Don’t sweat the small stuff. These affordable items will cover you for every summer occasion.
Casual
The essentials of a warm-weather wardrobe won’t surprise you: go-to jeans, a breezy dress, a favorite pair of flat sandals. To give those basics a 2016 update, look for details like tasteful distressing and glittering embellishments and mix them in non-traditional ways. (Case in point: sparkly flat sandals can dress up denim or give a fancy dress an effortless feel.)
Bare Necessities
No one-hit wonder, the new ubiquitous off-the-shoulder blouse works with jeans or a skirt or as a chic beach cover-up.
A Little Dressier
For a breezy summer look, try pairing pieces that are light in both hue and weight—they’ll mix and match effortlessly, like this crisp cotton top and skirt. (Bonus points for incorporating a seasonal trend, like an off-the-shoulder blouse.)
Dressy Layers
Never underestimate the power of a layering piece—like a vest in go-with-everything military green—to completely change the look of an outfit (and to keep you comfortable in overzealous air-conditioning.
Dressy Chic
If your new summer pieces are mostly neutral, they can go far. They’ll play nice with your existing wardrobe and look stunning when worn all together—an airy, modern vibe.