Before you shop for any of-the-moment trends, runway loves, or street style favorites, consider the essentials. As the building blocks of your wardrobe, these babies are—you guessed it—essential to any chic woman’s wardrobe, first and foremost. That’s not to say that these must-haves are boring; far from it. We know these aren’t the first pieces you’ve ever shopped for, so we’re skipping straight to level two, so-to-speak, to get you ready for summer in style.
With the below five summer essentials, you need little else. You can mix and match the pieces with reckless abandon and create a full arsenal of looks for morning, noon, and night. That said, they also serve as great bases to all of those more head-turning pieces you’ve been dying to try out. And don’t think we’re leaving you with a list as simple as a pair of jeans, T-shirt, and lightweight jacket. No, we’re getting über specific—and your closets will thank us. From statement tops to the denim trend you can’t live without; these are the summer essentials you need to be shopping before anything else.
Your favorite vintage straight-leg jeans have been wed to the more dressed-down style, complete with skin-baring holes and ripped hems. This summer, however, with a decidedly more understated appeal, they tend more towards retro than grunge, which allows you to wear them with everything from a blazer and heels to hoodie and sneakers.
This summer has brought with it a newfound love for the wrap dress. In whimsical prints, bright colors, and interesting textures, this one-and-done summer solution will take you from the office to drinks to off-duty weekend plans with a simple swap of footwear.
With each passing season, we hone in on our love of crop tops, though we’re constantly on the hunt for styles that aren’t too skin baring or reminiscent of lingerie. As much as we love a bralette or sporty tank, they’re less versatile than their more tailored sisters. This season, invest in a cami that’s boxy in shape and hits right at your high waistband, allowing you to show off just the right amount of skin with each movement instead of going full-blown naval-baring.
Assuming you already have a pair of classic black skimmers in rotation, a gingham style is just the right amount of print, while still retaining the ability to be styled with nearly everything you own. While last year brought with it the re-introduction of this all too classic pattern, our feet have laid claim to the girly print and we couldn’t be more thrilled.
The statement top is the poster child for the argument that wardrobe staples don’t have to be boring. With a top that speaks louder than words, you can throw it on with everything from denim cut-offs to ankle crops; trousers by day and mini skirts by night. With a few of these on hand, you’ll quickly learn that it might just be your ultimate summer outfit savior.
