While helping to plan a benefit fashion show for later this summer, I figured it would behoove me to find out what is in fashion – other than rain slickers – for those of us who live Down East.

Lo and behold, Vogue magazine had the answer: a whole spread in a recent issue on what’s in style down by the seashore. Vogue’s description of “the Maine chance” for those fashion-conscious gals goes something like this: “An endless summer of canoes and clamshells and cocktails on the porch calls for an effortless wardrobe of August-night cashmeres and Saturday-afternoon skirts bursting with hydrangeas.”

Hmm. The effortless wardrobe photographed in full color includes a strapless seersucker dress by Ralph Lauren for about $1,598; where the effort comes in is trying to hide your goose bumps.

Maybe a cardigan sweater would help, especially one “as white as a snow-capped wave,” says the copy written by someone who has seen a wave

with snow riding on top of it. I haven’t.

But then again, I’ve never seen a $1,600 grass-green print skirt by Oscar de la Renta except in the magazine photographs of a model leaning back against a splintery-looking, paint-chipped porch chair, which adds to the charm, I guess.

Speaking of charm, Maine must be dripping in it according to Vogue writers. “What’s more Down East,” they ask, “than pedaling from yard sale to yard sale in a sunny hydrangea skirt?” I just don’t know what could be any more typical around here unless it’s the $1,380 Bottega Veneta hooded windbreaker that I’d probably wear while biking from one delightful yard sale to the other.

Or while making “a pilgrimage for lobster rolls, ice cream at the local fountain and antique hunting at the fairs.” Sounds perfect, but I better remember my big, roomy, $498 Coach weekender bag for collecting sand dollars. And, if the day turns cool and foggy – for a change – I’ll sport a Michael Kors canary yellow sweater (about $1,100) and matching scarf (about $295).

One of Vogue’s contributing editors says she loves her summer escape to Maine because “it’s a little farther away than everywhere else.” That’s as good of a reason as others, I reckon.

And what does she pack for her vacation Down East? “A fisherman’s sweater, stripy tees and Tretorns.” After all, she writes, “Invitations sometimes specify ‘clambake chic’: To me, this means white pants again, but with a colorful silk tunic and a big necklace or ring from Taffin.”

I just wonder what clambake chic really means to all of us in the scheme of things. It’s something to ponder when I pull on those comfy $560 Porthault pajamas and settle in for a dreamy summer’s night in Maine.