The Summer Staples List

via We Heart It

This is long. You have been warned.

I get questions and comments every now about how to build a solid seasonal wardrobe on a budget. And by budget, I don’t mean the overwrought hipster fashion blogger idea of budget which translates too, “Spend $1000 on a Chanel Skirt – it’s an investment piece. Then buy your tops at J.Crew!”

No. A REAL budget.

Like, “You could quite possibly find this item on the ‘75% off’ clearance rack” way of dressing oneself.

Over the years, I’ve devised a shopping process that works for me. My budget used to be a bit tighter when I was single, but I’ve got a little more leeway now that there are two incomes contributing to the bank account. Still though, those years in my early twenties were the mother of invention. I learned to buy things cheap and style them to appear more expensively.

I think it would actually surprise most people to find out how easy it is to create several different looks from just a few key pieces. If I had to create a must-buy list, it might look a little something like this:

White Jeans

I love a pair of crisp white skinny jeans for spring/summer. White jeans can be dressed up with a charmeuse top and chunky jewelry, or down with a chambray shirt and minimal accessories. Remember to: 

1. Buy white jeans with minimal pocket fabric. White jeans aren’t too forgiving on the figure anyway, so you’ll want to minimize any extra fabric bunching up around the hips, which tends to happen when you buy jeans with deep pockets.
2. Wear minimal underwear. Yes, ladies – this may require purchasing non-granny underoos. There’s nothing more disturbing that seeing a girl in a cute pair of white jeans, then seeing her ginormous panty line.  Or her bright pink boy short undies. Please keep ‘em nude or tan. I like the V. S. V-String and the V.S. Cheekies. They’re comfy and go all invisible underneath white jeans.

These are great.  

And so are these.

Denim or Chambray Shirt

via christineexox.tumblr.com

 This is one of the most versatile items a girl can own. Again, you can dress them up or down; with chunky jewelry or nothing at all. I like pairing my denim shirt with a bright skirt and nude heels for work. 

This one is adorbs.

Buy it here.

Fun Sundresses

I think every woman needs a handful of sundresses in her closet. I like Tobi, Sosie and Francesca’s for affordable frocks. Pair a sundress with a blazer and heels for an office appropriate look or as is for night. 

From Tobi

Also from Tobi, here.

Everly Riley Tank Dress, here.

From Sosie

Cream or Off-White Blazer

My favorite blazer came from Urban Outfitters. It’s off-white and I wear it at least once a week. It was a bit of an investment, but it has more than paid for itself in the past two years. Look for ¾ sleeves (the most slimming sleeve length for women) and tailoring along the smallest part of the waist. 

From Urban Outfitters, buy it here.

Nude and or Brown Heels

This is kind of a no-brainer. Nude heels are a must for us gals. They elongate the leg and pretty much go with everything. Brown strappy sandal heels are great, too. My favorite pair came from Aldo last summer, but I also love these:

From Target, y'all!

Denim Cut-Offs

These can be so adorable when worn correctly. The key is to pair them with flowy tops. Remember to show off only one part of your body. Showing skin on both the top and bottom can get a little hootchie-mama-esque.

I honestly recommend searching secondhand stores and thrift shops. That's where I got my favorites, which are a pair of cut-off Levi 501s that I bought at Cheap Thrills in Fay'ville last winter. 

If you don't have any thrift stores in your city, Old Navy has a super-cute pair.

Found at Old Navy

Tunic Style Tops

I love the simple tunic tops in sheer fabric. White is absolutely essential. Pale yellow is also really “in” for this spring.

Buy it here

Found here at Victoria's Secret

A Swimsuit that Makes the Boys Go “Woah”

I love a classic bikini. Give me a cute halter style bikini top and some low-rise bottoms and I’m good to go. I also like to buy tops and bottoms in lots of colors to mix and match for a color blocked look.

Not sure I made anyone go "woah", but the suit is comfy and cute!

I bought the one above at Target last week. You can buy the top here and the bottom here . You can also bet your britches that swimsuit pics will NOT be coming on a regular basis. Adriana Lima, I am not.

One piece gals can appreciate the cute fifties-inspired pin-up styles that are sweeping the stores lately. I love presh one pieces on V. Secret right now, especially the red number by Carmen Marc Valvo….rawr!

A Statement Necklace


I'm not sure statement necklaces apply to only one season, but summer allows you to go a little crazier with the neck candy. I love this necklace (seen below) from BaubleBar is so adorable and would look amazing with that chambray shirt you're going to buy ; )

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So tell – what makes the cut when it comes to buying summer essentials? Any tips for budget shopping that you’ve integrated into your buying routine?

Be blessed, lovelies-