I have a really fun summer try-on for you today with pieces from Nordstrom, Amazon, LOFT, Ann Taylor, J.Crew Factory, Pact, and more! There’s a solid mix of summer-ready basics in this batch, some updated classics, and several fun pieces that genuinely surprised me. A lot of good finds! There are also some misses that didn’t work out for me, and I’ll share why.

Let’s get into it!

SIZING: I’m 5’6″ and usually S/M or 6 in clothes and 8.5 to 9 in shoes.

Amazon Chambray Shorts – size M

Really cute and pretty affordable! Comfortable and in a good wash that goes with a lot of colors. High rise with a cute paperbag waist.

There are a few downsides for me PERSONALLY, so evaluate whether they apply to you: 

Fit — the fabric bunches weirdly at the crotch on me. I’m an hourglass shape with curvy hips and a narrower waist, and I think having to cinch in at the waist is making this fabric bunch. These might be better for inverted triangle, rectangle, and apple shapes.

The inseam is 3″, whereas I prefer 4.5″ to 5″.

I wish these shorts fit me better because I really like them! If these sound like they’d fit your shape and inseam preferences better than mine, at least order them to try!

P.S. You have no idea how happy I am to have a graphic t-shirt that I don’t have to tuck!! I sized up to M in this one — runs very small.

Shop the Outfit:
Shorts: Amazon (wearing size M)
Tee: Target (wearing size M)
Sandals: Crocs (wearing size 8)
Earrings: Amazon

Amazon ODODOS Shorts – size M

If you’re on my email list, THESE are the shorts I emailed about last Wednesday! The fabric is SO SOFT but still thick so that it smooths you out. Also really stretchy and so comfortable, plus an elastic waistband!

You can wear them with an athleisure tee and sneakers, or you can wear them with an elevated tee, like I’m wearing here, and sandals.

​They have a high rise and a 4.5” inseam (but it feels even a bit longer), which lets them hang well without riding up. Several colors — and some are on sale right now for under $25, HERE. Sized up to M.

Ann Taylor Weekend Top – size S

I admittedly have sticker shock about the price of this tee, even on sale. But DANG, it is so understatedly awesome. You know how you want to look good in a white tee but it’s impossible to find a white tee? I’m not saying this is THE white t-shirt — because it’s actually a step above.

First, SUPER COMFY. It’s SO SOFT, thick (similar to the Amazon shorts fabric), and stretchy. Just SO comfortable. It’s super casual and comfortable but so much more elevated than a regular t-shirt. Like, INSTANT polish. INSTANTLY elevated.

ALSO, the armholes don’t show your bra!! HALLELUJAH!

Again, I have sticker shock with the price, but I can’t get over how much more pulled together you feel in a tee like this — without looking overdone AT ALL. Available in XXS to XXL, HERE. Wearing size S.

Shop the Outfit:
Tee (Weekend Top): Ann Taylor (wearing size S)
Shorts: Amazon (wearing size M)
Necklace: Electric Picks
Sandals: Crocs (wearing size 8)

Ann Taylor Pants – wearing size 6

These pants are fun — super summery but polished and wearable for work and casual. They’re fully lined and are honestly thicker than I prefer for summer, but they have a place: cooler summer days or for work in an air conditioned space when you often have to walk outside for your job (like working at a university or college). These give you a good middle ground. Also slightly big for me, but fun nonetheless!

By the way, I’m wearing that Weekend Top from the photo above here! See it in an elevated outfit?? SO GOOD.

Ann Taylor Crochet Windowpane Top – wearing size S

CUTE! 😍 The crochet windowpane design is perfectly light and airy for summer and adds so much style to your looks without more effort! This is good if you like that gauzy top look but need a dressier one for work. It’s also great if you just love to wear really cute tops like this with jeans or denim shorts while out and about! It’s only 20.5″ long, giving you the option of wearing it untucked. Available HERE in straight and petite sizing from XXS to XXL. Wearing size S.

(I’ll talk about the pants near the bottom of this post!)

Naturalizer Woven Flats – wearing size 9

If you’re looking for an updated flat, these are easy to style and modern with the square toe. Also, v-cut flats are trending, but I prefer how this pair is just a subtle nod to it — not super pronounced.

LOFT Chambray Pants – wearing size S

These pants give you polished, clean lines! I’ll say the thin waistband does make them more prone to looking like pajamas, but you can definitely style them so that they don’t. Here I’m pairing them with this ribbed tank and that Weekend Top again, and OF COURSE, it looks effortlessly chic!

I topped off both looks with the same sandals in two different colors. These sandals will probably be the MVPs of the summer — look how many outfits they’re in throughout this whole post! They are REALLY comfortable with a cushioned footbed. For the metallic option, the gold isn’t too shiny, but that subtle shine gives outfits that little elevated boost that summer outfits can often use. Plus, they’re water-resistant!!! Wear them out to lunch and then straight to the beach! Find them HERE. I wear size 8.

Shop the Outfits:
Tank Top: Kohl’s (wearing size M)
Weekend Top: Ann Taylor (wearing size S)
Pants: LOFT
Beaded Necklace: Amazon
Necklace: Electric Picks
Sandals: Crocs (wearing size 8)

Ruffle Collar Bomber Jacket – wearing size S

I LOVE this jacket!!! Color — GORGEOUS. Perfectly lightweight for summer. Comfortable. And cuuuute details like the ruffle collar and drawstring bottom to cinch it up if you like. Available in straight and petite in XXS to XXL, HERE. Wearing size S.

Shop the Outfit:
Tee: Kohl’s (wearing size M)
Shorts: Gap Factory (wearing size S)
Jacket: LOFT (wearing size S)
Necklace: Electric Picks
Earrings: Amazon
Sandals: Crocs (wearing size 8)

Fringe Pointelle Sweater Tank

This tank is a fun piece for a summer concert or simply for a picnic in the park! And on sale. 😄 It comes in straight and petite in XXS to XXL, HERE. Wearing size S.

Shop the Outfit:
Tank: LOFT (wearing size S)
Shorts: Gap Factory (wearing size S)
Earrings: Amazon
Necklace: c/o Bryan Anthonys
Sandals: Crocs (wearing size 8)

Nikes – wearing size 9.5

Can’t lie, I’m so weirded out by Y2K styles coming back. I look around at teens and 20-somethings wearing things we wore when we were that age, and I keep second guessing if they’re dressing outdated. I mean, I know they’re not, but I’m still not used to it! I’m slowly coming around, though I never plan to be back in a tube top. 😂

All the cool coaches at Addie’s volleyball club wear sneakers like these (that we wore at their age!) My eye has been adjusting to the recirculated style, and here I am. These Nikes are current, versatile, and comfortable! Gotta admit, my sneakers were starting to look tired and outdated, and these are a cool update. Find them HERE! I sized up to 9.5.

By the way, these socks are cushiony and so affordable — $11.99 for 5 pairs. Addie started stealing mine, so I had to get another pack! Find them HERE. Wearing size S.

Shop the Outfit:
Tee: Cuts (wearing size M)
Leggings: Nordstrom; similar
Jacket: Nordstrom (wearing size S)
Socks: Amazon
Shoes: Nike (wearing size 9.5)

Nordstrom Eyelet Top – wearing size S

Ohhh I love this one! First, fantastic length for me to not have to tuck. I have a short torso, though, so it might be too short for many of you. I love it though! SO easy to wear. The front is lined, while the back is not, so you get coverage in the front but can stay cooler with the single-layer back. Also available in a fun cobalt blue HERE!

KUT From the Kloth Linen Pants – wearing size 4

Linen pants that actually look like pants! Say bye-bye to the reputation linen pants have for looking sloppy and like pajamas. These look just like regular pants — button, zipper, and back pockets. But they’re a linen/rayon blend, so they have the lightness of linen you love with the structure and polish you crave!​

Top: Nordstrom (wearing size S)
Pants: Nordstrom (wearing size 4)
Sandals: Crocs (wearing size 8)

Sneaker (SO COMFY!) – I wear size 9

Whoaaaaaaa, these sneakers are SO STINKING COMFORTABLE! They are Brooks and feel like you’re WALKING ON CLOUDS! 🤯 I wish I had these before I went to Disneyland a couple of months ago. Even though I survived Disney pretty well with my New Balances, these Brooks would have been even better. (The New Balances are easier to style, though, so those are still a good everyday sporty sneaker!)

These are a running sneaker, but of course you can wear them for daily walking. They have bounce. And again, like walking on clouds! — just SO dang comfortable! If you need a good sneaker for a lot of walking, definitely check these out!

Available in black/white and white as well, HERE.

Men’s Sandal (Oops, ha!)

I accidentally ordered this men’s sandal, but I’m sharing it with you because it’s also SO COMFORTABLE! The footbed is SO CUSHIONY but also supportive. Has a little arch support, too. LOVE it! It’d be a really good present for Father’s Day.

I want the women’s version, as the men’s version is a little too wide for me, but I’m not sure exactly which one it is. 😭 Perhaps THIS one is the equivalent??

J.Crew Factory Linen Pants – wearing size 6

Isn’t this color fun? It’s everywhere this summer! These pants are the popular Lizzie cut from J.Crew Factory, in a summer weight linen. The drape is great — the leg line just falls beautifully straight, yet they’re a linen blend so they’re lighter and keep you cooler. Great for casual and work looks! 

J.Crew Factory Gauze Popover – wearing size S

A gauze top is a summer essential in my book. If tops with collars help you feel more pulled together, this one is one to try — SOFT and comfortable. Several colors HERE. Wearing size S.

Shop the Outfit:
Top: J.Crew Factory (wearing size S)
Pants: J.Crew Factory (wearing size S)
Shoes: Naturalizer (wearing size 9)
Necklace: Electric Picks

J.Crew Factory Tee – wearing size S

You know how I am with graphic tees — moth to a flame. LOVE the color, design, and slightly relaxed fit. Find it HERE. Wearing size S.

I’m wearing the tee with the LC Lauren Conrad black denim shorts. These are thick and sturdy but stretchy and move with you! Find them HERE. I wear size 6.

This tee also works great with my ever-favorite summer pants, the breathable Old Navy Playas, shown in the second pic above.

Swimsuits: Tops | Bottoms – wearing M for both

A PMT Style Club member said these swimsuits were her go-tos, and when they went on sale, I jumped on it. I LOVE how they’re sporty and cute at the same time! They have a super high waist, provide a decent amount of back coverage, and the ribbed texture makes them WAY cuter than a regular swimsuit in the same cut! They also come in GORGEOUS colors — it was honestly hard to choose… so um, I got a lot, haha! (They were just $9.99 for the bottoms and $12 for the tops!) Bottoms are HERE and tops are HERE. I sized up to M in both.

Pact Shorts & Pact Tank – wearing S for both

These beach shorts and muscle tee are both from Pact. Both really SOFT and comfortable and made from 100% organic cotton. Both available in various colors, from sizes XS to 2XL, HERE. Wearing size S.

Note: the tank does show your bra through the armholes, unfortunately. Annoying for regular wear, but okay if you wear this as a beach coverup. (The shorts are called “beach shorts.”)

Want Outfit Ideas to Wear These Pieces All Summer Long?

If you just found a few pieces you love and want to actually know how to wear them — the Summer 2026 Wardrobe & Outfit Guide has you covered. It gives you ready-to-use outfit ideas so you’re never staring at your closet wondering what to put together.

Inside, you’ll find:

• A guided plan for building a functional summer wardrobe
• A capsule of pieces that turn into tons of outfit combinations for casual days, workdays, and everything in between
• Outfit ideas at your fingertips so getting dressed takes less time and mental energy
• A bonus shopping guide with curated links so you’re not hunting around the internet yourself

Check out the Summer 2026 Wardrobe & Outfit Guide and make the most of everything in your summer closet.