6 flattering vacation dresses from Nordstrom — and how to style them
Planning a spring or summer getaway? Sounds fun! But what are you going to pack? If you need a little inpso, I suggest taking a vacation dress or two with you, like these fun options I found at Nordstrom. Unlike your regular warm-weather frocks, these get-ups are usually brighter, bolder and breezier — think palm prints, bright colors and light linen fabrics. My favorite picks include everything from this flowy white cotton dress (just $39!) to a Yahoo reader-loved maxi that you'll never want to take off.
A dress is just the first layer to any stylish look, though. Accessories like sunglasses, handbags, sandals and sweaters can give the star of the show a little extra oomph. They're practical, too — you need a good handbag to stash your lip gloss and sunglasses to keep your eyes from squinting while you're cruising around the Caribbean or Italian countryside.
Below, l'm sharing six vacation outfit ideas that I can't wait to try out during my own upcoming travels. You can likely recreate any of these looks with items you already have at home, and if not, the links are here to shop. I love getting a new dress to wear on vacation, but a whole new outfit — well, there's nothing better.
If you usually gravitate towards navy, let me suggest a bolder shade of blue for a nighttime meal by the water. This lightweight Vince Camuto dress stands out for its "palace blue" hue and contrasting wavy details. I love that it has a smocked back for a comfortable fit. Plus, it slips over your head so there are no zippers to worry about. (FYI: Nordstrom shoppers say it runs a little big.)
I'd pair it with gold sandals, light sunnies and a white leather handbag. This Coach Jonie Bag is small, but big enough to fit the essentials, and it converts from a handheld to a crossbody. My suggestion: Leave the long strap at home and carry it like a clutch. Taking inspo from the ocean-like blue, I'd add a seashell-adorned necklace to bring the theme home.
Shop the look:
The red palm print on this Lipsy sundress is striking, but I love that you'll still be able to wear it back home with a jean jacket and flip-flops. It features a smocked back (again, no zippers) and its cotton-linen fabric paired with the A-line ruffled skirt makes it feel extra breezy.
Add simple brown leather sandals, aviator sunglasses (only $15!) and this woven crossbody bag by Rebecca Minkoff —can't you just taste the pińa coladas?! Oh, and these freshwater pearls add a bit of beachy glam without feeling stuffy.
Shop the look:
When the temps rise, I'm all about throwing on something light and breezy, like this Steve Madden dress. This 100% cotton number is just $39 and comes in seven colors, but white is my go-to on extra hot days. It has a stretchy, smocked back for comfort and an elastic waist that's uber flattering.
Wear it into the local town to pick up some souvenirs. I'd pair it with a raffia tote bag, like this one by Tory Burch, flat sandals and an ankle bracelet for some unexpected extra flair. While these transparent green sunglasses add a subtle touch of color to any look, they'll especially pop with a neutral outfit like this one.
Shop the look:
If you usually reach for your little black dress come the weekend, switch things up on vacation. This linen mini in spring's hottest color trend — butter yellow — is such a happy hue and looks way more expensive than it is. It fits like a loose shift dress, but there's a tie in the back to make it tighter if you prefer a little more shape. Plus, wide straps allow you to wear your regular bra with it.
I'd pair it with neutral heels or sandals, a jean jacket if it gets chilly at night and some extra fun accessories. I love Staud's beaded Tommy Bags, especially this Wildflower print. Yes, it goes with this dress perfectly, thanks to its yellow accents, but you can also wear it with jeans and a T-shirt or any other neutral outfit. Add these pearl-drop earrings with blue gemstones to play into the bags' beading.
Shop the look:
This is the kind of print I'm talking about when I think of a vacation dress! Is it florals or corals? I don't know, but it looks amazing in this green khaki color. This Petal & Pup number features flattering bustier-like seaming on the bodice and a sweetheart neckline that will make you feel like a princess. Of course, even princesses will appreciate the adjustable straps and elastic back for comfort!
I'd pair this dress with strappy heels for a fancy dinner or keep it casual with raffia slides, gold jewelry and a light cardigan if you need it. I'm also all about this shell-shaped handbag — a beachside getaway is the perfect spot to take this baby out.
Shop the look:
I get it: You might not want to dress up every day that you're on vacation. Keep things casual with this stretchy, flowy Loveappella maxi dress. While it comes in four colors, the black is super slimming and versatile. Wear it on its own or over your swimsuit for a casual day by the beach or pool.
That said, if you want to zhuzh it up, I'd match this Yahoo reader favorite with Havaianas Flip-Flops (the crystal ones are too cute!), a packable hat that won't lose its shape in your suitcase and a straw-like handbag, like this one by Madewell. These Hexagonal Ray-Ban sunglasses are also universally flattering — seriously, they look good on everyone — and like this dress, they're a good basic you'll want to wear again and again.
Shop the look:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Eater
3 hours ago
- Eater
What to Get Your Food-Loving Dad for Father's Day
In our experience, the best food-related Father's Day gifts check some combination of feeling personal, kitsch, useful, and delicious. There is no one right way to be a father or a father-like figure, or shop for one, but it feels fair to say that our most successful Father's Day presents have either fulfilled a hyper-specific need, such as a kneeling foam pad for herb gardening, or celebrated our food-loving fathers' rituals around grilling, fishing, or making truckloads of their deceased Italian mother's marinara on Sundays. Riposa in pace , nonna! Your son has become a worthy sauce master in your stead. Father's Day falls on June 15 this year, which means you have a little over a week to smash the order button on some Snake River Farms steaks or a high-tech Ooni pizza oven. Should you seriously procrastinate, there are always two-day shipping options from Amazon Prime, and retailers such as Nordstrom provide an estimate of the soonest day an order can arrive. Plus, you can also opt for day-of, shipping-free digital gifts, such as a Southern cooking MasterClass with James Beard Award–winning chef Mashama Bailey, or a gift card to Williams Sonoma. Your dad is the best dad out of all the dads, of course, so let's find him the perfect present, whether that means something to throw on the grill (or in the Igloo cooler) or a themed apron that harkens back to his days following the Grateful Dead. These Wagyu steaks from Snake River Farms Family-operated since 1968, Snake River Farms has earned a reputation as one of the best ranch-to-table slingers in the game for the best meats you can buy, from Kurobuta pork to wild-caught seafood to dry-aged Porterhouse steak. While it's an excellent source of dad-centric gifts in general — what father wouldn't want a Smithey skillet or a custom meat subscription box? — but we're thinking that Daddy deserves some of the meat purveyor's wagyu beef, because it's a rich, marbled cross between pure Japanese wagyu and American-bred beef. This set of grill-ready fancy salts With its Grilling Trio, the highly aesthetic Oregon-based company Jacobsen Salt Co. has treated us to a holy trinity of its iconic, chef-loved sea salt, as well as an infused black pepper salt and sea salt steak seasoning with minced garlic, paprika, fennel seed, rosemary, and more dried herbs. One stainless steel frying pan to rule them all Ah, the endless versatility of a lidded, stainless steel 10-inch frying pan. There's a good chance your pops has sizzled his own to the high heavens, no? Eater collaborated with Heritage Steel to make our very own iteration, which is made with durable, high-quality, 5-ply stainless steel and given an extra half-inch of circumference, making it the reigning favorite of our fry pan rotation. A leather oven mitt Unlike that greying, striped cloth oven mitt your pops has had for years, a leather oven mitt will only look cooler as it gets a little scratched up and worn-in over the years. | Cast Leather Co. Prices taken at time of publishing. A Deadhead dad's dream apron For the father who is still a headlight on a northbound train. Several Eater staffers own Hedley & Bennett aprons, and can attest to the comfort and durability of the cotton material. The brand's collab with The Grateful Dead has spawned some of the coolest aprons money can buy. A digital picture frame for the kitchen What father doesn't love flipping flapjacks beside a digital picture frame featuring the best snapshots of his kids, grandkids, and that time you all rode horses together on Catalina Island? | Aura Prices taken at time of publishing. Ooni's cult-fave pizza oven is $269 off The Ferrari of pizza ovens. Ooni's electric indoor model is 30 percent off right now, and can cook a Neapolitan-style pizza in just 90 seconds (a fact which your pops will love explaining to his pals before watching the game). | Ooni Prices taken at time of publishing. Track down vintage John Deere drinkware There's an infinite bounty of vintage John Deere coasters, shot glasses — hell, there's even a John Deere tractor-shaped decanter — on vintage and second-hand retailer sites such as Ebay. It's like they say: you can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the tractor out of his liquor cabinet. | Ebay Prices taken at time of publishing. For the pops who wants to sous vide all day Give Dad the power of preserving his precious deer meats for seasons to come, at the touch of a button. | Anova Prices taken at time of publishing. A MasterClass in cooking pasta and rice dishes (because even Dad doesn't know everything) Is it just me, or was there always a handful of track team and cross country dads who prided themselves on being able to whip up buckets of cheesy pasta dishes before a big meet? Should the dad in your life feel curious about improving their recipe portfolio, MasterClass' series on hardy pasta and rice dishes is a great way to build up their confidence in the kitchen — although there's a good chance they already have plenty. | MasterClass Prices taken at time of publishing. Starting at $10/month (billed annually) for all classes. Keep things cool with Stanley's beer stein Lest we forget, Stanley makes more than Quenchers for dirty sodas. The company's durable hunter green flasks and colorful beer steins deserve some extra TLC, especially because the latter will keep father's ambrosia of choice (who knows, maybe it's a dirty soda!) chilled for hours, whether he's just chilling on the patio, is at the Big Game, or is chilling on a fishing boat. | Stanley Prices taken at time of publishing. Soulful serving utensils Qäsa Qäsa Carvers ethically sources all of its hand-carved pieces from the talented artisans of the Makonde tribe in Mtwara, Tanzania. No two sets will look quite alike, and the mixed assortment of blackwood utensils will look just as beautiful serving up a dense bean salad or spices as it will hanging from a pot rack. | Qäsa Qäsa Prices taken at time of publishing. This coffret of worldly sausages Olympia Provisions is the United States' first-ever USDA-approved salumeria, and it has united 13 lucky sausages with flavor profiles from around the world (think, the cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg sausages of Alsace, France, and the bright citrus-kissed flavors of Greek loukanika) into this gift box for Dad. | Goldbelly Prices taken at time of publishing. Because dads deserve their flowers, too Leave it to Urban Stems, maker of my go-to Mother's Day bouquet, the Unicorn, to assemble something festive for Father's Day. This bouquet is aptly dubbed 'The Men Love Flowers,' because it's a peach rose- and golden marigold-forward bundle of optimism and energy that pops will appreciate. | Urban Stems Prices taken at time of publishing. Happy Father's Day, champ. The freshest news from the food world every day
Hamilton Spectator
4 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Sudbury's new Cortina 64 will bring back memories of great pizza
It is always exciting to report on a new restaurant. Sometimes, there is a nostalgia element that is also part of the story. So true here because not only does everyone in Sudbury know the famous foods of Cortina, but also the legendary Grumblers in the South end. Food service and hospitality is part of the Kirkwood family DNA. Meet Troy: 'Yes, I am 22 years old. I served and managed at the Daventry (on Regent Street) for two years while I got my honours bachelor of business administration at Cambrian (College).' He also worked at Cortina on Barrydowne Road and Paris Street for several years before that. So, what is this new Notre Dame Avenue venture, Cortina 64? 'The 64 pays homage to the first Cortina Pizza location that opened on Shaughnessy Street in 1964,' Kirkwood said. 'Tony Masotti, the original owner, moved to Sudbury from Cortina, Italy, in 1947 and worked at Inco for 25 years before opening a takeout restaurant with a menu comprised of his family's recipes. 'We aim to build on Tony's legacy by continuing the age-old recipes and adding exciting new options that will keep people coming back for more. Why this location and why now? Kirkwood willingly shares what the thought process is. 'We were forced out of the Barrydowne location in December. We had two months to make a decision, and at the eleventh hour, we toured the Notre Dame location. We decided to go all-out on this one and make it the best version of Cortina Sudbury has ever seen. It's what the city deserves.' Okay, I don't want to get into a 'what is the best pizza in Sudbury' fight with anyone, but I bet we can agree Cortina was terrific. I had to ask Kirkwood why Cortina was always known for great pizza and why they are reviving the tradition now. 'This is for sure a Cortina renaissance. The elevation in food quality, location, a full bar, huge marketing efforts, and friendly staff propels what Cortina was doing before into a new stratosphere.' I visited Kirkwood just days away from opening. 'There is lots of nervous energy right now. I am so excited. Months of hard work. Three solid months; which is about the quickest you could possibly imagine opening a restaurant. 'We still will offer takeout and delivery, but we strongly encourage customers to eat in, have some conversations at our booths, admire the classic Italian artwork, enjoy some great food, maybe some Italian beer or wine, and go home raving about their full-service experience at Cortina 64.' With 132 seats, this is no modest project. So, who will eat here? 'People who are passionate about food and drink is what comes to mind first, but on a deeper level, people who care about community,' Kirkwood said. 'We buy local every time we can. We've partnered with many other small businesses, including Damascus Shawarma, Stack Brewing, Saucy Pete's, D&A Meats, Regency Bakery and more to keep things as local as possible. 'We love Sudbury, and strongly value loyalty, authenticity, and culture. You should get a little bit of each in every bite.' Troy Kirkwood knows, too, that Sudbury loves wings and pasta. He said Cortina 64 will offer both. 'We have the genuine recipe from my great uncle's old pub, Grumbler's,' Kirkwood said. 'Uncle Don is no longer with us, unfortunately, but his wings that so many people loved for many years coming back to a Sudbury menu felt like a good way to honour his memory. 'We also have a number of new pastas, including an authentic spaghetti carbonara, shrimp scampi, and chicken Parmesan, just to name a few.' They have a bar, too. Will it be part of the attraction? 'We sure hope so,' Kirkwood said. 'I crafted the menu with a bartender when I was still at the Daventry, and everything looks and sounds delicious. We have three 55-inch TVs, too, so we can cheer on the Blue Jays, the Leafs and the Baltimore Ravens, depending on the season; unless you side with my dad, who is a die-hard Cleveland browns fan. 'I need to mention chef Jim Meilleur, who has been an absolutely crucial part of this project. We're all looking forward to his recipes and he brings a very decorated resume to the table, having taught the culinary program at (College) Boreal for 15 years and has Red Seal certification. Without him, it wouldn't be possible.' Kirkwood said he and his team have been working long hours and late nights to get the site ready. I had to ask what he is looking forward to as a first meal. He said it will be beef carpaccio. Starting Thursday, May 29, you can dine at Cortina 64. Find them at 854 Notre Dame Ave. in Sudbury. Nickel and Dining is a regular feature in The Sudbury Star. If you want to feature your restaurant, eatery, or bakery, send an email to dmacdonald@ . The Local Journalism Initiative is made possible through funding from the federal government. Bluesky: @ X: @SudburyStar Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
10 music festivals in the Rockford, Illinois area for 2025
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — The Rockford, Illinois region is a vibrant hub for music festivals, blending country, rock, cultural performances, and local talent. These events combine live music with food, family activities, and community spirit. Here is a list of 10 music festivals in the Rockford area for 2025. Location: Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, RockfordDate: Tuesdays, May 27–August 26, 2025Time: 5:45 p.m. opener, 6:30 p.m. headlinerDescription: A summer concert series held in the serene Anderson Japanese Gardens, featuring local, regional, and national acts in genres like folk, blues, and indie. Guests bring lawn chairs or blankets for a relaxed outdoor experience. Food and beverages are Headliners: Visit for a list of weekly headlinersCost: Free admission for Premium Garden members. Non-members:Adults $13, seniors $12, students and military, $11. Kids 5 & under free Location: Sinnissippi Park Music Shell, 1401 N. Second St., RockfordDate: Tuesdays and Thursdays, June to AugustTime: 7 A free summer concert series at the historic Sinnissippi Park Music Shell, showcasing local and regional talent across rock, jazz, and soul. Headliners: .Cost: Tickets range from $5 to $25 Location: Sinnissippi Park Music Shell, 1401 N. Second St., RockfordDate: June 19, 2025Description: Illinois' longest-running Juneteenth celebration. Organized by Rockford community activist Tommy Meeks, the festival honors Black history with live music and Free admission Location: Settlers Park, downtown RocktonDate: June 12–15, 2025Description: Hosted by the Rockton Lions, this four-day festival features carnival rides, food stalls, and a major country music lineup, drawing crowds to downtown Headliners: Priscilla Block with Greylan James, Kameron Marlowe with Dylan Schneider, Dylan Scott with Payton Smith and Chris Cagle with Lainie Tickets are $20–$35. General admission: $6–$10, kids 12 and under free. Location: Loves Park Festival Grounds, 100 Heart Blvd., Loves ParkDate: July 26, 2025 Time: 1-10 A free, all-day festival with live music, food trucks, a car show, vendors, and fireworks. It's family-friendly with a kids' activity area and a diverse lineup of Headliners: Nauti Nauti, Tennessee Whiskey (Chris Stapleton tribute), Petty Kings (Tom Petty tribute), Funky Monks (Red Hot Chili Peppers tribute)Details: Free admission Location: Levings Park, 1420 S. Pierpont Ave., Rockford, ILDate: June 29, 2025Time: 3-7 A celebration of Black culture with live music, food vendors, and community engagement, highlighting local artists in hip-hop, R&B, and Headliners: Just Fine (Mary J. Blige tribute)Details: Free admission Location: Boylan Catholic High School, 4000 St. Francis Drive, RockfordDate: August 1–3, 2025Description: A three-day festival celebrating Italian heritage with bocce tournaments, carnival rides, and authentic Italian food. Music includes traditional Italian performances, rock, country and Headliners: Visit for lineup General admission, $8. Kids 7 and under are free. Location: Boone County Fairgrounds, 8791 IL-76, BelvidereDate: Aug. 5–10, 2025Description: A major county fair with carnival rides, tractor pulls, 4-H exhibits, and grandstand concerts, focusing on country music. It's a regional favorite with fair food and Headliner: Justin Moore with Noah HicksCost: Check for ticket prices and bundles. Location: Winnebago County Fairgrounds, 500 W. First St., PecatonicaDate: Aug. 13–17, 2025Description: A historic fair since 1921, featuring livestock shows, carnival rides, and live music in the entertainment Headliners: TBD. Visit for $5-$15 admission Location: Stephenson County Fairgrounds, 2250 W. Walnut Road., FreeportDate: August 19–23, 2025 (based on regional fair scheduling)Description: A regional fair with pony rides, livestock competitions, tractor pulls, and live music on the grandstand and side Headliners: Check for Admission $11.30 single day, bundles and season passes available What did we miss? Let us know and we'll add it to the list. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
