Photos: The Social Shopper: June 2, 2012

When we think about summer, we often conjure up images of vast stretches of sandy beaches, crystal clear water, serene sunsets, and seasonal cocktails—and naturally, we dress accordingly. While all that is well and good once the weekend rolls around, eventually we return to our regular Monday–Friday lives, when we’re going to work, carting around children, and grabbing lunch with friends, and the question looms: What can we wear on those days that is practical, but also keeps the feeling of summer close at hand? For starters, may we suggest swapping your everyday bag with a vacation tote bag (say, a very beachy woven version) and showing off just the right amount of sun-kissed skin? After all, as this joyful picture of Natalie Joos on streetpeeper.com reveals, just because you had to head back to reality after a long weekend, you don’t need to dress like it.

Here are some thoughts for dressing for an endless summer—and don’t forget to send your suggestions via Facebook and Twitter so we can add them (and your name) to our list.