The Very Best Summer Basics

I wear a lot of crazy stuff, but these are my tried-and-true forever classics.

I am a proud maximalist and 100% not a capsule wardrobe girl, but if I were, this list would be as close as I’d ever get to it. I love a colorful caftan or a bold print, but I also love great basics. Most days, I’m in shorts and a tank if it's just me at home. These pieces are the tried-and-true basics I reach for on a daily basis: easy tees and tanks, the very best cut-offs, a hair claw that can hold all of my hair (doubled into a twist) without breaking, and more. Some are new, others I’ve had for years.

PS—Today on The Stripe, I'm (finally!) reviewing Sarah Creal’s makeup. This post was a long time coming, but this brand has quickly become one of my absolute favorite makeup brands.

1. Sold/Out White Button Down: This is one of my all-time favorite white button-ups, especially for summer, as it is quite lightweight. It runs very big, in the best possible way. The medium fits me like a man’s shirt; it’s oversized, long, timeless, and chic. I don’t recommend sizing down, as the proportions would feel off. It’s best worn big and roomy with just two or three buttons done.

2. Leset Lightweight Margo Tee: Leset’s Margo tee has been my long-time favorite t-shirt. The shape is just right but not too boxy, with a length that hits at the top of the hip and a neckline that hits just at the right spot (and peeks out if you layer it under a sweater). I was happy when they made it in a lighter fabric for summer. This is hands down my favorite tee right now. I size up to a large in this cut.

3. Quince Linen Shorts: Quince knocked off J.Crew’s linen shorts, which is great because J.Crew stopped making them in the length I like. These are perfect, only $30, and they run true-to-size. (I wear the medium).

4. Ancient Greek Sandals Slides: Timeless, classic, and comfy. The molded footbed is everything!

5. Reformation Tank: Thank you to

   Hillary Kerr
   for recommending this tank, it’s perfect. I have it in several colors and it’s just right (plus it makes your collarbone/shoulder area look amazing. I can’t recommend it enough. I find this runs TTS and wear my usual medium.

6. HART Shell Necklace: This is the perfect summer necklace. It goes with absolutely everything. Sometimes, I wear it alone, sometimes with my Sherman-Field chains, and sometimes with beads!

7. Large Hair Claw: This is the best hair claw. Just trust me here—especially if you have a lot of hair!

8. Zoe Chicco Necklace: I haven’t taken this necklace off since getting it. It’s great layered, or really pretty on its own. (Use GRACE15).

9. Posse Linen Emma Vest: I bought this vest two years ago, and it remains a favorite. It pairs beautifully with maxi dresses or silky pants, makes cut-offs feel a bit more dressed up, and goes with everything. It runs true-to-size and also adjusts in the back for the perfect fit.

10. Lie Studio Basket Bag: This is the perfect beach bag. The weave is gorgeous, and the shape holds a ton. I love this.

11. J.Crew Lace Trim Dress (I also love the tank!) This is the prettiest dress. The lace detail is beautiful and the fit is spot-on. I could not love it more. (Runs TTS!)

12. The Great Tee: I got the perfect grey t-shirt at Walmart five years ago. It was the best, and only $8. This one is much more expensive, but it’s the best I’ve found (another

    Hillary Kerr
    rec!). They call it the slim tee, but it’s very roomy. Take your usual size if you want something more oversized; size down for a more classic fit. (I got my normal size 2, which is a medium!)

13. Sezane Necklace: This is a fantastic, very well-priced beaded necklace. You’ll want to get it in every color (the green is my favorite!).

14. J.Crew Sandals: I could not love these more. I have the black pair too. Despite the flatter profile, they’re super comfortable and easy to walk in.

15. Pistola Cut-Offs: I can’t rave enough about these cut-offs; I have them in all three washes (Normandy being my favorite). They have just a tiny amount of stretch, meaning there is a little bit of give, but you can’t tell there is stretch. With many cut-offs, I will go up one size above my jeans size, but with these, I take my usual denim size. (Use 15GRACE)