69 Items of Summer: The Extensive Wardrobe Checklist You Didn't Know You Needed
Curating a versatile, well-rounded wardrobe is no easy feat. It might seem simple, but between basics, statement pieces, and those in-between items that bring everything together, there's a lot to take into account before entering a single credit-card digit. Plus, apart from those core year-round pieces, it's essential to consider how styles change every season and every year, meaning that one always has to stay on their toes, prepped and ready to add or remove garments, shoes, and accessories at any given moment.
If only there was a checklist like the one we all got on the first day of school that listed off every notebook, marker, and folder that was paramount to our success in the 180 days ahead, but instead of school supplies, it would name wardrobe items for each of the four seasons. That way, no one would ever get caught up unexpectedly mid-season and have to scramble to find a core piece of their wardrobe after every option has already sold out.
That was my train of thought at least, which is why I went ahead and made one myself—starting with summer, of course. This list will allow you to easily and in a very organized manner (can you tell I'm extremely type A?) check off this season's most necessary garments, shoes, and accessories one by one until your warm-weather wardrobe is complete. From every variation of ballet flats to the perfect white denim, scroll through the ultimate summer checklist below.
T-Shirts and Tanks
Tops and Sweaters
The layering possibilities are truly endless.
Dresses
Outerwear
Pants and Shorts
For anyone on a budget, go for this more affordable alt from Free People. That said, as a proud owner of Tibi's Sid jeans, I can say with certainty that they're worth the price.
Skirts
Shoes
Bags
Accessories
Beachwear
May the tan lines be minimal and the beach pics go viral.
Shop the matching The Essential Bikini Bottoms ($70).
Shop the matching Bikini Bottom ($28).
Any time you need more coverage or support, a bra-style bikini top will save the day.
Shop the matching Hipster Full-Coverage Bikini Bottom ($25).
Next up: Someone Stop Me Before I Buy These 40 Zara, H&M, andReplica Store Finds
Eliza Huber is an NYC-based senior fashion editor who specializes in trend reporting, brand discovery, and the intersection of sports and fashion. She joinedBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing in 2021 from Refinery29, the job she took after graduating with a business degree from the University of Iowa. She's launched two columns, Let's Get a Room and Ways to Wear; profiled Dakota Fanning, Diane Kruger, Katie Holmes, Gracie Abrams, and Sabrina Carpenter; and reported on everything from the relationship between Formula One and fashion to the top runway trends each season. Eliza lives on the Upper West Side and spends her free time researching F1 fashion imagery for her side Instagram accounts @thepinnacleoffashion and @f1paddockfits, watching WNBA games, and scouring The RealReal for discounted Prada.
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