The 7 Wardrobe Pieces I’m Wearing on Repeat This Summer | Jo-Lynne Shane

The Hardest-Working Pieces in My Summer Closet

I started scrolling back through my daily outfit photos to see what kept popping up, and that’s how I came up with this list. I tried to keep it to five, but I ended up with seven pieces I’ve been reaching for over and over again. These are the ones that make it easy to get dressed and feel put together on these sweltering summer days.

1. Graphic Tees

MOTHER tee (L) (option) // KUT skirt (8) // VEJA sneakers (39) // HOBO bag // Clare V. Tee (L) (option) // MOTHER jeans (similar on sale!) (29) // Gola sneakers (7.5)

There’s just something about a graphic tee in the summer. I always find myself reaching for them over and over, and if I don’t have a good one in my closet, I end up hunting for one to fill the gap. I love how a graphic tee adds personality to simple warm-weather outfits, and it pairs so easily with all my shorts and jeans, and even my new denim skirt.

My two favorites at the moment are the MOTHER The Boxy Goodie Goodie (mine is from the #NSale, so I got a great price on it) and the Clare V. Classic Tee. They both have such a nice boxy fit, the quality is excellent, and they come in an assortment of designs. I also did a whole post on my favorite graphic tees earlier in the season, which you might find helpful if you’re looking for more options.

2. Cropped Jeans

PAIGE Anessa (29) // EVEREVE pullover (S) // Sam Edelman sandals (8) // MOTHER Insider (similar on sale!) (29) // LNA top (on sale) (M) // Marc Fisher slides (8)

I realize this is a pretty broad category, but I find myself reaching for cropped jeans almost every day, even in the summer heat. My full-length denim still gets some wear, but usually only when I’m styling a heel or want a dressier vibe.

The key is finding lighter-weight styles that work in warmer weather. Two of my favorites are the PAIGE Anessa Wide Leg Ankle Jeans and AG Mari Straight Crop (both included in the Bloomingdale’s Buy More, Save More Event!).

I also love the MOTHER Insider Step Fray Hem Crop for its flattering fit and perfect light wash. That said, I have to admit they’re starting to feel a little Huck Finn to me lately. In fact, over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been reaching for some of my longer styles more often, but I wanted to include these because they’ve definitely been on major repeat this summer.

3. Polished Going-Out Tops

Rails top (S) // MOTHER jeans (30) // Dolce Vita heels (8) // J.Crew earrings // cloth & stone tank (S) // KUT shorts (8) // Kaanas sandals (8)

Now that our kids are older and often have their own plans, Paul and I have a lot more date nights than we used to. I also meet girlfriends for dinner or drinks pretty regularly, so I like to keep a couple of nicer “going-out tops” on hand for those occasions. They also work well for church on Sundays.

This year, I have a few favorites. The Rails Arlene is a breezy linen-blend top with delicate ruffle details at the shoulders and a flattering v-neckline. I especially love the muted pink and beige stripe colorway, and it’s currently on sale at Bloomingdale’s!

And the cloth & stone Stripe Square Neck Tank is another lightweight linen-blend that pairs beautifully with both white and blue denim. Both of these tops also work with shorts for that easy mix of dressy and casual.

6. My Denim “Shoelace Drawstring” Skirt

KUT from the Kloth denim skirt (8) // LNA top (on sale) (M) // adidas Samba (8.5)

I was actually debating including this skirt instead of shorts in this list, but I decided to include both. This is a newer addition to my closet, but it’s quickly become a summer go-to. Since I got it, I’ve found myself reaching for this denim skirt over my favorite shorts nine times out of ten. I love the cool, casual vibe, and it feels just a bit more elevated when I’m meeting friends for lunch or hosting a backyard get-together.

7. Casual Dresses

EVEREVE Nora (M) // Sam Edelman slides (8) // Tommy Bahama sheath (M) // similar slides

Finally, while I’m not big into dresses, I like to have a few casual options in the summertime to alternate with my white jeans for church and dinners out. This year I found a couple really good ones.

The EVEREVE Nora Muscle Dress is my favorite, because it’s easy and flattering and so comfortable. I love the idea of a t-shirt dress, but I rarely find one that checks all the boxes. They’re either too short or too boxy or the sleeves are too long. This one has the perfect silhouette, the fabric is super soft and comfortable, and I love the muscle-tee styling in the arms and shoulders. Sadly, it is selling out, but I found a similar one at Gap Factory. I’ve ordered it to compare… I’ll let you know what I think!

The other one I wanted to mention is the Tommy Bahama Palm-A-Dora Split-Neck Sheath Dress. I haven’t worn this is as much since I got the Nora, but it’s really cute and comfortable, and I love the contrast stitching.

Honorable Mention

As I was pulling photos for this post, I realized the LNA Dessa Muscle Tee is probably the most-worn top in my closet this summer. I love the bright pink color, and it’s the perfect weight (not too thin, not too thick) with a great shape and length. The v-neck combined with the muscle-tee styling is super flattering, and it pairs beautifully with everything from my denim skirt to white jeans and shorts to all my blue denim, from flares to wide leg crops. (It’s on sale, too!)

LNA top (on sale) (M) Vineyard Vines shorts (8) // VEJA Esplar (39) // NAGHEDI Nomad Hobo (Power Points Offer)

And there you have it—the seven pieces earning their keep in my summer closet. It’s always interesting to see what I actually wear the most once the season is in full swing versus what I think I’ll reach for back in May. These are the ones making it easy to get dressed and feel put together, even on the hottest days.

What about you? What pieces are you reaching for over and over this summer?