Last year, I declared that summer was not my favorite style season. And while I still prefer the creativity of spring and fall fashion, I also came to appreciate the inherent effortless style of summer dressing.
It’s all about comfort, beautiful lightweight materials, easy-throw-on dresses, and simple basics with a tiny twist.
These are my current favorite inspirations for summer minimalist fashion.
Midi-length dresses
The history of the midi skirt is an interesting one. While we usually mainly associate it with the strict traditional forms of the 1940s or demure femininity of the 1950s, some years before that, in the 1920s it was actually a symbol of rebellion. After all, it was a big change from the floor-length dresses of the turn of the century.
For a long time, I couldn’t really find a place for it in my style – it was neither here, nor there. Now, I’m beginning to see the appeal of midi-length skirts and dresses: they are versatile, comfortable, can be dressed down with sneakers or dressed up with heels and there’s a certain minimalist, urban flair to them.
Source: Modern Legacy, Modern Legacy, Andy Heart, Tsangtastic
Cutoffs + oversized shirt
For warm summer nights, my choice outfit is usually a cutoff short paired with an oversized, preferably silk shirt. It’s the perfect pairing of a hint of elegance and laid-back, cool style.
Source: Modern Legacy, Nick Hudson via Free People, Mija Flatau, Blair Badge
Beach chic
I know the main topic is fashion here, but let’s not forget the beauty/health benefits of beach cover-ups – it’s an extra protective layer against the sun rays, so take it seriously. A lightweight, sheer, flowy dress or, if you wanna spare the investment, a regular oversized shirt, tied or just hanging, is the perfect beach essential. Don’t forget the hat either.
Source: We The People, Scent of Obsession, Hello Fashion, Maja Wyh, Harper & Harley
Summer stripes
There’s probably no summer without stripes.
A striped look is a timeless classic that brings back memories of beachside vacations, it’s clean and crisp and can transform simple silhouettes into interesting looks. Stripes work with oversized shirts, maxi skirts, or summer dresses. You can go for subtle, barely-there stripes for a classic look, broken patterns for an edgier take, or bold for a statement look.
Source: Chronicles of Her, Little Blonde Book, FIGTNY, Collage Vintage, FIGTNY
Maxi for maximum comfort
Less is not always more when it comes to summer dressing – or at least to the length of our dresses. A maxi dress is definitely a summer minimalist wardrobe staple. It’s effortless, flattering, classic, incredibly comfortable, and versatile. Just forget those icky synthetic materials and go for cotton, linen, silk, or a good blend for comfort and breathability.
Source: Happily Grey, FIGTNY, Brooklyn Blonde, Luv to Look, The Fashion Medley
+ For more summer minimalist fashion inspiration, check out this post or follow my summer minimalist fashion board on Pinterest.
What’s your favorite summer wardrobe staple?
- New posts delivered straight to your inbox – with some extra content. Expect more resources, practical tips, useful links, and behind-the-scenes stories, all related to that new blog post.
- Seasonal intentional living guides
You can sign up here.
