This post is sponsored by Gap & Collective Voice.

If you were to peek into my closet at the moment, you’d find that maybe a full third of my most-worn pieces is Gap. And that’s how it’s been for a good long while — the past couple of years, in particular.

I’ve got the oldies-but-goodies: We’re talking perfectly broken-in Gap jeans that I’ve been hanging onto since college, which — oh, geez — is closing in on 20 years now.

Ribbed tanks that have been in heavy rotation since I was pregnant with Lana. (She just turned 8.)

And an impressive collection of cotton sweaters that have become an essential part of my Half Moon Bay uniform. It is, after all, sweater weather here year-round. In fact, there may be no better place on Earth to be a hoarder of medium-weight knitwear.

shirt (S) | pants (S) | tank (XS) | shoes (TTS) | tote

And then, there’s the newer stuff. The fact is, Gap has been cranking out some truly delightful clothing as of late, and I don’t say that lightly. It has always nailed the classic, all-American thing, but over the past couple of years, it’s been injecting its offerings with a little bit of elevated playfulness that is downright joy-inspiring. From cotton-gauze matching sets to this classic canvas tote I’ve been schlepping around, I’ve recently found myself ordering from Gap more often than not.

Heads-up: Gap’s Friends & Family event is currently going from 5/10 to 5/16! Save 40% off everything with code: FRIEND. This is my absolute favorite time to stock up on Gap favorites. (You can bet I’ll be picking up this whole ensemble in a second color.)

Summer Outfit Success: This 100% Cotton-Gauze Set Is So Luscious

That’s what we’re talking about with this crinkle-gauze matching set. It’s, first and foremost, deliciously soft 100% cotton, with an almost plush drape that’s practically weightless and yet, somehow, indulgently cozy. Perfect for summer.

The proportions are delightfully lofty too. Breezy wide-leg pants and a collarless button-up shirt that are just a little sci-fi chic. It’s the kind of outfit that makes me feel both youthful and grown up — the ultimate goal when it comes to dressing, in my opinion.

shirt (S) | pants (S) | tank (XS) | shoes (TTS) | tote

It’s helpful that the whole look is as timeless as it is on-trend, as well — rich with the cool effortlessness that is synonymous with coastal, well, anything, if Pinterest is to be believed. And that unfailing schleppy-chic vibe that I gravitate toward most days? The one that whispers of off-duty gallery curator? She’s here too (beckoning me to pick up a second set in black, no less).

shirt (S) | pants (S) | tank (XS) | shoes (TTS) | tote

The Undone Elegance Of A “Crinkle Gauze” Outfit For Lounging, Travel & Date Nights… All Summer Long

I’m fairly confident saying that Gap’s “crinkle gauze” anything is going to be good, but this outfit is particularly impressive. I can’t think of better pieces to have on hand for summer — and for year-round wear here on the coast. It’s the undone elegance of it all that I can’t get enough of, and as such, it’d be ideal for travel (the fabric lends itself to that quite nicely too seeing as how it’s inherently crinkled).

Clearly I’m partial to this mellow, dystopian sage color, but I’m already envisioning all the ways in which I’d wear the black too. Ohhh, or the Bedrock Beige. Yabba-dabba-doo.

Gap Crinkle Gauze Wide-Leg Pants // Kicking things off with these pants, because they’re the star of the show. As in, if you were going to choose just one item from this outfit to welcome into your own closet, let it be these. They’re so soft and floaty, with a wide elasticized waistband that doesn’t pinch in the least. The fit is a bit customizable too. Wear them low if you’re on the taller side (the inseam is rather long, even in the regular length) or high-waisted if you’re closer to my 5’5″ frame. If you’re shorter, and you don’t plan to tuck your top, I can attest that rolling the waistband once is an effective way to hike up the hem without adding any noticeable bulk to your middle.

Thanks to the forgiving crinkle of the gauze, these summer pants would be great for travel too, and the combination of lightweight fabric and dramatic shape means they could easily triple-duty as loungewear for the plane, a cover-up for the beach or pool, and elevated pants for date night or shopping. I’m typically between an XS and S and am wearing the small here, but I could’ve gone with the XS for a slightly closer fit in the waist.

Gap Crinkle Gauze Shirt // There’s something alluringly artsy and sci-fi about a collarless button-up, especially in a muted dystopian hue, and frankly, I love it. This top is the exact same plush, airy, super-soft crinkle-gauze fabrication as the wide-leg pants, and while I initially picked it up to wear with the pants as a matching set, it’s great thrown on with leggings or casually knotted with jeans too. I’d recommend sizing up if you want the oversized volume of the top to match that of the pants. I’m wearing a small.

Gap Rib Halter Tank Top // I’ve owned this tank for a while now, and it’s an instant classic. It’s a bit thinner than some of Gap’s previous ribbed tanks, so it’s the ideal weight for summer layering. Worth picking up in a couple of colors. Wearing an XS.

Gap Faux-Leather Sandals // Super-classic styling, flattering on the feet, and almost evocative of the webbing on fisherman sandals, but without the chunkiness. There’s a cushioned footbed, and these were immediately comfy — no digging or pinching. And they actually stay on my foot without clicking and clacking all the day long. An easy win (and available in brown too). Wearing my usual 8.

Canvas Gap Logo Tote Bag // I tend to collect tote bags, but the size of this one sets it apart. It’s optimally sized for holding all the things without feeling like you’re carrying a full-blown beach bag at all times. Bonus points for an interior zippered pocket, so you don’t have to fish for your phone/keys/wallet/headphones. I love the striking logo. And the price point on this one is, of course, great too.

shirt (S) | pants (S) | tank (XS) | shoes (TTS) | tote

The forecast for the next week looks to be dry, those May flowers we were promised by April’s unrelenting showers are finally showing off, and this crinkle-gauze set is all I want to be wearing for the foreseeable future. It’s a good one, friends.

xo,
Em

Thank you so much to Gap for sponsoring this post. I’ve been wearing Gap for as long as I can remember, and today’s styles are just as easy to wear and well-made as ever. I can’t help but find something that catches my eye every time I visit the site, and the price point — particularly for pieces that become closet staples with staying power — is so great. And thank you, friends, for hanging out with us here and reading along. We genuinely appreciate your support so much!

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Photos by Carolyn Stockman.