (it’s available in mustard or black).
This whitework embroidery fabric is a summer staple that’s breezy and lightweight, and while it sometimes comes in other colors, crisp white is a classic. The Henri top looks great tucked or untucked, so it’s worth trying it out with different waist styles. Offset the sweetness of this top’s pintucking and ruffles by wearing it with worn denim or military green.
Sézane
Achieving effortless French girl style can be elusive, but think of Sézane as your gateway to fashion greatness. The cult-favorite, vintage-inspired brand pairs not-basic basics alongside chic-yet-understated standout pieces. Think high-waisted shorts, sheath dresses, chambray button downs, ecru summer tops and oversized sunglasses. Finish off your look with their effortlessly stylish jewelry and bags.
This cotton crochet cami looks amazing with just about any summer bottom—linen pants, high waisted shorts, maxi skirts or even denim. Pack it for a weekend getaway or incorporate it into your daily rotation.
For an easy outfit, try this lightweight cotton maxi in an ankle-skimming length. Pretty embroidery and scalloped edging create a feminine feel, and the thick straps have buttons so they can be adjusted.
This high-impact statement pair—made from resin and gold-plated pewter—can dress up any simple summer outfit. We especially like it paired with white for a breezy, mostly monochromatic look.
Cleobella
Cleobella’s ethically handmade designs are produced by independent artisans around the globe. Founded by Angela and Jim O’Brien, the slow fashion brand creates limited quantities of their designs to reduce waste—which makes the pieces feel even more special. Their bold prints have an at-times vintage feel with a modern construction, and they frequently incorporate cotton poplin, crochet, leather, raffia and linen. Cleobella has clothing, swimwear, jewelry, handbags and even some children’s clothing and housewares.
Made from organic cotton, this breezy dress has a chic O-ring detail and halter neck to highlight your shoulders. It has comfy wide straps and smocking at the back bodice to prevent gapping. It’s also lined, so you don’t have to worry about it being see-through.
This ruffle bikini style—made from recycled nylon and elastane—has adjustable straps to ensure the desired fit and lift, and it can even give the illusion of volume for smaller busts. The coordinating bikini bottom features a high waist and modern cheeky cut.
Featuring an updated geometric pattern and balloon-style sleeves, this 100% cotton sweater will get lots of fashion mileage. Wear it with white denim or a maxi skirt when temps drop at night, and pair it with darker denim to transition into fall.
A great sun hat can completely transform your summer look, and this elevated palm leaf style is worth the investment. Choose from an ivory or black ribbon, and wear it for errands in town, while reading your book poolside, for a day at the beach or for gardening in style.
