I endlessly love (and wear!) classic white button-downs, but occasionally I find myself in the mood for one that isn’t so classic, but instead has a detail or two that sets it apart. Like for instance, the ruffles here, which are a bit deeper than you usually see.

And relatedly, I like the spiff tuxedo ruffles on this one.

The drop shoulder and voluminous sleeves on this pleated tunic from Cos give it a romantic vibe.

Meanwhile, the band collar and slightly cropped hem here are rather spiff.

An elegant popover with a just-deep-enough neckline.

This boxy short sleeved button-down looks cool in every respect.

And here’s another good boxy shirt with a clean and flattering A-line silhouette.

The touch of eyelet is quite winning on this well-priced top that looks like it could be Nili Lotan.

A seersucker top with a little extra length, for those times when butt coverage is the order of the day.

The tonal plaid print on this ruffle pintuck top is a nice, subtle touch.

This tie-front top just looks so breezy and cool.

The big front pockets on this utility shirt from Alex Mill are standout.

I’m slowly getting used to the puffy shoulders trend—for others, not for me—and everything else on this top is so straightforward that I feel like one could wear it without feeling like one was in costume.

A sweet, sheer-ish blouse that’d look great with a black bra underneath it.

The barely-there cheetah print here is just kind of fun.

And finally: an embroidered button-down that is so very quietly sexy when paired with a cami.

I don’t wear dresses for much of the year, but when the weather gets warmer they’re all I want to wear, and the ones I reach for most often are shirtdresses, because they are such a simple, one-and-done way of looking put together. I especially like how clean and crisp a white one looks, and this one from J. Crew is pretty perfect.

I think the terra cotta hue on this Alex Mill dress is quite sophisticated, and I dig the band collar too.

This animal print number is slightly snugger-fitting than your average shirtdress, but I like that about it. And the color combination is just so fun.

Lavender stripes are so sweet and summery.

And I like this red and white striped poplin specimen too: it just looks so easy.

This one is a slightly more feminine take on the silhouette, and the lace panels are a cool touch.

Here’s a denim dress with a nice amount of stretch to keep things comfy.

I like the slightly fuller skirt here.

This flared dress is just desperately cute, and would be perfect and cool on a really hot day.

This three-quarter sleeve dress also comes in white, and I’m having a really tough time deciding which I like better.

A pretty lattice floral against a rich red background: sublime.

This one from Rag & Bone looks like it’s on the shorter side, but I think that might just be because of the model’s height. I am crazy for the stripe combination: blue and black, my favorite.

The subtle pinstripes on this maxi-ish dress are a nice touch.

A light chambray dress that I’d wear with some layered necklaces.

I like the khaki hue of this tie-front dress, and the fact that it dips slightly lower in the back.

This babydoll silhouette reminds me of something I might have worn in around 1989 and purchased at Street Life on lower Broadway.

A gauze dress that’s probably sheer enough to require a slip. Or it could make a great beach cover-up.

Blue gingham with a little flounce at the hem is just a touch of fun.

A Chanel-like jacket or sweater with jeans is a pretty classic spring look—as the peerless Emmauelle Alt shows here—and it’s one I’ve had on my mind lately as the weather gets increasingly bearable.

This adorable cardigan from Alex Mill is so fun with those punchy bright colors, but it’s pretty elegant too.

A J.Crew coat that looks like it costs way more than it does.

This chic knitted cardigan has just a hint of metallic thread, which is cool.

I have raved before about Iro’s Shavani jacket, which is a great blazer substitute for those who think they look awful in blazers.

I like the nubby texture of this metallic boucle jacket, and the fact that it has what looks like a windowpane plaid pattern.

A very ladylike tweed cardigan with cool chain details, which are very Chanel.

When I was at Lucky, one of the fashion editors had a gorgeous and understated Chanel jacket that was a dead ringer for this one.

The striped details here are so sportif.

This red striped jacket is so versatile and also nicely marked down.

You can find many Chanel-like items in the Ines de la Fressange collection at Uniqlo, including this fantastic striped sweater, which is a real steal.

Another nicely textured sweater, in a really good blue, from J. Crew.

I’d toughen up this sweet pink sweater by wearing it over a plain white tee, and with my most beaten-in jeans.

I am crazy for the rows of gold buttons on this cropped knit jacket—so Euro-chic.

A white tweed jacket that I’d wear—predictably—over a hoodie.