Summer, Styled: Sara Walker’s Dream Dress With Reformation Has Arrived

When it comes to effortless elegance, no one nails the look quite like fashion creator Sara Walker—and now, she’s bringing her signature style to Reformation. The result? The Sara Linen Dress, a dreamy warm-weather staple made for long lunches, flirty evenings, and everything in between. Crafted from 100% breathable linen and available in three chic colourways, the dress debuts June 25th and is ready to take over your summer wardrobe. We caught up with Sara to talk design inspiration, her favourite way to style the piece, and what makes the perfect summer dress. —Noa Nichol

You’re known for your signature taste and thoughtful styling—what elements were non-negotiable when designing the Sara Linen Dress with Reformation?

I feel most confident in a classic outfit with unexpected details that make it stand out. That’s what I love so much about this dress – it takes the guesswork out of getting dressed. It’s timeless, but the unique touches make it feel complete on its own, no need for extra styling. While I love fashion and putting looks together, most days I’m getting ready in a rush. I need something easy that still makes me feel confident, comfortable, and has that bit of unexpected flair I’m always drawn to.

Linen is the hero of summer wardrobes, but not always easy to get right. What makes this dress feel elevated while still staying effortless and cool?

It has a polished, form-fitting silhouette that sets it apart from your typical linen dress, giving it an elevated, refined feel. What makes this piece so effortless is that the styling is built into the design, the thoughtful details do the work for you. All that’s left to consider is which shoe and bag to pair with it. And the best part? Every colorway works beautifully with simple, neutral shoes and bags.

Each colourway—Stampede, Nectarine, and Parmesan—feels distinct. How did you land on those shades, and what kind of mood or moment do they each represent to you?

When choosing the colors, I thought about where I’d actually be wearing this dress: maybe as a wedding guest, to brunch, on vacation, or just walking down the street for my midday matcha. I also considered the colors I naturally gravitate toward in my own closet and what I felt was missing.

Here’s where I landed: First, animal print – Stampede – because, duh! I’ve always loved animal print and wanted to incorporate it in a way that felt fresh and summer-ready. Then came butter yellow, which we call Parmesan. It looks amazing colorblocked with white. I consider this the “neutral” colorway. Parmesan is for those who keep their closet pretty monochromatic, this pop of yellow is easy to incorporate into an otherwise neutral wardrobe. Plus, Ref let me know it was trending on their site, so it felt like the perfect fit. Lastly, Nectarine. This one felt risky at the time – orange and coral together? I hadn’t seen it done before. But the moment I saw the swatch, I knew I had to go for it. It felt like maximalist summer vacation energy in the best way. It screamed me. I trusted my gut and leaned into the boldness of this colorblocking moment—and I’m so glad I did.

When you’re packing for a summer trip or styling for a night out, how would you wear the Sara Linen Dress? Can you share a few go-to styling tips?

Here’s how I imagine each dress living its best life:

• Nectarine: The ultimate wedding guest look (truly works for almost any location), or for a sunset dinner al fresco in Italy – because a girl can dream! Pair it with an orange bag for a maximalist moment that feels bold and playful. Think Pucci Summer in this dress!
• Parmesan: Walking through NYC, running from meeting to meeting, styled effortlessly with a vintage white Chanel mule. Throw on a white cardigan for a breezy night, and you’re good to go. Chic, polished, and easy.
• Stampede: Hair in a messy bun, rushing from work to meet the girls for drinks. It’s casual-cool perfection with a brown shoulder bag, laid back but still totally pulled together.

Of course, each colorway can be worn a hundred different ways, but in my head, this is where they belong.