7 No-Fail Casual Summer Outfits

It’s summertime and the living is easy, and getting dressed each day should be easy too. Whether you’re going for a walk on the beach or at the lake, sitting on a restaurant patio and sipping a cold glass of white wine with girlfriends, or relaxing in the backyard with a good book, you need easy outfit recipes that you don’t have to think about and can pull from your closet.

Here are some effortless, elegant and casual outfits that always work in the summer.

Jeans + a Summery White Top

Jeans and a cute top is a go-to outfit formula no matter what time of year it is. In the summer, you can’t go wrong with a  pretty white top that has light summery details like lace, embroidery, mesh, or eyelet.

And when it comes to the jeans ‘ingredient’, look for a pair that is on-trend. Right now, cropped, straight-leg, frayed-hem and jeans with a stripe down the side are all trending.

Finally, don’t forget to update your accessories. Even one thing, like a cute new circle bag, can make all the difference.

Shorts + Off the Shoulder Top

Off the shoulder, one shoulder, cold shoulder – anything that reveals the shoulder is summery and flirty. It’s also dressier than just shorts and a t-shirt. Designers showed shorts of all sorts for spring and summer.

Of particularly good news for over-40 gals who tend to be a little more conservative when it comes to wearing short-shorts, longer versions like Bermuda shorts and knee-length shorts are definitely ‘in’ and give you the coverage you need.

And when it doubt, go with a classic length in a classic color like white.Capris Leggings +  Tunic

Capris leggings are super comfy and look fabulous paired with a long, breezy summer tunic for gals who like more coverage in the summer but still want to stay cool.

If you live in leggings, you may want to store your heavier-weight ones until the fall and pull on a pair that in a more lightweight fabric to help keep you cool. Just make sure they’re not see-through!

A Cute Linen Sundress 

Is there anything easier than a ‘throw-on-and-go’ sundress for summer? Cotton is good but linen says summer. I (For more ideas on how to look fab in linen, check out this article.)

There are plenty of sundresses to choose from but to keep it casual, cool and cute, go for one that has an easy fit and relaxed style like this cute shirtdress.

Fun accessories like these adorable slides with the wrap bow keep it from looking frumpy.

White Pants + Summery Top

What would summer be without white pants? (Worried about looking fat in white pants? Read this.) Cropped white jeans with fringe are currently popular but trendy-in-a-good-way white side-stripe pants or other non-jean cropped white cotton pants also will do very nicely.

A white bottom always looks lovely with a bright top like the off-the-shoulder one I show above or, if you prefer a more subdued palette, an on-trend top in a summery print will do just as well. Keep your top fresh and modern with a nod to current trends like this elegant cross-over blouse with the wide sleeves.

Neutral, natural accessories work beautifully with this tropical blouse.

Maxi Dress

Want an easy formula for something to wear to a barbecue or backyard cocktail party? A casual maxi dress will never let you down. It is the elusive sweet-spot between casual and dressy that we are always looking for, particularly when you wear it with a casual jean jacket and flat sandals.

And speaking of accessories and extras, have you checked out circle bags – the bag of the summer. If you’re on a tight budget and you’re looking for one thing to update every look, circle bags are a great option.

Wide Leg Pants

Loose flowy pants are cute, cool and summery. Wear them long or cropped with a simple t-shirt or other summery top.

I love the cropped ones I’m showing here. With their paper-bag waist and cropped length, they’re a modern version of a classic khaki pair of pants. These are the ones you’ll  live in all summer long.

Click the links below to take you directly to the stores to buy.

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