Are you looking for clothes you can wear day-in and day-out all summer long? I’m sharing my hero summer clothes that I couldn’t live without, and I think they’ll work for you too!
Like every fashion-related post, I feel like I need to start out with a caveat. I am not a fashionista. I don’t follow the trends, or make really much of an effort to make sure I’m looking fly on a daily basis. What I am is a regular mom who wants to feel good (or at least not bad) about herself in clothes that fit her season of life. If you’re in a similar boat, keep reading. If you’re not, you’ve been warned.
As a mom of young kids (5 and 3), my clothes need to be comfortable, they need to fit, and they need to be affordable. They also need to be extremely easy to wear. I’m working part-time, writing this blog, keeping house, getting a kid ready to start Kindergarten, and trying not to waste one of the 18 summers that social media keeps telling me I have with my kids. I’ve got a lot on my plate. And so do you.
That’s why when I find clothes that tick all my boxes, I wear them on repeat. And I do so shamelessly. These are my hero summer clothes, and they are worth their weight in gold. If you’re looking for items that can be your hero summer clothes too, these will not disappoint.
Hero Summer Clothes for Moms
Denim shorts
I grew up in Florida, where I wore shorts approximately 11 months out of the year. Now that I live in a place that actually has seasons, I relish the few months of the year that I get to wear shorts. I live in shorts when it’s warm enough to bare my legs. Specifically, I live in denim shorts.
Denim shorts are comfortable (as long as you purchase a pair that’s generously cut and you buy your correct size), go with just about anything, and can be worn just about anywhere in the summer. You can dress them up with a cute going-out top (yes, I’m a Millennial) or keep it casual with a simple t-shirt. Of course, the standard denim shorts are blue, but don’t feel like you can’t branch out. I have blue denim shorts, of course, but I also have a black pair and a white pair that I consider my hero summer clothes just as much as the blue pairs.
My Fave
If you’re in the market for the perfect pair of denim shorts, get yourself a Sam’s Club or BJ’s Wholesale membership. The best denim shorts I’ve ever owned are the Weekend Short by Seven7, and I’ve only ever found them at Sam’s Club or BJ’s Wholesale. If you don’t have a membership to either of these stores and you’re not willing to join a wholesale club to buy a pair of shorts, the Old Navy OG Straight 5” inseam denim shorts are very similar.
Gauze set
If you’ve read any of my blog posts recently, you can’t have escaped my new obsession with gauze clothing. Gauze is just the perfect material for summer clothes for moms. It’s comfortable, breathable, versatile, and just straight-up easy to wear and still look good.
I have just about every article of clothing imaginable in gauze, but my gauze short sets are truly hero summer clothes for me. They are just so easy. Throw on the matching shirt and shorts and you know you look good and you’ll be comfortable doing whatever it is you have planned for the day. I don’t like to put too much thought into my outfits, so these are perfect for me.
In addition to wearing a set as a set, these gauze sets are also great to split up and wear on their own. I often wear the gauze shirts with denim shorts or the gauze shorts with a white t-shirt or tank top. Have I convinced you that you need a gauze set yet?
My Fave
If the answer is yes, I can’t recommend the two that I have and love more. First up is a gauze tank and shorts set from Walmart. Yes, you read that right, Walmart. The tank is oversized perfection and the shorts feel like pajamas but look put-together. A close second is the button-front and shorts set from Old Navy. This just screams beach vacation to me and I’m not mad about that.
White t-shirt
All my life I have loved a white t-shirt. They are great on their own, layered underneath something else, in short-, long-, and no-sleeve versions. I really think no woman’s wardrobe is complete without a white t-shirt. It’s truly the epitome of hero summer clothes.
It’s a good thing, then, that you can get a white t-shirt at pretty much any price point in pretty much any material.
My Fave
My preference is an affordable, v-neck, cotton white t-shirt, and the ones from Old Navy fit the bill nicely. For a tank version, you can’t beat the J. Crew Factory v-neck tank top. Whatever your preference, just find one that works for you and buy it. In fact, buy two. You will definitely wear them.
Short-sleeve button-front shirt
If I’m not wearing a gauze set or rocking a simple white tee, you’ll probably find me in a short-sleeve button-front shirt most days. This staple of my Spring mom uniform definitely transitions well to summer and makes my list of hero summer clothes. I mean, what other shirt can so easily go from work to play?
My short-sleeve button-front shirts run the gamut. I have denim ones, striped ones, and gauze ones. You name it, if they make it, I probably have it.
My Fave
As far as denim shirts go, the one I have and love is no longer available. The option currently available from Quince looks great, though. (As an aside, should I do a review of Quince? I’m so tempted!) My beloved Darby shirt from beach lunch lounge appears to be out of stock at most retailers, but if you can find it at your local T.J. Maxx, buy it! I did find a cute patriotic pattern at Stitch Fix if that tickles your toes. If it’s gauze you’re looking for, that shirt from my Old Navy set is great, as is this cute multi-color striped number from Macy’s. You won’t regret having a few short-sleeve button-front shirts in your closet, I promise!
Birkenstocks
Over the past few years (really since I became a mom), I have practically lived in my classic Birkenstock sandals in the summer. They may not be the most attractive or feminine sandals you’ve ever seen, but they sure are comfortable, and they hold up to motherhood well. If you’re looking for a pair of shoes that can go with all of your hero summer clothes, the classic Birkenstock is just what you’re looking for.
My Fave
Sure, you can pick brown or taupe, but why not choose a fun metallic to add a little pizzaz to your summer outfits? I have the silver leather version and they just make me happy. Not to mention the fact that they go with absolutely everything I own. Go on, get the shiny ones!
Baseball cap
Last, but certainly not least on my list of hero summer clothes is a classic baseball cap. I could not go through summer without one. In addition to keeping the sun off my basically transparent face, a baseball cap also hides a multitude of sins. Am I sweating profusely? A baseball cap can camouflage that! Did I go to the pool with my kids but haven’t had a chance to wash my hair? No one will know if I wear a baseball cap!
My Fave
The world is your oyster when it comes to finding the right baseball cap for you. You can pick a stylish baseball cap like this linen number from Kohl’s or represent your favorite team (Go Canes!). Whatever you choose, pick one that’s comfortable because you’ll probably wear it a lot.
Other posts
I can’t believe it, but I actually have quite a number of fashion-related posts now. Here’s a sampling if you’re into this sort of thing:
I really hope sharing my hero summer clothes helps you find your hero summer clothes. All moms deserve to be comfortable and look cute! What are your favorite clothing items this summer? Please share down below or over on Instagram @sarainseason.