If I had to choose one word to describe my summer aesthetic it would be "relaxed"—this is the season I really lean into laid-back looks and keep my outfits relatively simple. Maybe it's the scorching temperatures, but I find myself wanting to put less energy into styling outfits and instead rotate through a series of more straightforward looks. That's why I make it a point at the beginning of every summer to arm myself with a collection of quality basics to build my seasonal wardrobe around, as these are the pieces that do the heavy lifting. I always make sure my assortment of T-shirts, tanks, shorts, dresses, button-downs, etc. are updated to carry me through summer.
So with summer on the horizon, I started to take my annual inventory of seasonal staples and note the areas I need to fill in. Once I have that list, I always head straight to Nordstrom. I find the retailer's basics game to be top-notch, with most of my favorite brands all available in one place. This season is no different, and I've curated quite the list of staples I'm currently eyeing to add to my closet. Below, I'm sharing my favorite elevated summer basics from Nordstrom, from cotton maxi dresses to tailored linen shorts to classic slide sandals, in case you're in the market as well.
A true closet staple.
Meet the internet's favorite maxi dress.
Everyone needs a good white shirt in their closet.
It's shorts season!
You'll wear this with virtually everything.
Stripes are quintessentially summer.
Slides are my go-to in the summer.
I plan to live in this shirt all season.
The maxi-skirt trend gets a summer makeover.
Perfectly tailored.
If you only purchase one shirt for summer, make it a white tee.
Comfortable yet polished.
Dress this one up or down seamlessly.
We love a white-denim moment.
Talk about a versatile dress.
There's a reason people are obsessed with Skims tees.
These are as chic as it gets.
The braided detail makes these stand out.
Another great white-tee option.
A black swimsuit is chic and timeless.
I'm obsessed with trousers at the moment.
You can never have too many white T-shirts.
A color that can be worn with virtually anything.
The perfect vacation sandals.
So chic.
This neckline is so pretty.
Heels that are actually comfortable.
The ultimate summer dress.
A V-neck option.
Next up: The #1 Summer Accessory to Dress Up Jeans and a T-Shirt
-
I'm a Fashion Editor—I Reach for These 2 Pieces When I Don't Know What to WearReady in 10 minutes or less.
-
I Want an Elegant Spring Wardrobe—These 32 Nordstrom Finds Have My AttentionElevated finds inside.
-
I'm Already Prepping My Summer Wardrobe—I Only Have Eyes for These Elegant Nordstrom ItemsPlus, they're all $150 and under.
-
Nordstrom Shoppers Lose It Over This Affordable Shoe Brand—Shop the Best PairsClick if you like trendy shoes.
-
What to Buy From Nordstrom If Your Vibe Is Elegant But Your Budget Is $100If that's not a good sales pitch, I don't know what is.
-
The Dress Edit: 16 Chic Nordstrom Picks for Every Spring OccasionSponsor Content Created With Nordstrom
-
The Only 9 Jackets You Need for Spring, According to Fashion PeopleThere's something for everyone.
-
29 Trendy Nordstrom Shoes That Are Perfect for TravelNot just any shoes will do.
