After posting our Sister Share It All Wardrobe Essentials posts (part 1, part 2 & part 3) with my sisters, I got a few requests for a summer version. In the version with my sisters, we broke it down into three weeks. Today I’m jamming it all into one post. So hold on to your hats…here we go.
Here are my ten essentials. I’ve generalized them so it’s easier for you identify similar essentials in your closet.
lightweight dress: target (similar, similar) // cut-off shorts: abercrombie (similar) // white jeans: ross (similar) // pattern skirt: c/o oasap // wedge sandals: old navy (similar, similar) // sandals: target (check your local store; similar) // lightweight jacket: c/o chicwish // graphic tee: made by me // solid color tee: kohls // patterned tee: forever 21
These are the ten outfits I came up with, made up of these ten pieces.
My favorite thing about these ten pieces is that they are so basic, but put together they become incredibly versatile. There is an outfit for nearly every summer occasion, even with so few pieces. A day at the beach, out to dinner with friends, a lunch date, an evening concert, an afternoon at the park, a dressy dinner…you name it.
1. This is the simplest of the ten outfits, perfect for a day at the park with my babies. Since it’s just shorts and a t-shirt, I added my gold watch and a pretty gold necklace to make it a little bit less plain.
2. This might be my favorite of the ten outfits. The mint and white is such a simple, clean palette that I didn’t want to over do it. So I added a monochrome necklace, a skinny gold belt, and a swipe of red lipstick. Perfect for date night!
3. Jean cut-offs and a graphic tee is a super simple and casual look, but adding a fun army jacket, glasses, and a pretty gold necklace makes the whole outfit a bit more interesting while still being casual.
4. This skirt might be my new favorite — it is so versatile. Here I paired it with my solid colored tee to offset the loud pattern, and also pulled it up to be a high waisted knee-length skirt. I added a little lip color to match the orange and pink tones in the skirt, and a simple pendant necklace that completes but doesn’t clutter up the outfit.
5. White jeans go with everything, and a navy and white striped top goes with everything. A match made in heaven. I cuffed the jeans, added a pretty necklace, and threw on a nude colored belt to complete the outfit.
6. For this outfit, I pulled the skirt down to make it more midi length and it totally changed the feel of it. Then I added a chunky bracelet and my gold watch and called it good.
7. This dress is simple enough that you can add belts, scarves, cardigans, tights, or any number of accessories, but I kind of like it just by itself. I added a pretty necklace and my hat for a breezy simple look.
8. You should know by now that I love pattern mixing. Although this is a pretty bold pairing, the colors in the top and skirt are similar so it works. I added a simple but bold necklace, a bright lip, and a top knot, for a fun and easy look.
9. Like I mentioned above, this dress is so easy to pair with everything, and this jacket is no exception. I added a pretty pink belt (to help define my waist and add a pop of color), and my gold watch.
10. Sometimes shorts and a t-shirt don’t have to be so casual. Knot your tee, add a big sparkly necklace and some wedges, and suddenly you’ve glammed up the most basic of outfits.
Whew! Ten great outfits from ten summer friendly pieces! Did you make it all the way through??
If you want one more post like this, check out my 8 pieces: 14 outfits guest post I did over on Audrey’s blog last year.
Happy Friday and Happy Remixing!
You are awesome…. I love all of these! Definitely going to pull of some pieces I wouldn't have thought to wear together and play around with them.
I love it! actually so simple, we tend to want to complicate things… this is an awesome post!
Awesome as always Merrick!
Elise
seegirlsew.blogspot.com
Great outfit collection!!!! its good fitted and quality weighted fabric material t shirt… i want to buy some more shirts http://www.apparelnbags.com/champion/index.htm
Great Hard Wood Floors. Where are they? Also, I like that skirt. I have seen skirts like that, but much shorter, and I'm not in high school anymore. I like the longer look while still staying with the pencil, patterned style.
We have hardwood throughout the whole house, except the bathrooms and kitchen (which is tile). But these particular pictures are taken in my office.
And I agree with you — I love that a skirt like this is long! So nice! And it's super comfy.
great summer staples — you're inspiring me to pick out 10 pieces myself to see how much I can mix and match! xo
http://allthingsprettyandlittle.blogspot.com/
Super cute!! love the skirt and I have the gray dress ~I love seeing posts like this helps me figure out how to wear whats in my closet ~Love Heather 🙂
Love them all. Perfect combos as always.
This is such a great post! Thanks for the great inspiration!
Julia
Glitterandjuls.com
Just GUESS what I'm gonna tell you, Merrick: YOU ARE SO STINKING ADORABLE THAT I CAN'T EVEN TAKE IT. I love this, as usual!
Hahaha, Audrey, you are the nicest.
This is just what I needed, I've been trying to get into the summer set of mind. Love it!
I really love wardrobe mixes like this. It gives so much fashion inspiration. Great, simple picks BTW.
is your military jacket pretty true to size? Or did you need to size up or size down?
Definitely size down. I ended up taking in the sleeves and bringing up the hem a few inches cause the small was still a bit big on me. Now it fits great and I love it like crazy.
Genius and a half.
Do you ever wear tennis shoes/sneakers? I wear them a lot and I'm having trouble figuring out how to make them look cute. Just wondering if you had any pictures/tips you were willing to share!
Sorry…I never wear tennis shoes except to run! I have a pair of toms, but even those I don't wear much. Summer is all sandals for me! Sorry to not be helpful at all!
Nice work and great inspiration. Thank you!
OMG I don't know how you do it, Merrick. Seriously, these are such simple outfits but the way that you wear them make them look AMAZING and so well pulled together. How do you wear a tee and jeans and still look so chic? I NEED TO LEARN.
I love all of these outfits! You make everything look so cute. The dress is adorable.
You're so cute, Merrick! Such a great post to help others figure out what to wear this summer!!
April
Great mix and matching! I love the mint tee and the hat.
-AJ
FitTravelerAJ.com
Awh. That's so simple and cute. Also, I was wondering if you could teach us how to make an off shoulder top?
I don't ever wear off the shoulder tops, so there won't be a tutorial like that on my blog. Sorry!
Thanks Merrick!
Merrick – this is amazing. I am likely your mother's age, but I am am smitten with any capsule wardrobe type plans. (Want to do one for older women? I'm all yours.) Thank you for teaching us "old dogs" that we can mix and match without looking like wearing Garanimals from the 70s. (Ask your mom if you don't know what that is.)
Thanks again!
Julia in Woodinville, WA
Nice taste of fashion you have! I like your bag and shorts. By the way I have various flexible champion shorts. Have a good day!
http://www.apparelnbags.com/champion/index.htm