I highly recommend trying this. I’ve been writing down my 10 most-worn summer pieces at the end of each summer for years now. It’s become one of my favorite ways to see what I actually wore—not what I thought I’d wear. And…it’s enlightening. I mean…I know “enlightening” is a strong word for a discussion about summer wardrobe essentials, but coming from someone who shops for a living…hear me out.
What I’ve discovered is that I reach for pretty much the EXACT same summer wardrobe staples every.single.summer. Literally…every.single.summer. Yes, I replace and upgrade pieces and throw in a few more trend-forward pieces here and there, but for the most part…my most-worn summer wardrobe ends up looking almost identical year after year after year.
Proof…..is this photo below from summer of 2026 or 2021?? You can see last summer’s most-worn list here, too.
exact dress (super old, but this one is similar)
Birks | Similar Bag | Similar Poshmark Bag
Yes…having such a predictable wardrobe could be interpreted as boring. For sure.
Or…maybe it’s actually thrilling! Says me, anyway. Once you figure out what you love wearing, there’s no need to reinvent your wardrobe every summer. Buy the best version of those versatile summer pieces, add only a few new trend-forward pieces each season, and then ideally you’re buying less and getting a better cost-per-wear on those pieces you reach for again and again.
So, as I said, it’s worth doing this exercise with your own summer closet. And if you’re interested in my top 10 summer go-to staples…many of them are actually on sale right now!
Before we get started with my top 10, though…a few “extra-info shout-outs” to some brand-new pieces and a few items that didn’t make my official top 10 list but are definitely worth mentioning.
A Few Notes on My 2026 Summer Wardrobe Favorites (Before My Top 10)
- SURPRISE HIT: My most-worn sandals of summer are ALWAYS Birkenstocks (zero surprises there), but this surprise hit was my most-worn NON Birkenstock shoe. One of my few fun “trendy” purchases, and it modernized all my looks.
- EASY BLACK DRESSES: My oldies-but-goodies favorites are long gone (I’ve had them for YEARS), but this one is a new-to-me everyday dress that’s cute and easy (and actually significantly better quality than some of my old go-tos). If you want more budget-friendly options, this scoop neck and this v-neck have extremely similar vibes.
- BAGS: I didn’t focus on bags in this post. Bags are my shopping weakness. I’m constantly ignoring my own advice to stick with the classics and end up buying new ones each season. I do have an entire post on the 6 bags I get the most use out of every single summer, but this Reformation cutie is new and got a ton of wear, so it might be added to that list. Also my most “fun” bag I added this year? This orange-red beauty. And…this $45 bag makes all outfits look more interesting.
- COMFY HOUSE PANTS: Not new. Not particularly exciting. But I feel badly leaving them out… they work so hard that they deserve some praise. These comfy pants are what I wear around the house all.summer.long. And have for years. Sometimes with the matching tank if I’m feeling cute, but most often with an old comfy cami.
10 Summer Wardrobe Essentials I Actually Wore All Season
Drum roll, please. And the awards for most-worn summer staples in my closet go to…
1. An Easy Everyday Black Dress
Where To Buy Everyday Black Dress: Frank & Eileen
Similar Dresses Under $100: Scoop Neck & V-Neck
Bag | Slides | Earrings
THE WHY: I wear an easy black dress on repeat every.single.summer as an everyday summer outfit. My oldie-but-goodie dresses are long gone…boo…but the Dylan scoop neck maxi dress from Frank & Eileen has an extremely similar vibe to my old ones, feels great on, and is actually much higher quality. Similar, but more budget-friendly are this scoop neck and this v-neck black dress.
PRICE: $218
MATERIAL: 100% Cotton
SIZES: XS – XL
FIT: Wearing an XS here. Runs big and is very relaxed
COLORS: Black (shown), Navy, and Stripe
2. The Reformation Kerri Linen Tank
Where To Buy Tank: Reformation | Nordstrom | Poshmark
Skirt (S) gifted by Rails | Bag | Birks | Earrings
THE WHY: Looks great with summer skirts, high rise denim, and easy linen pants. The shape feels more interesting and elevated than other linen tanks out there. I ended up buying it in multiple colors — which tells you how much I was wearing the original white.
PRICE: $98
MATERIAL: 100% Linen
SIZES: XS – XL
FIT: Wearing a size small; runs on the smaller side; I’m typically a small or extra small and the small is a little snug in the chest; the length is on the shorter side, but doesn’t fit my 5’2 self as cropped as the model; I wear with mid to high rise bottoms (NOT low rise b/c it would show too much belly for me).
COLORS: White (shown), Black, Lotus (pink), and Blue (with design)
3. Birkenstock Raffia Madrids
Where To Buy Raffia Madrids: Nordstrom | STAUD | Free People | Birkenstock | Poshmark
THE WHY: I’m madly in love with the new Birkenstock Raffia texture for summer: the rich dark brown color goes really well with pretty much everything in my closet, and the Madrid elegant style looks great with allllllllll the summer dresses and linen pants. If you’re not a Madrid fan (for some people they slip off their feet), the Raffia is available in the two strap Arizonas as well.
PRICE: $189.95
MATERIAL: Raffia upper with natural leather insole, cork footbed, and EVA outsole
SIZES: 35 – 42; available in medium (that they call “narrow”) sizing as well as wide (that they call “regular”)
FIT: I always size down in Birkenstock sandals. I’m typically a 7 or 7.5 in sandals/shoes, but wear a size 37 medium/narrow in this style of Birkenstock.
COLORS: Raffia Carafe (shown) and Raffia Naturale
4. The Sezane Marcelo Tank
Where To Buy Tank: Sezane | Poshmark
Denim (27) | More Washes | Bag | Birks | Earrings
THE WHY: Full transparency…the why is vanity. I’ve been lifting weights regularly and have to say….I like the way the cut of this tank looks on my slightly-more-muscular-than-they-used-to-be shoulders. I own the tank in multiple colors since I’ve worn several on repeat two summers in a row. Also, I really like having a go-to tank that’s a good balance to my go-to summer baggy jeans or that easily tucks into an a-line high rise skirt.
PRICE: $55
MATERIAL: 97% Organic cotton; 3% Elastane
SIZES: XXS – XXXL
FIT: Wearing a size small. Snug and fitted.
COLORS: Stripe (shown), Mahogany, Ecru, Black (shown), Cream Pointelle, Black w/ White Trim, and Sage (shown)
5. A Cute (Not Black) Dress From The Great
Where To Buy Dress in Red: Nordstrom | Bloomies | The Great | Shopbop | Poshmark
In Indigo: Nordstrom
In Stripe: The Great | Anthro | Tuckernuck
THE WHY: I wore this dress ALL the time this summer. For special events, but also for random dinners out, and with flip flops for super casual running around as well. Also…it is MUCH harder to find a cute red dress than you’d think. I always like to have a few “non-black” dresses in my rotation and have been searching for years for a great red dress. I’ve tried MANY, finally settled on this one, and couldn’t be happier. It has a very slight orangey-red tone to it that I love (but still reads red — not orange), I love the classic 40’s inspired feminine shape, and the detailing and high quality. The amount of use I got with it over just this one summer made it completely worth the full price I paid…especially knowing for a fact that it will be a forever-closet piece that gets worn for years. And now the red is on sale! I’m definitely tempted with the newer stripe colorway as well.
PRICE: Red colorway originally $325 (on sale for $163 – $230 at some retailers)
MATERIAL: 100% Cotton
SIZES: 0 – 3
FIT: Wearing size one and happy with the fit (for reference I’m 5’2, 135 -ish lbs, and smaller on the top/curvier on the bottom.)
COLORS: Red, Indigo Bandana, and Multi-Color Stripe
6. The Softest Gauze Button-Down Ever
Where To Buy Gauze Shirt: Michael Stars | Nordstrom | Poshmark
Jeans (29) | Cami (S) | Bag | Jellies | Earrings
THE WHY: The softest and lightest gauze you’ve ever touched and it’s the PERFECT summer layer when you want your shoulders or arms covered; this shirt is always in my summer travel bag (usually in multiple colors) and has been the MVP on many trips; looks effortless unbuttoned over a tank or worn on its own buttoned; expensive (I know), but I’ve gotten an absolute WILD cost-per-wear on this one in multiple colors. Note the lighter colors are pretty sheer. I keep trying other gauze shirts that are more budget-friendly, but haven’t found one as good as Michael Stars.
PRICE: $168
MATERIAL: 100% Cotton Double Gauze
SIZES: XS – XL; also available in petite
FIT: Runs big; I’m wearing an XS here, but I also can wear a small.
COLORS: 24 different colors! Yep….24. I like the classics (navy, white, and chalk), but there are some really gorgeous more “exciting” colors as well.
7. Stretchy MOTHER Wide-Leg Jeans
Where To Buy MOTHER Hustler Rollers: Nordstrom | MOTHER | More Washes | More Washes | Poshmark
Cami (S) | Jellies | Earrings
THE WHY: I will never stop wearing stretchy MOTHER wide-legs. They’re perfect. Stretchy and super comfortable, good butt, amazing washes, and cute interesting design details available (like patch pockets or braided accents), but also available in no-nonsense go-to simple styles too.
PRICE: Varies depending on style (most of the time in the $200-$300 range), but often on sale.
MATERIAL: Varies depending on style (my favorites are a combo of cotton and modal/polyester/elastane)
SIZES: 23 – 34; now also available in petites
FIT: I almost always wear a 29 in stretchy MOTHER Roller wide-leg jeans…which is my typical size in other brands too.
COLORS: SO many.
8. Ruti “On The Loose” Pants
Where To Buy Pants: Ruti | Poshmark
Denim Shirt (S) | Cami (S) | Bag | Birks
THE WHY: Modern shape; drapey luxe fabric, super versatile style-wise; uber comfy; and GREAT for travel! I did an entire post on these pants here including how I style them as well as pros/cons and sizing info. While traveling at the beginning of the summer, I honestly didn’t need to bring any other pants…these did it all!
PRICE: Full Price $249 (occasionally less on sale or with discount code)
MATERIAL: Lightweight wrinkle-free fabric made from 78% Nylon/22% Spandex
SIZES: 0 – 16 (Standard, Petite, and Long)
FIT: I’m wearing a size 8 petite above, and they have a very easy relaxed fit. I try on and compare three different sizes in this video.
COLORS: 9 colors available; Shown in black above
9. Athleta Retreat Linen Pants
Where To Buy Linen Pants: Athleta
Swimsuit | Similar Bag | Flip Flops
THE WHY: These have been a favorite for years. Although I keep trying various different styles of linen pants, over and over I return to these. They’re a go-to at the beach over a bikini or with simple tops. Comfortable, easy-to-wear, good price, and they feel more grown-up than the Roxys I wore for years.
PRICE: $95 Full Price (but often on major sale)
MATERIAL: 100% Linen
SIZES: XS -3X (Standard, Petite, and Tall)
FIT: I’m wearing a medium petite above – TTS
COLORS: Black (shown), Undyed, White, Brown, and Sky Blue
10. Lightweight Summer Workout Pants
Where To Buy Workout Pants: lululemon
similar tank | sneaks
THE WHY: Super lightweight and comfortable for warmer temps. I still love my BeyondYoga parachute-y pants for outdoorsy summer stuff and dance classes. I took Shana’s advice in her search for the best summer workout pants, though, and tried these lululemon groove pants for summer gym workouts and she was right. They’re great.
PRICE: $128
MATERIAL: 81% Nylon / 19% Lycra Elastane
SIZES: 0-14
FIT: TTS; Wearing a size 6.
COLORS: Black (shown), Gray, Mahogany, and Navy
Bonus: Super Cute Flower Earrings
Every summer I love wearing simple flower earrings. My go-to’s from Clare V sold out years ago, but these absolutely lovely floral tiger lily earrings have taken their place as my go-to pop of floral for this summer. Hand-painted porcelain…they’re very special, but not SO special that I don’t throw them on with t-shirts and jeans on the regular.
And….there you go! That’s it for my go-to summer wardrobe essentials. I really would LOVE to hear what some of your tried-and-true summer staples are year after year. Always fun to compare notes. So feel free to comment below.
-Linzi
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