Laura Dern’s Airy White Dress Is the Deceptively Simple Staple Every Closet Needs for Summer — Get Her Look from $55

In a plain white dress and flat shoes, I can tell Laura Dern didn’t dress to distract from Carol Burnett at a ceremony “cementing” the comic into Hollywood history, but I can’t get the deceptively simple style she wore out of my mind — so I went looking for something similar.

One element I like about Dern’s dress is the three-quarter-length sleeves, which are billowing enough to be breezy and comfortable in the summer heat while protecting from shoulder burns. I also love the maxi length and full skirt for the same reason: They offer airflow and coverage in equal measure. And the timeless shirt dress styling makes it casual enough for a grocery run but easily dressed up with the right accessories — a real wardrobe workhorse. 

Laura Dern’s Outfit Blueprint

• White Shirt Dress: Maeve The Irene Linen Shirt Dress, $188; anthropologie.com
• J.Crew Elena Shirtdress in Cotton Poplin, $124.50 (orig. $169); jcrew.com
• Banana Republic Factory Linen-Blend Midi Shirtdress, $55.25 at checkout (orig. $130); bananarepublicfactory.gapfactory.com
• Square-Toe Flats: Vivaia Margot 2.0 Square-Toe Ballet Flats, $99; amazon.com
• Sam Edelman Michaela Mary Jane Flats, $89.90 (orig. $130); nordstrom.com
• Aviator Sunglasses: Warby Parker Raider Sunglasses, starting at $145; warbyparker.com
• Ray-Ban Metal Aviator Sunglasses, $91.50; amazon.com
  

Maeve The Irene Linen Shirt Dress

Like Dern’s dress, this linen-blend maxi from Anthropologie has three-quarter length sleeves, a self-tie belt, and classic shirt dress styling with a pointed collar and button front. I love that it comes in three sizing options (petite, standard, and plus), so you can get just the right fit, plus there are three timeless colors to choose from: ivory, white, and black. 

Vivaia Margot 2.0 Square-Toe Ballet Flats

These shoes have a square toe like Dern’s flats, but they’re made from a flexible knit material that’s comfortable and machine washable, so they stay looking new. The sheer mesh texture is similar to the tweed look that Dern’s shoes had but far more breathable. 

Warby Parker Raider Sunglasses

Dern finished her afternoon ensemble with a pair of timeless aviator sunglasses like this style from Warby Parker. They come in four width options, from narrow to extra wide, so there’s a fit for every face, and you can choose from six color options including Polished Gold, like Dern’s, along with Polished Silver and Rose Gold. Plus, you can make them prescription sunglasses.

There are so many practical pieces to add to your summer wardrobe from Laura Dern’s summer afternoon appearance. Keep scrolling to shop more dresses, flats, and sunglasses.

J.Crew Elena Shirtdress in Cotton Poplin

Banana Republic Factory Linen-Blend Midi Shirtdress

Sam Edelman Michaela Mary Jane Flats

Ray-Ban Metal Aviator Sunglasses