Cheryl Shops

Can we talk about this weather? I mean, did I unwittingly move to Seattle? Halfway through June and nearly every day is cold and rainy. As a result, I've been wearing lots of gray and black, and my pretty, colorful, lightweight spring-summer clothes are languishing in my closet. It's a little depressing, yes, but there is a silver lining to this never-ending storm cloud: Black is eternally chic, and in the summer, it's even a little unexpected. So, lest the sun never shines again—or even if it does—here are some stylish summer essentials in basic black.

Clockwise from top left:

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I get pretty lazy about my attire in the summer. On the weekends, I live in somewhat silly T-shirts like this one by Wildfox Couture.

I average at least one new beach cover up per year, and since I haven't pulled the trigger yet this year, this crocheted Roxy dress is a strong contender.

Fact: I let my body roast in the sun, but I keep my face covered as much as possible; a glam sun hat is an important part of this equation.

Summer is the perfect excuse to wear a lot of beaded bracelets. I currently have my eye on this Shamballa-inspired number from Susan B.

What else can I say about these Jessica Simpson Patia shoes, other than they have polka-dots and are incredibly fun?

There is nothing easier to wear than a shirtdress, particularly one in silk, like the Lylia dress from Guess.

Cindy Crawford once said the sexiest swimsuit is a black string bikini. I'd take her word for it, with this incredibly affordable Old Navy string bikini top and matching bottom.

The great thing about straw bags: They can get wet and survive, meaning they're perfect for this weather. They're also nice and lightweight. I like the vaguely exotic look of this SR by Sandra Roberts tote.

Shorts: love 'em or hate 'em, they're a summer necessity. These Daisy or Night shorts from Modcloth manage to be both relaxed and polished.

Finally, what's summer without a pair of sunglasses? I prefer traditional aviators, and Marc by Marc Jacobs makes a solid pair at a great price.