A few weeks back I shared my love for the short sleeve, button-down classic blouse look. And I then claimed that it would for sure be my go-to summer outfit this year. Why? Because I like simple. Simplicity is my motto for all things in our home and lifestyle. Fussing over what to wear? No thank you. And I truly don’t subscribe to the mindset of needing to update one’s wardrobe seasonally. Do things sometimes need to be updated or switched out? A new look I love and want to incorporate? Sure. However, I prefer limited pieces, but pieces I love. Pieces that are in style no matter the times. Classics. Especially since I find most trends in fashion to be rather meh. I heard from so many that they felt the same way and wanted to know where I found favorites. So I thought, let’s do this! Summer style staples for the minimalist mom. Basics that, when pulled together, are a classic and simple look for summer days keeping up with the kids and looking good while doing it.

I am probably a prime candidate for the capsule wardrobe approach, but I haven’t had time to dissect it. Have you tried the capsule wardrobe approach? Love it? Hate it? Any tips? Because I am all ears. 

Alright, on to these summer-style staples!

Bottoms

When it comes to bottoms, I actually don’t care for shorts. Call me crazy, but I wear jeans and pants year-round and love them. Unless I am working out or headed to the lake, shorts are just not my jam. In my closet, I love having a few denim options as well as a few linen pant options. Linen drawstring pants might be the most underrated thing of all time. It’s like PJ’s without looking like PJ’s! Add a white tee, cognac sandals, and a few gold accessories? Done. Here are my top three favorites:

The mid-rise skinny jeans from J.Crew Factory

These Denizen boyfriend jeans from Target. I just recently jumped into the boyfriend jean look for the first time with these and I have loved them! 

And these linen pants from Old Navy

Tops

I love a good, loose-fitting tee in basic colors that will go with anything. White, black, grey, navy, etc. And aside from that for this summer, I am on a short sleeve, button-down and pull-over blouse kick. Easy, classic, looks put-together and there are so many ways to style them. Whether it be with a good pair of boyfriend jeans or even a maxi skirt. I have found a few so far that I really like along with my ride-or-die favorite tee options.

Favorite tees

This v-neck one from J.Crew Factory comes in several color options. Simply size up for a looser fit and style.

Gap has a great crew neck, vintage tee as well that I like.

And then another great T-shirt score is this one from Amazon that I found out about via Jen from Sister Studio.

Pop-over & Button-down shirts

I really like this utility-style one from Old Navy. There are four different color options.

Gap has this great striped one that I was able to get after it was sold out for a while. My suggestion is to grab it if you like it because it’s a popular one apparently!

This one from Nordstrom is a bit of a higher price point, but it has a great fit to it.

Accessories

For summer, all I need is a great pair of sunglasses and a Panama/cabana-style hat to keep the sun off my face and I am good to go.

Sunglasses

When I had several little ones I used to simply buy cheap sunglasses because no one has time for spending money on something like that only to have little ones playing with and then breaking them. Now, I like to wear something a bit more substantial (still affordable) because the quality is longer-lasting and it’s something that I literally wear daily. Once I discovered the Quay brand, it has been all I wear. They have this aviator style that is my go-to.

A little tip if you are wanting to snag a pair – watch the price point on Amazon for a few days/weeks. Prices always fluctuate and I have purchased mine for $65 before. If you are wanting to spend less on sunglasses, a little tip is to search “Quay sunglasses” on Amazon and a lot of really great look-alikes and styles will pop up that are the under $20 price point. 

Hat

A lot of women will say “I’m not a hat person”. You want to know what I think? You put the hat on and guess what? You’re a hat person! Wear what you want to wear and love. That’s all there is to it.

My first Panama-style hat I found a few years ago at Target in the men’s section. Yes, because the thickness of my hair requires the world’s largest hat size, and shopping the men’s sections helps – ha! They no longer sell it, but I have discovered two other great options since.

This one from J.Crew Factory is great!

Then there is this one on Amazon at the same price point (another recommendation from Jen) and I love that it is adjustable.

Shoes

Again, I like simple. A pair of great leather flip flops or some crisp white sneakers and I am a happy camper. A few of my must-haves in my closet:

These cognac color leather flip flops from J.Crew factory are a go-to and come in a few different options.

Old Navy has a great option as well right here.

I have a pair of braided faux-leather flip flops I found back in March at Target, but they do not show online. They are a brown, cognac color so make sure and check your local store!

My Reebok classics are every mom’s best friend. Not only do they look fantastic (when kept clean), but they are so comfortable. Style them with some boyfriend jeans, a t-shirt, and a pair of Quays? Forggeta ’bout it.

And then what says summer like a pair of Sperry’s, am I right? I love this style, but there are so many good ones to choose from.

Those are my summer-style staples for you! And a minimalist approach because nothing beats simple and classic. Here’s to normalizing wearing the same five shirts on repeat, am I right?!

Did you scroll through and find something you love for your own closet?

P.S. Are you new here? I would love to include you in my weekly letters I send out every week. From my home to yours every Thursday!