Summer outfits are known for being one thing: easy. But in the throes of frantically going through your closet in a sweaty haze trying to get out of the door on time, it can be hard to muster the strength to throw on anything besides shorts and a white tee. The trick? Have a few go-to outfit formulas in the back of your mind that you can style with pieces you already have in your closet.
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No season’s as reliant on basics as summer is, and that’s something that should be taken advantage of. Breezy tanks, dresses, denim shorts—all of them don’t require much work to turn them into a look you’re excited to wear.
The next time you think “I don’t have anything to wear,” try out one of these easy, uniform-worthy summer outfits—all of which you likely already have the pieces for sitting right in your closet.
All those sweater vests you acquired last fall. News flash: They’re super wearable in the summer too. The only difference is instead of layering pieces underneath, you’ll wear it all on its own. Pair one with a pair of easy, linen pants (or shorts, depending on what you have), for a chic, two-and-done look that’s begging to be worn to a patio dinner.
Have a midi or maxi dress in your closet? Don’t trick yourself into thinking they’re only for special occasions—they can be dressed up or down based exclusively on the shoes you pair them with. For a more casual spin, pair them with comfy sandals or sneakers; to dress it up, opt for your favorite block-heeled sandals. If you, do it right, your midi can be your most-worn piece of summer.
Sometimes less is more, and that’s proven when you see how effortless this minimal ensemble looks. Pair your favorite white tank with the linen or denim shorts of your choosing, then toss on a colorful button-up to complete the look. Don’t have a colorful button-up? Fear not—just swap the focal point and opt to wear a colorful shirt underneath your white one.
There are days that comfort simply is the main priority, but that doesn’t mean you can’t look chic too. Pair your favorite bike shorts with an oversized tee (the bigger the better) for an off-duty model look that you can rely on for all of your weekend days. For bonus points, choose shorts and a tee in the same color, and don’t be afraid to stack on some accessories.
In the summer, we’re opting to wear pants as rarely as possible, which requires styling our dresses in different ways to make them work for as many events as we can. Pairing a mini dress with a button-up gives the overall vibe a more effortless feel and gives you the option to take it off or tie it around your shoulders depending on where your day takes you.
Good outfits are great, but curated ensembles with statement accessories are better. This summer, it’s all about bright adventurous pieces that can take your wardrobe basics to new heights. Think tinted eyewear, kitschy hair clips, and striking handbags – all of which require minimal effort to style on your part. Ahead, we’ve pulled together some of the most sought-after summer add-ons to shop now.
A whopping 2.4 million viewers tuned in to watch Euphoria’s season 2 premiere. HBO’s riveting no-holds-barred drama (complete with an unreliable narrator and some questionable decision-making) has captivated audiences – from cool-kid Gen-Z’s to wannabees – with its juicy plot and ethereal style.
As glitter devotees and avid fans, we’d be lying if we said we weren’t captivated by the show each Sunday. The cinematography, the lighting, the makeup. Most importantly: the outfits.
Costume designer Heidi Bivens has no qualms about dolling up her sixteen-year-old drug addicts in the latest high fashion. That contrast is assisted by her forays and familiarity with the best of the best in L.A. designer vintage. Lucky for us, many Shein brands embody a similar aesthetic, allowing us to tap into the look and feel of the show’s style. Want to dress like your favorite characters? Look no further.
RUE BENNETT: Messy Androgynous Glory.
We were first struck by Rue’s style in the pilot as it is so different from our own. She’s a tomboy, messy, and lowkey grunge — simple enough that you don’t have to overanalyze it. She’ll wear masculine, boxy clothing and revert to comfy when in doubt. Funky-dyed t-shirts, jeans, and — always — a beat-up pair of black Chucks.
Jules’s style is perhaps one of our favorites because of its intentionality. Hunter Schafer, the actress who plays her, spoke to Jules’s desire to conquer femininity by conquering men in the first season. By the beginning of the second season, she’s more willing to embrace her interior life instead of seeking external validation. That epiphany ripples throughout her style; as an aspiring fashion student, she chooses interesting layers and artistic statements on the cutting edge that align with her quirky spirit of adventure. She doesn’t wear outfits; she wears looks.
Fezco has won many of us over as the drug dealer with a heart of gold. Fezco and Ashtray both entered the family business early, assuming roles as business partners rather than children. As such, viewers have noted that Fezco’s expressive, primary-colored style could be a plea to hold onto bits of childhood that he never got to have — a tender contrast between the Glock in his hand and his M&M patterned pajamas. He opts for a boldly printed polo fit, an almost retro vibe that’s visually pleasing on the screen. Anything with stripes orcolor blocking? Oh boy.
Kat’s season two evolution means admitting her leather-strap-and-loud-make-up-wearing persona was fake: she can’t go back to her faux confidence. What she wanted originally doesn’t feel good now, and she struggles with that change.
Make no mistake: this is Cassie’s season. Although she’s the sexy one, she also needs to be able to pretend she’s innocent, to retreat into her girlishness upon confrontation; in Season One, it’s what McKay found frustrating. Baby blue and baby pink soften her, and she’s already so vulnerable.
In Season Two, her style can best be summed up as “plausible deniability.” It’s allrevealing pastel dresses and delicate tops (and of course, lacy lingeriefor those lucky enough to see it). She’s clinging to the elements of her appearance that stereotypically cast her as a good person (she confesses in the Season Two premiere, “I don’t think I’m a good person”) while regretting her bad choices.
Maddy’s fierce, confident, and a bit scary. She’s the one defining the looks, while the other girls try to copy her in the hopes that her strength will rub off on them. That I.Am.Gia set($28) from last season made the rounds! In high school terms, she’d be the one to get dress coded. She wearscropped sweater setsand skin-tight jumpsuits, and even her basics have cutouts (like inthis bodysuit).
Maddy also significantly believes in style as reflective of money and status. She’ll use it to get what she wants from affluent men, and she sees it as a symbol of how far she’s come from her background. She’s likely to use flashy designers and labels when possible — or at least try them on while babysitting.
Cassie and Lexi share similar styles in that they’re both understated. For Lexi, this translates more into a warm, nostalgic look that’s friendly and a little old-fashioned. Think cottagecore meets theater kid.
Let’s get fratty. Nate cares deeply about appearances and concealing his major psychological issues. He’s the star quarterback, the golden son, and he must dress to emphasize those attributes. He has money but won’t use it to be showy; he’ll retreat to reliable, recognizable brands and sharp silhouettes that make him look and feel in control.
When in doubt, he’ll opt for classic and sporty, even more so than anybody on this list. Give nobody any reason to look closer. His basics will be high quality and usually expensive but will be versatile and lasting.
Take a seat (and maybe a shot) and settle in and head over to HBOMAX to watch Euphoria — and a crash course in L.A. vintage. The kids might make bad decisions, but they sure make great outfits.
Is your nightlife style stuck in pre-COVID times? Or are you a little too comfortable wearing matching sweatsuits out at night? Same. While there’s nothing wrong with dressing for comfort over style, if you’re looking to bring it this season and update your going-out essentials, we got you.
With the help of @ShopCider, we’re sharing four trends straight from the early ’00s to give your wardrobe a hot-girl boost. Friendly reminder: refreshing your closet can also help shift your mood. So, if you’re lacking the motivation to go out, or not feeling confident these days, a little shopping spree could be just what you need.
See which items made our list plus styling tips to add to your 2022 outfit lineup below.
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Bustiers
“I love styling bustiers because of their corset construction. It creates such a structured waistline and lift.”
“Bodysuits are sometimes the smooth line we need. Whether it’s under a jacket or worn solo, because of its taut nature it’s a minimal form-fitting solution.”
“As if dresses weren’t effortless enough, tight-fitted style is the key to maximum style with minimal effort. We’re happy to report that bodycon dresses will forever be a thing; we’re already pairing ours with heeled boots, jewelry, and the like”.
” We dare you to think of a single occasion for which a slip dress isn’t appropriate—seriously, we’ll wait. Wear this ’90s-inspired staple with a plain white tee or a cozy sweater, or dress it up for one of the 15 rescheduled weddings you’ll be attending this year.”