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These expensive-looking styles start at $26.
Nantucket Summer Trends
- Smocked Maxi Dresses: J.Crew Smocked Halter Dress, $96 (Originally $168)
- Kitten Heels: Sketoe Thong Sandal Kitten Heels, $26 (Originally $31)
- Basket Bags: Sézane Justine Basket Bag, $285
- Frilly Feminine Fashion: All in Favor Ruffle Hem Eyelet Dress, $69
Growing up, I was lucky that visiting my cousins every summer meant going to Nantucket, where they were born and raised. It always felt like a picturesque vacation that just so happened to coincide with family time. There’s always been a very definitive Nantucket aesthetic that I’ve, as of late, seen people try to emulate all over the world—from New York City’s West Village to Paris’s 16th arrondissement. One of my cousins is an oyster farmer, and the other, Sawyer, is a multi-hyphenate creative who moonlights as my coastal fashion advisor. I asked her (a very rare year-round Nantucketer) for a rundown of the trends defining the island this summer. The TL;DR is that smocked maxi dresses, kitten heels, basket bags, and frilly feminine fashion reign supreme.
Smocked Maxi Dresses
Hill House the Analise Nap Dress
“Smocked maxi dresses are everywhere,” Sawyer says. Their omnipresence means there’s lots of variety, but the classic Nantucket “white, white prints, and stripes” are especially popular. The Hill House store on the island is always busy thanks to a wide selection of dresses that fit this exact brief. You can go with the classic Nap Dress that launched the brand into the stratosphere, one of its newer variations (I’m partial to the Analise), or one of the different brand options below.
Madewell the Peyton Midi Dress | Hill House Home the Ashlyn Nap Dress |
Grace Karin Square Neck Swing Sundress | J.Crew Smocked Halter Dress |
Kitten Heels
Sketoe Thong Sandal Kitten Heels
“We avoid heels on the island because of the cobblestone [streets], except for kitten heels, they’re very popular right now.” If you’ve ever been to Europe and had your life flash before your eyes because of the combination of a high heel and old, uneven streets, then you know why this is the case. Kitten heels are the exception because being an inch off the ground isn’t a gravitational risk. Sandal and slingback styles (anything where your foot gets to breathe) are that girl.
Vivaia Sanna PointEase Bow Slingback Heels | Loeffler Randall Dixie Kitten Heel Slide Sandals |
Sam Edelman Presley Kitten Heel Sandals | Charles and Keith Sadira Satin Ruched Mules |
Basket Bags
Sézane Justine Basket Bag
Nantucket is the birthplace of its namesake Nantucket Lightship Basket Bag. These have been symbols of the island since time immemorial—yes, they predate Jane Birkin. Though the traditional ones look like actual baskets with lids and are always en vogue, other, more mainstream takes on the style are cropping up all over, too. Basket bags (the Loewe one is exceptionally popular) “are good for going to the beach and local farmers’ markets across the island.” She notes that people are personalizing theirs by tying scarves and handkerchiefs (essentially, elegant purse charms) to their baskets.
J.Crew Como Woven Tote | Miuco Wicker Basket Bag |
Frances Valentine Rooster Wicker Basket | Mark and Graham Wicker and Leather Bag |
Frilly Feminine Fashion
Zesica Tie-Front Babydoll Dress
This has been the case for as long as I can remember, and Sawyer says it still holds true: “very frilly, feminine, and flowy dresses” are the outfits of choice both day and night. Think ruffles, soft colors, seersucker fabric, and lace accents.
Rumored Heirloom Mini Dress | All in Favor Ruffle Hem Eyelet Dress |
By Anthropologie Cotton Lace Mini Dress | Nana Jacqueline Fiona Tiered Pink Top |
Check out more Nantucket-approved fashion finds below.
Gap 100% Silk Bandana | Urban Outfitters Destination Pattern Scarf |
Astr the Label Hazel Ticking Stripe Midi Dress | Rihoas Gingham Boat Neck Dress |
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Read the original article on InStyle
