Shit I Bought and Liked: Summer Closet Staples
Shit I Bought and Liked: Summer Closet Staples
Shitters!
I have two big things to share—one: I GOT TAYLOR TICKETS!!! AT STICKER PRICE!!!!!!! I’m freaking out, and to all of you reading this freaking out for me, I see you, I love you, and I can’t wait sing my little heart out with you in LA!!!!! I could wax poetic on my newly renewed faith in the universe, but in the interest of keeping the non-Swifties among us from promptly unsubscribing, I’ve decided to spare you.
The second thing is this newsletter, which shouldn’t feel anti-climatic, but kinda does when it follows something like that. ANYWAYS, here goes nothing!
When it comes to clothes, summer’s not really my season. Or at least, that’s what I thought before I started writing today’s newsletter. Even when I lived in LA, my closet was mostly jeans, sweaters, and boots. What can I say—I know what I like, and continue to buy only those things!!! But it turns out that over the past few years, I’ve assembled a few go-to’s that have made summer dressing infinitely easier. So in the interest of sharing the shit I love with all of you, I present today a little roundup of all the staples carrying me through this summer:
Re/Done T-Shirt: Before we get up in arms over the fact that I spent this much on a t-shirt, please know that this is the single most used shirt in my entire closet, and to me, it has been worth every (ridiculous) cent. This tee in black has been my go-to t-shirt for years. I wear it at least twice a week, and that is because I a) don’t have to get dressed/leave my apartment to go to work and b) actively tell myself to wear my other clothes. The fabric has a soft, lived-in feel and the cut is neither too slim/long nor too boxy/cropped (all critiques I have of my 85 other tees). It is simply perfect. The only thing that’s not so perfect is the sizing—I wear a small, but I could probably also take a medium. With large being the largest they offer, that’s really not much of a range.
Walmart T-Shirt: I love my Re/Dones, but I also love a steal, and it really doesn’t get better than this $12 (!) t-shirt (please do not kill me for sharing Walmart—I’m just being honest!!!). It’s survived several wears and washes and still looks just as good as day one. I can’t speak to the other colors, but Heather Carbon is the platonic ideal of a gray tee. From the wash, to the cut, to the stitching—no notes! I took my regular size.
Rhode Dress: This dress comes in a million prints—only one of which I linked here—but I get a crazy amount of wear on this style, so if it’s not the right print for you, consider digging around online for others! I originally bought mine a few years ago for a friend’s island-themed rehearsal dinner, and have since worn it on pretty much every vacation I’ve been on and to several summer events. It’s cotton, so it’s easy to pack and throw on, and you can also wear it unbelted for a more casual feel. The style has been around for a few years now, so there are plenty available for far below retail price on TheRealReal. This pattern caught my eye as I was pulling this newsletter together… I didn’t think I needed another, but now I might…
Reformation Set: Another vacation/summer event hero! I’ve worn this to a backyard birthday, a fancy dinner in Milan, a beachside bachelorette, and several more nights out to compliments every time! Black linen is just always chic and the proportions on this set are just perfection. I’m 5’5 and did have to get the skirt hemmed a smidge, but I’d do it again in a heartbeat. The fabric and silhouette are versatile and timeless, and in the year and a half I’ve had it, it’s quickly become one of the best closet investments I’ve ever made. I usually pair this with a vintage denim jacket over the shoulders (as pictured) for those breezy summer nights.
Gap Button Down: Sometimes you just need a big shirt! This roomy button down is my go-to on those oppressively hot days when you just cannot stand the thought of fabric making contact with any part of your body. It’s lightweight, oversized but not comically so, and super versatile. You can wear with it shorts (I usually go for white on white), as a swim coverup, as a classic oxford, open over a tank—your options are endless! It’s one of those classic pieces I know I’ll reach for every summer at a price point that makes me unafraid to actually live/eat/sweat in it.
AMO Shorts: Unfortunately, my favorite shorts of all time are a one-off style from AMO that are now only available in a smattering of sizes/for final sale. Doesn’t matter—I had to share them anyways. Denim shorts can be tough. At their worst they can be tight and restrictive, and when the fit is wrong, they’re just not fun to wear. That’s why I refuse to buy any that aren’t relaxed anymore—I just know I won’t reach for them! These are soft, roomy, and since last spring have become the only ones I think of whenever I want to wear shorts—AGOLDE who?!!!!! The cut is already relaxed so I took the smaller of my two sizes.
Jenni Kayne Sandals: It appears that Jenni Kayne has basically phased out my beloved sandals, but this braided strap version has a very similar look/feel. I wore my first pair of the original version into the ground and managed to snag a second before they mysteriously disappeared off the internet. I’ve dressed them up for outdoor weddings and parties, and dressed them down as an everyday sandal. My only complaint is that the OG is gone—why Jenni, why!!! But if you’re in the market, the leather on the new version is gorgeous, and I particularly like the tan color on my skin tone. They’re a bit of a splurge, but so beautiful and well-made—they’ll last you several seasons even if you’re like me and wear them constantly.
Enough about my staples though—I want to hear about yours! Which summer pieces are you constantly reaching for? Whether it’s a tote or a tank (I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect tank for a year and a half and still don’t have anything to show for it), I want to hear about it! Let me know what you’re loving, and if that by chance includes this newsletter, consider sharing it with someone else who would too!
Wishing you all a fun and safe long weekend ahead!
xx,
Priyanka