Dress

Photo: Ben Goldstein/Studio D

The all-American designer—whose new line for Kohl's delivers cheerful color and jazzy patterns—is the embodiment of everyday chic. Here, a few of her favorite things.

"An easy, body-skimming shape makes this dress a staple, and the graphic—in my beloved safari colors—is bold, rich, and abstract."

Dana Buchman, $90, Kohls.com
Gold necklace

Photo: Ben Goldstein/Studio D

"Occasionally my husband gives me a piece of real jewelry; last year it was this fantastic, unusual necklace. The decorative round clasp is meant to be seen."

$1,280, Simon-Alcantara.com for stores
Zebra heels

Photo: Ben Goldstein/Studio D

Animal prints are happy and evoke our connection with nature. Even the hangtags of my new collection have a zebra pattern."

Dana Buchman, $70, Kohls.com
Sunglasses

Photo: Ben Goldstein/Studio D

"Look at the world through rose-colored glasses! These are so well priced, you could buy a pair and a spare [they come in four colors]."

Dana Buchman, $36, Kohls.com
Absalom, Absalom! by William Faulkner

Photo: Ben Goldstein/Studio D

"Absalom, Absalom! blows me away—my Southern upbringing makes the Mississippi setting particularly resonant, but Faulkner's themes are universal: love, shame, family, longing, race."

$14, Amazon.com
Yellow bag

Photo: Ben Goldstein/Studio D

"This purse is for someone who carries a lot but doesn't want the bag to carry her."

Dana Buchman, $80, Kohls.com
Tote

Photo: Ben Goldstein/Studio D

"The tote is indestructible, classic, and big enough to hold my favorite magazines, like The Sun (a literary-political monthly)."

Louis Vuitton, $1,710, eLuxury.com; The Sun, $36 per year, TheSunMagazine.org
Metallic loafers

Photo: Ben Goldstein/Studio D

"They feel like slippers," says Buchman of these luxury Belgian loafers, so called because they were originally made in that country. "I'm embarrassed by how many pairs I have: metallic, velvet, gray flannel…"

Belgian Shoes, $325, 212-755-7372
Pink tunic

Photo: Ben Goldstein/Studio D

"Tunics are packable, versatile, timeless—I take them on weekends to the beach or to France's Loire Valley, where my husband and I go on our annual bicycling trip."

Dana Buchman, $36, Kohls.com
Safari jacket

Photo: Ben Goldstein/Studio D

"This coat is young and hip—and I adore the surprise of the wild printed lining."

Dana Buchman, $116, Kohls.com