Pucci Summer 2026, Photo by @timelkaim
Whimsy serves as a much-needed emotional antidote to hustle culture, burnout, and an increasingly heavy news cycle. By embracing intentional optimism and curiosity, people are using playfulness to romanticize their daily routines, boost everyday resilience, and rediscover the joy of simply being.
MME. FRENCH Necktie Garden Dress, $425, mmemink.com
Trompe l’oeil is inherently whimsical. By using optical illusions to create playful fictions—this art form invites viewers into a fun, imaginative world where reality and fantasy blur. Witty and whimsical accessories perfectly capture summer’s carefree, playful spirit. They combat the monotony of warm-weather minimalism by injecting instant personality, vibrant color, and joyful nostalgia into basic outfits.
MME. GIGI Fringe Clutch Grand in Clementine, $500, mmemink.com
Just looking at the MME. Gigi Fringe Clutch puts a smile on my face. It’s like summer in a handbag! What’s there not to love? The playful fringe, the capacious size, the cool shape, and that color! Even before the NY Knicks won, orange, Frank Sinatra’s favorite hue, was dubbed, the color of the moment. I’ve always adored it.
“Too much good taste can be boring. A little bit of bad taste is like a nice splash of paprika: healthy, hearty and something we all need.” – Diana Vreeland
Rahya Jewelry Lone Star, Lucky Horseshoe, Marlin Bolos, $68, Rahyajewelrydesign.com
Rahya Blackwell launched her namesake line, Rahya Jewelry Design, an ode to dopamine dressing, in 2011 after earning her BFA in Metals and Jewelry from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).
Rahya Jewelry Eagle, Goldfish Bolos, $68, rahyajewelrydesign.com
Originally from New Orleans, Blackwell works from her home studio, deeply drawing on the organic and vintage aesthetics to create her imaginative, deliciously colorful collections—everything from statement earrings and clever renditions of the iconic squash blossom necklace to her signature bolo ties adorned with goldfish, marlins, crawfish, tigers, elephants, alligators, stars, pirates, crowns, clovers, bows, lotus flowers, orchids, horned frogs (I kid you not) and more.
Chanel Spring 2026 Ready-to-Wear Photo Courtesy of Chanel
Oh, and yes, ranging from $86 – $148, the price is right! “Betcha you can’t have just one!” You certainly cannot have just one button down shirt, the most versatile, essential item of clothing one can own. It’s hardly surprising that the humble (and not so humble) button down, is making news again with the announcement that Chanel has purchased Charvet, the historic French shirt maker.
“Shirting can be the centerpiece to an entire look and also the most elegant and trustworthy supporter of a look” – Sarah Clary, New York City-based stylist and creative director.
Marc Jacobs Spring 2027 Ready-to-Wear Photo by Huy Luong
I’ve always thought that a button down shirt, regardless of the color or fabric, when paired with well-cut trousers, creates a modern, polished alternative to a suit or a cocktail dress. Marc Jacobs proved this point with his spring 2027 ready-to-wear collection. Marc’s versions, made of colorful PVC, vinyl, and cellophane like synthetics, are anything but garden variety.
Backstage at the Marc Jacobs Spring 2027 Ready-to-Wear Collection Photo by Nina Westervelt for WWDCapture
Marc’s show also touched on another theme that I personally love and one that is hard to ignore: Fashion is getting all choked up! The neck is a crucial focal point in fashion because it acts as the immediate visual bridge between your face and your outfit. Neck scarves and chokers are surging in popularity because they provide a high-impact, low-effort way to instantly elevate basic outfits.
Dylanlex Hadley 11 crystal choker, $625, dylanlex.com
By drawing the eye upward, these accessories frame the face, offering a touch of sophisticated drama without the bulk of traditional, oversized jewelry or heavy winter layering.
Emilio Pucci designed by Camille Miceli, Photo by @jonathanfrantini
Marc Jacobs and Emilio Pucci have more in common than meets the eye. They share a deep historical connection through the luxury conglomerate LVMH (WHP Global acquired Marc Jacobs earlier this year), as well as a mutual influence on the career of fashion designer Camille Miceli, Pucci’s artistic director. Miceli spent a foundational decade of her career working directly under Marc Jacobs as his muse and a key creative collaborator at Louis Vuitton.
Lot 166, two Pucci 60’s printed jersey dresses, thefashionauctioneer.com
There is almost nothing that says summer better than Pucci. Inspired by global travel and nature, Emilio Pucci’s prints borrowed heavily from mid-century modern art. Their bold, joyful color blocking feels perfectly aligned with today’s dopamine dressing trends.
Pucci button-down shirts, made of silk or cotton (especially the ones from the 60’s and 70’s), are highly coveted as part of an effortless, glamorous holiday wardrobe and they continue to be highly collectible.
Lot 131 1960’s Pucci silk shirt and matching handbag, thefashionauctioneer.com
One exceptional version, printed in shades of pink and offered with a matching handbag, is part of an online auction mounted by Lucy Bishop, The Fashion Auctioneer. “Exceptional Fashion: Featuring the Pucci Collection of Fiona Spear”, June 25 – July 14th, Spear was dubbed “Pucci’s biggest fan” by Vogue.
Lot 141 Emilio Pucci by Julio Espada, thefashionauctioneer.com
Included are jersey dresses, cotton and velvet separates, printed bikinis, sunglasses, a rare umbrella, scarves, sleepwear, and several terry cloth cover-ups including one especially fabulous maxi version designed by Julio Espada for spring 2002.
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