I've never been afraid to be an outfit repeater. When it's too hot to think, I tend to rely on the same formulas over and over. These six categories are the foundational wardrobe staples that get me through summers in New York City: tank tops, cotton dresses and skirts, sunglasses, cardigans, low-heel sandals, and non-leather flats.
When shopping for summer dresses and skirts, I check the label for a 100% cotton fabrication, such as Cou Cou's pointelle range. It's lightweight, which makes it ideal for the city's inevitable heat waves. Tank tops are another basic I wear constantly, and I'm eyeing new ones from CDLP and Flore Flore. Whether it's a dress or a tank top paired with a skirt, I'll add sandals or flats, a pair of sunglasses, and a lightweight cardigan in my bag, and I'm good to go.
Most days, I'm mixing and matching variations of these go-tos, which are available to shop below.
Sunglasses
Year-round, I bring sunglasses with me whenever I leave the house during the day. Lately, oversize frames have been trending, and I've found myself wearing my bug-eyed pair from Chimi the most. Beyond those, I gravitate toward classic styles from brands such as Celine, Chanel, Khaite x Oliver Peoples, and Prada.
Cotton Dresses & Skirts
I practically live in dresses during the summer. I'm often going on long walks or lying outside, so airy, easy-to-move-in skirts are also essential. I’ve especially been loving 100% cotton styles, since they tend to be the most comfortable when it's hot out.
Tank Tops
I'll admit that I own too many tank tops, but to me, they're similar to underwear. Can you really own too many? When it's sweltering in New York, they're one of the only things I can think to wear.
Low-Heel Sandals
I recently wrote about how I never wear high heels and the two-inch-and-under shoes I wear instead, including kitten-heel sandals. I bought a pair of now-sold-out Stuart Weitzman Minimalist 50 Sandals as an alternative to Manolo Blahnik's Callamu 50 Mules. For a similar pair, I recommend Aeyde's Vero Mules. I've also been wearing a pair of Worishofer's 251 Slides.
Non-Leather Flats
When I'm out and about on my feet for long stretches, heels don't cut it, and leather ballet flats in the heat are a recipe for blisters, so I gravitate toward breathable styles like mesh Mary Janes from Camper and neoprene ballet flats from Gimaguas.
Cardigans
You may be thinking, "Layers for summer?" To that I'd say that I run cold, and the AC blasting in restaurants and on trains requires it. I like keeping a simple black cardigan in my bag, as it goes with everything.
