Huge thanks to Kohl’s and ShopStyle Collective for sponsoring this post
Today I’m partnering with Kohl’s and ShopStyle Collective to help you liven up your summer outfits! One really popular question that comes up when summer hits is, “How do you make outfits look good when it’s too hot to add a lot of layers or accessories?” While I love to have a healthy mix of foundational pieces and filler pieces, I rely a lot more on “filler” or statement pieces in the summer to make outfits interesting without having to add more clothes. Kohl’s has LOTS of great summer pieces that have fun details to elevate your outfits, and you can get them at super affordable prices! I’m sharing a few of them today so that you can feel stylish and put together this summer without breaking a sweat—or breaking the bank! 😉
Kohl’s offers so much variety, and while they of course have some great basics, I also love all of the cute statement pieces there! And, Kohl’s makes it convenient to shop by offering in-store and curbside pickup so that you can get your order quickly and conveniently.
Also, right now you can get 15% OFF with code ENJOY15 until 6/19!
SIZING: I’m 5’6” and usually S/M or 6 in clothes and 8.5 to 9 in shoes.
1. Pair Basics With Statement Pieces
This is a great example of an outfit that mixes a basic piece and a statement piece. Denim shorts are a summer basic, but instead of pairing them with another basic such as a great staple tee like THIS one, pairing them with a top that has fun details, like a cute print, ruffle sleeves, and a square neckline, elevates the entire outfit! All of those details help the outfit go beyond your basic denim shorts + tee combo and add a ton of visual interest.
And, this top is just as comfy as a basic t-shirt! It might even be more comfortable! It’s really soft and stretchy. It has a cute cross-back detail in the back, as well! (To accommodate that, wear a racerback bra.) It comes in 3 solid colors with lace texture and 3 cute prints, which you can see HERE. I wear size S. Plus size options are HERE.
I’ve shared these very COMFY and STRETCHY denim shorts before. They have a 5″ inseam and are only $16.99 right now(!!), which is an AMAZING price for comfy denim jeans! They’re available in 9 washes, HERE! I wear size 6. I believe the plus size option is HERE.
Shop the Outfit:
Top: Kohl’s (exact—wearing size S)
Shorts: Kohl’s (exact—wearing size 6)
Sandals: (similar)
Bag: (similar, similar)
Earrings: (similar)
2. Wear a Statement Piece On the Bottom
Another way to liven up your summer outfits is to wear a statement piece on the bottom instead of on top, by wearing something like these striped shorts. These are just as comfortable to wear as solid black pull-on shorts, but they make the outfit way more interesting!
These pull-on shorts are lightweight, soft, and comfortable with a fully elastic waistband and 5″ inseam. They’re also only $16.99 right now with code ENJOY15 and come in 4 prints and 3 solid colors in straight sizes, HERE, and plus sizes, HERE. I’m wearing size S.
Here, I went for a black tee—but not just any black tee. This top feels and functions just like a t-shirt but has more interesting characteristics that help elevate outfits, like flutter sleeves and a bit of a burnout texture. It comes in 3 solid colors and 2 prints, HERE. I’m wearing size S.
Last, these sandals are a PMT fan favorite! They are really COMFORTABLE with a squishy, rubber footbed and sole. And because they’re rubber, you can wear them around water at the pool, beach, or lake! Find them HERE. I wear size 8.
Shop the Outfit:
Top: Kohl’s (exact—wearing size S)
Shorts: Kohl’s (exact—wearing size S)
Sandals: (exact—wearing size 8)
Backpack: (similar)
Earrings: (similar, similar)
3. Wear Dresses With Special Details
Next, let’s talk dresses! Dresses give you an easy way to look put together with very minimal effort—you only have to put on one piece! If you want to increase the style factor, instead of opting for a plain dress, go for one that has a few special characteristics. Kohl’s has quite a lot of cute dresses, and I honestly had a hard time deciding between them!
I really, really like this adorable striped button front tank dress! It’s a linen/rayon blend that makes it lightweight while providing a little structure, but it’s not stiff or scratchy at all. The print, square neckline, and buttons all elevate this dress, and it strikes a great balance of looking slightly dressed up but still being really casual. Plus, it’s comfortable! And it’s only $22.95 right now! It comes in 7 prints that you can check out HERE! I wear size S.
Another great casual option is this sleeveless tiered dress which has special details but is still loose, free flowing, and very, very easygoing. The tiers and buttons give it character, and the silhouette gives it a little movement, which all make the dress look more interesting compared to plain, casual dresses. This dress is comfy and lightweight, and it has POCKETS! One note is that the pockets are a tad thick and don’t lay flat, so they add a bit of bulk around the thighs. If you have narrower hips and a wider top half, you probably wouldn’t notice the pockets at all. But, if you are concerned with adding any bulk around the thighs, this might not be the best. It’s always worth a try, but it’s helpful to have proper expectations. This dress comes in 5 colors, HERE. I’m wearing size S but could also fit size XS pretty easily, so size down if you’re between sizes. Also, the buttons are fully functional, so this works well for breastfeeding mamas.
A few other dresses that are worth checking out are this breezy maxi dress which is fully lined but is still lightweight, this comfy midi tank dress, and this textured tiered hem dress. Dresses like these will totally help liven up your summer outfits easily!
Shop the Outfit:
Dress: Kohl’s (exact—wearing size S)
Sandals: (similar)
Bag: Kohl’s (similar, similar)
Earrings: (similar, similar)
4. Make Your Casual Pieces Count!
Last, I wanted to show an example of a really, really casual outfit that still has a little visual interest. Here’s an outfit with basic denim shorts, and instead of going with a plain, basic tank top, I simply went for one with a graphic print instead. This muscle tee comes in lots of prints and is only $8.49! I also like that the arm holes aren’t huge, whereas they can be on some muscle tees, so the side of your bra doesn’t show. Check out all 15 prints, HERE. And plus sizing HERE. I wear size S.
Shop the Outfit:
Top: Kohl’s (exact—wearing size S)
Shorts: Kohl’s (exact—wearing size 6)
Shoes: (similar, similar)
Backpack: (similar)
Earrings: (similar)
Those are just a few of the MANY options that Kohl’s has that can liven up your summer outfits! Like I said, Kohl’s has tons to choose from, and you can get them for a STEAL! I rounded up a few more options in the widget below, so check them out if you’re looking to up your summer style!
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!
