Every season, there’s always an edit of pieces I can rely on whenever I’m too tired to actually think about what I’m wearing. There’s something satisfying about knowing that the pieces will always look good, whether they’re mixed and matched with each other or tossing them in with something a little trendier. My essential summer checklist isn’t complete with summery pants like chinos or jeans, a goes-with-everything dress, and a sweater or light jean jacket for chilly summer nights.
Sweater
If you don’t have a go-to summer sweater, then what are you going to wear when the sun sets during all the fun dinner parties and beach bonfires you have this season.
You can’t go wrong with a Ralph Lauren cable knit sweater, especially in white. Jenni Kayne’s cotton fisherman sweater is easy and elegant, too! You can stock up on Everlane’s cotton crewneck in a ton of different colors.
Tee Shirt
A striped t-shirt is equal parts nautical and French, which is a dream combination. Kule always has perfectly preppy striped shirts, like this navy and white number. I always have a soft spot for Comme des Garcon Play’s heart logo, and the long sleeves are great. Stock up with a three-pack from Bombas.
Pants
You can go jeans or chinos, or in my case, both! Having a go-to pair of summer jeans and chinos means you’re covered no matter the occasion, from running errands to running to the country club.
I love these straight leg, loose jeans from Pistola, this MOTHER short cropped pair with a mini flare, and of course my trusty J.Crew boyfriend jeans in white.
When it comes to chinos, I always reach fo the J.Crew slim cut chinos. If you’re looking for something a little more cutting edge, these Alex Mill chinos are vintage-inspired and completely perfect.
Dress
I’ve been wearing more dresses than I ever have before. Maybe because they’re comfy but still femme, like this bubble-gum pink Ann Taylor dress, this tan-and-white take on a zebra print, or this breezy white maxi-dress.
Hat
Protect that face! A straw hat is equal parts stylish and safety measure. A nice hat is a great investment, like this Safari hat from Jenni Kayne, this Helen Kaminski angled brim raffia hat,
It doesn’t have to be fancy, like this new Cuyana hat with a tied ribbon or this Anthropologie straw fedora.
Jean Jacket
When in need of another layer, throw on a jean jacket. It’s light enough for summer, but will keep you toasty. H&M’s is big enough to layer sweaters underneath, Madewell’s oversized jean jacket in a bleached blue feels beachy, and J.Crew’s is a little more cropped.
Shop the rest of our summer checklist below:
All of our recommendations are curated by Susan & the In The Groove editorial team. In some, but not all cases, we receive a small commission for leading you to what, how and where to buy all this wonderful stuff.
