Protecting yourself from the summer sun—in style, no less—is nothing short of an art form, which is why we’ve turned to the Palm Beach-raised, Los Angeles-based stylist Erin Walsh, whose A-List clients include Anne Hathaway and Selena Gomez.
“Every summer, I do a style top-up, but I’m not looking for the bag or the shoe of the season — I have three kids and a big business to run,” says Walsh. Instead, she reaches for effortless and elegant pieces, now infused with the laidback glamor of Slim Aarons’ 1960s poolside photographs. “Annie jokes that I dress like I live on a yacht,” she adds with a laugh. “In the summer, I try to balance modern with a touch of the whimsical.”
She counts the foundations of her style as easy loose layers and crisp neutrals. ”For summer, I try to really limit the color palette so that it’s easier to put things together. I’m not print-averse, but, if I’m packing, the print will be stripes because they mix with everything.” The rest comes down to a balance of texture and proportion: “If you’re wearing a linen shirt, maybe you have a basket bag or a fishnet shoe. If you have on oversized sunglasses, maybe you go with a streamlined silhouette or elegant, restrained jewelry.” As for the beauty staples in her tote? A springy Vitamin C serum and a city-to-beach Shiseido sunscreen keep things simple.
Below, Walsh shares her top summer tips and the protective pieces she can’t live without.
Hunza G Celine Swimsuit
“My go-to bathing suits are from Hunza G. The cuts are really flattering, and they’re amazing texture-wise. They stretch out and stretch back in, so I wore them throughout a pregnancy and after, too. They make a good one-piece with cutouts in the center. It gives you the freedom of a two-piece but with the coverage of a one-piece.”
Le Scarf Paisley Scarf
“I love to mix in a print with Le Scarf’s silk scarves. I always throw an extra in my bag to tie around my hair or wear as a top or around my waist.”
Westman Atelier Suprême C Serum
“I always pack Suprême C serum in my beach bag for extra hydration during the day.”
The Frankie Shop Button-Down Shirt
“A men’s-style shirt makes the best cover-up. It’s the easiest thing to throw on over your bathing suit. You can wear it with shorts or drawstring linen pants. I’m also leaning into wearing it with matching boxer shorts, paired with heels or flat sandals.”
Shiseido Sunscreen
“I’m very religious about sunscreen. Shiseido’s Urban Environment Sun Dual Care is great, and I love Supergoop! for the kids.”
The Banana Republic Oversized Raffia Straw Hat
“I have fair skin, so I’m always wearing a straw hat in the sun. I love Lack of Color and Janessa Leone, and Banana Republic has this giant floppy hat that’s so cool.”
Le Specs Velodrome & Oliver Peoples Benedict Sunglasses
“I’m a sunglasses maniac. I love Oliver Peoples’s aviators and the shades of their lenses. Le Specs has really cool shapes, as well. If the rest of what I’m wearing is more straightforward, I’ll get a little funkier with my sunglasses.”
La Ligne Breton Long Sleeve Tee
“I wear all of La Ligne’s classic striped tees. I’ll tie one over a bathing suit, and I always have one over my shoulders for a chilly evening or going onto the plane.”
Matteau Everyday Skirt
“I wear long skirts with a bathing suit on top, or, for more coverage, I’ll throw on a button-down and tie it at the waist. Matteau and Banana Republic have gorgeous options.”
Liquid Super Loaded in Peau de Soleil
"The Liquid Super Loaded drops in the sheer bronze and rosé shades are so easy to throw on anywhere."
Cover Swim Long-Sleeved Swimsuit
“If you’re in a lot of sun or going to be in the ocean, Cover Swim’s long-sleeved swimsuit is a no-brainer. That’s where I’ll have more fun with prints—because why not?”
Prada Crochet Tote Bag
“We use so many bags. For summer, I love the giant Hermès tote with the leather bottom, which has been around for a long time, and any kind of woven bag, like this Prada crochet tote.”
