White Polka-Dot Maxi Dress

A white ground scattered with polka dots, cut to the ankle — this maxi is summer-occasion dressing at its most straightforward.

The print does the work here. Dots on white read fresh in daylight and crisp in the evening, so the dress moves from a daytime event to dinner without a change. The long line keeps it graceful; the palette keeps it light. It is the kind of dress that looks composed in photographs, which matters at the events it will be worn to.

Where does it belong? Garden parties, christenings, holiday dinners, a beach wedding as a guest — anywhere the light is good and the dress code says effort without severity. Tan sandals and a straw bag keep it daytime; a heel and gold earrings move it into the evening. White with dots rarely dates, so this is a keeper rather than a season's fling.