Getting dressed in the summer should be easy. And yet, every year, I find myself staring into my closet wondering where my favorite pieces are. Everything is either too tight or too fussy. Why can’t I just throw something on, look pulled together and move on with my life. So I did what I always do when I need a reset: I went shopping. What I ended up with is a mix of easy dresses, relaxed denim, breezy linen and a few fun, slightly unhinged pieces that make an outfit feel like something. There are pants that don’t betray you when you sit, shoes that are actually walkable and at least one dress I plan to wear to multiple weddings. Here, 10 items I plan to frolic in all summer.
10 Summer Pieces PureWow’s Fashion Editor Can’t Stop Thinking About
Easy, fun and actually wearable
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Updated May 8, 2026
PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and some items may be gifted to us. Additionally, PureWow may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here.
Paula Boudes for PureWow
I always come back to a subtle necklace, and this is exactly my kind of everyday piece. I throw it on with everything—tees, button-downs, dresses—and it just works. I love that I can adjust the length depending on what I’m wearing, and the weight feels just right, noticeable but still easy all day. It’s one of those pieces I don’t even think about, I just reach for it.
FAST FACTS
- Carat Weight: 0.5
- Length: adjustable with jump rings at 16” & 18”
2. J. Crew Soleil Pant in Linen
j.crew
Nothing says summer like linen pants on the beach, and these are the pair I fully plan to live in. It’s so easy to reach for when I want to look like a relaxed, beachy version of myself…even if I’m nowhere near a beach. The drawstring waist is the real MVP here, because it’s actually comfortable (read: no holding your breath after lunch), and you can loosen or tighten as needed depending on the day. Also, they have pockets. Which means I will, without fail, put my phone in one and immediately forget where I put my phone. But still..pockets!
FAST FACTS
- Size Range: XXXS to 3X
- Material: 100% linen
3. Boden Ruffle Tulle Tiered Dress
Boden
I have three weddings this summer, and I’m not even pretending to spread out my outfits evenly—this is the dress I fully plan to wear to one…maybe two. It’s just too fun not to. The layers of tulle and ruffles bring all the drama (in a good way), while the fitted waist and deep neckline keep it from feeling over-the-top or costume-y.
FAST FACTS
- Size Range: 0 to 22
- Material: 100% recycled polyester
4. Birkenstock Arizona Woven Sandals
Birkenstock
I never expected to call Birkenstocks cute, but here we are. These are so fun. The woven detail gives them a little personality, like your usual Arizona’s cooler, slightly flirty cousin. You still get all the comfort, but now they actually look like part of the outfit instead of an afterthought.
FAST FACTS
- Size Range: 5 to 12
- Material: Leather
revolve
5. Susana Monaco Poplin Drop Waist Skirt
revolve
I’m big on color in the summer, if it doesn’t look like a highlighter, I’m (almost) not interested. And this skirt absolutely gets me. The shade alone is enough to make an outfit, but the drop-waist silhouette keeps it feeling a little cooler, a little more fashion-y than your standard summer skirt. It’s light, airy cotton poplin, so it actually moves when you walk. Also, it has that sneaky combo of structure in the front and a little give in the back, so you still feel comfortable.
FAST FACTS
- Size Range: XS to XL
- Material: Cotton
6. Margaux The Deia 50
margeaux
I’m not usually a thong heel person, but these made me reconsider everything. They’re that perfect mix of minimal but still interesting, like you have great taste and don’t need to announce it. The heel is actually walkable meaning you can wear these longer than the walk from the car to dinner without regret, and the nappa leather is so soft it doesn’t feel like it’s plotting against your feet. I also love the slightly square toe, which makes them feel a little more fashion-y and less “I found these in 2002.”
FAST FACTS
- Size Range: 3.5 to 14
- Material: Nappa upper with leather lining
Track pants are all the rage right now, but these are what happen when track pants grow up, get a job and start making real money. They’ve got that same easy, pull-on comfort (elastic waist, a little give), but the wide-leg silhouette and fabric make them feel way more polished than anything you’d actually work out in. I also love the little details—the adjustable hem snaps, the structure through the leg. These are the pants you wear when you want the ease of sweats, but refuse to look like you gave up.
FAST FACTS
- Size Range: XXS to XL
- Material: Polyamide, cotton, elastane
mm lafleur
8. M.M. Lafleur The Aliza Travel Vest
mm lafleur
This is exactly the kind of piece I always want in my suitcase. I’m big on anything wrinkle-resistant when I travel, because I refuse to spend time steaming in a hotel room, and this one really delivers. It’s made to be thrown in a bag, pulled out and worn immediately without looking like you just unpacked it.
FAST FACTS
- Size Range: 00 to 20
- Material: Polyester and polyurethane
I saw this dress and immediately thought, yes, this is who I am this summer. The smocked top is relaxed (no fidgeting, no adjusting), the skirt is light and flowy, and the pockets? Dangerous. I will absolutely be stuffing them with snacks, receipts and at least one random toy for my kids. But the real kicker is the matching moment. There’s a coordinating shirt and dress for little ones, and as someone with a 6-year-old, I’m fully leaning in while I still can. I know this window is closing fast, so if that means we show up somewhere slightly too coordinated…so be it.
FAST FACTS
- Size Range: XXS to XXL
- Material: cotton
dl1961
I’m very picky about denim shorts (they either make me feel amazing or personally attacked), and these fall firmly in the we’re good category. They’re high-rise, which I love, and relaxed through the leg, which I also love—so nothing is squeezing, cutting or doing anything weird when I sit down. The 3-inch inseam also makes my legs look much longer than they really are. Consider me obsessed!
FAST FACTS
- Size Range: 23 to 34
- Material: Cotton and lycra
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PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.
