Now that summer is in full swing, I thought it would be fun to put together a list of my summer wardrobe essentials. These are pieces I consider must-haves and are truly the building blocks of a versatile wardrobe. And if you follow me on instagram, you’ll for sure recognize a lot of the pieces in today’s post because I were them ALL the time! That’s the best part about good staples – you get so much wear out of them and they can honestly be worn a hundred different ways. My hope is that today’s post will help you assess your wardrobe and figure out which staples you’re missing and which ones are really worth investing in. I’ve done tons of research and tried out all sorts of clothes + accessories, so I feel really confident in recommending all of the pieces in today’s post to y’all!
This one is probably super obvious, so I had to start off my list with it! But y’all know that good denim shorts are a major staple for summertime. I literally wear them like 4-5 days a week and for everything from running errands to dinner with Michael. I feel like there are SO many denim shorts out there that really fall flat, though. They’re either too short or the fit is off, and then you’re constantly adjusting / feeling self-conscious. But finding the perfect pair? It’s like magic! These two pairs have been on repeat for me the last two summers. This pair is hands down the best pair of denim shorts I’ve ever owned! Y’all, they are a splurge but they’re literally flawless. The length, the fit, the amount of distressing, and wash are all perfect. The quality of these shorts is amazing too, so you will get SO much wear out of them! These shorts, on the other hand, are a more budget friendly option and I love them too! They’re high-waisted which makes them really flattering, and I love that they aren’t TOO short. The lighter wash is such a perfect, casual look for summer too. I also got them in white.
Just like denim shorts, I feel like it can be really hard to find a pair of white jeans that you legit LOVE and that have a flattering fit. So many pairs out there can give you that unflattering michelin man look, with like… nothing left to the imagination haha. But once you find a great pair of white jeans, you honestly can wear them ALL the time! I love it because it’s a fun way to change up your normal jeans + top combo, and it’s just so fun + summery! I definitely recommend investing in a good pair of white jeans. It’s a wardrobe staple that you can wear to brunch, date night, church, and so much else! These white jeans are my personal favorites. First off, the material feels amazing and isn’t see through at all. The high-waisted, button front look is insanely flattering on every body type. They hold you in without being uncomfortable at all. I love the step hem and that it’s trendy, but also really subtle. Seriously, these white jeans are the best + a major wardrobe staple!
I don’t know about y’all, but I kinda hate wearing closed toed shoes in the summer unless it’s running shoes or casual sneakers (these are some of my faves!). That being said, since I basically live in sandals this time of year it’s important that they are both versatile AND comfortable. I don’t know what the deal is, but SO many sandals are super uncomfortable after like.. an hour of having them on. They don’t have support or they rub against my toes, etc. So I was pumped when I found two pairs that I can legit wear all day, eery day and have zero issues with them. I’ve had these Steve Madden platform sandals for a while now and they are hands down the most comfortable sandals I’ve ever owned. I love that since it’s a platform, you can easily dress them up for date night or with a sundress for church. So many have y’all have purchased these and told me you find yourselves living in them cause they really are that comfortable. The elastic straps are also nice because they move with/around your feet, so they never dig into your skin or anything. These slide sandals are the best basics! I love that they come in tons of colors and they really go with everything. They really are the perfect causal sandal to just throw on and head out the door. They stay on well and don’t bother my feet at all. I love them!
I feel like if I were to look through ALL of my photos from the last two years, I would see this bag in like 90% of them lol. It is the perfect leather tote and I have gotten so much use out of it over the last couple of years. Not only is the leather incredible quality, but it also goes with everything! I like the size – not too big and bulky, but also big enough to be functional and travel with. I am obsessed with the ‘English Saddle’ color – so stunning and also really versatile. This will be the bag you can bring to cookouts, date night, church, errands, and everything in between! It doesn’t scuff up or get scratches easily at all. I promise it is worth every penny and you will find yourself using well after summer is over, too!
PIN ITSummer Must-Have: Perfect V-Neck Tee My fave: This one
I mean, is there anything better than a good v-neck tee? Y’all know I love good basics and this $20 tee is one of my absolute favorites. It seems silly to be this obsessed with a $20 tee lol but I legit have this shirt in almost every color. For summer time, it’s perfect for pairing with denim shorts or your fave white jeans for a casual everyday look. The material is light enough to not feel hot or stiff, but it still has a flattering fit to it. It isn’t too low, too short, and you can get a LOT of wear out of it. It runs tts and I definitely recommend grabbing it in a few colors. It’s one of those tops that you can just throw on and know it will look/feel good every time. Like I said, this will be a tee you wear all summer long!
Okay this is another piece that I legit wear all year round, but is definitely a summer staple. I pretty much never leave the house without this denim jacket. I throw it on over tanks, tees, dresses, and jumpsuits. I love the lighter wash for summer and y’all, I can’t even describe how GOOD it feels + fits! It isn’t too heavy or boxy, and the material is insanely comfortable. I love having this on hand for travel days or really just in case I get cold in a restaurant or wherever. It also looks really cute tied around your waist over a t-shirt dress. This denim jacket is under $100 and I’ve been wearing it for years!
PIN ITSummer Must-Have: Comfy Strapless Bra My fave: This one
So I won’t go into too much detail here, because I have an entire blog post dedicated to this magical strapless bra. In short, it’s the first strapless bra I’ve found that stays in place, gives a flattering shape, and is actually comfortable to wear. There are so many cute summer tops and dresses that require you to wear a strapless bra, so it’s definitely an item you have to have and will get so much wear out of. This strapless bra is my favorite and I’ve heard from so many of y’all that are just as obsessed with it!
I remember when these wedges came out last summer, they pretty much were out of stock instantly (and for most of the summer unfortunately). But y’all, it’s because they are THAT good! It can seem impossible to find comfortable wedges that are also affordable. This pair is under $80 and I love how they feel on my feet! I mostly wear them with dresses and white jeans, but they also look adorable with jumpsuits and denim shorts. They make your legs look so long and you can easily dress them up or down. Honestly, a good pair of wedges is such a summer staple that you can wear to everything from bbq’s to date night. It’s something you don’t really get to wear the rest of the year, so I love wearing them as much as I can during the warmer months!
It’s no secret that I have *slight* sunglasses addiction. I just love them, especially during the summertime! I wanted to share both an ‘investment’ pair (these ones) as well as a more budget-friendly option (these aviators). First off, these ray-bans have gotten maybe more wear than any other pair of sunnies I’ve owned. They are SO cute and I love the subtle retro look with the round frames. The brow bar is a fun detail and makes these look really good on any face shape. Martha and I both have these, and we are obsessed! Again, if you scroll through my instagram feed, you’ll see I wear these like 4-5 days week lol. I’m also a sucker for a good pair of aviators, especially in the summer. I love this pair and that they’re a little more oversized. They look so chic, but they’re under $70!
Click on anything in the collage to shop my summer must-haves!
So that concludes my list of summer wardrobe staples! I could probably add in a few more things, but I wanted to really keep it narrowed down to my absolutely must-haves. These are all items I genuinely love and wear constantly, and feel like are the real building blocks of a good summer wardrobe. So if you’re looking around your closet and you’re not sure exactly what you need, hopefully this list was helpful for you! Let me know in the comments below if you think I missed any major staples. Thanks so much for reading, friends!
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