Dress (similar below) // Hat // Bag (old Marc Jacobs, similar below) // Sunglasses // Sandals

Every summer I invest in a new little white dress.  See my picks from years past here and here.  There’s something equally easy and elevated about them.  Kind of like Diane Lane’s Positano dress in Under the Tuscan Sun.  Attention grabbing yet comfortable; breezy.

In the past couple months I’ve covered my favorite straw hats, summer sandals, swimwear and little white dresses.  I figure it’s time to round them all up for an ultimate summer wardrobe guide.

Think of a solid summer wardrobe like a capsule collection.  You just need a handful of key pieces to interchange.  Below are the items I can’t live without. I mix in quality tees, fun sunglasses and accessories, and use this blueprint as my core foundation.

Ultimate Summer Wardrobe Guide

Straw hat – tons of styles to choose from (fedora, floppy, bucket) but I prefer a boater for the most sun protection without being TOO big.  Bonus points if it has a tie to keep it from falling off on a windy day.

Little white dress – choose cotton or linen.  You need it to breathe and these two fabrics not only do that, but they transition from day to night better than anything else.

Dressy sandals – a block heel between 1-2 inches is best for versatility and comfort.  These Isabel Marant sandals are one of the best shoe purchases I’ve ever made.  If I had to salvage only 5 pairs from my closet, these would be on the list.  For a more affordable option, try these.

Pool/beach sandals that can get wet – I prefer a flatform, and never shy away from a sporty look, but if you want something more minimal, I like these.

Large handbag – choose something large enough to carry your life from day to night.  It also needs to be able to take a beating because sun, surf and sand are great for the soul but not for most fabrics.  Straw or nylon are great choices.

Denim cutoffs – I only wear 3 pairs (these, these and these).  They all go with EVERYTHING.  Enough said.

One-piece swimsuit – as a mom who chases a toddler and someone who loves to swim, I like a sporty but cute option.  A one-piece is best for this.

Bikini – always have a flirty bikini on rotation (better tan lines and your second option for when suit #1 is drying).

Personally, I don’t wear bathing suit cover-ups.  I think a rad pair of cutoffs or a breezy cotton dress work much better and serve a dual purpose.  Cover-ups just seem like more stuff to me.

Mix and match the above with other pieces in your wardrobe for the perfect summer capsule wardrobe.

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