For us, school’s already out and summer is here! To help you kickstart your summer style, I’m sharing 5 summer outfit ideas inspired by the looks in the brand-new 2nd Edition Summer Casual Starter Kit Wardrobe Guide®!
I know life is very busy, and while you want to look good, it might be the last thing on your priority list. Trust me, I get it. Starter Kit Wardrobe Guides® allow you to shortcut the work it takes to feel put together by helping you plan, shop for and build an easy-to-use, mix-and-match starter wardrobe, and put together the many outfits you can create from it. You’ll have a short, customizable shopping list, expert style tips to pull outfits together, a shopping guide with links so you can just “add to cart,” and a catalog of the outfits you can make with your starter wardrobe. Whether you’re “style-challenged” or just need to refresh your wardrobe, Starter Kit Wardrobe Guides® make the process QUICK and SIMPLE, and you’ll feel confident in your clothes in no time—without the overwhelm.
The 2nd Edition Summer Starter Kit Wardrobe Guide® has the same structure and strategy as the original version, but it has updated items and outfits. So, if you are ready for a freshened up summer wardrobe, check out the new 2nd edition summer casual guide, HERE.
Here are a few outfits that are inspired by looks in the new guide!
SIZING: I’m 5’6″ and usually S/M or 6 in clothes and 8.5 to 9 in shoes.
1. Neutral Tank + Black Shorts
Try this combo with any neutral colored tank for an easygoing outfit. Sometimes outfits full of basics can seem very… well, basic. 😄 While I actually love an outfit full of basics, I also like when the basics have subtle characteristics that give the outfit a little more interest.
For this outfit, I like how these shorts are a bit faded and have a bit more length. These shorts are VERY affordable, especially during one of Kohl’s many sales, and they are very soft with a good amount of stretch. They are on the thin side and the waistband isn’t outstandingly stretchy, but they can be a steal when they’re on sale! Find them HERE. I’m wearing size 4.
I’m really liking this linen blend tee for this summer. Not only does brown look current (it’s the new black, friends), but I also like how linen’s texture adds a relaxed vibe. The tank drapes well and it keeps you cooler! Comes in 8 colors, HERE. I wear size XS.
Last, I’m wearing the awesome Crocs sandals that I’ve told you about before! They are very comfy with a squishy, rubber footbed. And, since they’re rubber, you can also wear them around water. Plus they’re pretty affordable at under $40! They come in lots of colors HERE and a few other colors/sizes HERE. I wear size 8 in these.
Shop the Outfit:
Tank: Gap (exact—wearing size XS)
Shorts: Kohl’s (exact—wearing size 4)
Sandals: DSW (exact—wearing size 8)
Earrings: c/o Nickel & Suede (similar, similar—I wear size M)
2. Olive Shorts or Lightweight Pants + Top w/ Visual Interest
The outfit example in the guide shows a nicer top with button details (see below), but I went for a more casual version with a black graphic print tee instead. Easy swap to adjust the outfit prompt!
Olive pants (and shorts) are for sure some of my summer staples, and this summer I’ve taken to these suuuuper comfy lightweight TENCEL pants that I’ve told you about several times. I LOVE them! They are soooo dang soft, lightweight, and breathable, and they’re really comfortable! Complete with elastic waistband. 👏🏽 You can find them in 5 colors, HERE. I wear size 6. Note that there is a bit of pleating around the front which can be a little difficult for some body types. Usually I’m not a fan of pleating, but this is pretty mild so while it’s not my ideal fit, it’s good enough. The comfort trumps it!
Here’s the outfit prompt in the guide:
Shop the Outfit:
Tee: Nordstrom (similar)
Pants: Gap (exact—wearing size 6)
Sandals: JCPenney (exact—wearing size 9)
Earrings: c/o Nickel & Suede (similar, similar—I wear size M)
3. Colored Printed Tank + Denim Shorts
You could plug pretty much any colored printed tank or top into this equation and create a good outfit! Here, I’m doing a suuuuuper casual version for hanging out at the pool. (Addie spends many, many days at the pool while I sit poolside on my laptop working. It’s hot out there!)
These shorts are another awesome find! They’re COMFY and VERY AFFORDABLE during one of Kohl’s sales. They’re very stretchy and soft, and they’re a great deal when they’re on sale! Check them out HERE. I wear size 6.
My top is super old, but there’s a similar one HERE.
Shop the Outfit:
Tank: Old Navy (similar, similar)
Shorts: Kohl’s (exact—wearing size 6)
Sandals: DSW (exact—wearing size 8)
Earrings: c/o Nickel & Suede (similar, similar—I wear size M)
4. Neutral Top w/ Details + White Shorts
This is another outfit idea, based on this one from the 2nd Edition Summer Starter Kit Wardrobe Guide®:
I went with an olive green button tank instead of a black one like the prompt shows. I could also have gone with my black tee from Outfit #2! The guide is structured so that you have the flexibility to choose styles and colors that suit your tastes. You don’t need to use pieces that look exactly like what’s in the guide, nor do I expect you to! 😊
One key to summer style is if you want to make outfits more interesting without having to add more layers or accessories (because summer can be too hot for that!), lean more heavily on pieces with special details. This top is a mild example of that, but an example nonetheless. It has thicker straps, a square neckline, and button details to give it a little more character than a plain old tank. The tank I’m wearing is old and no longer available, but there is a similar one without buttons HERE.
Shop the Outfit:
Tank: J.Crew Factory (similar)
Jacket: Nordstrom (exact in different wash—wearing size M, similar)
Shorts: (similar, similar)
Sandals: (similar)
Bag: (similar)
Earrings: c/o Nickel & Suede (similar—I wear size M)
5. Skirt + White Top
One of my go-to combos is a skirt with a white top! It works best when the skirt is either a solid color or has a print with a little white in it.
I told you about this skirt before but it’s totally worth mentioning it again. I showed this in the red spotted print last summer (HERE) and sooo many of you fell in love with it. It was probably my favorite purchase of all of 2021, so I went back for it in tan/white this year! The waistband is fully elastic, and it’s lightweight and breezy. You can read my full review of it HERE. TLDR: silky and comfy, but all the prints have a slightly different texture, and the red/white is the silkiest. The tan/white is lined while the red/white is not, nor does it need to be. It shrinks in the wash and can be restored by steaming it from top to bottom. Sounds annoying, yes, but I steam it after washing it anyway to get out the wrinkles. It comes in 21 prints, HERE! I wear size M.
Shop the Outfit:
Tee: (similar, similar)
Skirt: Amazon (exact—wearing size M)
Sandals: (similar, similar)
Earrings: c/o Nickel & Suede (similar, similar—I wear size M)
Those are 5 summer outfit ideas you can wear to kick off your summer! If you’d like help building your summer wardrobe and want 35 outfit ideas like these, check out the 2nd Edition Summer Casual Starter Kit Wardrobe Guide®!
Grab your copy of the brand new 2nd Edition Summer Starter Kit Wardrobe Guide for a quick and easy way to look good this summer!
You’ll get a customizable list, a plan, and a wardrobe strategy to create a super versatile mix-and-match starter kit work wardrobe and an outfit catalog with 35 freshly updated outfits that you can create from it! Get your copy, HERE!
