A Summer Hit List
What I'm loving in summer 2026
Well what do you know, it’s mid-July! It’s wild how quickly time passes from the date outside temperatures remain consistently reasonable to the date that temperatures remain consistently unreasonable (hello, high summer). Late spring / early summer was filled with a lot of distractions for me - most of them mostly fun - as well as case of writer’s block, which is why I haven’t been with you in a minute.
This summer I’m trying to have less ultra-processed time, and more time experiencing culture, nature, and people face-to-face. I welcomed the summer solstice at Public Records listening to a DJ spin vinyl while sipping on a perfect mezcal cocktail and then escaped the city heat for the Catskills for the first bit of July, relieving myself of the country heat by going for lake dips. And in between, I’ve been compiling a running note of my summer best-ofs in fashion, music, and beyond. While these determinations are inherently subjective (other than best summer herb - we all know it’s objectively dill, right?), perhaps you’ll agree with me or find inspiration in at least a couple.
Best all-around summer closet piece: A black or white tank. Find one you love and buy multiples. For me, it’s the Flore Flore Timmi tank (runner-up: Buck Mason’s rib tank).
Best thing to do on unreasonably hot day: A museum visit (for New Yorkers, go see Iris Van Herpen at the Brooklyn Museum).
Best thing to do on a nice night: An outdoor concert (for New Yorkers, at Forest Hills, Pier 17, Summerstage at Central Park, Celebrate Brooklyn at Prospect, or Under the K Bridge).
Best viral pant trend: Sorry, it’s not taffeta pants. My pick is for the lesser-hyped surf pants - I’m pleased to inform you the Made Some version is very good.
Best summer sandal: Anything from A. Emery. Generally full-priced at $250 or under, some styles are currently on sale at Net-a-Porter and Farfetch has arbitrage pricing on my favourite Jalen slim style.
Best summer $$$andal: Phoebe Philo’s Pace runner sandal, which was probably my best purchase of summer 2025. Yes, they’re an investment but if you wear them every day and every summer to come - which you will! - the ROI is real.
Best literary tradition: McNally Jackson’s summer reading matrix.
Best album for a lazy summer morning: Jalen Ngonda’s Doctrine of Love.
Best album for a hype summer night: Madonna’s CONFESSIONS II.
Best brands for when you want to really lean into vacation aesthetic but still want money leftover for the actual vacation: Posse and Faithfull.
Best destination: Wherever there’s cold Sancerre and a hardcover book.
Best summer accessory: A dainty little Jia Jia necklace (but generally any turquoise jewelry - Chan Luu’s high summer selection is great).
Best fantasy wedding guest dress: This dress from Christian Dior’s latest Haute Couture collection.
Best lifesaver when the face mist isn’t working: Straciatella and fragola gelato.
Best summer dinner recipe: This recipe for BBQ salmon with mango and avocado salsa.
Best doomscrolling activity: Poshmark (is it just me or has its selection gotten good?)
Best scent: DedCool’s Taunt.
Best $$$cent: Bottega Veneta’s Come With Me (who knew top notes of artichoke could be so compelling).
Best concert announcement: Olivia Rodrigo’s Daisy Chain Fields which was inspired by Lilith Fair, including by supporting really worthy causes (very sad I can’t make it to California for the event).
Best tennis wardrobe: Naomi Osaka at Wimbledon.
Best Zendaya The Odyssey press tour look: Archival Givenchy by Alexander McQueen worn in Paris.
Best summer set: With Nothing Underneath linen, hemp, or seersucker sets.
Best summer herb: Dill.
Best thing to do the day after too many patio martinis: Detox facial at Spencers Spa.
