I’m a firm believer in building a wardrobe that consists mainly of everyday essentials like this—those pieces I’ll reach for again and again all season long and that can be mixed and matched for endless different outfits. In this post, I’m sharing the 7 essentials you need for building a summer wardrobe. You’ll probably notice that I’m wearing more than one of these items in most of the looks throughout this post (further proof of how versatile they are!)
White Tank/Tee
There’s nothing easier than throwing on a fresh white tee with a pair of shorts for an iconic summer look. Picking up a few tees and tanks is always a must for me each season. You can pair one with shorts, skirts, under jackets and blazers…anything at all. I love H&M for budget-friendly tops, especially their linen ones, which are all under $20 each. **Style tip: for an effortlessly ‘cool’ look, buy one size up in your tee.
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Straw Hat
More often than not, a straw hat is the final piece that completes my summer outfits. Hats are also a great accessory that can add a stylish touch to something like a basic tee and shorts combo (plus you don’t have to worry about messing with your hair!) Over the last few years, my favorite hat brand has become Janessa Leoné because of the beautiful craftsmanship. They’re pricey, but worth every penny for the premium quality and timeless style. I also appreciate that they’re available in three sizes so you can always find the perfect fit. You can shop the brand here at Shopbop and sometimes they’ll go on sale there, too.
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Denim Shorts
Some people don’t like shorts but I believe the key is finding a pair you really love and feel good wearing. It sounds obvious, but when you find a flattering fit you’ll get plenty of use from them. I’ve been obsessed with these mid-length Levi’s cutoffs because they look chic with flats or heels. To see my complete roundup of the most flattering high waist shorts I’ve found this season, check out this post I recently published.
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Linen Pants
Linen pants are a chic alternative to jeans during the summer and the lightweight fabric is much more comfortable in the heat. I also go for linen pants when I’ll be outside at night because it keeps the mosquitoes from attacking my legs!
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Tank Dress
Tank dresses are timeless for summer and can be styled so many different ways. You can wear one with flats or sneakers just as easily as heels, plus they’re the ideal base layer for lightweight jackets or blazers.
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Denim Jacket
Denim jackets are a year-round staple in my opinion, especially for summer. They’re a light outer layer that’s perfect for summer nights or to ward off the chill from AC blasting in stores and restaurants. To keep the look modern, choose an on-trend silhouette like this cropped boxy style I’m wearing in the above photo (which is under $30 by the way!)
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Neutral Sandals
A neutral pair of sandals (think brown/tan, white, or black) will be your go-to during the summer months since they go with everything. I’ve been wearing this slide style from Sam Edelman nonstop for exactly that reason. They come in a ton of different colors and they’re super comfortable (plus they’re under $100).
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