0
0
summer wardrobe essentials

I don’t know if it’s just the change in the weather that gives me the itch to shop, or if there is some sort of subliminal marketing happening (probably the latter), but here we are again verging on summer and I am ready to sport my typical denim cutoffs and tees – but I’m also excited about what new fun things I can add to my wardrobe – summer wardrobe essentials!  

As fun as it sounds, the children DO NOT love coming shopping.  

And to tell you the truth, I’m not one to spend hours going from store to store trying stuff on.  Putting pants on is one of my least favorite things so putting them on over and over again is not my idea of fun (note to self: don’t wear pants to shop for summer wardrobe essentials). Most of the time, I order things online (or just pick them up in person) from brands/stores that are tried and true, try them on, and then return what doesn’t work.  (Because of this I’m slowly starting to move through my phobia of the post office. Well, actually, no I’m not… I just found my happy place: PostMan Plus.)

I recently discovered Amazon Prime Wardrobe and I decided to give it a shot. Here’s how it works: you order items, you try them on within the 7-day try-on period, you send back what you don’t like, and you pay for what you keep. You need an amazon prime subscription and you must be the primary account holder, but you can send the items to whatever address so I just logged on as my mom and had the order sent to me (“Thanks Gram-Gram”).  There is a pretty big selection of things you can order through this program, however the size selection is limited… keep that in mind.  Something may show up in the search under “amazon prime wardrobe available” but once you select your size, it may not actually be available.

But anyway, here is what I’ll be wearing on repeat this summer, complete with a few try-on selfies, details on why I like the items, and product links when available. My summer wardrobe essentials!

Before you scroll, here are my stats so you can have a more informed picture of how stuff will fit you based on how it fits me (I used this to measure with guidance from this website and this website):

Height – 5′ 5″ ; Bust – 34 inches; Waist – 27 inches; Hip – 38.5 inches; Torso – 62 inches

Summer Wardrobe Essentials

Tops

I’m a sucker for graphic tees; well, actually tees in general, which is probably why they make up 80% of my wardrobe.  And probably why it’s almost always what you will see me wearing. But alas, I don’t always wear tees, so there is one “non-tee” summer top here.

Leopard Tank (Ascot & Hart) This is one of those tops that looks great on the model, and then you get it and you think “wow, this is a lot looser than I thought” and then it ends up being fantastic. I’m wearing a small and the fit is great. It can easily be dressed up or down. I’m braless in the pics but did wear a black strapless bra with it and it worked. (Jeans are Cali Denim from Madewell – these are a few years old but they have similar ones now!)

Wardrobe Additions: Summer 2019 (Summer Wardrobe Essentials)

Boob tee (Never Fully Dressed) I have purchased a few things from here and have loved every single thing (which is great since it’s based in the UK and I imagine returns would be hellish). It comes in one size only and the fit is looser, except for the sleeves. While not fitted, the sleeves are a little more snug than the shirt. I’m thinking about cutting it to a cropped length but I love it at it’s “regular” length as well. Bonus: a portion of the proceeds from each purchase go towards the charity ‘Mind’. See more on the website. (Shorts are featured below!)

Mamacita tee (The Bee and The Fox) This is not a new purchase, but I wear it so much I may get another one to rotate into service! I’m wearing a size medium and the material is more of a knit so it’s the good kind of fitted. I would buy every color in this if they had more! I have a couple other tees from The Bee and The Fox and they are just as rad (although they are more of a regular tee fit). (Skirt is featured below!)

Wardrobe Additions: Summer 2019 (Summer Wardrobe Essentials)

Good Vibes Tee (Armani Exchange) This tee was part of the Amazon Wardrobe haul. The quality is great – the “good vibes” is a textured appliqué (I don’t know how else to describe it other than “soft carpet”) and the tee itself is super soft and thin (but not cheap thin). This is a medium and feel a little too large so it went back, but I would consider purchasing a size small. (Jeans are featured below!)

Northside Vintage Tee (Madewell) I bought these tees because they were on sale, and my intention is to get something screen printed on them (maybe something GOT related like these) but for now I wear them plain. They are your basic tee, but with a nicer finish (that one would expect from Madewell), and they come in a bunch of different colors.

Future State Wave Tee (Urban Outfitters) This tee is relaxed with a drapey back, and has the iconic tsunami graphic by Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai on the front. I got a size small and it’s a loose fit.

Bottoms + Onesies

I hate shorts. There, I said it.  Give me any other type of “bottom” and I’ll most likely choose it over shorts ANY DAY OF THE WEEK.  If I didn’t think my health would suffer in the mid-atlantic melting zone, I’d probably never wear them.  It’s very rare that I find a pair that I feel good about.  But when I do, live in them (and I thank the shorts gods). 

Levi’s Women’s 501 Shorts, Worth the Wait Another item from the Amazon Wardrobe haul – and one I kept! Like I mentioned, shorts are weird for me because I have a long torso, a small waist and athletic legs. These are a 29 – which is not my “regular” denim size (if there is such a thing) – and they are a dream. I am wearing them slouchy, but because they are Levi’s the denim is thicker and so they feel structured at the same time. And at only $35 they were a no-brainer!

Leopard Shorts (SheIn) Another leopard print item – this was sort of a impulse buy because I was getting a few bathing suits and I liked the print – but for $6 I was willing to take the risk. These are a medium and they are suuuuper flowy. They are comfortable and work great as a bathing suit coverup.

Leopard Skirt (Never Fully Dressed) More leopard print… This is the perfect summer skirt to wear on a date night or over a bathing suit at the beach. The material is light and silky, but not cheap, so it’s perfect for dressing up on a hot summer night. I’m wearing a small, but it’s basically a sarong so, other than the length, any size could probably work for anybody. This skirt comes in some amazing other prints too (with coordinating tops) – check it out!

Daily Ritual Romper This was another find on Amazon Prime. I originally ordered the olive in a size 6 but because I have a longer torso the 6 was a little too snug so I opted for the size 8 (in pink). It’s an easy thing to throw on to go shopping or run errands and would look super cute with a belt bag (like this one – on sale right now!). The only downside is that this tencel wrinkles easily, but the comfort factor outweighs that for me. There are several iterations of this romper – with and without drawstrings, with and with out sleeves, jumpsuit versions, etc. – all at suuuuuper reasonable prices $30-$40! Check them out!

BB Dakota Got You Covered Overalls This was probably one of my favorite Amazon Prime Wardrobe items. It is most likely not everyone’s favorite but I love the vintage vibes it brings! This is a size 6 and is a good fit as the straps are adjustable (and therefore accommodating for my long torso). I recently wore it on a family day trip to the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and it was comfortable all day – again, with the tencel, it is flexible/giving and cool in the hot summer months (especially for those of us who don’t like to wear shorts!).

Strappy Jumpsuit (Target) The stripes caught my eye on this jumpsuit during one of my recent Target trips. It’ll work perfectly as a beach cover up this summer! The reviews are mixed – with most of the negative ones saying that it’s way too big – but it’s meant to be drape-y and full. I’m wearing a size small and I cinched the sides a bit so the top would fit tighter.

Wardrobe Additions: Summer 2019 (Summer Wardrobe Essentials)

Brando Baggies (Ascot&Hart) I have a hard time with girlfriend/boyfriend/baggie jeans and have given a looootttt of different brands a try over the years. These are a size 27 and are the first pair that are actually baggie where they need to be, albeit a little lower waist than I’m used to (think “hipslung”). Definitely a good addition to the denim I currently have which are all high/mid waisted. The particular ones I’m wearing are sold out but these ones look awesome and are cropped!

Bathing suits

So I bought a one piece for the first time since I can’t remember when.  I’m talking, like, 20+ years. And I’m obsessed with it (I bought two more colors)! I also bought some two pieces that I’m equally into – especially because they were about $12 each!

Strappy Back One Piece (American Eagle) I should know by now to listen to my bestie when it comes to suggesting an article of clothing – she has been telling me how amazing this swimsuit is for a couple months now… and she was so right! It’s not too conservative (which is why I was hesitant to get a one piece in the first place) and allows for the wrangling of three kids around the pool without any “mishaps”. This is a medium/ regular length but it comes in long as well. Because the straps tie in the back I was able to adjust them to get away with the regular length. I love it so much I ordered it in olive and red!

Shein Bikinis For $11 – $13 per bathing suit, I was willing to order these in the off chance that a) the fabric wouldn’t feel too cheap, b) the patterns wouldn’t look cheap, and c) that they would actually fit… And I was pleasantly surprised! I got all mediums and the bottoms fit well (some maybe a smidge on the snug side, but I can handle it) and the tops fit great (some maybe a smidge on the loose side, but again, I can handle it). Links to each below!

  1. Snakeskin Bikini
  2. Dark Green Bikini
  3. Green and Black+White Bikini
  4. Yellow Ribbed Bikini

Shoes + Accessories

Here’s a mix of little add-ons that I picked up along the way. (side note: when I buy “accessory jewelry” it’s almost always earrings, so that’s what you’re gonna get here).

When my Rayban’s broke and I didn’t have an extra $150+ to replace them, I snagged these on amazon thinking they would tide me over… but the quality is WAY better than expected! Definitely going to get a few other colors!
My phone needed an upgrade so why not add some of my favorite art to it – it’s also giving me major beach vibes!

Earrings

These have been a life saver for me! I have really large holes (that’s what she said) due to wearing heavy earrings at a young age. It had gotten to the point where wearing heavier earrings was impossible – until I found these!
I wanted to get some of the rattan earrings I’ve seen without spending a crazy amount – these were perfect!
For the occasions where you don’t want dangle earrings but you need something more than a post… LOVE THESE!
Wardrobe Additions: Summer 2019 (Summer Wardrobe Essentials)
These earrings from Madewell are sold out in this particular color but they have others! These have a vintage vibe and add a great pop of color.
Fun pop of color and texture for summer! The earrings I have are more yellow, but they are sold out. These are the same just in a different color.

Hair accessories

If you know me, you know I live in Madewell bandanas all year round! They are perfect tied in a knotted headband for all the days you don’t wash your hair!
These clips are only $8.99 for 12 of them! The branches are bobby-pin style; the others are more of a barrette. I have an average amount of fine hair and these work great.
These duckbill clips are perfect for adding a little color while keeping your hair out of your face. You get 8 for $11.99, and they are all different (so no pairs).

Shoes

Matisse Cherrie Clog – Added these wooden clog sandals (obviously in animal print) and they are so comfortable! I can see them bringing me into fall, too!
I was lacking some all white sneaks and picked up these Reebok Classics from Madewell. They are currently sold out but check out the ones from Amazon below!
Mine are sold out but Amazon has them here!

What are you most excited about wearing this season?? Cheers to a fun and relaxing summer!

(Summer Wardrobe Essentials 2019)