Every season, my wardrobe tends to be focused around ten core piece; for me, these are all I need on hand for a good base of outfits. I’ve made the shift from heavy cotton knits, cashmere sweaters and wool jumpers to lightweight cotton tees and wispy silk camisoles, but it’s this seasonal cheat sheet that helps me slot in the final pieces of the puzzle and makes my wardrobe feel ‘complete’ in the months ahead.
While it’s a simple one, I thought today I’d run through the ins and outs of my summer wardrobe cheat sheet. Think lightweight wardrobe classics designed to be worn on their own to help beat the summer heat. PS. the above pic is completely shoppable; just click on the item you’re curious about.
A COTTON TEE | Let’s start off with the ultimate wardrobe hero, the cotton tee. This simple silhouette has slowly invaded my wardrobe space and become one of those must-have pieces which I find myself reaching for no matter the occasion – it’s such as easy piece to dress up or down. I like to have a few colour options on hand, and I’m not fussy as to whether it’s from the high street (these are great) or on the luxe end of the spectrum (I love these), though this is one part of my wardrobe where I generally like to save. My pre-requisites are that it’s lightweight, made of 100% cotton, and I generally favour a slightly shrunken style fit.
THE COTTON TANK | Sleeveless tops tend to reign supreme during a Sydney summer, and I do love a good basic cotton tank – it’s one of those throw on and go with every outfit kind of items. I’ve got a super old one in a washed black cotton from Glassons which is still going strong, and have had my eye on this one from Jac&Jack which is a bit of a modern update. Generally, I like to have basic options in black and white. They’re generally timeless and are going to be the most versatile pieces in my closet.
DENIM SHORTS | Where I can in the summer, about five days of the seven you’ll catch me wearing a pair of denim shorts. To me, these are a quintessential warm weather staple and no summer wardrobe cheat sheet would be complete without them. I like a style with a mid or high-rise, with a decent amount of coverage – I don’t want to be baring my cheeks to the world, if you know what I mean. My favourite pair come from Dr Denim, and for the summer ahead, I recently added this pair from Topshop, and these washed black ones from Madewell (which are a little longer in the leg).
A CHIC PAIR OF SANDALS | No summer wardrobe would be complete without a chic pair of sandals to see you through. I like to have two staple pairs on hand: a flat pair which are comfortable to walk miles in, and a low heeled pair that can be dressed up if need be.
A SILK CAMI | I talk about silk camisoles a lot, and with good reason. These are a serious workhorse pieces and a huge part of my personal style story. I’ve got a rather generous handful that I keep on rotation, though I tend to find myself going back to Everlane as their washed silk is so easy to care for. As much as I rely on lighter fabrics like cotton or linen in the summer, a nice silk piece feels a lot more dressed up or luxurious, and is the perfect item to reach for when planning an evening out.
THE DENIM SKIRT | Again, this is another one of those style staples that I’d feel a little bit lost without, and I somehow find a way to sneak these into an outfit every season (whether warranted or not). For me, this is a slightly dressier and more feminine option for when I’m not really feeling wearing a pair of denim shorts. My favourites are this one from ASOS and this raw hem skirt from J. Crew.
A STYLISH SWIMSUIT | I may be a little bit optimistic here, but I’m hoping that our summer will be peppered with trips to the beach. Some of my fondest memories of living in Sydney are from our first summer here, where we spent every weekend wandering down to Bondi to have a swim and get a couple hours of sun in. A great swimsuit is absolutely a must, and I like to have options: a one-piece swimsuit (this is the one I wear), and a cute high-waisted bikini (this looks gorgeous).
A SLIP SKIRT | Trends aren’t something that I play into all too often, but I’ve fallen absolutely head over heels for the slip skirt this season. It’s something I seem myself taking into next season and beyond, which is part of the reason why I’m making an exception to include it in this years summer wardrobe cheat sheet. To double up on a couple of trends – because why not – I think it’s best to opt for a leopard print one if you can. I have a couple in this particular style, but I think this is a wonderful alternative.
THE LINEN DRESS | Linen is one of my favourite fabrics to wear during the summer, despite the fact that it’s often seen as a high-maintenance material. I’ve talked a little bit about why I think it’s wardrobe-worthy here, but essentially it’s temperature-regulating, has an effortless lived in look, plus it’s breathable. All wins in my book. My favourite dresses currently on rotation for summer are all linen; a slip dress, a wrap ruffle dress, and a polka dot spotty option. These are for those days when I don’t feel like planning out my outfit – they’re so effortless and easy to wear, and I opted for styles that can be worn casually for weekends at home, or paired with strappy sandals for an evening out with friends.
A COOL LINEN BLAZER | Finally, let’s talk about a piece of summer outerwear. Linen tailoring is absolutely beautiful, and being a more breathable option than cotton, it’s a no-brainer when it comes to suiting. I have an incredibly lightweight summer blazer in a soft washed linen from Yoli+Otis that I’ve found myself reaching for a lot lately, in addition to a vintage tan linen jacket from Chloe. While this might be a bit of an ‘add-on’ for most, I like knowing that I have a linen blazer tucked away in my closet. It’s a great occasion-wear piece (good for the festive time of year), and it’s the perfect finishing piece for those cool summer evenings!
What’s on your summer wardrobe cheat sheet?
