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7 Summer Wardrobe Essentials

Wardrobe essentials are the grounding pieces we build our wardrobe around. They’re the workhorses we reach for again and again to anchor our outfits. Each woman has unique essentials and they will change over time. Today I’m sharing the seven pieces that have stood the test of time and are my summer wardrobe essentials.

Great Fitting White Jeans

woman wearing white jeans and black top with black and white jacket
WEARING – JACKET sold out, options HEREĀ – HENLEY TOPWHITE JEANS

A great pair of white jeans might seem like a unicorn but they do exist for every woman’s shape and size. Here are some tips to help you find yours. White pants or chinos may be more your style and are just as fresh for summer.

Lightweight Cardigan

woman in dressing room wearing pink sweater with black pants
WEARING – CARDIGAN – BLOUSE sold out, similar HEREĀ – COTTON PANTS sold out, similar HERE

Cardigans are a wardrobe staple for me year-round. During the summer the knit gets lighter weight, and there are often no buttons. They’re perfect to pop over a summer dress or sleeveless tank on cool evenings or when air conditioners are cranked up. They cover your upper arms without all the bulk and weight of a jacket. I’m fond of linen duster length cardigans which cover a summer dress or tank top and jeans.

 

Sunglasses

woman standing in front of waterfall wearing denim jacket
WEARING – SUNGLASSES – LONG DENIM JACKET sold out, similar HERE – COTTON SWEATER sold out, similar HERE – FLORAL JEANS sold out, similar HERE

A good pair of sunglasses is important all year, but essential during the summer. We spend more time outdoors and the sun is stronger this time of year so it’s essential to protect your eyes.UV rays can lead to macular degeneration which is a leading cause of vision loss for older women. Here’s a guide to help you choose a flattering shape for your face. Look for polarized and/or dark lenses which offer more relief from squinting. I found these sunglasses online and had my RX lenses put in them.

Denim Jacket

woman wearing blue denim jacket and blue shirt with blue jeans
WEARING – DENIM JACKET – CHAMBRAY SHIRT sold out, similar HERE

I love to toss a denim jacket over just about anything and summer is no exception. White denim looks crisp over everything. Colored ones are a fresh addition to your neutral basics. Picture a yellow denim jacket topping a striped cotton dress and flat sandals for a casual day around town.

 

Crisp White Shirt

CRISP WHITE SHIRT
CRISP WHITE SHIRT

 

A crisp white shirt is indispensable in many women’s wardrobes and summertime is no different. Try it worn open over a tank top and shorts. Roll the sleeves and wear it over a pair of chinos or cotton pants. Tie at the waist over your favorite maxi dress. Tunic-length white shirts even double as a bathing suit coverup. I love to pop the collar on my white shirts, here’s how. I don’t detest ironing but prefer no-iron white shirts because they stay crisper looking throughout the day.

 

Summer Sandals

Eileen Fisher espadrilles from Nordstrom on A Well Styled Life

When the weather heats up there’s nothing cooler than sandals. A well-rounded summer wardrobe should include comfy flats with varying levels of formality that take you from the pool to a summer wedding. A nude or metallic summer sandal is the most versatile no matter its style. Espadrille sandals are a fun option as are the new sport sandal. Here’s how to wear them without looking bulky.

 

Lightweight Jacket

blonde woman wearing green jacket, green polo top and jeans
WEARING – JACKET sold out, similar HERE – LINEN SHIRT sold out, similar HERE

A lightweight cotton jacket or trench is perfect for cool summer evenings or air conditioning set to freezer level.

What are some of your summer essentials?

34 Comments

  1. Liz Libby says:

    Love your contribution to the discussion. ƍ am 61. I have a summer core wardrobe which consists of:
    three lengths of tee shirt dress, tunic ~midi~and maxi. Usually in black and also in a golden mustard neutral.
    I have three pair of linen loose pants, two are loose at the ankle, one is a straight leg capri.
    I wear tank tops and layer with a linen jeans jacket in white and my light weight denim jacket that is waist length.
    For Variety and when I want to feel more feminine and not just fresh, I buy very distinct and showy midi dresses, anything that is not too fussy as far as massive amounts of material but dramatic in the color or pattern.
    Shoes are not my strong suit, and I usually have a variety of color sandals, some neutral tennies, tan and white, and a nice wedge in denim blue and with a bit of cork for the wedge.
    Remember to change up your hair and jewelry for the summer months, nothing to heavy around your neck! Wear your hair with a scarf, pull it back with a small thin ribbon, even very short hair (mine is shoulder length) lifts the entire ensemble when given a bit of flair.
    Have Fun. Be Comfortable! BE FRESH

  2. Janet Thomas says:

    Thank you for sharing this

  3. SUNFLOWER says:

    I love the styles you are showing. The problem I have with them is that I live in west Texas where our summers are steaming hot, usually most days are around 105*-110*, so what do you recommend for 75 year old woman that is ā€œyoung at heartā€?

  4. Where do you women of age shop for these things?

  5. i lived in south florida for decades. i think you can do a version of what sheā€™s saying. when you are going out to a restaurant or social function, you do need a throw on cardigan or blouse, white capris or pants are very
    common in Florida, a decent sandal that can be worn most of the year. The jewelry comments are right on.
    Hats are very common in Florida as well. My mother in law always looked at pictures in fashion ads and then bought what was in the picture.

  6. I live in northern Canada. It does get hot here, as hot as 30 celcius, which is in the 90s Fahrenheit, but I still wear white denim and light pants (because I don’t care for shorts at 64), light sweaters and jackets, because it cools off in the evenings. I definitely agree a white denim jacket is worth its weight in gold, or even a little white linen jacket, I’ve had one of those in one style or another, usually cropped because I’m petite, since I was in my teens. I love them over a striped t-shirt dress with flats for a running around day. I have also been wearing the new style of wide leg, cropped linen pants with loose, v-neck, short sleeve, half tuck modal cotton tees when its really hot. I wear espadrille-type sandals with them. I have a short, cotton, 3/4 length sleeve off white cardigan I carry with me if I’m going from day to night and think I need it (we have mosquitos here) .

  7. I am 54 and just in plus sizes. I agree with everything you wear. Here in Arizona we have 110 degree weather in the summer. So hot!!

  8. Carolyn Jouret says:

    Robin S Monkman , your question is the same as mine, and I wish a couple of fashion bloggers would answer it. I, too, live in Florida, and get excited when I see an article about summer clothes. Then I read it and look at the cute outfits with snug white denim jeans, long sleeves, lovely scarves and almost any kind of jackets. Too hot! I hope an expert will try to make suggestions that we can use.

    1. Ladies,

      Agreed! Jeans and cardigans in the summer?

      Gauze pull on pants are a great hot & humid summer options. Iā€™m over 50 & do not do well in shorts so this is a great option to jeans. Loose gauze, light weight cotton, linen/cotton blends are great summer fabrics.

      Iā€™ve found lightweight pants at Old Navy and Target. Another shop is Zara, a bit eccentric but if you take the time there can be some great uniques options offered at this store.

      Good luck!

    2. Exactlyā€¦. Iā€™m in SW Florida. We would burn up in some of these summer outfits. I love them but they just arenā€™t practical for us.
      I typically wear sleeveless and pop on a kimono light weight shrug or linen top when I get wear Iā€™m going.

  9. Karen Coia says:

    I live in northern NY near the Canadian border. Great suggestions for me. Thanks.

  10. I live in California and travel closer to the coast during the summer

  11. Jeanmarie says:

    Wondering what material to look for in a lightweight summer white shirt. Don’t normally wear button down shirts they always feel constructing or without movement!

    1. Look for knit cotton or cotton with spandex so it stretches for you

  12. Lovely outfits but i live in Georgia and it gets in the upper 90’s. We don’t wear a lot of sweaters and jackets here especially when your over 50. I have to have very cool outfits without layers, long sleeves, and long pants. My knees, thighs, and upper arms should never see the light of day. i am a plus size women as are many women over 50. i have found that wearing A- line skirts and a cotton knit shirt with statement jewelry that accents my face along with sandals or Converse tennis shoes, in a interesting color, work well for me. I always have a jacket handy to slip on in air conditioned building. Can you give us southern women more options? thanks

  13. Love your hair. What is the cut? I would like to know what to tell my hairdresser. Do you use a curling iron. How do you style it? Thanks

    1. I have a disconnected cut Ellie. Remember the days when mullets were popular? Thatā€™s sort of what I have. Layers on top than do not connect to the bob at the bottom. My hair is very thin so I need all the volume I can get.

  14. Susan Dana says:

    Good that you showed sandals with back straps, instead of slides or mules which can be lethal to wearers. Falls are something we all need to work to avoid, and wearing shoes that provide support, coverage and stay on the feet are crucial for safety and stability. From an aesthetic point of view, my heels are not the most attractive part of my feet, so Iā€™d just as soon cover them up as well as be safe.

  15. Iā€™m loving these long, light weight cardigans, too! And youā€™re right, as the days warm up, sleeveless please! šŸ˜‰

  16. You look fabulous in all of these outfits! I love the cardigan over the summer dress. What brand is the cardigan?

    1. The brand is ā€œJenniferā€. I knit this cardigan several years ago.

  17. Maggie Morris says:

    Great post! I love your style and everything looks terrific on you! Love the colorful dress.

  18. I live in Southern California and find that I canā€™t wear jeans, cardigans, jackets or even snug tee shirts in the 6 months of summer/fall heat. My summer essentials are loose maxi dresses and skirts, kimono toppers, loose cotton voile blouses and wide leg linen pants. Itā€™s pretty and comfortable.

    1. Those all sound perfect. When our temps are through the roof I reach for loose line too.

    2. You and me both, Terry, although I’m wondering when it will get hot again here.

  19. Yes to all of the above, I agree with everything you said and the choices youā€™ve shown. I like the colorful summer dress, but I rarely wear dresses. White jeans are so versatile and I wear then year round. Although I love the look of a crisp white blouse, I donā€™t wear many pure white tops. I need more color near my face, so thereā€™s usually a colorful tank or necklace involved. Any time I wear pure white and there is food nearby, I feel like a stain magnet. Summer sandals are a must, especially when I live in SoCal and wear sandals almost year round. Multiple pairs and a variety of styles and colors keep me and my feet happy.

    1. Lol, white is a stain magnet for me too Norma. I love maxi dresses and have my eye out for some new ones this year.

  20. Rose Brock says:

    Love all your outfits. All your essentials are perfect for summer!

  21. Very nice outfits Jennifer. I especially like the colorful dress in the last photo. Is the fabric cotton or scuba? Can you share the brand, please.

    1. The fabric is cotton. Itā€™s many years old from Trina Turk.

  22. Dear Jennifer, Love your dressing style.Thanks a lot for your help.Much Love from Athens,Greece.Connie

  23. Love your hair……also I like all the clothes in this post! The white jeans in first pic look amazingly on you.
    How’s your house coming along….looking forward to seeing pics!!

    All the best

    1. Thanks! Nothing happening with the house until we get home next week from our riverboat cruise.

  24. Great outfits; all of them! Like your hairstyle too!

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