I recently caught the bug of clothes shopping again and I am definitely enjoying it this Summer. I used to just strictly shop for home decor and leave new clothes in the dust, but this Summer it got to the point where I really needed to update my wardrobe.
So that’s why I thought it would be fun to share with you all my Summer fashion essentials that I have been loving so far!
I am by no means a fashion blogger, and I kinda feel a little silly sharing all this with you! But I thought it would be fun to do something different today and I thought I could help inspire those who needed a little help with their summer fashion too.
I know I really needed all the tips and tricks when it came to fashion too so I am applying what I’ve learned and sharing it with you all.
Below you will find all the pieces that I consider to be essential for summer. I tried to link all of my recent purchases for you too.
I really got most of it from Target, so if you have one near you, definitely go check them out! They are really killing it when it comes to summer fashion this year!
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Dresses
I personally love to wear dresses, even more so than shorts during the summer. I find them to be more flattering and I have short, chunky legs so they tend to cover that more so than shorts!
Dresses are definitely some of my favorite summer essentials and I’m sharing a few cute ones below with you all as well:
My mom bought me this dress below for my birthday and I am obsessed with it! I think that’s what started my crazy fashion haul from Target here recently too.
I am only 5’1″ and this dress hits me like a perfect maxi dress. I don’t think it is intended to be a maxi dress, but since I am so short and can’t wear real maxi dresses (unless they are petite), I was so excited about the fit of this one!
High Rise Shorts
Despite my chunky leg dilemma, I was still in desperate need of some new shorts. I seriously don’t think I have bought new shorts since I graduated high school and that has been almost 10 years ago!
So yeah, I would say it was definitely overdue.
I decided to go out of my comfort zone and try out some high rise denim shorts for the first time in my life. And the verdict is, I LOVE them!
I can’t believe I never tried them before. I honestly thought they would look terrible on me, but really they are so much more flattering than I thought they would be!
I am loving the brand Universal Thread at Target for shorts right now too. I have been able to get several great pairs from them as well as the brand Wild Fable too!
I also used to hate tucking my shirts into my shorts, but now with these cute high rise shorts I’ve been getting, it actually looks pretty cute!
I feel like it is definitely more slimming as well. These shorts have been one of my favorite summer essentials to add into my wardrobe!
I have a picture of the Wild Fable shorts below too. They are more like a linen material and are so soft and comfy!
I got them in two different colors and definitely plan on wearing them a lot this Summer!
Swimsuits
You really can’t enjoy summer without a few good swimsuits. That’s why they have obviously made into my summer essentials list!
I have been obsessed with the brand Kona Sol at Target for bathing suits this summer. I have already ordered three new sets so I definitely would say that I am happy with this brand!
They really fit so well and I love how the bottoms are full coverage. I just hate cheeky swimsuits and prefer more of a hipster bottom, which these are! I am so happy to have finally found me some new and improved swimsuits this summer!
T Shirts
First of all, we just have to talk about the CUTEST Fourth of July Shirt I found for myself this week:
If you know me, then you know I am a cat mom so this shirt is perfect for me! I may just even wear it all year round because it’s not too overwhelmingly Fourth of July, so I think I can get by with it.
It’s just too cute not to wear it multiple times, right?!
I’ve also been able to find several other cute shirts from Target this year as well which I will link below. I am definitely loving their slim fitting tank top too. I seriously got it in four different colors!
And they look so cute with my high rise shorts as well! I would say the tank tops are definitely one of the best summer essentials to have in your closet.
Shoes
Getting new shoes are definitely summer essentials right?! I always lean more towards comfy sandals, but I do like to have a few dressier wedges as well.
I am not a big high heels person because I feel like I can’t walk comfortably in them. But, with wedges I can! So I always love to have a few of those in my summer wardrobe for sure.
I also love to have a pair of Chaco’s around to throw on with some athletic wear. Or I usually wear them to the pool too.
They are great sandals to get wet and be active in. It’s a great alternative to wearing tennis shoes because
I usually don’t like to wear tennis shoes during the summer (unless I’m working out of course) since my feet get so hot!
Accessories
I am a sucker for some good hats! I love wearing hats and I feel like I can only get by with wearing them if I am on vacation.
But, I am trying to wear them more often this summer no matter what. It’s good sun protection, and they are just too cute to pass up! I think hats are one of my favorite summer essentials for sure.
I love wearing sun hats with cute outfits, like when going out to dinner or something. And I love to wear your basic ball cap if I’m out lounging by the pool.
I try to shield my face as much as I can from the sun because I do tend to get sunburnt more so there than anywhere else.
Another one of my favorite summer essentials is sunglasses! I personally love my Ray Bans and I wear them all the time. I have linked the ones I have below and I know you will love them too:
Pooltime Essentials
Going to the pool as much as possible is a must this summer so I thought I would also link some great pool ideas as well. I love my Vera Bradley pool towels.
I use them so much and they have held up so well throughout the years I’ve had them too. I also love a good float to lounge in by the pool and you can’t forget some fun water toys to play with too.
I also love my Yeti to keep my drinks nice and cold too!
So as you can see, Target was my main stop for fashion shopping.
But, I always love to support small business too. If you know of a great online boutique with cute clothes, let me know below! I only know of home decor ones obviously lol But also, what are some of your summertime essentials??
I would love to know below!
High waisted jean shorts and a quirky T-shirt are my go to during summer! Thanks for sharing
No problem! I love quirky and graphic t shirts too during the Summer!
Love the red polka-dot dress and can’t beat a pair of high-rise shorts!
Thank you! I totally agree with you on that!
I love high rise shorts, I find them so much more flattering. I’m a big fan of playsuits and lightweight jumpsuits in the summer. Also you look great with that hat on and I’m slightly envious, I don’t think I have a head for hats! x
Sophie
Awe thanks Sophie. I really appreciate that! And I totally agree! High waisted shorts are much more flattering!
Loved this! I think my summer essentials have to be jumpsuits or playsuits ans wide leg floaty trousers for work to keep nice and cool.
Oh yes! Those are always cute but I don’t think I can pull them off because I am so short and they are always so long on me!
The only reason I haven’t used up my whole life savings on a new summer wardrobe is because of this quarantine. It’s like any time I see floral or stripes, I have to buy it haha
Lol I totally understand. I have been wanting to shop so much during quarantine too. It really made it worse I think for me haha
This is a great post!!! Thanks so much for the nudge to think about a wardrobe update…I sure could use it. We FINALLY have a Target here in VT and I love to shop there:)
Oh yay! Target is my absolute favorite store! Go enjoy it my friend!!
Such a cute blog post! I’m so obsessed with wearing trainers with cute summer dresses but I need to start wearing all my summer sandals while its still sunny!
Yes! I love summer sandals too! They are so cute!
Oooh! Love the different clothes you just bought! Summer dresses are the best. They look great and feel chill as well. I need to get into some high-rise shorts!! I really need to get my hands on some shoes, hehe. Thanks for sharing your summer essentials!
Nancy ✨ exquisitely.me
No problem Nancy! Thanks for reading! I would definitely recommend getting high waisted shorts, I’m on a role now and have bought three new pairs lol
Oooh, high rise shorts are the best, aren’t they??! I absolutely love them!
Super lovely post 🙂
Thank you so much! And yes, I am not sure what took me so long to jump on the high rise shorts train lol
I NEED some more summer dresses! They’re such easy outfits and you always look more put together in a dress! Cute finds!
Thank you so much! Yes, you can never have too many summer dresses in my opinion!
I feel like the rest of July and August in the UK Summer is going to be a washout like it always is, the shops have just reopened and pretty much all the summer stuff has now been sold out. Have to wait for next year now.
Awe sad day. I always hate it when the current seasonal stuff sells out and they start promoting the next season. Like it’s still way too early for Fall! Summer just started lol
I’ve been absolutely adoring cute little flowery summer dresses at the moment! They never used to be my thing really, but this sun has really brought out my girly side and I’m not mad at it haha x
I wouldn’t be mad about it either! Cute, flowery dresses have been my jam here lately too! I just love them!
I wear dresses more than shorts as well. I also am loving anything polka-dotted! These are great basics for summer. I’m just happy we get to wear something other than pajamas for a change. (You look really cute in that hat BTW!) Sun hats are adorable!
Awe thank you so much my friend! I really appreciate that! I love sun hats too!
I love your style! I also really love wearing dresses and hats during summer- it always puts me in a better mood haha. Thanks for sharing xx
Me too girl! I definitely feel more put together with them on!
All of these are so cute!! Love the cat shirt and I’m a sucker for summer dresses
Lol I love the cat shirt too and I have sooo many summer dresses as well. It’s definitely a staple for me!
My daughter would love that cat t shirt, she has loads with cats, puppies, pugs etc on…
Yes! She definitely would! When I saw the cat shirt, I knew I had to have it lol
Love your summer picks, especially the dress! Your mom picked out such a beautiful dress. I’m such a sucker for dresses myself as well. x
Thank you so much! She said it looked just like me when she saw it, and I agree! It was definitely something I would have picked out for myself too!
I’ve your picks for summer you have a great sense of style and the hat suits you perfectly! Your 4th July t-shirt is perfect (or I should say puuurfect!) You can never have enough cats!
Sarah
Lol it is very purrfect, isn’t it?! Thanks so much! I am glad you like everything too!
Great post! Love some of the summer dresses you’ve featured here too. Can’t beat them on a hot day! ☀️
Thank you! I totally agree. They are always nice and breezy!
That’s a surprising amount of item for your summer essentials. My essentials consists of my AC unit, a my steel water bottle, my phone, and access to tap water so I can stay cool and hydrated
I meant this for summer fashion essentials obviously. I agree though about AC. I love having that for summer
Great selection. I’m very much a shorts kinda girl myself. Love your sandals selection. 😊
Thank you so much! I love them too!
Love that maxi dress – it’s gorgeous! My summer essentials are definitely some floaty trousers and cute dresses!
Tash – https://www.agirlwithview.co.uk/
Thank you so much! I love that dress too! It’s definitely one of my favorites!
Ooh, love that dress! Is it the same one that you’re wearing in your website headshot?
That cat shirt is absolutely adorable!!
Thank you so much! And it is the same dress! I had to take some pics in it once I got it because I loved it so much! And yes, the cat shirt is definitely one of my favorites too!
These are such cute ideas! I just did a tiny wardrobe update after a weight gain, and it always feels good to have some new pieces to wear. Thanks for all the suggestions!
Yes! It really does. I love having new options that fit just right to choose from!
These essentials are so gorgeous! I really love the dresses, I am dying to get some new ones for summer but I can’t seem to find any affordable ones anywhere! Thank you for sharing these essentials, I am off to have a shopping spree!
Em | http://www.loveemblog.com x
Yay! Enjoy your shopping spree! I hope you find some beautiful dresses at a great price too!
Great post! I love wearing summer dresses and shorts!
Yes! I do too! They are the best for summer
I absolutely love that dress! I’m no fashionista but I can tell you have good taste.
Awe thank you so much Ashley. I am a little unsure of my style at times, but I sure love a good shopping spree so I thought I would share it!
My wardobe is in need of some much needed summer TLC! Although we don’t have Target in the UK, this post has given me some shopping inspiration. I love the Jean Shorts, they look so flattering!
Thank you so much Kelly! I hope you can find you some as well! I am loving mine!
I liked the cat print t shirt and the two dresses. You have good taste.
Thank you so much! I am loving the cat shirt too!
Everything in this post is so cute. You have a great sense of style. I love the cat t-shirt and I have really gotten into big hats lately too.
Thank you so much! Yes, hats are so much fun for summer!
Love this! Going online dress shopping now as we speak haha
Oh yay! Good luck! I hope you find some great pieces!
Yes dresses are an absolute MUST for me in the summer as well as shorts!! I never used to like tucking in my shirts either however with high rise it does look super cute! Shows off the shorts a bit more as well when you tuck them in.
Yes I totally agree! I think its more “on trend” now too!
I can’t make it through the summer without a few good pairs of sunglasses. I have a bad habit of sitting them down and forgetting them in various places, so I tend to keep a few pairs – one in the jeep, one in my purse, one on the back patio bar, etc. That way, I’ve always got a pair on hand when I need them!
Yes I do the same thing. I try to have multiple pairs I can grab quickly if need be. I keep my nice ones in my car holder though because I am usually pretty good at putting those back and keeping up with them as well!
All the pieces are stunning! I fell in love with dresses recently and I am on a hunt for a dress like you have, it is so gorgeous I can’t even!! It’s really fun to see someone else’s clothing haul and I really enjoyed reading this! x
Awe thank you so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I always love to see other people’s fashion hauls too so I figured I should go ahead and share mine as well!
I absolutely love that first dress! it is perfect for spring or summer time. The color of the dress and the floral look is everything during those seasons. I also love the cat shirt lol, super fun! Thanks for sharing xxx
Thank you so much! I love the cat shirt too. It’s so me lol and perfect for the Fourth of July coming up! Thanks for stopping by and checking this out!
I prefer dresses for the summer, shorts tend to mess with my thighs and I get really bad rashes from it. Your first recommendation looks pretty awesome though, I’d love to get something in like that in black and white! (I don’t necessarily look good in a lot of red)
Thank you so much! I do love the classic black and white pieces as well. There’s some colors I don’t look good in either so I always tend to pick out the colors that I think look best on me. And I totally agree about dresses. They are just so much more comfortable than shorts sometimes! Plus, they are so cute as well!
Great essentials! I basically live in dresses when it comes to summer, haha 😂
Anika | chaptersofmay.com
I love wearing dresses in summer too!! I cant wait til it gets warm enough to wear summer clothes again!
Yes! I love dresses. It’s definitely been warm enough here to wear them for sure now!
I love all five of those dresses, especially the plain ones. I am shorter then you at only five feet even, but I love that blue dress and have one almost like it in pink. It is hard for me to find skirts that are not too long, since skirts are my favorite pieces of clothing, but I think a good search makes the end result even better! 🙂
Thank you so much! I think so too! I love that dress as well. But I agree, it can be hard to find dresses and skirts that fit well for us petite girls!
These look like some great picks! I have been online shopping a lot recently too – lockdown is not doing me good, haha! Love that cat shirt; and the shorts look really nice length too!
Paige // Paige Eades
Thank you so much Paige. They are a nice length, not too short. And yes I’ve been online shopping like crazy. I miss going into stores before this whole pandemic started!
Thank you so much Paige. They are a nice length, not too short. And yes I’ve been online shopping like crazy. I miss going into stores before this whole pandemic started.
I’m loving those outfits and that blue dress made me fall in love. I’m not a fashion blogger either but lately I’ve put thought into what I buy, other than jeans and tshirts.
Yes! That’s exactly how I feel too. I figured it was time to put in a little effort in my fashion style lol
I’m in major need of a shopping spree for my summer wardrobe, so thanks for sharing! I love the shorts and swimsuits you’ve got here especially.
Thank you! I am too. Especially the swimsuits! I am so glad I finally found a brand that fits me well!
That’s a lovely haul, I can’t believe they all came from one shop, that’s such a variety. My fave is definitely that hat, the cheetah print is fantastic – and you take a great selfie, don’t be so hard on yourself! Lisa x
Awe thank you Lisa. I really appreciate that. You are too sweet!
I’m a big dresses-person in the summer, I love that maxi dress you posted!
Thank you! I am a big summertime dress person too!
That polka dot dress is the cutest ever! I also love wearing hats in the Summer.
Thank you so much Marissa. I do too!
Some super cute looks in there! The dresses you chose were gorgeous!
Katie | katieemmabeauty.com
Thank you Katie. I appreciate it!
Cute and practical suggestions!! The dresses are lovely but I rarely wear dresses for some reason. I really like the denim shorts!!
Thank you! I love the denim shorts too!