And Now, 40 Luxe Staples That Are Anything But Vanilla

I've lived in New York City for over two years now, and I will let you in on a little secret: Summer in the city is underrated. Yes, it's unbelievably hot, and the hindrances that arise in the season (like skin rashes, ruining perfectly great sandals in the rain, and sweating through every one of your favorite dresses) feel like the city itself is putting you through a trail-run. Still, there is something magical about summers in New York. The secret to surviving sweltering heat, and even enjoying it I've found comes down to owning an arsenal of summer staples.
So in that vein, I've rounded up 37 luxe summer staples, all under $300, that will help you not break a sweat this summer (figuratively and literally). From fabulous linen separates to cute sandals, these staples can make surviving in the big apple a breeze, but they're guaranteed to make it easier in any zip code.
The subtle ruching and puff sleeves make this little white top all the more special.
Nothing is more classic than a pair of aviator sunglasses, but the marble frame on these adds a more trendy element.
Linen dresses are a summer staple, but this saffron hue spices things up.
Everyone needs one practical and pretty summer sandal.
What makes relaxed trousers even better? When they come in a fun hue, of course.
These sneakers seem simple, but I promise they'll pull in all the compliments.
The ruched bodice and bows on this poplin cotton dress are so flattering on.
Shoulder bags are a mainstay in the fashion set's wardrobe, so why not invest in a fun beaded zebra version?
A white collared dress is nothing new, but the draping on this makes it feel a bit more special.
Layered necklaces give off bougie energy every time.
Slip skirts will always be the epitome of effortless luxury.
These give a whole new meaning to the phrase, "Not your grandmother's pearls."
Next: I'm Shopping for Summer—60 Under-$100 Pieces From H&M, Zara, and Shopbop
Jasmine Fox-Suliaman is a freelance writer and editor living in New York City. What began as a pastime (blogging on Tumblr) transformed into a lifelong passion for unveiling the connection between fashion and culture on the internet and in real life. Over the last decade, she's melded her extensive edit and social background to various on-staff positions at Who What Wear, MyDomaine, and Byrdie. More recently, she’s become a freelance contributor to other publications including Vogue, Editorialist, and The Cut. Off the clock, you can find her clutching her cell phone as she's constantly scrolling through TikTok and The RealReal, in search of the next cool thing.
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