Katie Dishes on Her Summer Wardrobe Staples

“Walker and Wade was founded by my friend Laurie Kittle when she was 60,” Katie says. “I’m so proud of her and her colleague, Molly Peterson.” Each piece from the brand is handmade in Bali, and they’re cool, comfy, and a fuss-free way to instantly look great. This breezy dress is the perfect example of that. 

As a petite gal, Katie appreciates a little extra height every now and then. These espadrilles add some lift without being extremely high, and they’re not a nightmare to walk in. They look great paired with sun dresses or trousers, and you can adjust the fit with the tie strap. 

Pickleball season is in full swing, literally and figuratively, and Katie has been hitting the courts in this red-hot number. The pleats allow your legs to move freely while playing, and the built-in shorts have pockets to hold your phone or spare balls. On a recent work retreat, Katie kicked all our butts on the pickleball court while wearing it.

Everyone should own one high-quality silk dress — they’re timeless and can be worn across all different seasons and events. The key is to opt for something slinky like this one, because it won’t stick to your skin if you sweat. A creamy ivory color like this works year-round, and the mid-calf length is universally complementary. If the price tag scares you away from this one, you can find dresses in similar styles at places like Nordstrom. And once the season changes for chillier temps, Katie likes to style this exact dress with a leather blazer on top. 

Accessories can make or break an outfit, and adding one standout piece is an easy way to complete any look. This chunky chain looks expensive, but it actually costs less than $100. Reviewers say it feels just as high-quality as it looks. Katie wore hers with a sleeveless black blazer, allowing it to be the star of the show.

Katie bought these in both white and navy — and we don’t blame her. “They’re so stretchy and very comfy,” she says. “I love that I can wear them with espadrilles and any T-shirt and they look cute.”

Check out these stunning summer spectacles — and then say that three times fast! For those of us who need some extra magnifying power while reading on or driving to the beach, reading glasses aren’t seasonal. But we love the way tortoiseshell looks against the bright whites and pastels of summer fashion, and because they’re so neutral, you won’t have to swap them out come fall. This pair looks nearly identical to the designer style Katie’s been wearing during her Instagram lives, but at $25, they’re much more affordable, so you won’t feel guilty buying them in bulk to scatter around the house.

Katie has been wearing vests as tops lately, and this blazer vest from Argent is at the front of her closet. In the warmer months, she wears it with coordinating suit trousers, but in the colder weather, she layers the vest over a button down or turtleneck to add dimension (and much-needed warmth).

Easy and breezy is the name of the game when the temps are so high you don’t even want to put clothes on. Aside from your birthday suit, this cotton dress is the coolest thing you can wear when it’s sweltering out. Made of 100 percent organic cotton, the fabric is extremely breathable and doesn’t cling to your body. And while the length allows the legs to breath, it’s long enough that you won’t accidentally moon anyone if you have to bend over.

If you’re going to invest in a handbag, there are three things to make sure of: 1. That it’s made from high-quality materials that wear well over time; 2. That it can easily be styled with items you already own; and 3. That it’s so good-looking you can’t help but show it off. Katie is obsessed with this one by her friends at Harper Lawrence, and it checks all our boxes, too. If you want something that’ll match the sunny skies or blooms in your garden, you’ll be charmed by the array of bright colors this bag comes in.

High-waisted, stretchy, and easy to style: Does it get any better? Katie says she lives in these pants, and she loves that they come in a variety of colors and patterns. Naturally, she has a pair for every season!