How to get your skin to no-makeup perfection
The best Hamptons days aren’t planned— they simply unfold
Hamptons Dance Project brings ballet to the beach
17 NEWTOWN LANE, EAST HAMPTON
Every summer, the Hamptons gets a new crop of restaurants that instantly become part of the scene. This year, though, the arrivals feel bigger than usual — with downtown favorites heading east, old spaces getting major overhauls, and a handful of buzzy collaborations already drawing crowds before July even starts.
In Sag Harbor, one of the season’s most talked-about arrivals is Babe’s,
fare with a slight English pub feel.
Montauk, meanwhile, continues its evolution from laid-back surf town into full-blown social destination.
Talya, which first launched at Ruschmeyer’s in 2023, has reopened this season in a new beachfront location near Bounce Beach. The Mediterranean-leaning restaurant from chef Geoffrey Lechantoux serves mezze, seafood, grilled meats, and cocktails designed for long din -
From downtown Manhattan favorites heading east to buzzy beach clubs, wellness cafés, and headlinemaking pop-ups, these are the openings and collaborations already defining summer 2026.
WORDS CASEY BRENNAN
the retro-inspired “finer diner” from husband-and-wife duo Julian Cavin and Martine Langatta alongside music executive Jonny Shipes. By day, the restaurant serves elevated comfort food — think tuna melts, pancakes, stacked club sandwiches, and thick milkshakes — inside a nostalgic, all-American dining room. At night, it shifts into more of a supper club, attracting a crowd that skews fashion, music, and downtown Manhattan on a weekend away.
Around the corner, Miracle has taken over the former Vin Sur Vingt space on Main Street. The latest project from restaurateur Michael Nolan, this cozy neighborhood spot leans into warm lighting, strong martinis, and reimagined comfort
ners that often turn into late nights.
Lechantoux is also behind Maison Close, the French Riviera-inspired concept opening at Southampton’s Capri Hotel after building a loyal following in Soho. The restaurant nearly opened in Montauk several summers ago before a fire halted plans just days before launch, making this East End debut especially long awaited.
Another major arrival is Alba Spiaggia at Montauk Yacht Club from Prince Street Hospitality. The waterfront restaurant is already positioning itself as one of the season’s premier sunset reservations, pairing coastal Italian dishes with sweeping marina views and a crowd that rarely leaves after dessert.
THIS SUMMER’S ARRIVALS FEEL LESS LIKE A TYPICAL SEASONAL SHUFFLE AND MORE LIKE A FULL RESET OF THE HAMPTONS DINING SCENE
Bridgehampton also welcomes Nourish by the Roundtree, which has opened in the former Arthur & Sons space with lighter fare, wellness-focused dishes, and an all-day café atmosphere.
East Hampton is seeing plenty of movement too. Lion’s Nook Bar & Grill has taken over the former Rowdy Hall and O’Malley’s location in Parrish Mews, bringing updated pub fare and a more polished neighborhood feel to the longtime local address.
Beyond the restaurant openings, several hospitality brands are creating summer experiences of their own. Dorsia is bringing its coveted Summer Series back to the Hamptons with a calendar of exclusive dinners, chef collaborations, cocktail events, and members-only experiences that tap directly into the East End’s social scene. Goldbrew is also making its presence known this season, popping up across workouts, wellness events, and beach gatherings with its functional coffee blends geared toward focus, energy, and recovery.
A few other arrivals are already generating serious buzz. Jean’s Beach is bringing downtown fashion-world energy east for the summer, while Corner Bar is expanding beyond Manhattan with an East End outpost of its cult-favorite neighborhood restaurant. Dopo Il Ponte adds another stylish Italian option to the mix, and PopUp Bagels has officially landed in Westhampton after becoming one of New York’s most sought-after carb obsessions.
Then there’s Dante at the Pridwin on Shelter Island, where the legendary New York aperitivo bar is taking over the iconic waterfront hotel’s cocktail program for the season. The result is exactly what you’d expect: spritzes, oysters, sunset cocktails, and a reservation list that’s already becoming difficult to crack.
And yes, Popeyes is officially part of the Hamptons conversation this summer thanks to its unexpected collaboration with the Surf Lodge. The fast-food giant is serving its famous chicken tenders in a Surf Lodge-exclusive Chicken Tender Tower designed for groups, alongside signature dipping sauces and smaller-format boxes throughout the season. It may be the most unlikely partnership of the summer — which is exactly why everyone is talking about it.
Taken together, this summer’s arrivals feel less like a typical seasonal shuffle and more like a full reset of the Hamptons dining scene. The old standbys are still there, but this year, everyone seems to be chasing something new.
8:30am/ Morning Rituals
WEAR: TOTEME
The day starts at Sett Coffee, Tutto Caffé, or SunLife Organics, where the morning crowd kickstarts the day with iced matchas, protein smoothies, and ambitious wellness intentions. From there, head east. Some detour to Montauk Point Lighthouse for bluff walks and ocean views while others settle in at Ditch Plains, where surfers hit the water before most people have finished breakfast. It’s one of the few moments all day that still feels blissfully unhurried.
1:00pm/ Long Brunches
WEAR: CHLO É
By late morning, the crowd shifts toward Babe’s and PopUp Bagels. Babe’s delivers packed tables and the kind of atmosphere where brunch effortlessly becomes afternoon plans. PopUp Bagels has become the East End’s most competitive breakfast pickup, with lines that have become part of the routine. Others skip reservations entirely, grabbing provisions from Round Swamp Farm before heading to Havens Beach for impromptu picnics by the water.
10:30am/ The Workout Circuit
WEAR: COPERNI
Workout culture out East has reached reservation-level seriousness, with mornings revolving around Sculpt and KZ+ Pilates. At Sculpt, highintensity classes are as social as they are challenging, while KZ+ attracts devotees who build entire weekends around reformer availability. For a slower reset, visit LongHouse Reserve for sculpture-filled gardens and peaceful walking paths — a welcome alternative to another hour on a machine.
Summer out East has always been less about sticking to a schedule and more about following the right crowd from one stop to the next. Coffee turns into a beach walk, brunch becomes an afternoon activity, and somehow everyone ends up watching the sunset with an ice cream cone or cocktail in hand. The best Hamptons days aren’t planned — they simply unfold.
WORDS CASEY BRENNAN FASHION EDITED BY SHELBY COMROE
3:30pm/ Afternoon Detours
WEAR: BOTTEGA VENETA
The smartest Hamptons afternoons leave room to wander. The Parrish Art Museum remains the area’s cultural anchor while the Pollock-Krasner House offers a glimpse into one of America’s most influential artistic partnerships. Animallovers stop by ARF, nature enthusiasts escape to Mashomack Preserve on Shelter Island, and nearly everyone eventually finds their way to Wölffer Estate, where rosé, vineyard views, and live music continue to define summer afternoons.
5:30pm/ Golden Hour
WEAR: DIOTIMA
As afternoon turns to evening, the smartest move is to slow down. Pick up a cone from Big Olaf and stroll Sag Harbor’s Long Wharf as boats drift back into the marina. Others head to Sagg Main, where sunset remains the main attraction. Monday nights bring the beach’s beloved drum circle, drawing barefoot locals, surfers, summer families, and curious visitors into one of the East End’s most enduring traditions. If a cocktail is part of the plan, Dante at the Pridwin, Jean’s, or Chelsea Living Room offer excellent excuses to linger a little longer.
00:00am/ After Midnight
WEAR: CHRISTOPHER ESBER
By midnight, all roads still seem to lead to the Surf Lodge, where Popeyes wildly popular pop-up has become summer’s most unlikely late-night destination. Watching impeccably dressed guests devour fried chicken after DJ sets feels slightly absurd — and perfectly Montauk.
8:30pm/
WEAR: PUCCI
The best Hamptons nights don’t always begin with a reservation. Some start with a concert at Wölffer Estate. Others unfold wandering Sag Harbor’s shops and bookstores after the crowds have thinned. Art-lovers might time their evening around a gallery opening, while music fans inevitably find their way to the Stephen Talkhouse, where surprise performances remain part of the venue’s enduring charm. Of course, dinner still plays a role — whether that’s at Alba Spiaggia, Dopo Il Ponte, Miracle, or Maison Close — but by this point, the evening is less about where you’re eating and more about where the night takes you next.
Not so long ago, a Hamptons summer could be defined by a handful of marquee events and a singular center of social gravity. Those of a certain age may remember an era when the East End revolved around a power publicist, a notorious SUV incident, and a tightly guarded guest list. More recently, a new generation of tastemakers traded flip phones for iPhones, allowing social media and its ever-shifting algorithms to set the seasonal agenda. (Cue the now-forgotten reign of the spritz-girl summer.)
This season feels different. Perhaps it’s a reflection of the broader fragmentation currently impacting, well, nearly every corner of modern life, but there is no single mood, trend, or social set dictating the pace of summer 2026 — at least not yet. Instead, the Hamptons has become a constellation of overlapping power circles, each vying to define what the East End means now.
The traditional financial elite still command influence, but they are no longer the sole arbiters of taste. The result is less a hierarchy than a mosaic of competing visions, complete with overlapping scenes and shifting allegiances. For some, the diffusion of influence feels like a loss of order; for others, it’s precisely what makes the Hamptons feel more alive than it has in years.
Which raises the larger question: Just who are the power players dictating the scene this season, and who, exactly, runs the Hamptons? Or perhaps the more relevant question is whether anyone can truly claim ownership at all. Here are the circles competing for the East End’s most valuable currency: relevance.
Hedge fund manager and billionaire Zach Schreiber recently listed his 9,500-square-foot Fairfield Pond Lane estate — a seven-bedroom oceanfront compound in Sagaponack set on 3.8 acres with more than 350 feet of beachfront — for just over $150 million, reportedly as his family has relocated elsewhere. But when one financier quietly exits, another of comparable or greater wealth steps in to take their place. This is the enduring logic of the Hamptons’ legacy establishment. Unlike newer arrivals, this set continues to favor discretion over visibility, exerting influence less through spectacle than through behind-the-scenes control of everything from prime real estate and philanthropic infrastructure to private clubs and the region’s network of fundraising and preservation efforts.
A growing contingent of Hamptons weekenders is increasingly eschewing late nights and long, boozy lunches in favor of a more optimized sum-
WORDS AARON RASMUSSEN
A GROWING CONTINGENT OF HAMPTONS WEEKENDERS IS INCREASINGLY ESCHEWING LATE NIGHTS AND LONG, BOOZY LUNCHES IN FAVOR OF A MORE OPTIMIZED SUMMER SCHEDULE
mer schedule. In this world, wellness functions not only as ritual, but also as a visible marker of social capital, something to be practiced and shared with others. One location at the center of this shift is WAVE Wellness in Southampton, a members-leaning
“social wellness” space that packs an array of longevity-focused offerings into its 4,000 square feet: hyperbaric oxygen therapy, cold plunge circuits, sound bathing, acupuncture, and other modalities reframed as a collective experience. Around it, a wider landscape reinforces the same ethos across the East End, from boutique recovery studios to Equinox’s Hamptons outpost. Status for the wellness set is measured through discipline — the drive to optimize health and performance.
The Hamptons dining circuit this summer reflects a clear shift toward breadth and spectacle, with chefs and restaurateurs catering to an experience-driven crowd hungry for variety. Nowhere is this more evident than in Sag Harbor, where a wave of new openings is remaking
the village’s culinary identity. Under new ownership, the Corner Bar is staging a comeback, while Fresno owner Michael Nolan returns to his hometown with Miracle, an American bistro. Beyond Sag Harbor, the scale of ambition continues to grow. In Montauk, John Meadow of Barlume fame is debuting Barlume Beach, a sprawling waterfront venue with indoor seating for 200, firepits, lounges, and a DJ. That day-to-night hospitality model extends westward to Southampton, where Maison Close brings a French-inflected, nightlife-adjacent dining concept to The Capri Hotel. In East Hampton, Camp Rubirosa continues its Nolita legacy with its cult pizzas and Italian American classics.
A wave of influencers, podcasters, brand marketers, and other voices in the communications sphere is inhabiting a parallel social order in the Hamptons that bypasses traditional invitations and turns events and hospitality — from DJ’d brunches to days at the beach — into media moments. Storytelling, and the attention it generates, is the commodity here. Lines forming for the place du jour are no longer confined to the city but have become a familiar part of the East End, welcomed by some business owners and quietly lamented by others. A recent soft opening of Babe’s, a small Sag Harbor supperclub-style diner, drew crowds willing to wait for the chance to film as much as feast on blueberry pancakes and wagyu hot dogs. Elsewhere, the Surf Lodge functions as a seasonal stage for concerts and brand activations, while Instagrammable events like Polo Hamptons provide highly stylized backdrops.
A growing cohort of artists, designers, photographers, writers, architects, filmmakers, and other creatives is steadily reshaping the cultural fabric of the East End, long considered both a retreat and an incubator for like-minded talent. Increasingly, they are focused on building a creative destination that extends well beyond the summer season. Their footprint is visible in independent galleries, boutique hotel openings, literary events, design collaborations, and other hybrid formats that blur the line between cultural production and leisure. The approach is embodied by the Church in Sag Harbor, a restored 1835 Methodist church turned gallery, studio, and event space that now serves as a community hub for exhibitions, talks, and artist residencies. This summer, that creative circle delves further into retail and fashion through curated pop-ups featuring designers like Johanna Ortiz and jeweler Deepa Gurnani at Sage & Madison in Sag Harbor, alongside the Kith Women and Vivrelle partnership in Bridgehampton.
Miu Miu dress, miumiu.com; Completedworks earrings, us.completedworks.com.
Lean into the season with our handpicked selection of must-have items designed for a stylish summer.
EDITED BY SHELBY COMROE
Dior Dioriviera Dior Médaillon Teddy-D
Large Brim Hat, $910, dior.com.
From Southampton to Montauk, Dior’s woven straw hat is the kind of summer accessory that earns a permanent spot in every weekend bag.
Chloé Aqua Flower-Print swimsuit, $790,chloe.com.
Chloé translates its signature bohemian spirit to the beach with a watercolor floral onepiece designed for summer escapes.
Heaven Mayhem Solara earrings, $95, heavenmayhem.com.
A pearly center and warm amber accents give Heaven Mayhem’s earrings an effortless summer glow.
Saint Laurent Rive Droite surfboard, $8,500, ysl.com.
Whether it ever touches the water is beside the point.
Saint Laurent’s cobalt blue surfboard is the ultimate status symbol for a summer spent out East.
Shore Thing
CHANEL Coco Beach Bag, $8,100, 800-550-0005.
Vibrant stripes and oversized proportions make Chanel’s raffia tote the ultimate companion for long weekends out East.
Versace Printed Silk Twill mini dress, $2,790, versace.com.
Versace’s jewel-inspired scarf print lends a touch of maximalist glamour to the Hamptons social scene.
Tom Ford Leona sunglasses, $530, tomfordfashion.com.
Equal parts sporty and sophisticated, Tom Ford’s statement sunglasses are made for summer on the move.
Alaïa Invisible Thong sandals, $990, maison-alaia.com.
Equal parts playful and polished, these Alaïa sandals elevate the humble flip-flop with transparent detailing and soft satin straps in a sea-glass blue hue.
WORDS ALISON S. COHN
Hamptons Dance Project returns to Springs for its eighth season August 7–9, as stars of American Ballet Theatre trade the Metropolitan Opera House for Fireplace Lodge, a sweeping blufftop stage overlooking Gardiner’s Bay. The weekend has become one of the East End’s most distinctive cultural events, bringing together world-class dancers and choreographers in an intimate coastal setting. This summer’s program features ballets by Justin Peck, Benjamin Millepied, Lar Lubovitch, and Jorma Elo, alongside a new work by ABT alum Gemma Bond, a rising choreographic voice marking her fifth commission for HDP, as well as pieces by current company members James Whiteside and Duncan Lyle.
HDP is the brainchild of Jose Sebastian, an ABT company member and director of the ABT Incubator choreographic workshop. Adopted from New York City foster care at age two, he discovered his love of movement on his first trip out East with his mother, Pat. Along with his sister, they vacationed there throughout the 1990s, when Pat, a public school teacher, was able to stretch her tax refund to cover a modest summer rental. “I just have these magical memories,” Jose says. “I was always running in the wind and jumping in the ocean.” One night in 2018, after a performance at Lincoln Center, mother and son were walking uptown when they began talking about those formative holidays. “Jose said, ‘Mom, someday I want to bring the dancers to East Hampton to dance,’” Pat recalls. “And I said, ‘Don’t say someday, just do it. I’ll help you.’”
The project’s success has come in part from the Sebastians’ belief that anything is possible. HDP’s inaugural 2019 season was held at Guild Hall in East Hampton. The following summer, Covid-19 restrictions forced a drastic shift: The show moved outdoors, with just 50 people allowed, including the artists. “I curated a program with a bunch of solos and one group piece with three guys, and we made it work,” Jose recalls. That improvisational spirit ultimately shaped HDP’s identity. In 2021, the program relocated to its current venue, a former girls’ camp transformed in the 1970s by artist Mary Bayes Ryan for community use. The property includes a barn, yurts, and a platform stage, but no dance-specific infrastructure.
“There is no sprung floor, dressing rooms, seating, or stage lighting, so we rent a Marley [floor] and some tents and chairs,” Pat says. “And I ask the sun to shine a light on us at certain points during the show,” Jose jokes.
He aims to make HDP performances accessible both to ABT fans summering out East and to neighbors who are not regular balletgoers, programming works that move between what he calls “purely classical tutu pieces” and more interdisciplinary forms. Guest tap artist Jared Alexander will return for his third season, while pianist David Evans will play Brahms live on stage for Lubovitch’s male pas de deux Each Within Their Own Time, danced by Jose and
“SOMETHING ABOUT THE LIGHT, LANDSCAPE, AND PACE OF THE HAMPTONS INVITES CREATIVITY. NEW WORK SEEMS TO ARRIVE THERE WITH A LITTLE MORE FREEDOM AND A LITTLE MORE WONDER.”
Aran Bell. A defining feature of the weekend is its embrace of dancers as multi-hyphenates. Bell will also dance a Whiteside-choreographed solo performed to a live rendition of pop-soul singer Rozzi’s “Joshua Tree,” with dancer Tristan Brosnan on guitar backup. Meanwhile, Lyle’s neoclassical Pas d’Aurore will feature Brosnan and Fangqi Li in pastel costumes the dancer-choreographer-costume designer stitched himself.
Pas d’Aurore debuted during the 2025 ABT Incubator, alongside another Whiteside work on the program, Mantle, set to Renée Fleming’s recording of Franz Schubert’s lieder. The later ballet evolved from an earlier duet, On the Water, which Whiteside performed with Isabella Boylston at HDP’s inaugural season in 2019 and again in 2024. “I’m a big beach person, so I feel really lucky to be able to dance and show my dances in this beautiful natural environment,” Whiteside says. But HDP is not all work and no play: The dancers spend a week rehearsing together, with time to revisit the founder’s childhood haunts, from swimming at Main Beach to dinners at Il Cappuccino and ice cream at Big Olaf in Sag Harbor. “Something about the light, landscape, and pace of the Hamptons invites creativity,” Bond says. “New work seems to arrive there with a little more freedom and a little more wonder.”
The East End gets a dose of la dolce vita with Stuart Weitzman’s first-ever Hamptons takeover
Stuart Weitzman is making its Hamptons debut with Exotic Escape , the luxury footwear brand’s first-ever dedicated summer shopping installation out East. Running through July 31, the limited-time pop-up takes over the boutique space inside LDV at the Maidstone in East Hampton, offering a curated edit of vacation-ready styles from the brand’s Summer 2026 collection. Shoppers can expect safari-inspired patterns, with bold crocodile-, leopard-, and zebra-print designs, and statement wedges, party platforms, sleek sandals, and polished everyday flats. Set against the newly reimagined, Mediterranean-inflected atmosphere of the historic hotel, the experience blends Stuart Weitzman’s signature glamour with the easy, sun-soaked spirit of a Hamptons getaway. stuartweitzman.com
EDITED BY CASEY BRENNAN
The French house returns to East Hampton with a softer summer mood
Summer in the Hamptons isn’t complete without the return of Chanel to Newtown Lane. The house has reopened its seasonal East Hampton boutique, transforming the white-brick storefront at 17 Newtown Lane into a light-filled space that feels more like a stylish summer residence than a traditional luxury store.
Spread across two levels, the boutique is designed around the idea of effortless warm-weather dressing. The ground floor is dedicated to the Chanel Coco Beach 2026 collection, with a colorful mix of the pieces everyone wants to wear (and carry) on vacation. Think oversized denim totes, raffia-trimmed flap bags, shell-inspired jewelry, striped silk scarves, and an edit of sandals and summer-ready shoes. The ready-to-wear selection leans into easy resort style, with printed separates, swimwear, sporty pieces, and breezy dresses that feel made for weekends on the East End.
Upstairs, the mood is a little quieter, with a residential-style setting showcasing looks from the Spring/Summer 2026 collection alongside a dedicated watches and fine jewelry salon. It’s an opportunity to see some of the house’s signature creations up close, from the quilted-inspired Coco Crush line and the floral Camélia collection to the iconic J12 and Première watches.
As luxury brands continue to invest in seasonal Hamptons destinations, Chanel’s annual East Hampton return remains one of the most anticipated. Part boutique, part summer escape, it’s a reminder that. for many fashion insiders, a stop on Newtown Lane is just as much a part of the season as a beach day or sunset stroll. chanel.com
The Italian house looks to JFK’s legendary boat — and a season of effortless coastal style — for its latest Marlin Project capsule
Tod’s is embracing the spirit of an endlessly chic summer with the launch of the Marlin Project, a new capsule collection inspired by the legendary Marlin boat once owned by John F. Kennedy. Melding the understated elegance of New England sailing culture with the ease of the Italian Riviera, the collection channels a life of simple pleasures, leisurely days at sea, and timeless craftsmanship. Standout pieces include the technical-cotton Marlin bomber, an updated take on the house’s iconic Marlin loafer, and a range of nautical-inspired accessories, from canvas-and-leather bags to silk scarves and the signature Greca belt in fresh white-and-green stripes. Rendered in a soft palette of cream and green, the collection captures the polished, quietly luxurious mood defining Summer 2026 style. tods.com
Coniglio Palm Beach brings maximalist resort glamour to East Hampton
Palm Beach favorite Coniglio officially opens in East Hampton this summer, importing its colorful resortwear universe straight from Worth Avenue to the East End. Expect bold prints, embellished caftans, feather-trimmed hostess pieces, and the kind of unapologetically festive fashion that feels made for long rosé lunches and charity dinners alike. conigliopalmbeach.com
Dolce & Gabbana transforms Gurney’s into a full Italian
Dolce & Gabbana is heading back to the East End for another stylish summer takeover at Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater
Spa. Through September 26, the fashion house will once again transform the resort’s private beach club with its signature Mediterranean glamour, dressing loungers, umbrellas, and cabanas in the brand’s unmistakable prints. The partnership also includes an on-site
Dolce & Gabbana pop-up boutique stocked with summer-ready pieces, plus a newly refreshed East Deck featuring a chic beachfront bar. It’s equal parts shopping destination and seaside social scene — and sure to be one of the Hamptons’ most photographed spots this season. dolcegabbana.com
The Oprah-approved footwear brand brings fashion, art, and wellness to East Hampton
Fresh off its 2026 FGI Rising Star Award win, cult-favorite accessories label Brave Pudding is bringing a chic weeklong activation to East Hampton July 5–11. Hosted inside two restored 18th-century buildings at 147 Main Street, the pop-up celebrates the local Revolutionary War legend that inspired founder Sarah Fiszel to name the brand. Alongside Brave Pudding’s viral cashmere sock shoes, shoppers can discover a handpicked edit of labels including Julie de Libran Paris, ATM by Anthony Thomas Melillo, LilyEve, the Invisibles by Kym Canter, Tulipe Fièvre, Sarah Wragge Wellness, and fine art photographer Judy Pak. bravepudding.com
The contemporary label brings its relationship-driven approach to retail to the Hamptons with private styling, sameday delivery, and an exclusive Canfora collaboration
Toccin has opened its first freestanding boutique at 44 Main Street in Southampton, marking a major milestone for founders Alex and Michael Toccin. Designed to feel more like a welcoming home than a traditional store, the space reflects the brand’s signature relationship-first approach, offering clients a highly personal shopping and styling experience. The boutique features private VIP appointments in its garden space, same-day delivery throughout the Hamptons, and a curated selection of special finds handpicked by the founders alongside Toccin’s latest collections. It will also debut the brand’s collaboration with iconic Capri sandal maker Canfora, the storied Italian label famously beloved by Jackie Kennedy Onassis. Weekly cocktails and events will further cement the boutique as one of the summer’s chicest new fashion destinations. toccin .com
From buzzy beach reads to future book club favorites, these are the eight titles you’ll spot tucked into every chic Hamptons beach bag this season
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
The breakout novel of the season, this inventive, emotionally rich story of memory, family, and second chances has quickly become one of the year’s biggest book club favorites. The buzz is so strong that Anne Hathaway has already signed on to star in and produce the film adaptation. Whistler by Ann Patchett Patchett’s latest is one of the most anticipated literary releases of 2026, blending elegant prose, unforgettable characters, and the kind of immersive storytelling that’s perfect for a summer weekend.
Kin by Tayari Jones
Already one of the year’s most talked-about novels, Kin explores friendship, identity, and family with the warmth and emotional insight that have made Jones a modern literary favorite.
Famesick : A Memoir by Lena Dunham
Raw, funny, and sharply observed, Dunham’s latest memoir reflects on fame, creativity, chronic illness, and growing up in the spotlight with her signature honesty.
You With the Sad Eyes by
Christina Applegate
The actress’s deeply personal memoir balances humor and heartbreak as she writes candidly about her career, family, and life after her multiple sclerosis diagnosis.
Small Town Girls by Jayne
Anne Phillips
The Pulitzer Prize–winning author returns with an intimate, deeply felt essay collection rooted in memory, place, and the enduring bonds that shape a life.
John of John by Douglas Stuart
The Booker Prize–winning author of Shuggie Bain returns with one of 2026’s most acclaimed literary novels, delivering a moving story about identity, family, and first love that is already generating major awards buzz.
Cherry Baby by Rainbow Rowell Warm, witty, and irresistibly readable, Rowell’s latest follows a young woman trying to rebuild her life after addiction, balancing sharp humor with the kind of heartfelt storytelling that makes it the perfect addition to a summer reading stack.
On a recent golden evening, I settled onto Bollinger Terrace, the breezy outdoor perch at 7Pines Resort Sardinia, a flute of equally radiant bubbly in hand, as the sun slipped into the windswept, granite slopes lining the Mediterranean in Baja Sardinia, Italy. Just a short drive from the decadent glamour of Porto Cervo, that perennial favorite of the Costa Smeralda’s superyacht set, I was struck by just how different this untamed stretch of Gallura feels — the mood distinctly more Montauk than Southampton. Rather than being on display, the focus here is on immersion in the landscape (or, better still, in the secluded coves of turquoise water tucked below the resort).
With just 75 rooms and suites spread out over nearly 40 acres, 7Pines feels refreshingly uncrowded even at high occupancy. Yet the luxury is unmistakably evident, from the spa and polished service to a spectacular dinner by Chef Pasquale D’Ambrosio at the newly Michelin-starred Capogiro.
Just in time for summer, Delta’s new nonstop service between New York
and Olbia has made Sardinia — Italy’s second-largest island — more accessible for East Coasters seeking either a mid-season Hamptons escape or a post-Labor Day vacation extension. But Sardinia is only one piece of the puzzle. Wondering the Italian equivalent of your favorite East End enclave? Grazia Gazette maps Hamptons-to-Italy parallels, revealing where to find your own ideal dose of dolce far niente on the other side of the Atlantic.
If Southampton is where the establishment summers, then the highly discreet seaside getaway Forte dei Marmi, on Tuscany’s Versilia coast, is where Italy’s stealth wealth retreats each August. Long favored by fashion dynasties such as Ferragamo and Versace, as well as Milanese industrial families and old-money Roman clans, the town embodies glamour, but at its most understated.
Multigenerational regulars socialize at private beach clubs, while linen-clad cognoscenti settle into poolside aperitivi at the newly reopened 59-key Hermitage Hotel & Resort, a member of Starhotels Collezione. Evenings are defined by leisurely dinners at Orto all’Hermitage, followed by one of Forte’s most cherished rituals — an unhurried bicycle ride or passeggiata through town.
Sag Harbor is sophisticated yet relaxed, a balance that perhaps owes to its pride of place on the waterfront. Bellagio, set on boatfilled Lake Como, similarly draws its identity from the lake’s deep blue expanse within the Lombard Prealps.
Day-trippers drift through its bustling café scene and maze of winding streets, while jet-setters retreat to the village’s only five-star hotel, the opulent Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni, to soak up the sun by the property’s cerulean lakeside pool or at the private Baci da Bellagio beach club. The evenings revolve around piano music and drinks in the grand salon before dinner at La Goletta, the relaxed lakeside eatery, or the more formal Mistral Restaurant.
There, Chef Ettore Bocchia presents a refined seven-course tasting menu that includes tortellini filled with peacock and fava bean purée, and turbot with leek foam and caviar.
If Bridgehampton were transported to Italy, it would most likely feel right at home swapping spots with Ostuni in Puglia, the heel of Italy’s boot. The ancient hilltop town — often called La Città Bianca , or the White City, for its whitewashed buildings — is just five miles from the Adriatic Sea, so it feels removed from the coast even as it overlooks it.
The surrounding landscape comes alive in summer, with sun-bleached fields of grain and vast olive groves stretching toward the horizon.
Farm estates and boutique resorts hum quietly in the warmer months, as Italians and international visitors are drawn to a slower rhythm at intimate hotels such as Vista Ostuni, a 700-year-old palazzo featuring indoor and outdoor pools, a rooftop terrace with sweeping sea views, and Mediterranean gardens designed by Belgian landscape architect Erik Dhont.
The Atlantic is a constant presence in Amagansett, long a summer escape for New Yorkers. Romans in the know, meanwhile, flee the touristclogged capital and head 90 minutes south to San Felice Circeo on the Tyrrhenian Sea.
A cliffside lighthouse watches over wide, soft-gold beaches that rarely feel crowded, even at peak summer. Circeo’s expansiveness is thanks to its position on the edge of Circeo National Park, where protected dunes, cliffs, and Mediterranean forest preserve long stretches of unspoiled Lazio coastline.
East Hampton is a cultural anchor of the East End and a curated luxury destination that retains an intimate village scale while catering to a global clientele. Venice achieves a comparable duality: a living museum defined by centuriesold artisan traditions, historic families, and grand palazzi, interwoven with a dynamic contemporary arts scene. Along the Riva degli Schiavoni, just steps from Prada and Gucci, sits the recently renovated Hotel Gabrielli, a 14th-century palazzo in the Castello neighborhood that encapsulates the city’s layered identity. It was here, in the early 1900s, that Franz Kafka is said to have passed through Venice, recording his impressions in letters to his fiancée, Felice Bauer. Today, the Perkhofer family continues to uphold the hotel’s place among the grand dames of the floating city, with restored and preserved details including hand-painted coffered ceilings and original Murano chandeliers set alongside Istrian stone columns. Views from its suites and rooftop terrace stretch across the lagoon toward San Giorgio Maggiore, giving guests the sense of being suspended between city and sea.
Sure, makeup maximalism is back … but think of this season as the last gasp of the Clean Girl aesthetic. Because when the temperature rises above 80 and humidity hits an all-time high, who needs to worry about color staying true or sliding off?
When bare-faced beauty is the vibe, flawless skin is more important than ever. And getting it may be easier than you think. Simply supercharge a clear, even-toned, glowing complexion by masking. Whether using a cream formula or a sheet mask, the practice is “a booster that amplifies and supports the base of your routine,” says New York City-based aesthetician Madalaina Conti. And the summer months are when your skin needs extra care. “There’s a lot more sweating, which can clog pores and affect the skin barrier,” she says. “You have a lot more UV exposure and possibly sun damage, which creates water loss.” Masks are a way to calm inflammation, clarify and repair, or infuse a power punch of hydration.
Best put into action anywhere from once a week to nightly, masking has several factors to consider when choosing how and when to apply. Parched skin in need of major moisture will benefit from an emollient cream mask, which can be slathered on and used as an overnight treatment, or rinsed off after 20 minutes or so. If you’re plagued with blackheads and rough texture, a deep-cleansing bubble mask can help purge pores and gently exfoliate to reveal a smoother surface. Temporarily fill fine lines around the eyes, upper lip, or around the nose with a hyaluronic acid-laced sheet mask, which “can be used as a quick boost,” says Conti. An added bonus: “The sheet itself can help with product penetration,” she says, leading to foolproof results. Results so good, in fact, that sheet masking has been relied upon for eons. In the 12th century, during the Joseon Dynasty in Korea, courtiers used cloth steeped in botanical tinctures to purify the skin. Geishas soaked strips from silk kimonos in rose water and used them as facial compresses in Japan during the 1800s. Even Cleopatra, the OG beauty goddess, pioneered the earliest hydrocolloid mask using a concoction of antibacterial raw honey and sour milk, now known to be rich in skin-purifying lactic acid.
Keep sheet masks in the refrigerator, and run an ice roller over the surface to de-puff for an added snatching effect. Or, just let the balmy weather do your bidding. Heat helps ingredients sink in, maximizing efficacy and leaving skin plump, dewy, and glowing — the perfect way to face the splendor of the season, makeup free.
Looking great naked goes far beyond a bikini body — here’s how to get your skin to no-makeup perfection
Cool Down
A summer skin savior: Zure
Solaris Post-Exposure Body
Treatment is packed with peptides to supercharge collagen growth, firming skin and protecting the barrier even after bare-all beach days under damaging rays. ($138, zuresolaris.com )
Glisten Up Sexy, smudgy, smoky: Violette_Fr’s Plume Eyeshadow — here, in Ambre Fumé — leaves a low-maintenance, languid wash of color along lids that can be swept on with a fingertip. ($32, violettefr.com )
Don’t let the name fool you: Ultra Violette Sequin Supreme SPF 50 Hydrating Skinscreen doesn’t sparkle as much as it bounces light for a next-level luminosity. Bonus: Squalane in the formula calms skin while strengthening the barrier. ($36, ultraviolettespf.com )
Reminiscent of vintage jewelry, the drop-dead chic robin egg blue of Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Color in Baigneuse is the shade to adorn nails — and toes — all summer long. ($34, chanel.com )
Pack and glow! Add these getaway essentials curated by Gwen Flamberg to your weekender, and face every summer moment flawlessly
Buff Bronze
Think of Hermès Sunkissed Healthy Glow Powder Face and Cheeks in Soleil D’Hermès as golden hour in a compact: The mix of rosy-coral and tawny hues imparts an ultra-flattering, subtlyilluminated glow. ($121, hermes.com )
Catch Waves
Laced with a cocktail of natural oils including patchouli leaf and ginger root, Blu + Green Rise & Set Light Styling Cream nourishes strands while banishing frizz, even when hair is air-dried.
($36, bluandgreen.com )
Juicy Treat
With the staying power of a stain and the gleam of a gloss, Dolce & Gabbana Rose Dew Lip Bite 24H Glossy Lip Tint — here, in Bubbly Pink — lasts from brunch to a sunset stroll along Georgica Beach. ($43, sephora.com )
Slick Trick
Swipe Dior Backstage
Glassy Glow Stick in 041
Glazed Rosy along the outer edge of cheekbones, down the bridge of your nose, and at the Cupid’s bow to add dimension — and impart a sensual, whathave-you-been-up-to dewy sheen. ($44, dior.com )
Feel Flush
A dab of Sarah Creal
Coming in Hot Blurring
Pressed-Mousse Blush high on cheeks and swept out towards temples creates a hot, lit-from-within glow that looks straight out of Wuthering Heights. The shade Heartbreaker is a Cherry works on every skin tone. ($45, sarahcrealbeauty.com )
Where to eat, stay, and soak up summer’s most stylish happenings across the East End.
HOTEL CORDUROY
Montauk’s buzziest new boutique stay takes over the former Sunset Montauk property with surf-lodge energy, striped umbrellas, fire pits, and a downtown crowd already treating it as summer headquarters. thehotelcorduroy.com
FARAWAY
The former Baron’s Cove enters its next chapter as Faraway Sag Harbor, bringing Mediterranean-inspired interiors, waterfront rooms, and the anticipated Zagara restaurant to the village. farawaysagharbor.com
THE PENNY LANE
Lark Hotels brings understated luxury to Hampton Bays with breezy coastal interiors, standalone cottages, waterfront views, and effortless East End charm. thepennylane.com
BARLUME BEACH HOTEL
LDV Hospitality’s Montauk debut combines a boutique hotel, Mediterranean restaurant, marina, and beach club into one destination with a distinctly Italian summer spirit. barlume.com
APA AESTHETIC
Celebrity cosmetic dentist Michael Apa is offering Hamptons patients a complimentary helicopter transfer to and from his Manhattan office with every smile makeover — a luxe, traffic-free way to fit a dental upgrade into the summer schedule. apaaesthetic.com
JULIEN FAREL
The celebrity-favorite hairstylist returns for another Hamptons season, drawing socialites and summer residents alike for signature cuts, color, and polished blowouts. julienfarel.com
IVÁN POL AT SHOU SUGI BAN HOUSE
Known as the creator of the famed Beauty Sandwich facial, Iván Pol brings his soughtafter lymphatic treatments to Shou Sugi Ban House for one of the season’s most coveted wellness appointments. shousugibanhouse. com
LA PRAIRIE AT GURNEY’S
Back for a second summer, La Prairie transforms two spa suites at Gurney’s Montauk into an oceanfront skincare retreat with exclusive facials and restorative body treatments. gurneysresorts.com
GEORGIA LOUISE BEAUTY
LONGEVITY ATELIER HAMPTONS
POP-UP
Celebrity aesthetician Georgia Louise brings her Beauty Longevity Atelier to a private Sag Harbor residence from June 17 to August 14, offering facials, IV drips, injectables, lymphatic body treatments, and Sofwave sessions by appointment. georgialouise.com
KZ PILATES+
Back for its third Hamptons season, KZ Pilates+ continues to draw a devoted following with founder Kevyn Zeller’s personalized, semi-private Pilates sessions. New this summer: Restore & Radiate: PURE Restoration, blending Cadillac Pilates, HigherDOSE PEMF therapy, breathwork, and recovery-focused bodywork. kzpilates.com
DORSIA POP-UP
The members-only dining platform heads east this summer with a hospitality-driven pop-up for the reservation-obsessed crowd chasing insider access. dorsia.com
DELILAH X CHASE SAPPHIRE
RESERVE
Los Angeles hotspot Delilah brings its signature Deco glamour to the Hamptons through a Chase Sapphire Reserve partnership featuring exclusive dinners, cocktails, and social events. delilahrestaurants.com
GUILD HALL
Guild Hall’s summer gala remains one of the season’s defining cultural events, while its major Ross Bleckner exhibition brings the celebrated artist’s work to East Hampton. guildhall.org
HERO VOLLEY
Three-time Olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings brings Hero Volley to Montauk July 28–30, combining beach volleyball, wellness, surf culture, and social events for athletes, creators, and locals. herovolley.com
HAMPTONS MAHJONG
Hamptons Mahjong heads out East this summer with weekly open-play events at Wölffer Estate, Canoe Place Inn, the 1770 House, and the Pridwin, plus pop-ups, private lessons, and special events throughout the season. hamptonsmahj.cow
& Luxury Cherryl Llewellyn
