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Art of Style

The Ultimate Summer Eveningwear Guide

Discover perfect eveningwear looks for all occasions – think summer soirees, glamorous after-dark parties and every other event in between – from Khaite’s high-summer ’26 capsule collection, exclusive to NET-A-PORTER

Photography Saskia Lawaks
Fashion
Featuring: Alexa Chung, Tom Sturridge, Meghann Fahy, Gemma Chan, Heather Kaminetsky, Catherine Holstein, Tish Weinstock, Dree Hemingway, Rebecca Dayan, Chloe Fineman

From London to Long Island, last weekend signaled the official start of summer dressing – and with it a season of easy alfresco evenings requiring outfits equally as effortless. Enter Khaite’s only-at-NET-A-PORTER high-summer capsule and some of fashion’s most stylish names with some on-trend eveningwear inspiration set against the beautiful backdrop of Florence, Italy.

Across two idyllic days, NET-A-PORTER CEO Heather Kaminetsky and Khaite creative director Catherine Holstein hosted guests including Gemma Chan, Olivia Wilde and Alexa Chung at the Villa San Michele – a restored 15th-century monastery in the Tuscan hills with spectacular panoramic views of the city – to celebrate the New York label’s exclusive high-summer ’26 capsule. Read on to discover some of the chicest looks from the event and how to wear them now…

Sheer elegance

A sheer dress is standout trend this season and an effortlessly elegant choice for summer occasions as it is beautifully light and effortless to style. Follow actor Gemma Chan and director Olivia Wilde’s lead in see-through dresses that are polished enough for dressier occasions, as well as an intimate dinner with friends. Chan’s ethereal maxi has a statement cowl neckline and is tempered with a contrasting black slip underneath, while Wilde’s slip dress showcases beautiful open-lace blooms. Make the look work in your own wardrobe with Khaite’s ‘Sybil’ skirt in layered cotton-blend bouclé and organza with the matching top and barely-there heels.

Gemma Chan and Olivia Wilde
Alexa Chung
Conie Vallese

A romantic evening top

Sometimes all you need to elevate an outfit for evening is an effortlessly chic top. Emulate Alexa Chung’s ensemble by wearing Khaite’s ‘Rory’ top in saccharine pink silk-satin to dinner with Bermuda shorts and Gianvito Rossi’s ‘Sofia’ thong sandals. Alternatively, opt for the brand’s ‘Poppi’ style – a NET-A-PORTER exclusive – in white or black paired with crinkled satin pants, complementing the softly curved boat neckline with pulled-back hair and oversized drop earrings.

Meghann Fahy, Rebecca Dayan, Dree Hemingway, Chloe Fineman

’90s minimalism

The ’90s is the fashion gift that keeps on giving, and few brands master the decade’s minimalism better than Khaite. Perfecting the formula, actor Meghann Fahy opted for the figure-skimming ‘Taja’ dress in crinkled gold voile (another NET-A-PORTER exclusive) complete with a sleek updo and delicate jewelry. The slip-on-and-go silhouette works just as well with flats as it does with heels, meaning you can go from daytime events to evening parties with just a simple change of footwear. If you want to elevate things further for more formal occasions, take cues from comedian Chloe Fineman, who styled the brand’s sculptural cocoon dress with a polished leather clutch.

Dree Hemingway
Meghann Fahy

Summer white

Nothing looks chicer than a crisp white ensemble in summer, especially against a bucolic or coastal backdrop at sunset. Dree Hemingway proved just how impactful top-to-toe white can be, arriving in Khaite’s tie-detailed ‘Shay’ skirt and a matching top. Follow her lead by styling with little more than a clutch and minimal makeup, or add a pop of color with a beaded necklace or statement shoe. Alternatively, take cues from Meghann Fahy in the brand’s ‘Tatia’ mini and contrasting black pumps.

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