Summer Outfit Math
We are officially four days into summer, and the boys have already devoured lime, mango, and strawberry popsicles. (In for a penny, in for a pound, as my dad always says.) I’ve also been noticing fun street style — including bright colors and glossy nails — and here are a few outfit combos to consider as the weather warms up…
1. Blue stripes + white pants = the forever Cup of Jo uniform. I love these stripes and linen pants with patch pockets, along with fun accessories, like a mesh bag or jelly slides (plus, a bonus for all readers: Get 20% off at Anthro with code JOANNA20).
2. White tee + block-print pants. Block prints, like this green and pink, feel so breezy and cool all summer. And how cute is this red and navy combo?
3. Black and white dress = effortlessly chic for romantic dinners and trips. Loving these three: silk, gingham, square neck.
4. White top + white bottom. Soooo pretty, especially with pintuck details and strappy sandals that wrap up your ankles. Here’s the skirt and shorts (JOANNA20 gets you 20% off at Anthro).
5. Scallops + flip flops = a playful mix of feminine and sporty. (mini skirt; midi skirt)
6. Actually, flip flops with…everything. If there is one Big New Thing this summer, it’s simple black flip flops with anything from cut-offs to a wedding-guest dresses. I’ve been spotting this sleek pair on women around town; they have a padded footbed for comfort on long walks and adventures. I’ve also had great luck with this easy $34 pair.
Thoughts? What pieces are you pairing these days? Also, would you wear this bra T-shirt? I actually kind of love it. :)
P.S. A summery week of outfits with a cardiologist, and a very low-key summer checklist.
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(Top photo by Alex Mill)
Comments
99 commentsI realized after this post that I didn’t own any flip flops and hadn’t for many years now. Naturally, I ordered some. Can’t go wrong with a classic black pair! I may also go for a white pair later for when I’m feeling an opposite look.
Does anyone else here sew? I’d love to be able to make some of these pieces, but have a hard time finding garment-quality fabric. Any recommendations for fabric stores, either online or in the south-central PA area??
If you’re ever in Pittsburgh you must check out Firecracker! For online fabric there is Mood of project runway fame or sometimes I find good things on Etsy.
I live in NYC and in theory could go to the garment district, but I love ordering from Hart’s Fabric online. They have a great selection and ship super fast.
I’m always on the hunt for fabric and love to use materials I can find second hand. Vintage sheets, curtains, tablecloths found at thrift or vintage shops. Maybe not exactly what you’re looking for but can be a fun search.
Erin – fellow sewist here (and used to run my own online fabric store), and the ones I turn to again and again are Lyrical Fabrics, Surge Fabric Shop, and LA Finch Fabrics. I used to love Blackbird Fabrics and Core Fabric Store (and still do, to be honest), but the current tariffs make these unshopable for me. Lyrical is amazing though and I’ve bought way too much from their amazing store! Best of luck!!
I shop at Stonemountain & Daughter and I know they do online sales! stonemountainfabric.com
So much agree with all the previous posts on showing models who are not tall, young and thin. I want to see what women who loves fashion, are.i.e. size 14 or 16, over 40 and do not have an unlimited budget….PLEASE. I know many of your followers are younger than 40 but I feel like at that age I did not have the same difficulties finding clothing as I do now.
I agree that more size diversity is awesome. Let’s share the places that ARE size inclusive. https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=487332002&vid=1&pcid=85729&cid=85729 I love Old Navy for its inclusivity, great deals, cute and practical clothes. And as far as fast fashion and durability, I have ON pieces (from thrift!) that I’ve worn for years, and even decades.
Totally agree that Old Navy’s quality is a lot better than similar priced retailers.
Hello, i love all these ideas. And the imaginary summer holiday version of myself would drift through life in an effortlessly chic way. Sometimes on a rare occasion i do achieve this version of nirvana. However, what i would LOVE to see on here is a series of pictures of what everyone actually wears and how we all really look at the end of the day after for example: commuting to work on public transportation, helping kids with their ice creams (and spilling our own ice creams!), working from home in a tiny room with no aircon, lugging heavy groceries, doing a 10 hour drive to visit family etc etc etc. i bet everyone would look frazzled AND beautiful 🤩 and i for one would love to know what holds up in those situations!!
This is a cute idea. As lovely as it sounds to say cool and breezy all summer, most of us will spend a fair bit of time gorgeously disheveled, right?
I love and second this idea, Susie!
there’s a lot of linen on the Alex mill site and (in shopping for ideas not at their prices) doesn’t that all crinkle?
I like these looks, but please, please, please include women of all sizes. All of these women are reed thin which completely makes me want to scream.
Any sewists here beside me thinking the ever-present “I could make that!”
Yup. “Block print? I could do that.”
saw it. was ahead of it. already sewed and wearing it.
I really want to make a version of the scalloped mini skirt! Any sewists with more experience than me have suggestions for that?
Absolutely! All the time!
annnnd you need fun comfy shoes!! I just discovered this new brand Wanderwell and I LOVE them. Super, super comfy and fun colors.
A couple of weeks ago, I bought a pair of bright yellow and white patterned barrel pants from Old Navy. They are a tiny bit cropped and very lightweight, and I. LOVE. THEM. I would wear them every day if the pattern wasn’t so immediately identifiable lol. But I just checked and they have them in black and white online so I’m getting them! I’m 61 and never thought something like that would look good on me. I wear them with a not-too-cropped tank. Never be afraid to try something new!
Link?
These pants sound so fun!
Sounds so chic, Denise!
Here is the link! Not Denise but I also bought them :) https://go.shopmy.us/p-68334422
More body size diversity in the fashion posts, please!
agreeeeee!
Amen, friend.
Please don’t forget us curvy women when you are recommending outfits! all I see is models with tiny boobs and waists and slim fitting clothes. I need stuff that will support my boobs and all my curves! why are all the models so skinny? (no flak to skinny people, just want to see all represented). Thanks!
Snag tights (https://snagtights.us) who sells clothes as well as tights, does a great job of representing lots of different body types, and they carry fun colors and styles.
I like the “outfit math” of hero image: all the colors, all together!
One thing I am noticing is that across the board, dresses are SO Good this year. Basically every brand (high/low/everyone) has terrific options right now. As a lifelong dress girl, I am in heaven! Also, I strongly cosign white with blue stripes – immediately crisp and cooling. And my perennial summer uniform – red/white/blue anything.
Gosh, I love a flip flop! My mom would take me to Walmart at the beginning of each summer to pick out a pair (pink was my signature color). Wearing them makes me feel the excitement of summer.
I’ve been wearing a silk tank (bought as PJs from Quince) and linen/cotton shorts from Old Navy during this heatwave. But what really REALLY makes a difference…. merino underwear and bras. I swear by them. No more swamp crotch and the underboob sweat dries up much easier.
source please?
@wind the clock: I’ve gotten bras and underwear from Branwyn. The underwear give me a bit of a wedgie so I wouldn’t re-buy those but love the bras for bralette level support. For underwear, I just bought a set on Amazon (shaaaaaame on me) that has the shape of Evry underwear but are wool and those look promising. Haven’t worn them yet. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GHQD6CJJ?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1&psc=1
I know my sister absolutely swears by Smartwool underwear. Gotta give them a shot one of these days.
I’ve been wearing merino wool bras and underwear for about 5 years now, and won’t ever go back! Branwyn is the company that makes my favorites- they’re a bit of an investment over cotton, but I’ve gotten so much more wear and comfort out of them as well.
I know flip flops are in style right now but all I see is plantar fasciitis! You can pry my Tevas from my cold dead fingers.
Hear hear. I’m in Tevas and Birkenstocks all summer and can’t with flip flops. Funny to see they’re back in trend now, esp the platform ones (ick)!
I wear flip flops all year long in southern California. I’ve never felt like they are in or out as a trend, they are just flip flops. Easy to put on and run out the door. I tried Tevas and my feet are too narrow, I need the thong to keep my foot from sliding forward. I had plantar fasciitis for a hot minute a few years ago when I was running a lot, did some PT, strengthened my feet, and moved on!
i feel seen! amen.
I recently bought a pair of Teva flip flops, and I cannot recommend them more highly–cushioned, supportive footbed, and flip flop style but with a slip-in strap further up the foot that helps with sturdiness. I wouldn’t wear these hiking, but I’ve work them for all kinds of multi-mile city walks and they’ve been terrific. They have the slip-in quality I want from a flip flop with a little more security. https://www.teva.com/p/women-flip-flops/tirra-traveler-flip-flop/1169490?color=MAH&size=05&style=1169490
Hear me out, not about the flip flops, but Teva/Birk alternatives: Sorel makes really great sandals, so does Camper (spanish brand). My fisherman sandals (Sorel) made it through several hikes in eastern Quebec last summer. And the beautiful red Camper pair are perfection in museums and galleries.
I’m very into linen pants and tee shirts for summer. All neutrals!
My summer uniform is maxi skirt (with pockets) plus tank top plus shorts from Snag to keep my thighs unchafed, or maxi dress that basically replicates the same shape.
Same, Kacie! I love a skirt + tank or tee combo. I wear mine with colorful sneakers (or Rothys if I want something a little more polished), and it always feels just right.
I read a stylist blog post that said always start with shoes. Find shoes you love, and then pick the rest of the outfit to go with them. It caught my attention because shoes are kind of an afterthought with me. I always end up buying tennis shoes that are inexpensive/on sale, very casual, and basic. Nothing wrong with any of that, but I often feel I have nothing to wear and I realized it’s because I don’t buy real shoes. So I am recalibrating, and reconsidering shoes (not flip flops).
I don’t have any real shoes either. I was always wearing flip flops, then a kind of trek-ish sandle in these later years. Then I had to get this full time job and wearing shoes all day is one of the worst parts of it. :(. That and being out of my home so dang long. The typical work day is ridiculously long.
I used to gravitate towards wearing blues. Then I got on a leopard print kick for shoes so I started wearing black and creams. For a few years, I basically dressed for my leopard print flats. I’m slowly bringing blue back into my wardrobe so any shoes I now buy have to go with blues.
Weirdly, I like the “bra” tee but can’t handle the fact that there’s no corresponding trompe-l’oeil “strap” on the back? When a visual detail is more of a full-bleed effect or pattern vs. a discrete image, I want tops and dresses to commit to it from all directions; front-only treatments feel half-finished to me.
Yes! As if you were a paper doll!
Seconded!
The white top + white bottoms are making me lol as a toddler mom. I kinda want to do it just to see what piece of art I look like at the end of the day. :^D
Even before kids I think it would have felt like trying my luck too much to go with white on white, but now they wouldn’t even make it to breakfast. The other week I had a new dress on and within 5 minutes I got poked in the boob with a brown marker. Luckily it came out!
Same! My kids think I’m a human napkin. haha
Dare you! DO IT! send pics :)
Truly as a toddler mom my go to summer uniform is : clothes I already own that can withstand the Heavy cycle on the washing machine.
I’m the toddler in our family: I make a mess of my clothes without my kids’ help!
Seeking recs for flip flops that fit long toes! Havianas and most of the cute straightforward brands are sadly too short for my extra long toes. :(
Have you tried Archies? I have longish toes and I love them. They are sturdy and have arch support built in. I can’t seem to get rid of my planter fasciitis so they are a dream for me. I have several pairs and wear them at home as my “house shoes” too.
Archies! They look exactly like regular flip flops but with a brilliant arch support. My older hips and knees are very happy with these. I even wore them on a pretty long walk and was quite comfy! I think their proportions are a bit more elongated? They definitely don’t have the shorter toes of havianas. I got these Archie’s at my local running store and they are a game changer!
My husband calls my toes “french fry toes” so I think I’m qualified to answer, ha! Reef flip flops work for me!
My family is going on a road trip in late July. I want to pack light and comfortable but also be cute at least sometimes, especially on the days we’ll be sightseeing in some bigger cities where we’ll be walking all day and it will be hot and humid. Any recommendations for comfortable, packable, breathable options that look put together, don’t break the bank, and are flattering on a middle-aged body with a little extra weight in the middle? Bonus points for options that aren’t linen (I often find it scratchy). Thanks!
J W, might I suggest a shirtdress of some kind? I always feel put together when I wear a one-piece outfit. Last summer for a vacation I packed a shirtdress, jeans, (lightweight trousers or pull-on pants would work), a knee-length skirt, a few nice t-shirts, and a cardigan/jacket. I packed a pair of walking shoes and some dressy looking “comfort sandals” from Clarks and felt like I looked pretty okay, if I do say so :) The dress I have is no longer available, but I would go with something like this, styled with a bandana and hat for extra pizzazz and sun coverage: https://www.quince.com/women/womens-vintage-wash-tencel-button-front-midi-dress?color=midnight-blue&gender=women
What about crinkle cotton/cotton gauze separates? I love a matching set for feeling/looking put together, and there are a zillion options for crinkly tops/bottoms out there that might fit what you’re looking for. The best part about crinkle cotton is that it doesn’t matter if you’ve been sitting in the car or just pulled everything fresh from the dryer, the texture looks artfully rumpled no matter what.
I just bought this Lucy & Yak jumpsuit and will be living in it all summer! It has been perfect over the last few days when it reached 30 degrees (celsius) in Seattle. It felt breezy, cute, and put together. https://lucyandyak.com/collections/jumpsuits-boilersuits/products/bellamy-organic-seersucker-jumpsuit-in-navy-stripe
Of course I don’ know your budget or style, but here are a couple places I’d look: Natural Life (very boho, but nice flow-y dresses), or April Cornell ( I have gotten a couple good sundresses over the years, and most of their options are cotton..I like the look of the gold panama butterfly sundress). Also Boden is having a big sale right now.
I love a matching set – Target has plenty if you want a reasonable price point!
Anything double cloth!! (Cotton gauze) Walmart time and tru brand has a super pretty black double cloth tent dress that is perfect for that sort of thing- looks intentional but is so soft and doesn’t actually touch your body on a hot day!
Marisa – how is peeability in that jumpsuit? It looks so cute, but that back zip seems tricky for bath room trips!
I second the crinkle gauze separates option! I’m wearing the gauze tank from Gap right this second and I loooove how breathable it is, and never wrinkles. Gap has a ton of good pieces right now.
Lindsey—for me and the way my arms bend, I haven’t had trouble undoing the backzip but rezipping is a little bit more challenging. I am able to get it mossst of the way up without having to contort my arms too wildly haha And then either have to pull the suit a bit to get the zip into an easier spot to grab or ask someone to zip it up the remaining inch. I do wish it was a side zip though. The only thing that is not perfect about it!
I live in the PNW and am currently wearing white jean rolled cutoff shorts, a blue linen button up with rolled up sleeves, and slip on Naot sandals. I’ve worn a version of this outfit daily for the past week and feel polished for remote zoom meetings, but cool enough to take a lunch hike (swapping the sandals for hiking shoes) or swing by TJ’s after work.
I was in Portland last summer and lived in my denim cuffed shorts but felt very old and out of style and I noticed many women (obvs younger than my 50 year old self) wearing denim jorts. Imagine my displeasure seeing jorts now worn here in coastal southern CA lol
That sounds so cute. I have a hard time with denim shorts… they’re either uncomfortable or unflattering on me. The only ones I can tolerate are more of a chambray with an elastic waistband…. not exactly the epitome of cool… *sigh*
All I want for summer is T-shirts that are not cropped that are not overly boxy and that are a decent length – without me having to order ‘tall’ size ones, which should be ridiculous on someone who is barely over 5 feet tall. Nothing ’90s’ vintage’, just some nice, wearable to work, 100% cotton or linen tees.
Yes!!! Exactly. I agree with every word except that I’m 5’9. It’s crazy hard to find T-shirts this year.
I just picked up some shirts at JCrew Outlet, their essential crewneck tee. I think they might fit what you are looking for? They are long, nicely fitted and look more polished than your average tee shirt. I bought the heather acorn and navy color specifically for work.
Have you tried the Uniqlo Crew Neck T-Shirt?
I’ve searched and searched for 100% cotton tees that aren’t cropped, boxy, or see-thru. I finally found THE ONE called longtail T from Duluth trading company. They’re long enough (*I have long torso) so I don’t have to keep pulling my shirts down. The fabric is really soft and gentle on my sensitive skin, and they last after years of washing. I just repurchased some more and couldn’t be happier!
yes, same.
Check out Anthropologie’s Bennie Tee and the Bennie Puff sleeve tee — this long torso’s 40 something mama has been living in those this summer! And wearing them to work!
I have been buying men’s shirts for this reason. I’m 5’3 but have a long torso and the cropped stuff I absolutely hate on me.
James Perse makes the absolute best t-shirts on earth. I buy them in men’s, second hand on Poshmark because hooomigawd, they are expensive. How they manage to be soft FOREVER, without ever coming apart in any way, is a textile miracle. I’ve had a handful of them for several years, and I’d probably grab one if the house was on fire.
Old Navy has wonderful 100% cotton tees that aren’t cropped! I have several and just love them: https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=544338232&vid=1&searchText=100%25%20cotton%20tee%20women#pdp-page-content
I picked up a couple $5 tees from old navy that for this description. They don’t look $5.
Suggesting the Essential T from J Crew Factory. I see another commenter agrees. They are structured and well made.
Okay, with all these Anthro looks, I had to add: my sister is an artist and some of her prints just got added to Anthro clothes! You can get pajamas or a bralette/undies set in her insect prints. I’m so proud of her! Here’s the pajama shirt (you can find the shorts from there): https://go.shopmy.us/p-67407355 And the bra: https://go.shopmy.us/p-67407485 Here’s her website if you want the art itself! https://www.hopeolson.com/
Her art is beautiful! And how cool that her prints are on clothing at Anthro! Thanks for sharing, proud Sister!
LOVE your sister’s art!
I love this. I’m an illustrator that does pattern design and I know how coveted getting your work on Anthro pieces is. Congrats to your sister. Her work is so lovely!
I’d looooove to wear a white skirt, or white pants. I think they used to look quite nice on me when I was in my twenties. However, now that perimenopause has come around and my period has a will of its own, I’m so scared to wear anything white on my bottom half. Who knows when period strikes, and I’d be mortified to leak through at work. Tips, anyone? Recommendations for underwear or anything, really? Thanks!
Linda, I haven’t had a period in 13 years (since I started suppressing, I’m 53 now), and no way in heck would i wear white. I’ve had both white jeans and a lace long skirt, too scared to wear. I guess white just screams bravery lol
I love the period undies at HARA the label. Bamboo and so soft! And they’re having a summer solstice sale – everything is 30 to 50% off
I recommend a uterine ablation. Life changing if you’re done having kids. No more periods for me and I’m 40!
I’ve been through this and honestly, I had to change my wardrobe while going through perimenopause. Not the answer you wanted but it’s what I had to do. Dark bottoms and light tops/shoes.
If you desire comfortable flip flops, might I recommend rainbow sandals? I’m living white t shirts with flowy maxi skirts, red dresses, and throwing my oversized denim jacket over everything, including work out clothes, to fight the morning chill and to look instantly pulled together.