If you’ve been around here a while, you know my whole philosophy: clothes should work as hard as you do. No precious pieces you’re scared to sit down in, no “special occasion only” rules — just things you actually live in. This striped linen shirt-and-short set from J.Crew (on sale right now!) is exactly that. I wore it for a lazy day of leisure at our hotel in Puglia and then straight out to lunch, no outfit change required. That’s the whole point — one piece, multiple moods. The linen breathes in the heat, the oversized button-up doubles as a cover-up or a throw-on-over-a-swimsuit layer, and the shorts underneath mean you’re never fussing with anything.

Why I keep reaching for it:
Linen means it travels well and only gets better with a little wrinkle
Set separates so you can wear the pieces apart later
Neutral-ish accessories let the stripes do the talking
On sale = even better excuse to buy it now
Shop the look, and as always — buy the pieces you’ll actually wear again and again, not just for the photo.
XO, Maria

Keep it light, airy and cute. This simple A-line dress checks all the points. It’s comfortable, structured but roomy to leave space for all the air you can get on a hot summer day. Added fun accessories to make it more fun and the shoes are summer perfection. Now, let’s talk about logistics. Arrive by 9:30 am for easy parking and beat the crowds. Quick one hour visit, walk around, go into the trullis, local artisans offer olive tree wood pieces unique to the area, some greet you with homemade treats and you can get really cute souvenirs. We didn’t see large crowds and it was worth it for a quick visit. It was like a fairytale.

Today’s outfit of the day revolves around a relaxed beach club day. I wore my easy one size Hunza G bikini with my airy and very comfortable PQ Swim pants that I always pack when traveling to a summer getaway. It gives Missoni vibes but for a fraction of the price. An outfit doesn’t have to be expensive or from a well-known brand to look good, it’s all about how you style it. Since we were having lunch at the Coccaro beach club near Monopoli before spending a leisurely day at their private beach, I added some accessories to the look.

Today’s outfit of the day is a simple, casual and a little extra look I put together for an al fresco dinner in Cisternino. The dinner fit was an all-white look. A white mesh skirt, such as this Steve Madden one, I’ve had for a couple of years and have worn it pretty often in the summer months, is perfect for summer travel, wear it on top of a bathing suit or wear an oversized shirt and picked in with a belt or outside for a more relaxed fit or go with an oversized tee for an al fresco dinner in southern Italy. The key is to feel comfortable and you.