Year after year, my dread about summer fashion approaching surprises me, and after doing a quick pulse check online, it’s clear that I’m not alone. Be it that you can’t figure out how to dress for high temperatures or spend the season missing your trusty layers, let’s face it: Figuring out a few summer wardrobe staples you can rely on is hard.
As a NYC-based stylist, I spend countless hours shopping online and in-person, staying on top of trends, and tracking down the best pieces for clients. After a while, I’ve built up a sort of internal catalog, noting which brands I recommend repeatedly and which pieces I see earn the status of closet staple. Though it can be easy to get carried away with summer trends, my advice to clients is always to focus on the items that you can still see yourself wearing for at least another season or two. That way, you can start each summer with a collection of pieces that you know you love and are excited to reach for.
These are the 10 summer wardrobe staples I recommend to all of my clients.
1. A Perfect White Tank
A white tee is the answer to the majority of my wardrobe woes throughout the year, which naturally transitions to a white tank in the summer. I like to keep multiple in my closet—U-necks, crewnecks, you name it—so I know I’ll always have one at the ready. Day or night, a white tank can go with literally any summer outfit. A current favorite combination of mine is a cropped tank paired with baggy shorts and a slinky sandal.
2. A Beaded Necklace
I’m biased when it comes to jewelry. I have a large collection, and am usually sporting half-a-dozen statement pieces at a time. Summer jewelry, however, is an entirely different beast. Woven into my mixed-metal stack is a strand of summery beads (the literal string that ties my neutral-based outfits together). A beaded necklace looks great on its own, too, especially when paired with a white dress or a ribbed tank. To up the ante, you can also pair a beaded necklace with a coastal-inspired piece, like a pair of shell earrings or a starfish-shaped pendant.
3. A Fun Bag
A statement coat is to winter as a trendy accessory is to summer: extremely critical and highly transformative. In a season marked by barely-there styles, the will to get dressed is dismal at best. My trick to turning things around? Investing in a well-rounded arsenal of accessories—fun and colorful bags included. Those closest to me know that I’m rarely spotted without a red or yellow bag as soon as the temps warm up.
4. An Easy Dress
I’ve accumulated a handful of summer dresses that I consistently reach for in the warmer months. Dresses are easy, one-and-done outfits that handle most of the styling work for you. All that’s left to figure out is the accessories. Although I’m more of a maximalist, come summer, I lean heavily into neutral minis and maxis, which are the perfect foundation for a colorful bag or a trendy shoe.
5. Everyday Sandals
I own upwards of a few dozen pairs of shoes, and I rely on them to do most of my styling heavy-lifting throughout the year. When it comes to sandals, however, I find that as long as I have the essentials—a light pair, a dark pair, a slip-on, a flip-flop—I have all that I need to make it through the summer.
6. A Pair of Statement Shades
Years ago, I was afraid to venture past my classic black and brown sunnies. On a whim, I purchased a red pair last summer, and quite literally never looked back. Out of shock that it took me so long to indulge in a pair of statement shades, I’m looking forward to rewiring my summer wardrobe with a couple more additions this season. If you’re not into a colorful pair, opt for a funky silhouette or cool metal hardware for a similar elevating effect.
7. Drawstring Pants
After months of alternating between jeans and trousers, it’s a near shock to the system to survive the summer without them. That’s where elastic-waist pants come into effect. They’re lightweight, breathable, and ultra-versatile when it comes to styling them from day to night. You can find your fair share of linen and silk pull-on styles, but for a less fussy option, I prefer a crisp poplin pair.
8. A Midi or Maxi Skirt
I bought a beige, elastic-waist midi skirt at a designer liquidation sale years ago, and it’s a piece that I keep coming back to season after season. It’s one of the more comfortable pieces in my wardrobe, but somehow still looks elevated with simple combos like a tank and flip-flops. If a client doesn’t own a summer maxi skirt, I recommend starting with a versatile option in black or white. If they want to add to their existing collection, I recommend opting for a midi in a bright color.
9. A Versatile Top
Warm-weather tops should be versatile, comfortable, and most importantly, breathable. To get the most bang for my buck, I focus less on colors and prints and more on materials and silhouettes. If you were to peek into my closet today, you’d find a healthy dose of sleeveless vests, oversized button-downs (that can also double as cover-ups), and airy blouses.
10. Long Shorts
In a season where jeans are off the table and denim cut-offs are up for debate, long shorts make for an undeniably versatile alternative. I generally like to keep a long shorts-centered look simple by pairing them with a loose tee and sandals or with a blazer and kitten heels for the perfect summer office outfit.
Tinsley Crisp, Former Fashion & Beauty Staff Writer
Tinsley Crisp was formerly the Fashion & Beauty Staff Writer at The Everygirl and specialized in reporting on the season’s latest trends and hottest products. As a New York City-based stylist, she’s committed to injecting joy into the art of getting dressed and delivering attainable yet aspirational content to our readers.
Jessica Welsh, Senior Fashion & Beauty Editor
Jessica oversees and edits all fashion and beauty content on The Everygirl. She also writes in-depth styling stories, trend reports, capsule wardrobes, and more. She was previously the Commerce Editor for The Everymom, where she oversaw all shopping content on the site and social. She has created editorial content for major brands such as Nordstrom, Old Navy, DSW, and Kohl’s.
Products included in graphics linked within article. Feature graphic images credited to: Anthropologie, Z Supply, J. Crew, Madewell, Gap, Anthropologie, and Mary Ellen | Dupe.
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