16 Must-Have Pieces for Endless Summer Outfit Inspiration

16 Must-Have Pieces for Endless Summer Outfit Inspiration

Summer should be a relaxed and carefree time of year, but figuring out what to wear can sometimes be tricky. Here’s a guide to some great casual summer outfits that will help make dressing stylishly in the heat a breeze.

We’ve partnered with Nordstrom to bring you these outfit ideas, all featuring Nordstrom Made items. This means you can enjoy high quality at reasonable prices.

We’ve put together a casual summer wardrobe capsule with 16 pieces of clothing, plus shoes and accessories, so you can easily put together a complete summer wardrobe.

With many of us spending more time at home and less in formal office settings, it’s a great time to expand your casual clothing options. Let’s explore the best casual summer outfits.

Casual Summer Tops
Start with tops! Depending on your local weather, you might want sleeveless or sleeved options. A tank top, t-shirt, lightweight long-sleeved top, and a button-down shirt should cover most situations. This summer, tie-dye and graphic patterns are particularly popular.

Jackets and Coats
The jackets listed below are stylish and timeless. You can wear a blazer, moto jacket, denim jacket, and drape jacket for many years without them going out of style.

Pants and Jeans
For pants and jeans, pick styles you love. Skinny jeans are great for layering, while leggings are comfortable and stylish, particularly good for wearing under dresses for added warmth. Printed pants add texture to your outfits, and tracksuit bottoms are perfect for lounging or errands. Pair them with a smart jacket for a quick upgrade.

Casual Summer Dresses and Skirts
As the weather warms up, you might find yourself wearing more dresses and skirts. A black dress is versatile year-round and can be dressed up or down. A t-shirt dress works over skinny jeans or leggings, while a shirt dress can double as a duster jacket. A pencil skirt can be dressed up or down.

Casual Summer Shoes
For casual summer shoes, flat options like sandals, sliders, slip-ons, and sneakers are practical and versatile. They can complement everything from jeans to dresses.

Casual Summer Accessories
Even with casual outfits, accessories can make a big difference. Tote bags are practical for everyday essentials, crossbody bags are great for hands-free convenience, and clutch bags can turn daytime looks into evening chic. Belts are useful not just for holding up pants and skirts but also for cinching dresses to create new silhouettes. Lightweight scarves and simple jewelry can add finishing touches to your outfits.

Your Casual Summer Capsule
Here’s a look at a capsule wardrobe made up of the items mentioned. There are countless ways to mix and match these pieces to create different looks. For instance, you could pair a graphic shirt with striped pants, wear a t-shirt dress with leggings, use a shirt dress as a duster coat, or combine a dip-dye top with track pants.

Experiment and see how you can switch up your outfits to keep your summer wardrobe fresh and exciting!

Let us know what your favorite casual summer outfits are!