My Top 10 Summer Must-Haves
My Top 10 Summer Must-Haves
📍 Connecticut
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Swimsuit Top || Swimsuit Bottom || Pants || Sandals || Tote Bag || Hat || Sunglasses
There’s something about summer that makes me want to simplify everything. Easy dresses, woven bags tossed over the shoulder, beauty products that make you look a little more sun-kissed and awake, and pieces that work just as well for a morning coffee run as they do for dinner by the water.
As much as I love a trend, summer is the season where I lean hardest into timeless staples. The pieces I find myself reaching for over and over again are the ones that make getting dressed feel effortless while still looking polished and put together. Today, I’m sharing a handful of my favorite summer must-haves. These are the items that genuinely earn their keep in my wardrobe and beauty bag every single year.
A Chic Two-Piece Swimsuit
A great two-piece swimsuit is absolutely essential in my summer wardrobe, especially one that can double as a cropped top with linen pants or a breezy cover-up. I’ve been loving this polka dot set from Albion Fit because it feels equal parts classic and flattering. The vintage-inspired print paired with the rich brown tone feels a little unexpected for summer in the best way possible.
A Straw Tote Bag
If there’s one accessory that instantly says “summer,” it’s a woven straw tote. I use mine constantly from farmers markets and beach days to running errands around town. I love styles with leather trim because they feel polished enough to pair with dresses and sandals while still being practical for everyday use. Bonus points if it’s roomy enough to hold sunscreen, a book, snacks for Brennan, and an iced coffee.
Neutral Sandals
A simple pair of tan sandals will carry you through almost every summer occasion. I gravitate toward minimal styles that can work with everything from white denim to sundresses. They’re easy, timeless, and never feel overly trendy. In my opinion, the best summer wardrobe pieces are the ones you don’t have to think too hard about.
Lightweight Linen Dresses
Summer dressing becomes infinitely easier when you have a few linen staples in rotation. White linen button-downs, breezy pants, and relaxed dresses always make me feel polished without trying too hard. I especially love throwing a linen button-down over a swimsuit at the beach or pairing one with denim shorts and ballet flats for an easy New England summer look.
Oversized Sunglasses
Oversized sunglasses are one of those finishing touches that make every outfit feel a little chicer. They instantly elevate even the most casual look, whether it’s leggings and sneakers or a simple black dress. Personally, I tend to stick with classic tortoise or black frames that work year after year.
A Summer Signature Scent
I’m very much someone who associates fragrance with seasons, and summer calls for something fresh, coastal, and slightly citrusy. I love scents that feel clean and elegant rather than overly sweet. Think orange blossom, lime, herby basil, or soft coconut notes that smell like an expensive vacation.
Sunscreen
A good sunscreen is probably the single most important product in my summer routine, especially during long beach days, afternoons walking through the city, or weekends spent outside along the Connecticut coast. The key is finding one that feels lightweight and comfortable enough that you genuinely want to apply it every day.
A Wide-Brim Straw Hat
Part practical, part aesthetic, a good straw hat is a summer staple for me. It keeps the sun off your face while instantly making an outfit feel more pulled together. Whether I’m sitting by the water, walking through town, or spending the afternoon outside with Brennan, I almost always have one nearby.
White Denim
White denim is one of my favorite ways to make an outfit feel summery without resorting to bright colors or loud prints. I love pairing white jeans with striped sweaters, black tanks, linen shirts, or lightweight knitwear on cooler evenings by the water. They feel crisp, classic, and endlessly versatile.
A Great Beach Read
No summer essentials list would feel complete without a good book. Whether it’s a Jackie Kennedy biography, a glossy beach read, or a novel set somewhere along the French Riviera, I always have at least one book tucked into my tote bag throughout the summer months. Some of my favorite summer moments are the quiet ones spent reading outside with an iced coffee nearby.
Swimsuit Top || Swimsuit Bottom || Pants || Sandals || Tote Bag || Hat || Sunglasses
At the end of the day, my favorite summer staples are the pieces that make life feel a little easier and a little prettier. The items I return to year after year are timeless, functional, and versatile enough to work for everything from beach weekends to city days and casual dinners outside. And if you’re currently refreshing your own summer wardrobe, don’t forget to add a chic one-piece swimsuit to your list. Trust me, it’s one of those pieces you’ll end up reaching for constantly all season long.
Love from New England,
Katie
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