Summer Outfit Formulas

Five go-to formulas for an elegant, effortless season

Every season, in addition to updating my wardrobe staples list, I come up with five outfit formulas to make getting dressed simple, quick, and practical. I love to get dressed, and I love clothes, but often it’s really helpful to have a formula to work from, and add visual appeal and an interesting touch that’s unique and specific to that day’s outfit.

My summer season tends to require the following five outfit formulas. I’m sharing them below, and sharing links to pieces I love to recreate the outfit if you’re so inclined. (You can find my spring outfit formulas here.)

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The al fresco drinks outfit

One of my favorite things about summer is the large number of outdoor evening gatherings, the most common of which are outdoor cocktail hours. Even if it’s a casual event, I like to add a slight level of formality with a skirt and sandals.

Popover shirt / Midi-length skirt (1 / 2 / 3) / Flat sandals (1 / 2 / 3) / Clutch (1 / 2 / 3)

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The active outfit

I spend a lot of time outdoors in the summer, primarily sailing. I keep my outfits simple with clothing that looks better when obviously worn, instead of pressed and tidy.

Polo shirt / Shorts / Boat shoes OR flat tennis shoes (NOT sneakers) / Boat & tote

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The summer party outfit

This is a new one to my wardrobe: I’ve never been a fan of the maxi dress. That all changed when I tried this one. Now, my outdoor party outfit embraces the length and, particularly, its ability to hide the myriad mosquito bites from my backyard and bruises from an active sailing season.

Maxi dress (1 / 2 / 3) / Sandals (1 / 2 / 3) OR espadrilles / Clutch (1 / 2 / 3) / Light wrap

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The work outfit

A/N: Despite wearing this outfit all the time (literally ALL THE TIME) in the summer, I have almost no pictures of me in it. Here’s what I’ve got.

I’m thankful that my working-in-person office days are limited during the summer, but when I am in the office, this is what I wear as often as possible.

Popover dress OR shirtdress / Needlepoint slippers / Boat & tote / cardigan

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The easy outfit

I strive for a level of effort in my attire, even if it’s wearing jeans instead of athleisure. In the summer, particularly in the humid northeast, I trade blue jeans for a white or ecru pair and pull out my favorite striped tees.

White or ecru jeans / Striped tee (1 / 2 / 3) / Flat sandals (1 / 2 / 3) / Boat & tote or casual straw bag