WordPress, out of what I can only assume is concern for/disappointment in my lack of posting, has been giving me little nudges in the form of reminding me about posts I wrote each day in past years. This is how I came upon my Summer Uniform post from 2021. Which, you may recall, was just over a year into the Covid-19 pandemic. Shudder.
While I was none too pleased to think about THAT time in our collective history, I did enjoy revisiting my Summer of Shorts, and am pleased to note that I now wear shorts regularly (in summer) with nary a thought. But it also made me realize that I have a new uniform this year, and I’m loving it.
My uniform has four simple components.
Component 1: Wide-leg summer-weight pants.
If you recall, I’ve had some trouble tracking down the exact right pants. The current styles tend to accentuate my pelvic area, which is not an area I am keen to emphasize; no shade if that’s an area you want to flaunt. But I have found three pairs of pants that don’t do that, and I’ve been wearing them on rotation.
These linen cotton pants from Loft:
These linen blend pants, also from Loft:
And these pants from Old Navy:
I would LOVE some navy pants with a pinstripe, and am continually on the hunt. To that end, I tried to order these navy striped pants, but my order was cancelled because they sold out. And now they are back in stock (and on sale!) but not in my size. This is the holy grail of summer pants, for me. I’ve ordered, tried on, and returned an embarrassing number of similar options with no luck.
I am a big fan of this component because it feels like I’m wearing pajamas, but it looks like I have made a teeny bit of effort to look like I haven’t just rolled out of bed. I tend to get compliments on my outfits, too, which is always nice. (And when it’s cool enough, I add a denim jacket on top. Perfection.)
Component 2: Basic white top.
I’m pretty sure I first saw this top on Instagram, although I can’t remember where. It’s a nice, bright white. It isn’t see-through. It has a nice balance between T-shirt and tank top. And the material – some sort of polyester/cotton blend – has a nice weight to it that feels a little “dressier” than most tees. I love this shirt so much, I now have three – two in white, one in black.
Component 3: Long pendant necklace.
This may no longer be in style (if it ever was), but I wear a silver metal hoop on a long silver chain pretty much every time I don this uniform. I got it a million years ago and it’s long enough for the pendant to reach nearly to my navel. I’m not finding a lot of things that are similar, which tells me it probably IS out of style. Here’s a current option. I also love a necklace stack like this one or this one.
Component 4: Comfy sandals.
You already know all about my favorite sandals. They continue to keep my feet happy without offending my aesthetic sensibilities (such as they are).
Flip flops (I have three pairs) or wedges.
By the way, I wore the flip flops on our spring vacation to California and they performed admirably. One day, my husband suggested we take a “short walk” from our hotel to the beach, and I figured I could handle a short walk in flip flops. (Normally I wear walking shoes for walking, because my feet are delicate flowers.) In fact, our walk ended up being 2.3 miles each way. In the hot hot heat. And my feet were totally fine! Any other shoes, and I KNOW they would have been at least sore and at worst full of blisters, but they were happy as could be. (My poor kiddo, who was wearing Old Navy flip flops, did not fare as well.) I could not have worn any other pair of flip flops for four-and-a-half miles. The experience made me fall in love all over again.
What are you wearing this summer?
I love the look of those pants, and have a couple pairs myself, but my issue is what to wear on top? I think they look best on other people when they wear a fitted top tucked in, but my belly won’t allow for that look at all, so I put on a looser top, untucked, and then just feel like a big loose hot mess. Those sandals look really comfy! If I’m an 8.5 would you recommend sizing up or down?
I definitely have that problem with wide leg pants too, and I think part of the solution is finding the right pants. The other part, for me, is that I tuck my shirt all the way in and then lift my arms up and that’s how I wear it. I have a friend who wears fitted midriff tops and I *love* that look, but have not been brave enough to try it myself.
I wear size 8 in the flipflops and 8.5 in the wedges!
Great looks, all! I have found several pairs of wide leg, lightweight pants and I am so happy! And you’re spot on about the white top. That’s a great one!
A person can never have enough white shirts!!
Love all of those pants! I just bought these from the big bad online store. I think they’re going to be great for work and will likely buy them in additional colors. Sadly, I’m finding even my largest “hard-pants” shorts aren’t feeling good this summer. Give me that elastic waist all the time (I am really and truly an old lady now, I guess)!!
WalMart had super-cute cotton athletic skirts a couple months ago and I bought the only color they had in my size; I need to go check and see if they have any more because they’re perfect. They come with built-in shorts underneath, yes!!
I’m also going to have to try your sandals. I bought some very very flat ones that are pretty but have no support. :/ We know how that’s going to go!
I love an athletic skirt with shorts underneath!
Hahaha — yes, I am really leaning into the elastic waist as well.
I like your summer outfit choices! As I still haven’t found gainful employment, I am living in shorts and tee shirts.
Shorts and tees is a fabulous choice, Gigi. Also, ugh, on the ongoing job hunt. <3
We can be summer twins – I live in wide-legged pants, “dressier” t-shirts and long necklaces. However, my go-to shoes are my Birkenstocks.
Yesssssss summer twins!
What’s this you say? Pants that look good but feel like pajamas??? My only issue with the wide leg look is the same as your first commenter. I would prefer not to wear a top tucked in (ahem) and if I wear something loose I feel like the whole outfit will just look baggy. I don’t know…
Can you link to the top? I like it! I’m looking for something tank top-ish that looks a little nicer.
FLIP FLOPS. I got my Reef flip flops that were promised to be “ridiculously comfortable” and they ARE!!! And they look much nicer than the Crocs I’ve been wearing everywhere. I’ve definitely gotten a shoe upgrade.
Whoops — I totally forgot the link to the top! Here it is: https://amzn.to/4e448vc
So glad you love your Reef flippies! A good pair of summer shoes is such a treasure.
I have been wearing the same clothes on repeat for over 3 months and reading this post was balm for my soul. One of the things I want to do this summer is elevate my wardrobe a bit.
I LOVE the clean lines of everything you’ve posted and how comfortable things look.
I think I need to invest in a pair of those comfy flipflops! I’ve been influenced 🙂
I imagine one of the best things about getting back home will be adding new options to your day-to-day clothing!
Yesss…. join me in flip flop happiness!
Dresses and sandals!! It’s dress weather!! Woot woot! It feels like I’m wearing pajamas, but people are always commenting on how put together I look. I’m excited for summer clothing in case you can’t tell.
I did buy two pairs of linen pants and a pair of cotton pants with white and blue stripes, but, it turns out, I think pants suck, so I haven’t been wearing them as much as I thought I would. Any waistline is a bad waistline. PJ life for me.
I love your summer look! Now I want to try some linen pants on. I do not have a pulled together look for summer. I wear a lot of skorts so I can bend down and now worry about giving the world a (terrible) show. I prefer dresses but wear shorts under it to make sure I again do not give a show. I guess I am paranoid about showing my undies or something! But I am still in that stage of parenting where there is a lot of crouching and such.
I don’t know what to wear this summer. Hot weather kills me, and I’m not comfortable in anything! I have a lot of old lady things happening, and exposing skin is distressing. I need someone to invent a pendant necklace where the pendant is a fan!
Suzanne, a great reflection.
my New Jersey summer uniform is : linen shorts/skirt, a bunch of tank tops , and sandals. I rarely use flip flops- my feet need support. Also a jacket- go into a store in the summer and you’d think you are in a freezer.
also, a few summer dresses, low maintenance but look put together with same sandals. I do not like to look frumpy. I noticed that if I iron my linen shorts I look less frumpy.
I, too, am seeking light-weight pants, but haven’t found any in the brick-and-mortar store. Maybe I will take the plunge and buy online.
You know how much I love these posts! I generally wear skorts with tanks, or capri-length pants with tanks, but I now have two long floaty skirts and they are EVERYTHING. My group of girlfriends are a dressy bunch when we go out, so I get to use some of my many (all black) sundresses. Skechers sandals, both the flats and wedges. And…I guess my athleisure when I’m walking Rex.
Sorry, I’m just fantasizing about living in a place where I could even THINK about wearing pants in the summer. It’s shorts all day, erryday, even at home, once May hits. It’s just TOO HOT and HUMID for anything else, bah.
I cycle through three pairs of shorts (olive green cargo, denim, khaki) with jeans or khaki pants on the days when it’s cool enough, or a denim skirt if I feel like it. Tops are mostly t-shirts with the occasional polo or short-sleeved button down.
Today I am wearing a very old t-shirt and denim shorts.
Since I’m petite with a short torso, those wide pants look hideous on me. I wish I could wear them becuase 1) they look comfy and 2) they look put together with a nice t-shirt/top.
I’m wearing a lot of Levi’s denim shorts or Vineyard Vines 3 1/2″ shorts, which are shorter than I wanted, but the 5″ ones looked terrible. Also, mostly wearing my Brooks or New Balance sneakers because I’ve been on my feet a lot!