5 Ways I’m Styling My Summer Essentials

I’m constantly sharing new clothes with you across my various platforms but it’s rare I sit down and share my must-haves. Today, I’m talking through some of my summer closet essentials and sharing how I style them! These outfits turned out to be some of my favorites I’ve styled this year. I hope you love them as much as I do and leave this post with a whole new wave of inspiration to revamp your wardrobe!

Dressed Up Date Night 

This look would be perfect for a little date night once things start opening back up. I love grabbing cropped, frilly tops like this one for the summer. This one has the most adorable lace-up detailing along the front and the puff sleeves are so on-trend. Not to mention this color palette is to die for! With a dressier top like this one, I like to keep it classic by throwing on a pair of high rise straight leg jeans. This pair from Express has got the perfect fit!

These jeans have a raw hem and hit just at the ankle, making them the perfect length when paired with a  simple heel. I would wear heels every day if I could; nothing makes me feel more feminine + fabulous than wearing a pair with my jeans! I love the metallic gold for the summer but keep a classic black and nude pair in my rotation as well. To finish off the look I’m wearing my favorite statement earrings and a neutral crossbody. This one is the perfect size for all of my essentials and is such a versatile color; this could seriously match anything! I couldn’t love this chic outfit more.

Outfit Details— top: SheIn, jeans: Express, shoes: SheIn, purse: SheIn, earrings: Walmart, necklace: The Silver Heron, bracelets: Mantra Band + Alex and Ani

Peachy Keen

Feeling peachy in this cute cropped graphic tee. I have so many graphic tees in my closet and love pulling them out on days where I want to dress a bit more casual. This style is perfect when paired with high waisted shorts. Every girl needs a few pairs in their summer closet. I recommend grabbing a white, black, and blue pair. This way, you’ve covered all the basics and can easily mix and match your crop tops and tanks! This pair is newer from Express and they’ve got a fun paper bag waist.

For a laid-back look like this one, white sneakers are the perfect finishing touch. I have a gazillion pairs of white sneaks, but these platforms from Steve Madden are seriously the best. They are super simple and incredibly easy to dress up or down. Not to mention, they are surprisingly very comfortable! I love the way they look with just a simple tee + shorts combo.

Outfit Details— top: SheIn, shorts: Express, shoes: Steve Madden, earrings: Walmart, necklace: The Silver Heron, bracelet: Mantra Band, watch: Fossil

Bronzed Beach Babe 

I cannot lie, I’m a beach babe at heart. Everything in me loves this look! I love reaching for two-piece sets in the summertime. Not only are they super breathable but they are incredibly easy to style. This one from SheIn is super lightweight and the white is making my tan pop big time. There are a gazillion ways to style this simple pairing but I decided to go the beachy route.

As you can tell, I love anything and everything straw. I constantly reach for these espadrille wedges and think they look adorable with a matching straw bag. I’ve been reaching for this one constantly as it’s a perfect size— not to mention it’s adorable. I threw on some shell earrings and a few beach themed accessories to finish off my look.

Outfit Details— set: SheIn, shoes: Chinese Laundry, earrings: SheIn, necklace: The Silver Heron, bracelets: Mantra Band + Alex and Ani, purse: SheIn

Modern Mama Mia

Something about this outfit just screams modern-day Mama Mia to me! Am I the only one?! I’m starting off this look in a cute blue tank. I love the neckline of this top and the open back is such a fun, unexpected silhouette. This top is the most gorgeous blue that pairs wonderfully with white denim, another summer essential of mine. Whether it be shorts or jeans, I love reaching for white!

Every girl needs a good pair of statement shoes for the summer. These platforms from Tory Burch are definitely mine! I scored these for only $40 a few years ago at Nordstrom Rack and love them to this day. They are incredibly tall but the laces and cute espadrille make these shoes quite the site! I would wear these every day if I could. I threw on a pair of crochet earrings and my straw bag to coordinate + complete this outfit.

Outfit Details— top: SheIn, jeans: Express, shoes: Tory Burch, earrings: Walmart, cuff: Mantra Band, bag: SheIn

Leopard Loving

Leopard print obviously makes the cut for my summer essentials list. I’ve been rocking the pattern for months now and am so happy to see the trend trickle into summer collections. Rompers and dresses are some of my favorite pieces to wear this time of year becuase they are so incredibly easy. No thought has to go into the outfit which is obviously a lifesaver if you’re in a time crunch. This one has got a plunging neckline that is crazy cute; this would be great for a night out with your girls!

For shoes, I’m wearing a new pair of lace-up sandals. I have these in tan and was wearing them so much I knew I needed to pick them up in the black as well. Lace-up sandals are so easy to dress up or down and will elongate your legs in no time! I popped on my “triple-threat” jewelry combination for the summer: a statement pair of earrings, a simple gold necklace, and my favorite cuff.

Outfit Details— romper: SheIn, shoes: SheIn, earrings: Walmart, necklace: The Silver Heron, cuff: Mantra Band

More Essentials

Want to hear more about my summer closet essentials? In this video I’m sharing twenty pieces to help you build a trendy yet affordable summer wardrobe. You asked for more styling videos and I certainly hope this one delivers. Subscribe for new videos every day throughout the month of June!

What items are essential in your summer wardrobe? I would love to hear in the comments below along with which outfit was your favorite. I’m going to have to go with the first one— something about that combo I just adore! I hope you enjoyed today’s posts.

With love, McKenz

Latest Post: My Top College Essentials
Related Post: 10 Spring Outfit Ideas
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