It’s day ONE of my Better Than Basic Summer Style Guide, with six fantastic “better than basic” summer mom outfits that you can wear with your kids and feel cute and put together.
Welcome to Better Than Basics Summer Style Guide week!
Every day this week I’m sharing outfits for specific summer outings and events, and showing you outfit formulas or combinations or colors to try that are beyond the basic little black dress, or slacks and a button up for work, or leggings and a tee for mom life.
Today is DAY ONE, and I’m sharing six Better Than Basic summer mom outfits.
OF COURSE you can wear these if you’re not a mom, but I specifically chose these outfits with younger kids in mind, thinking of outfits you can wear to the park or the indoor playground or the museum, etc. during the summer.
If you need even more outfit ideas, MY OUTFIT GUIDE here on my website is a great resource. There, you can filter by occasion, dressiness level, and seasons to get hundreds of my past outfits to help inspire your wardrobe.
Six Better Than Basic Summer Mom Outfits you can copy
Try a pair of fun pants!
For the first summer mom outfit, try a pair of comfy and colorful pants! Bold pants are really popular this year, and you could do a fun print or a bold color. These pants literally feel like pajamas, they’re so comfortable, so they’re a great option for wearing to the library, the park, museums, or even just hanging around the house.
I paired the pants with a classic black and white striped top in a better than basic kind of style, then kept the accessories more simple and neutral so they didn’t compete with the bold pants and top.
SPANX STRIPED TOP (code MERRICKXSPANX for 10% off, stripe sizes limited, ANOTHER OPTION HERE) | ANTHROPOLOGIE PANTS (wearing my true size 26) BUDGET FRIENDLY GREEN PANTS HERE | HERMES SANDALS (similar budget friendly option HERE) | SIMILAR HOOP EARRINGS | MADEWELL MINI CROSSBODY BAG | AMAZON TURQUOISE BRACELET
Add a pair of better than basic shoes
I have had this comfy jumpsuit for a few years, and it’s one of my favorites. It’s lightweight and super comfortable and soft, with plenty of stretch. Since the jumpsuit is simple, I added a fun pair of colorful sneakers that are both supportive AND waterproof! These are great for hiking around, going to an amusement park, or going somewhere where you’ll do a lot of walking or might get wet.
To finish the outfit, I added a bright colorful hat that adds a fun pop and makes the outfit feel a little better than basic.
AMAZON LIGHTWEIGHT JUMPSUIT (wearing size small) | SOREL SNEAKERS (true to size) | AMAZON BASEBALL HAT | BUDHA GIRL BRACELETS | SIMILAR HOOP EARRINGS
Try a better than basic dress
This outfit is a little more neutral, but with elements that make it better than basic. This dress is extremely comfortable and easy to wear when you need something breezy and soft (plus it has pockets), and then I paired with better than basic sandals, a cute hat, and a bag with some texture for a little interest.
MERRICK WHITE COLLECTION DRESS (wearing size XS) | SIMILAR SANDALS | SIMILAR WOVEN CROSSBODY BAG | NORDSTROM NEW YORK HAT | SIMILAR HOOP EARRINGS
Add bright, bold colors!
During the summer, I love to wear bright bold colors. You can always wear neutrals, but bold makes things a little more fun and definitely “better than basic.” I paired a bold printed skirt with a bright bodysuit, and it creates an outfit that will make you feel amazing.
Because the outfit is so bold, I kept the accessories neutral so they didn’t compete.
BODEN MAXI SKIRT (wearing a size 2) | ARITZIA BODYSUIT (wearing size small) | MADEWELL SANDALS | ARITZIA BAG | SIMILAR HOOP EARRINGS | MIRANDA FRYE LOGO CUFF BRACELET
Try a better than basic top
This kind of top is the epitome of my “better than basic” criteria — a nicer fabric, a cute style with slightly puffed sleeves, and a fun print. It’s the perfect kind of top to wear with a pair of cut off shorts or neutral pants.
J.CREW FACTORY TOP | SIMILAR JEAN SHORTS | SIMILAR WHITE SANDALS | AMAZON NECKLACES HERE and HERE | MADEWELL MINI CROSSBODY BAG | SIMILAR HOOP EARRINGS
Try a pair of bold pants
This is another great pair of bold pants that are perfect for summer. They’re linen so they’re really lightweight and comfortable and breathable, and they’re perfect with a basic white tee (this one is double lined so it’s not sheer at all), and neutral accessories.
PINK ATHLETA PANTS (wearing size XS long) | HALOGEN DOUBLE LAYER TEE | AMAZON EARRINGS | MADEWELL SANDALS | AMAZON TURQUOISE BRACELET | ANTHROPOLOGIE JAGGED LINK BRACELET | SIMILAR WOVEN CROSSBODY BAG
Create several images in your head that will suit different occasions. Choose interesting bright elements for them and set boundaries – highlight what you cannot wear for certain reasons. Here https://kingscrownjewel.com/ are some amazing options to update your wardrobe.