5 Summer Staples I Never Purge From My Closet

As I’ve mentioned several times in the recent past now, I’m quite big on cleaning out my closet. Whether it’s just to declutter, make space for new buys, find pieces I can donate, put together a selection to sell, or, oftentimes, all of the above, I find the experience not only rewarding but actually therapeutic as well. Of course, no matter how many times I organize, purge, and repeat, there are always certain pieces I simply refuse to part with because I know they will come in handy later. In the "summer staples” category, specifically, a solid five come to mind, so I thought I’d round them up for anyone looking to do some late spring cleaning, early summer shopping, or both. To see, read about, and (naturally) shop all the items that avoid the "go" pile time after time, just keep scrolling. 

White Tops

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(Image credit: @lefevrediary)

Pretty white tops are always going to be the perfect addition to your favorite jeans, shorts, and skirts in the summer. And since somehow the category seems to have evaded the trend cycle, if you can keep them clean, you should keep them around.

Black Swimsuits

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(Image credit: @trustmebuythis)

White swimwear can yellow, prints and colors come in and out of style, but black swimsuits—even the seemingly "trendier" styles—will always serve you well and look chic. Hence, I rarely get rid of them when cleaning out my swimwear drawer.

Denim Shorts

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(Image credit: @sofiamcoelho)

No matter how many shorts trends have come and gone, I've always ended up back in my favorite denim pairs at some point or another each summer. Even the pairs I bought in high school still serve me well from time to time, though these days I'm partial to slightly longer options.

Simple Sandals

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(Image credit: @smythsisters)

Simple sandals—especially those in black–are another staple that is much less susceptible to changing trends and can last you for years if you opt for the right style and a high-quality pair. While I admittedly can't help but splurge on new ones every summer, they only get added to my growing collection of favorites. 

Classic Dresses

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(Image credit: @jen_wonders)

I have summer dresses (half of which are probably from Reformation) that I bought five or more years ago but still look forward to wearing every time the temperatures rise again. A great find is forward-feeling but still classic enough to come back season after season.

Next: the three sneakers fashion girls will be wearing this summer.

Editor-at-Large

Since starting as an intern back in 2013, Nicole Akhtarzad Eshaghpour has held several roles here at Who What Wear, and she is currently Editor-at-Large. It was a less expected route, seeing as she was graduating from business school at USC when this all began, but it has turned out to be the best one for her. Fast-forward to 2020, and she's moved to NYC from her hometown of Beverly Hills and spends her workdays a little differently from when she was an intern starting out. Currently, she focuses on a weekly mélange of shopping content. As far as her personal style goes, she's largely drawn to classic pieces and neutral basics but will always make an exception for something colorful, printed, or bejeweled as long as it's deemed worthy enough. After all, the only thing she loves more than a good party is dressing up for one. On weekdays, she can usually be found at home eating something delicious for dinner and trying to force her husband to watch 90 Day Fiancé.