The Ultimate Americana Packing List

This Fourth of July feels especially worth celebrating as America turns 250, and I can’t think of a better excuse to go all in on classic Americana style. Whether you’re packing for Nantucket, another coastal enclave, a lakeside cabin, or a hometown parade, these red, white, and blue pieces feel festive without veering into costume. Think breezy dresses that can go from beach to clambake, crisp shorts and striped sweaters for cool evenings by the water, and a few special pieces that make the holiday weekend feel extra memorable.

I've been on Nantucket for the last three days for a special brand trip with Marea and a lot of the pieces I've linked below are from their collection. The founder, Liz Joy, really nails the easy-to-wear-but-makes-you-look-good vibe you want on vacation (and everyday) and I've been reaching for her sets when I'm headed to the playground or beach, her sweaters for chilly evenings and her dresses for days at home and dinner out. Highly recommend checking out this brand for your summer adventures! And they're really well priced and lovely quality too.

Dresses

• This red embroidered linen mini dress (15% off with STACIE15) is the perfect July 4th piece. Throw it over a swimsuit at the beach or pair with sandals and a straw bag for lunch in town. (Also love this longer version (15% off with STACIE15).)
• The red, white, and blue pattern on this silk dress is an eye-catching piece for a fancy 4th.
• The blue jacquard on this knit skirt is absolutely stunning. Pair with the matching top for a statement set, or wear it solo with a simple white tank and sandals. I love how the pattern looks a bit like fireworks. Perfect for a fancy 4th!
• I'm obsessed with this white embroidered linen maxi. I wore it in Italy and the crease-less fabric is a game changer for packing, and it looks gorgeous with gold jewelry and sandals for a summer evening.
• So charming for summer, this blue floral shift dress is the right length for everything from bike rides around Nantucket to waterfront dinners with friends.
• This red, white and blue caftan is the definition of summer fun. The pattern is so beautiful and it's great if you want to cover your arms after a day in the sun.
• I love the wrap silhouette on this red stripe shirt dress. The linen is crisp but relaxed, and it looks beautiful with flat sandals for a harbor-side dinner or a long weekend afternoon.
• A crisp navy cotton shift is the kind of effortless piece I reach for all summer long. (Seen here.) I picture slipping it on after an outdoor shower to have a patio dinner in the backyard.
• If you need a cute coverup that doubles as a dress, this scarlet stripe terrycloth mini is so fun. The ric rac trim is darling, and it works perfectly from pool to boardwalk.
• The ultimate Americana dress! This madras patchwork halter dress (size up) is festive without trying too hard, and this madras shift dress is selling fast but also incredible. (The shift isn't overly short, the model in the photo is 6 feet tall!)
• Your go-to summer shirt dress is here. This blue and white striped cotton mini looks polished with slides and a tote for lunch, and relaxed enough for a morning coffee run.
• This firecracker red linen dress will stand out from the crowd in the best way.

Tops & Bottoms

• Simple and polished, this navy cotton tank has a chic boat neckline that elevates the basics. Pair it with a white midi skirt like I did in the photo above for dinner, or pair with trouser shorts for a put-together daytime look.
• Wear this delicate eyelet top with this skirt for a dress look one, day, then wear each piece as separates another. (Very efficient when you're on vacation!)
• White denim shorts are non-negotiable for summer, and these cutoffs have the ideal length and relaxed fit with a flattering sligh flare to the leg. Great with a striped tee and sneakers or a linen blouse, I have these in blue and white denim. Obsessed.
• I am obsessed with easy lightweight sets this summer, and this eyelet top and the matching shorts walk the line between casual and refined with ease. (Seen here!)
• Lightweight and breezy, this red seersucker top is so festive for a Fourth of July cookout. Pair with the matching seersucker shorts and gold sandals for an effortlessly patriotic look.
• Perpetually sold out for good reason, these straight-leg jeans are my go-to for cooler Nantucket evenings with a breton stripe sweater and flip flops. The fit is absolutely perfect.
• Trouser shorts are a summer staple, and these ivory cotton linen shorts have the most flattering fit. They look great with a navy sweater tank, a striped tee, or a breezy blouse.
• These paisley linen pants are so chic and affordable. Pair with a navy tank and little straw tote for a day of shopping in town.

Jackets & Sweaters

• Fireworks, stars, and sailboats make this cardigan the most charming layer for Fourth of July. Throw it over a white dress for fireworks or pair with jeans and a tee all summer long.
• Every summer wardrobe needs a classic striped cotton sweater. This one is lightweight enough for July evenings and looks great with white shorts, jeans, or draped over a sundress.
• What would an Americana style round-up be without at least one flag sweater? Size up for a slightly looser fit.
• When the breeze picks up after sunset, this navy cotton cardigan is the layer I grab. It goes with everything in my suitcase and looks especially great paired with the matching sweater tank.
• How perfect is this chunky cotton sweater in iconic Nantucket Reds? It's the ideal breezy summer layer with white jeans and loafers, or tossed over your shoulders at a cookout.
• The floral intarsia on this navy shawl cardigan makes it so special. (Seen here.) It's my favorite cozy layer for chilly Nantucket evenings over a simple dress or tank and jeans.
• For cool evenings on the water, this madras barn jacket is such a fun layer. I love it over a white tee and jeans (seen here), or draped over a simple navy dress.

Bags

• An investment piece worth every penny, I'm irrationally excited about this raffia tote from The Row. Impossibly chic for farmers market runs, beach picnics, or just strolling cobblestone streets.
• Polished enough for errands yet versatile enough for weekends away, this leather crossbody bag transitions beautifully from top-handle to crossbody. Love the gold toggle detail and it reminds me of an Hermes Picotin for a fraction of the price.
• Refined but unfussy, this woven rattan clutch elevates any summer outfit. I love it for dinner out with a sundress or tucked under your arm with tailored shorts at a clambake.
• You really can't beat the classic Boat and Tote for hauling everything from beach towels to groceries. I bring mine everywhere on Nantucket and use it to carry my other more delicate handbags in transit, it's truly indestructible.
• Madras plaid screams New England summer, and this roomy tote is perfect for beach days or tossing in the car for a day trip. Love the navy canvas bottom for durability.
• There's no bag more quintessentially Nantucket than a lightship basket. I found this vintage beauty at Nantucket Antiques Depot and love carrying it for dinner in town.

Shoes

• Elegant and vacation-ready, these gold wrap sandals look stunning with a maxi dress or midi skirt for al fresco dinners. The ankle wrap detail is so flattering.
• Handmade in Italy, these gold T-strap sandals (15% off with STACIE15) dress up any summer look instantly. I wear them with white jeans, sundresses, and even casual shorts for a touch of polish.
• My desert island sandal pick, these nude flip flops go with literally everything. The buttery leather feels amazing, and they have so many colors so it will disappear into your skin for a barefoot look.
• These artisan-made leather sandals have the most beautiful gold ring detail and are endlessly comfortable for long days of walking around town.
• Splurge-worthy and endlessly versatile, these off-white woven slides pair beautifully with everything from linen trousers to a breezy midi dress. The slight heel adds just enough polish.
• Comfortable right out of the box, these raffia block heel sandals have built-in arch support that makes them the only heel that can take on cobblestone streets and grass. I love the woven texture for summer.

Pajamas and Activewear

• Soft and sweet, this pointelle crewneck top and pointelle shorts are the prettiest loungewear pieces. (Size up!)
• Blue gingham pajamas feel so Nantucket to me, and this poplin pajama set (size up) is made from the most beautiful shirting fabric. Worth every penny for pieces you wear every single night.
• Festive workout gear makes July 4th morning runs so much more fun. This cherry red layered bra offers amazing support (up to a G cup!) and pairs perfectly with the matching leggings below. Complete your red workout set with these high-waisted cherry leggings that stay put through every bootcamp and beach run. These are the most flattering leggings I own (seen here).
• On-the-go days call for this navy active dress with built-in shorts and a shelf bra. Perfect for bike rides into town, morning walks, or an afternoon on the tennis court. (Tennis lovers, this raffia racket bag is the chicest way to get to the court. The structured silhouette and shoulder strap make it practical and adorable.)

SHOPPING LIST: