Do you ever have those mornings when you just can’t think? If, like me, you’re not much of a morning person, then that might be the majority of them. Aside from making it easier to forget something at home or skip a part of my makeup routine, it also tends to make it a lot harder to put together an easy outfit—especially if I haven’t had my first coffee yet.
In order to combat this, I like to keep a mental registry of quick and simple looks I know will always work for me, made up of classic basics I already have hanging in my wardrobe. For the summer months ahead, I’ve already found eight such looks I’ll be screenshotting and then committing to memory, all of which I have a feeling you’ll like too.
From throw-on dresses that look the polished part but require two seconds to assemble to the linen trousers that pair with every top you can imagine, these ensembles will save you time and valuable brain space. To see them all and, of course, shop them in case you’re missing any of the essentials, just keep scrolling.
8 Simple Summer Outfits to Re-Create This Year
1. Lightweight Jacket + Bermuda Shorts + Heeled Flip Flops
Style Notes: Sure it's summer, but this is Britain after all, so a jacket should never be out of reach. Look for lightweight textures and pair them with other summer staples, such as Bermuda shorts and heeled sandals.
Shop the Look:
A stylish throw-on option.
A staple if there ever was one.
COS always does summer tailoring best.
An easy way to make all of your outfits look high-end.
2. White Shirt + Black Trousers + Straw Bag
Style Notes: While jeans make for a solid summer outfit option (I have a look on this list I know you'll love) more breezy pairs may also interest you. Choose a linen pair—I like the addition of embroidery here—and finish with a linen shirt and straw bag.
Shop the Look:
This shirt is an influencer favourite.
Trust me, you'll see this bag in all this chicest destinations this summer.
So pretty!
These look so much more expensive than they are.
3. Two-Tone Dress + Sunhat + Chunky Sandals
Style Notes: Simple dresses become a big part of my personality in the summer months—this two-tone style, with a cream skirt and black top, looks effortlessly chic when the reality is that you just threw it on. The best kind of outfit, IMO.
Shop the Look:
Practical and yet utterly fabulous.
You better believe I have this on order.
Lightweight and ideal for packing.
These also come in a gorgeous chocolate brown hue.
4. Blue Shirt + Cream Trousers + Simple Accessories
Style Notes: Stylish women across Europe know they can rely on the blue-shirt and cream-trouser pairing to look elegant throughout the summer months. Give the combo some structure with pared-back black accessories.
Shop the Look:
A no-brainer addition to your next H&M order.
These hang so beautifully on.
This will make every trouser look premium.
If you told me this was designer, I'd believe you.
5. Vest Top + Maxi Skirt + Chunky Bangles
Style Notes: Butter yellow is one of the biggest colour trends of the year, but it's also incredibly classic, so if you do choose to invest in it, rest assured it'll serve you well long after this year. Still, you don't need to copy the palette of this look for it to work—a maxi skirt and a basic vest top strike the perfect balance of being relaxed yet elevated.
Shop the Look:
A welcome change from your traditional white vest.
Resin bangles are going to be huge this summer.
This colour is stunning.
A. Emery's Jalen sandals are a big hit amongst Who What Wear editors.
6. Strapless Top + Blue Jeans + Statement Sunglasses
Style Notes: Jeans and a T-shirt will always serve you well, but consider upgrading the combination by swapping in a strapless top. Jersey styles will work, but chiffon will help make your denim feel softer and more seasonally appropriate.
Shop the Look:
Isn't this just gorgeous?
No outfit is complete without a gold earring. At least, that's my thoughts on the matter.
Slouchy jeans will keep you cooler than straight-leg pairs.
Iconic.
7. Waistcoat + Shorts + Braided Bag
Style Notes: If simplicity is what you seek (as well as a few extra minutes in bed in the morning) then co-ords are your best friend. In summer, a waistcoat and short look is hard to better.
Shop the Look:
I can always count on Zara to deliver on the co-ord front.
This set also comes in a chic coral colourway.
Give all your looks a beachy feel with a beaded necklace.
This has been on my wish list for months.
8. T-Shirt + Slip Skirt + Flip Flops
Style Notes: Slip skirts are a year-round staple but I think they come into their own in the summer months where the styling veers more on the casual side—just add a relaxed-fit T-shirt and leather flip flops to make the usually formal piece look the everyday part.
Shop the Look:
The comfiest T-shirt I own, no contest.
See what I mean about gold earrings?
The A-line shape of this satin slip means it drapes rather than clings.
I just ordered these in the black and tan hues.
This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
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