If you’re anything like us, you probably can’t wait to get out your summer clothes! We wait all year for the warm weather so we can debut our brightly colored tops, cute sandals and chic dresses in vibrant patterns. But if you opened your summer wardrobe storage only to find lackluster or outdated pieces, you might want to think about giving your warm weather wardrobe a summer refresh.
Summer dressing should be fun, playful and comfortable, and if your pieces don’t tick all of these boxes, it may be time to rethink and renew — strategically, of course. Here’s how to do it.
1. Invest In a Few Pairs of Shorts — If you’re not feeling great about your shorts assortment, make this the starting point for your summer wardrobe refresh. A few pairs of cute women’s shorts will help you adapt your favorite spring and fall looks so they’re more appropriate for the hot weather. Be sure to have at least one pair of comfortable, casual shorts for running errands and hanging out at home, as well as a pair of adaptable denim shorts that you can also dress up. Last, pick out a pair of dressier shorts, such as paper bag shorts for dressy dinners, brunches, showers and concerts.
2. Add a Few Pieces in Seasonal Patterns — Look at your most-worn pieces and consider ordering them in seasonal patterns. If you have staple silhouettes you always return to — for example, a favorite dress or blouse — check the brand to see if they offer it in any brighter prints. In the summer, it’s all about the tropical prints, florals, gingham and nautical stripes. The same goes for bright colors! Swap out your solid-colored shorts, tees, camis and jackets for options in more exciting pastels, neons and vibrant shades that suit the season.
3. Buy a Few Core Summer Accessories — Tossing on a pair of oversized sunglasses or donning a straw hat completes your summer vibe. Make sure your accessories collection has a few trendy summer extras that you can use to easily transform your look. Grab a pair of statement sunglasses, a sun hat, a straw handbag and some bright earrings to add that extra layer of summer heat to any outfit.
4. Integrate Summer Textures — Prints and colors aren’t the only way to give your clothes a summer edit. Integrating traditional summer textures into your closet will help give it a resort-inspired vibe that’s perfect for the summertime. Integrate woven straw, breezy linen, airy cotton and gauzy fabrics into your staple pieces and accessories. For your footwear, hold off on the leather and suede until October and add woven espadrilles or wedges for a tropical feel.
5. Upgrade Your Footwear — Speaking of footwear … you don’t have to ditch your favorite pair of flats or sneakers just because it’s warm out, but you’re definitely going to want to consider adding some cute sandals to the mix. Refresh your shoe shelf with a pair of comfortable and versatile flip-flops or slides for your more casual ensembles, as well as some strappy heels and wedges for your dressed-up looks. These will give any outfit an instant summer vibe.
6. Don’t Forget the Sleeveless Tops — Sleeveless tops and tanks serve as stand-ins for your base layers and simple tops when the weather is warm. Make sure you have a sleeveless silhouette you’re comfortable wearing, whether that’s a spaghetti strap cami or something with thicker straps so you can wear a t-shirt bra. Once you find that perfect version, order it in tons of colors because the right tank is priceless in the summertime.
7. Rethink Your Swimwear Strategy — If you’re planning a beach vacation, a boating day or afternoon at the pool, you’re going to want to make sure you have some stylish swimwear in your summer collection. Before the warm weather hits, conduct an analysis of all your swimsuits. See if any of your two-pieces can be updated by mixing and matching with new tops and bottoms. Be sure to add a couple of cute swim cover-ups in neutral colors as well.
8. Take Old Jeans and Make Cut-Offs — When the weather starts to warm, it’s quite tempting to ditch last year’s pieces and start anew. But don’t toss all your clothes into the donation pile quite yet! You can breathe new life into your bottoms drawer by taking your lesser-worn denim or fabric bottoms and transforming them into chic cutoff shorts. DIY shorts don’t have to involve lots of fraying and distressing, either. You can easily create cuffed jeans shorts if you prefer a more tailored look that doesn’t even look DIY.
9. Pick Up a Pair of White Jeans — White jeans are super stylish at the moment, and we’re wearing them on repeat. These are some of the most versatile bottoms in your wardrobe. They match everything and pair beautifully with brightly colored blouses, printed tops and relaxed, summer tees. Make sure you have a pair that’s comfortable but adaptable enough that they can be dressed up or dressed down.
10. Swap the Jeans for Breezy Pants — Don’t get us wrong. The right pair of jeans transcends trends and seasons. But sometimes your denim is just a bit too hot for the hot August weather. When temps are high, make sure to have a couple pairs of wide-leg fabric pants in your wardrobe to keep cool and stylish. Choose linen, gauze, or a breezy cotton in a wider leg silhouette to help prevent sweat and overheating. White and cream are a great route to take, and they go well with all the tops in your closet.
Summer is the best time of year to style cute women’s clothing, so don’t be intimidated by the task! This is the time to swap out the dark, structured, and tailored with the bright, easy and breezy. Embrace this strategy, and you’ll be well on your way to an endlessly adaptable and compliment-worthy summer wardrobe.
xoxo
HAPPY SUMMER!!!
