My Summer Wardrobe Staples

Time to shake up the pace around here with the perfect Friday post: summer wardrobe staples!

I love getting dressed during the fall and winter. Sweaters, leggings, and layers; sneakers and booties; cute coats and cozy sweatshirts.

But summer… not so much.

Is summer style harder for anyone else? I guess I just prefer to be a little more covered. 🙂 This summer, I thought hard about what I really wear (not what I THINK I’ll wear) and bought a few pieces that I hoped to get a lot of mileage out of.

And I did. Many, many miles in and around my home in Northern California and the four towns we stayed in while we were in Utah last month. 🙂

Today I thought I’d share my most tried-and-true pieces from this summer in case any of you are summer-challenged like I am and could use some ideas & inspiration. Enjoy!

PS. For more on my wardrobe philosophy (less is more) and how I feel about putting full body shots on the internet, check here. 🙂

6 Pieces that Worked Hard for Me this Summer

1. Gap’s pure body modal short-sleeve top

I looove the fabric of Gap’s “pure body” tops, and they have several different styles. It feels so nice and smooth to the touch, but it’s substantial enough to drape nicely and, um, downplay the midsection. 😉 I also like the flattering longer sleeve on this cut. (Pictured on the right in the photo below.)

If you’re on the fence between two sizes, I’d say go for the upper size to get a nice drape. I wear a small, for reference.

2. KUT from the Kloth’s Catherine denim boyfriend shorts

I’m forever on the lookout for cute shorts with a longer inseam. These are super comfortable because the fabric has some stretch in it. But this also means they need washed after each wear to return them to their original fit. It’s a tradeoff I’m willing to make for the comfort. I also like the rolled leg.

You may consider sizing down one size because of the stretch factor.

Oh and I just noticed that these are in short supply. Here’s the same pair in regular denim (on sale!). And the Natalie shorts are longer but have a slim leg, which I like.

3. Splendid’s Cassandra sandal

I’ve gotten more compliments on these unassuming little beauties than I have anything else I’ve worn this summer. This busy mom needs sandals that are easy to slip on—no fussy buckles or ties. These elastic sandals fit the bill perfectly. They fit on the snug side (so they might not suit if you have wide feet), but I love that they stay on so securely, making it so I can do virtually anything in these babies.

I own the black & white flecky pattern (they should clearly hire me to name their products), but I noticed this GREAT silver color is currently on sale.

4. Banana Republic’s stripe drapey tie-front shirt

This top is perfect for times when I get to take my style up just a notch from the usual shorts and tees. The material is insanely soft and so thin that even though it’s long sleeved, it works during our NorCal summers. I love the tie-front detail; it makes a traditional button-up a lot more fun. 🙂

For reference, I bought an xs. I don’t wear mine quite as loose as the model does on Banana’s site.

5. Gap’s double-layer stripe dress

I used this dress as a swimsuit coverup this summer and loved it. It’s so easy to throw on and take off at the pool, and the fabric can hold up to some abuse (ie., residing at the bottom of the swim bag for way too long). My favorite part is the tiered feature you can see at the bottom.

This dress is slightly on the boxy side. Not a bad thing; just not curve-hugging. Only available in sx & s right now. I bought an xs.

6. AG’s Nolan ankle jean

These are the biggest “investment” (#haha) I made this summer. I accidentally fell in love with them when I tried them on in an Anthro store, and after dreaming about them for a good while, I finally took the plunge. A good boyfriend jean is perfect for summer, because they let you breathe more than skinnies do, and they just feel so relaxed.

I love that they have some subtle distressing, but not so much distressing that I can’t wear them for pretty much any occasion. They’re great with a T-shirt half-tucked into them.

FYI, they have some stretch, so I recommend going with a smaller size than you might normally choose. (I wear a 26 in these.)

Oh and the jeans pictured below are not my AGs. I just like to make things as confusing as possible, apparently!

Super high-quality photos. You’re welcome.

If you have a minute, I’d love to hear what’s been on repeat this summer in your closet! Hard to believe fall is around the corner, right?

---

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you buy something through a link here, I’ll receive a small portion at no cost to you. Thanks for the support!