Out of all the flashy and fun micro-trends summertime brings, what shouldn’t be overlooked are those key staples that are worn repeatedly season after season. Think: versatile linen shirting, classic sandals, and the kind of swimsuit you’ll always feel comfortable in. These are the types of practical summer essentials you reach for every time you pack your weekender or when you don’t want to think about what you’re going to wear. Luckily, our editors have shared their tried-and-trues (and their go-tos) to in hopes to help you find yours. Here you’ll find everything from reliable dresses brought to the front of the wardrobe each season to practical and stylish beach bags and totes that pass the every occasion wear test, plus, the signature sunglasses silhouettes from a handful of editors. All of that and more of the staples Vogue staffers depend on all summer long.
Vogue Editors’ Summer Essentials:
- The Minimalist One-Piece: Matteau scoop floral-print swimsuit, $320
- The White Jean: Levi’s 501 straight-leg jeans, $98
- The Everyday Leather Flip-Flop: A.Emery Kinto leather thong sandals, $140
- The Pinstripe Short: Sébline striped cotton shorts, $175
- The Tortoiseshell Sunglasses: Oliver Peoples x Khaite 1969 tortoiseshell sunglasses, $525
- The Jelly Thong Sandal: Ancient Greek Sandals Saionara jelly flip flops, $185
- The Chic Basket Bag: Loewe small leather-trimmed basket bag, $690
- The Denim Cutoffs: Agolde Parker cutoff denim shorts, $150
- The Beach Essential: Havaianas slim flip-flops, $30
- The Mesh Tote: Tory Burch mesh tote, $298
- The Floral Dress: Dôen Audette dress, $598
Chloe Malle, editor Vogue.com
I’m staying in my brown period for the summer and love this Matteau printed one-piece and snazzy checkered Baina towel. I’m also never without my Unseen Sunscreen, kept close in this woven basket tote.
Nicole Phelps, global director, Vogue Runway and Vogue Business
This is my all-time favorite Marysia suit. It’s so special you could wear it with a skirt or jeans for dinner, though my summer dream is to sit under an umbrella by the pool or at the beach all with a good book. I’m currently reading this in preparation for a rim-to-rim hike of the Grand Canyon, let’s hope it isn’t a “misadventure!” I’m also a huge fan of the waterproof Birks.
Mai Morsch, fashion editor
I have been living in this classic button down from Alex Mill, the material is so crisp and the color is perfectly saturated. Madewell’s classic leather thong sandals are the dream shoe for minimalists this summer. They’re super versatile and pair equally well with jean shorts or a silk maxidress. White 501’s are my perfect summer jeans. I especially like the ’90s style as the fit is most similar to my favorite vintage pairs. Flore Flore makes incredible basics for the summer months. I love the simplicity of this ribbed cotton dress. Wear it over a swimsuit to the beach or out to dinner with a high heel!
Laura Jackson, shopping writer
In my opinion, the breezier the essential the better. And in the summer months when the sun is high and the UV is higher, I always turn to pieces that not only beat the heat, but are super stylish, too. I’m taking part in the boho revival by way of Sea’s broderie, tie-detailed blouse. It’s a sweet outfit topper no matter if you’re wearing it with a billowing pant, like this pinstripe pair from Banana Republic, or even over a little black bikini at the beach. A sleek black sandal is forever in style–and these from Loeffler Randall include a toe-ring detail which feel fresh. Lastly, my summer wardrobe is never complete without Dragon Diffusion’s roomy woven tote. You can spot me sporting mine from the office to weekend getaways.
Talia Abbas, senior shopping editor
I’m loving the boxer short as actual shorts trend and found this really cute pair from Sébline which I rush ordered for my trip to Italy this summer. There are so many ways I plan on styling it, but I’m most excited to wear it with my mesh flats and a romantic broderie anglaise top. Add in a chic little basket bag, and a sleek pair of sunglasses and I’m set. No other shades exist for me right now except this Khaite x Oliver Peoples’s pair, which go with me everywhere.
Ciarra Lorren Zatoriski, fashion editor
Easy and breezy, just like the calm of summer, are two words synonymous with my style staples for the season. Think matching sets for a stress-free outfits, grab-and-go flip flops, and a carryall to tote around all of youmyr summer essentials!
Laia Furtado-Garcia, senior fashion news editor
For me summer equals jorts. I’m not a fan of fashion jorts, I just like a sturdy basic that can get dirty and washed and dirty and washed—lived in, you know?—so I always get a pair from Gap. Usually I love a really short pair but this year I am feeling the Nu-Metal length, so I got these 11.5-inch long shorts, sized up so I could be even scuzzier with them. I’m obsessed. I think as an after-effect of being a young adult in the early aughts when ballet flats were all the rage, they’ve become an essential part of my wardrobe and summer is obviously the best time for a ballet flat. The whole season I basically alternate between The Row’s mesh flats (I have them in black and in lilac), and a pair of turquoise and neon orange from Drogheria Crivellini. They have so many cool color combinations though, so I will probably add another pair to my collection this year.
Leah Faye Cooper, digital style director
My go-to summer outfit is a minidress, platform sandals, and a great pair of sunglasses. I love Azeeza’s breezy poplin dresses, and Barton Perreira sunglasses are my latest obsession. I recently discovered a great pair of platforms by Intentionally Blank called the “Cooper-2”—I obviously need those.
Madeline Fass, senior market editor
There are a handful of go-to items I wear on repeat during the summer, after all, the season is all about ease. A great white tank top is crucial, and is the foundation for most of my summer uniforms. For shoes, I pair flip-flops with ultimately every outfit. I love the laid-back feeling they exude no matter if I’m in a linen blazer at the office or in a caftan beachside. You can find me in some version of summer jewelry everyday of the season, shells are my favorite! Plus, a reliable pair of sunglasses and swimsuits are a must. For me, it’s Ahlem’s Villette (my signature pair!) and Tropic of C’s scoop one-piece. The kinds of versatile, feel-good items you always end up packing in your suitcase first!
Taylor Lashley, Manager, social media
A versatile maxi dress that can take you from day to night is a summer must-have. This season I picked up this one from Faithfull the Brand and can already tell it will be in my rotation for many summers to come. While the bubble hem is definitely trendy at the moment, it’s subtle enough that I won’t get sick of it. I think there’s something very chic about wearing a simple flat black sandal over the summer and thankfully this season, brands like The Row have helped me validate that claim. Personally, I find myself gravitating towards my black Havaianas or my black Hermès Chypre sandals more than anything else in my closet from May into early September. Bathing suits are definitely all about personal preference but a classic triangle bikini is something I wouldn’t get through summer without. I love this style from Frankies Bikinis. While it’s my go-to for the beach and the pool, I also find myself styling it as a bralette under a linen button down paired with denim shorts or as a bra top with a maxiskirt. Less is more when it comes to getting dressed in the summer, especially when you live in New York City. I love when I can throw on a tank or tee that’s more of an “elevated basic” (like this one from Dôen) with a pair of trousers or shorts because it brings a little more excitement to an otherwise pretty standard outfit.
Florence O’Connor, associate content manager
I pretty much exclusively wear dresses in the summer so a printed Rixo dress is a wardrobe staple for me. It is truly one of the most versatile pieces in my closet—perfect for a weekend stroll through Soho, the office or even dinner with friends! For the few occasions where I am not wearing a dress in the summer I can be found in some version of a cropped white blouse, usually one with eyelet detailing and puffy sleeves. I do not leave the house in the summer (or really any other season) without my Le Specs sunglasses securely attached to my head. The only way to get through the summer months is with a fun but reliable summer sandal and these cute red kitten heels have been my new go-tos. In my opinion, the basket bag is the ultimate summer accessory—chic, fun and incredibly practical! You can fit a book, a bottle of wine and a bathing suit in there!
Irene Kim, production and editorial associate
I love just throwing on a Dôen dress in the summer—it’s so versatile for all your soirées. You can wear it to the office (or maybe it’s just the Vogue offices), to a dinner with friends, and even Kendall Jenner’s party in front of the Eiffel Tower (all of which I have done and have only complimented on how great my dress is). I hate carrying a bag in the summer because leather ones tend to stick to you and canvas ones get all gross from all the sweat. If I am carrying a bag it’s going to be my trusty Longchamp Le Pliage or the new Tory Burch mesh bag that can really handle all of that summer heat and sweat. The best part is that you can clean it off with a quick rinse under water. Inside it I’ll always keep one of my Hunza G bathing suits because you never know where the day is going to take you when it’s 90 degrees and sunny in New York City!
Madeleine Schulz, reporter, Vogue Business
No matter how many pairs of sunglasses I buy (there are lots), I always gravitate towards my Celine triomphe oval sunnies—a true summer staple. This white cotton maxiskirt from Scanlan Theodore is another go-to for day and night (plus it has pockets). And for a pop of colour I’ll be living in my red Mango x Sieders mesh beaded slides which I just bought, and which are surprisingly comfortable for summer strolls.
Elise Taylor, senior lifestyle writer
In my opinion, the key to any good summer wardrobe is a good pair of white linen pants. These ones by Toteme are my favorite: they look just as good when paired with a bikini top at a pool as they do with a flowy top at night. Also, since they are technically a linen blend, they don’t wrinkle as much as a traditional pair.
Hannah Jackson, fashion writer
I have recently become a flip-flops convert after a lifetime of hating, thanks to these ultra-thin black sandals. I love to style them with more formalwear or traditional workwear, to bring fancier clothes down to earth. But you also can’t go wrong pairing them with denim cutoffs and a bikini top. I’ve been on the hunt for a pair of looser, longer denim shorts and this pair from Agolde has more than done the job. I hate when denim shorts are too tight or ride up, but I never have to worry about that with these.