How to Build a Modest Summer Wardrobe That You’ll Love!

Do you love your wardrobe?

Honestly, I do love mine.

But I haven’t always.

I’ve certainly felt “stuck” when it comes to dressing well, and for a few good reasons: 

• I was unhappy about my body image and didn’t feel “good” in anything.
• I didn’t have time to shop for clothes.
• I couldn’t afford to update my wardrobe.
• I just didn’t feel like I’d really found my “style” or developed my personal taste.
• It seemed like everyone else looked better in their outfits than I did!

Do any of those reasons ring a bell with you?

If so, I think you’re going to love this post!

Today, I’m going to share some simple- but really awesome- tips for building a wardrobe that you can really and truly LOVE. 

No matter what your body shape, budget, or closet space is… you can absolutely love what you wear and how you look in your clothes.

I promise!

This particular post is going to feature summer time wardrobe essentials.

Now, I know that everyone’s ideal wardrobe is going to look slightly different.

Here is my grid for choosing clothing pieces (the outfits and ideas I share on this blog will always mesh with these priorities):

• modest
• functional
• classy
• feminine
• items that I really love
• pieces that compliment my body shape and complexion
• for summer time: clothing that is “cool” and colorful!

I believe that anyone can tweak those guidelines to create a personalized wardrobe that’s perfect for them!

If you haven’t already ready my post on The Habit of Dressing Well, please consider checking that out now.

(It has a lot of really helpful links and resources for learning how to dress according to your body type, personality and complexion.)

Now, just a reminder… I’m not a Beauty Blogger or a Fashionista.

I’m probably a lot like you- a woman who wants to feel and look her best, every day. 🙂

This post is part of our summer-long Beautiful, Healthy You series.

If you like what you’re reading here, I hope you’ll hit those “share” buttons so you friends and family can read and learn along with us!

A quick note before you dive into this post:

You’ll probably notice that most of the photos in this post aren’t professional shots.

They’re just me.

I’m not turning into a Narcissist, I promise!

I wanted to show you some real life, unedited ideas for dressing well… we all see enough photo-shopped, model-worthy images!

So here’s a peek into my summer closet…

Enjoy!

Layering Essentials

Layering is a really huge part of a modest wardrobe. 

But guess what?  Layering is NO FUN in the summer.

At least, not here in Texas, where we have super hot weather for months-on-end.

I’ve streamlined my layering to several very basic- and, yes, very essential– pieces.  

I mix and match most of my tanks and cami’s between dressy, casual, and business casual.

Which means I wear them A LOT, and I take really good care of them so that they last.

Here are my personal layering essentials for a modest, chic summer wardrobe: 

HalfTee’s and lace cami’s from Maurice’s.

Yes, that’s really it.

Just HalfTee’s and lace cami’s.

My girls and I enjoying frozen yogurt earlier this summer. I’m wearing a white Halftee (with sleeves) under a sleeveless top.

I own several of these each in basic colors, and they coordinate with everything in my summer wardrobe.

For me, that’s mainly navy, black and white.

Occasionally, I grab my vintage-rose (almost nude) HalfTee, or my dark gray cami.

Most days of the week if I’m wearing a layering piece, it’s black, white or navy.

What I love best about HalfTee’s is that they are so light to wear in the summer!

Typically, I wear the sleeveless tanks under blouses or tee shirts during the hot season.

I do have several “boyfriend” Halftee’s, for when a shirt needs sleeves.

You can shop HalfTee right here.

The main thing to keep in mind when shopping for layering pieces is that you only need a few basics. 

I always opt for colors that will compliment the majority of my wardrobe.

A navy “boyfriend” HalfTee layered beneath a casual, summer dress… this is a pic from a laid back school day with my little people.

Mix & Match Casual

My casual wardrobe is pretty  basic too: 

• two or three knee-length denim skirts
• light weight, knee-length skirts (prints and solids)
• comfy and cute tee shirts to mix and match with my skirts

I also have one or two casual pull-on dresses that I can wear when I’m out grocery shopping, or just  around the house with my kids.

I like to keep my everyday wardrobe so simple that all I have to do is grab something out of my closet and be ready for the day- and still feel pretty. 🙂

Another Halftee, layered beneath a sleeveless summer top, this time on a road trip with Jeremy last summer.

Mix & Match Dressy

Now we’re getting to my favorite part of building a wardrobe: dress clothes! 

Honestly, I could wear “career” clothes every day of my life.  I just love to dress up!

Since ritz’ing up every day isn’t practical, I keep a cute but practical “every day” capsule wardrobe on hand.  But you’d better believe that I dress up every chance I get!

Here’s a peek at my mix-and-match dressy summer time wardrobe essentials: 

• knee-length pencil skirts (floral, prints, and solids)
• a few light-weight maxi skirts
• dressy tank tops (for layering)
• dressy blouses
• short-sleeved or elbow-length blazers and jackets

My sister, Julie, and I on a hot Memorial Day Sunday! Julie layered a white blazer over a dressy cami, and finished the look with a black pencil skirt. I wore a white, lace peplum top with a bright red pencil skirt and a strand of pearls from Jeremy. xoxo

Summer Dresses

I feel so feminine and pretty in dresses, and I’ve learned a few styles that compliment my body type really well. 

I stick to those! 😉

Here are the summer dress styles that I wear to church, and other events that require dressing up: 

• sheath dresses
• A-line, fit-and-flare dresses
• maxi dresses with a high waist, or princess-cut bodice

A casual, sleeveless summer dress, layered with a black “boyfriend” HalfTee. My neon pink Kate Spade hand bag makes about any summer outfit pop!

Accessories

I’m not a huge accessorizer, but I do like a few carefully selected pieces to polish off my outfits. 

Here are a few things I pair with outfits- casual and dressy alike– to finish off a simple but put-together look:

• A designer purse– I’m a huge fan of Kate Spade, and I own a variety of both casual and dressy handbags.
• Cute shoes– I have about three pairs of casual shoes that match pretty much everything I own.  My dressy shoes include bright colors, a few patterned shoes, black and nude.
• Jewelry– I have a few favorite necklaces and rings that were gifts from my  husband or my grandma; I wear those when I want to dress up.  Otherwise, I wear a simple necklace to spruce up an everyday or business causal outfit.
• Sunglasses- I pretty much always wear sunshades during the summer.  My husband thinks they’re HUGE, but I love them!
• Hats– I do love hats, and I wear them!  In the summer, I wear a sun hat or ball cap when I need to keep the sunshine off my face- or when my  hair is crazy and I don’t want to take the time to fix it. 🙂  For special occasions like Easter and Mother’s Day, I wear a full-blown fancy hat to church- fascinator hats are my favorite!

I do love hats! This is a pic from a fun day at the Fort Worth Stockyards. I layered a light weight top from Maurice’s with a fun denim vest… and the hat!

Thanks so much for reading here at the blog!

This post is part of our summer-long Beautiful, Healthy You series.

If you like what you’re reading here, I hope you’ll hit those “share” buttons so you friends and family can read and learn along with us!

What would you add to this list?

What essentials keep you loving your summer-time wardrobe?