Nostalgia Alert: The Vibe of the Summer is 1960s Palm Springs

Come for the lightweight, pink linen, stay for the adorable flower detail at the hem. This Staud cutie is everything you could want from a ‘60s-inspired minidress—breathable, bra-friendly, fully lined and it has pockets. It also has button closures on the shoulder to make it much easier to pull this up and over your head and to give you a seamless 360-degree finish.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re currently sipping a Cosmo poolside or nowhere near a body of water. A caftan is always a good summer wardrobe staple. This Trina Turk number is made of silk and features gorgeously draped dolman sleeves that are bra-friendly and oh-so elegant. It’s breezy, glamorous and won’t cling to your figure, even in peak summer heat.

This crochet set looks like something pulled directly from a Slim Aarons photograph. The lemon-yellow hue is cheery without being too cartoonish, and is, frankly, much easier to wear than trendy butter yellow (sorry, not sorry). The skirt has an adjustable drawstring waistband so you can tie it to sit high up at your natural waist or low around your hips. And the peek-a-boo crochet is fabulous for showing off a colorful bikini or you can always layer with a white bralette and matching bike shorts for a bit more coverage.

It doesn’t get more classically ‘60s than this, folks. These oversize cat-eye sunglasses come in cream or kale green to provide you with the chicest UV protection. They’re made of a super-lightweight plastic so won’t go slipping down your nose at the slightest movement. Truly the ideal retro touch to any outfit.

Sleeveless shift dresses aren’t just a trendy Palm Springs silhouette, they’re also just a fabulously stylish way to keep cool in hot weather, no matter where you may be. Choose from two solid hues or four prints with this Old Navy number, all of which come in sizes XS to 4X and both tall and petite lengths. The mini cheetah print pictured above is by far my favorite as a more subtle take on the wild animal trend, and can easily be layered over a white tee or long-sleeve come fall, giving it even more staying power.

Lilly Pulitzer is the place to find vibrant, ‘60s-esque frocks, rompers and more, and thanks to the women of Sirens, it’s also having something of a comeback right now. This maxi-length shift comes in two iconically bright prints, and the matching adjustable belt helps give the illusion of a wrap skirt. The fabric does have a decent amount of stretch, but in my experience, sizing can be a bit tricky with Lilly Pulitzer, so be sure to double check the size chart before adding to your shopping cart.

Another incredible matching set, this blue duo is made of a jacquard knit that drapes really beautifully IRL and that won’t trap sweat like wool or cashmere. The exaggerated cuffs and wide collar lend a retro vibe to the button-front top, and the skirt has plenty of stretch to easily pull on and off. Oh, and did I mention the bottom is also fully lined for added sweat protection? Score!

This adorable little handbag can be so easily dressed up or down to fit any occasion, looking fabulous with both a crochet swimsuit cover-up and a party-ready mini dress. It comes with a matching leather crossbody strap as well, should you want to give it a more casual daytime vibe. And despite the petite size, it still manages to fit a decent amount, including all your essentials (phone, card case, keys, lip balm, etc.).

A good sunhat is essential for summers spent outdoors, but if you’ve grown tired of your classic wide-brim straw design, this green Lorna Murray number may be just the thing to perk you up once more. It comes in a ton of fun colors and patterns (as well as a more demure, though no less interesting, black-and-white design), all with the same gorgeous folding throughout. It’s also designed to collapse and fit nicely into a compact cotton carrying bag for easy storage and packing, and has built-in UPF 50+ sun protection. (P.S. Pamela Anderson is also a fan.)

This white minidress can double as a swimsuit coverup or a mini dress, making it a total no-brainer if you’re packing for a warm-weather getaway. The V-neckline is just low enough to feel sexy without giving too much away, and same goes for the unlined fabric of the slare sleeves. Reviewers do say it’s fairly short (some over 5’9” felt it was too short for their taste), but should be ideal for petite frames. And while the fabric does not have much stretch, it’s still recommended you take your usual size.

Truly a perfect frock for hot, humid days, this Banana Republic minidress is made of a lightweight cotton poplin that’s machine washable and oh-so breathable. The swinging silhouette and V neckline help facilitate air flow around the body, and there are pockets as well, for stowing some extra SPF. It’s currently available in three color options (all of which are also available in tall lengths), but it’s this green fan print that most reads ‘60s Palm Springs in all the best ways.

Whether you tie it around your head like a Hollywood starlet or around the handle of your bag for a little personal touch, a silk scarf is a must for achieving the Palm Springs look. This silk number is double sided, featuring the same cheetah imagery on the flipside in shades of blue and green. At 25-inches square, it may be too small to tie as a scarf top, but should be ideal for use as an accessory.

Yes, you can separate the strapless top and wide-leg pants of this matching set, but I feel they work best when worn together to create a super-luxe-looking splash of color from head to toe. The knit fabric is a cotton-linen blend designed specifically to keep you looking and feeling cool all summer long. And there are currently eight chic colors to choose from if red isn’t quite your vibe.

The key to any ‘60s Palm Springs wardrobe will always be the caftan. Bright colors and flowy fabric just scream “meet me by the pool with a bottle of pink” and this yellow beauty is no exception. The fixed gathering at the front gives some shape to all that fabric, and the draping looks gorgeous on all body types. Just know, this is a single size item, so double check the measurements to ensure it will fit the way you like before you order.