← Her Style Podcast | Shopping, Color Palettes, Fashion, Wardrobe, Outfits, Clothing
Her Style Podcast | Shopping, Color Palettes, Fashion, Wardrobe, Outfits, Clothing
239 | The Summer Style Essentials You’ll Actually Wear on Repeat
00:17:48
We are on the official countdown to summer over here! We opened our pool yesterday, which I probably won’t go in beyond my ankles until it warms up. But my wild and crazy boys are happy to take the cold plunge. Either way, it’s all very exciting!...
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Heather Riggs
We are on the official countdown to summer over here. We opened our pool yesterday, which I probably won't go in beyond my ankles until it warms up, but my wild and crazy boys are happy to take the cold plunge. Either way, it's all very exciting. I know our schools run a little later than some, but my son is working through an Alphabet countdown for the remaining days. Today, if you're curious, is the letter H for Hula Hoop day? So I cannot wait to hear all about that later this afternoon. But I digress. My point is that we are charging, charging full speed ahead into a new season and I want to make sure your closet is ready for the occasion. Let's make sure you have what you need to feel amazing in the months ahead. In this episode, I'm breaking down the basics for a cohesive summer closet, the trends you might want to consider adding in right now, and how to make smart shopping and styling decisions that will work well for your unique lifestyle preferences, physical features and budget. Are you ready to build a summer capsule you're going to be excited to wear on repeat? Then let's get to work, my friend. Welcome to her style podcast where we're all about empowering you to show up and get dressed every day with confidence. I'm your host, Heather Riggs, a 15 year and counting certified image consultant and color specialist ready to build a wardrobe and a personal style you love. Let's get started. Hold on, love. I did not mean to send you into panic mode with that intro. This is not the time to start stressing over what's on your calendar or what's lacking from your wardrobe and then spiraling out of control on a shopping list of a million and one items that you need to buy in order to survive the summer days ahead. Instead, I want you to take a deep breath and relax because we're not gonna buy more things to ease your worries or to feel excited when you go to get dressed. Instead, I want you to take a few minutes today and we're gonna help you identify and invest in the right pieces, the ones that are going to work for your real life, for your beautiful body, just as it is today, and as always, your personal preferences. So let's get strategic and figure out not what you're gonna want to wear once, but hopefully on repeat all season long. We're not talking about the trends that look cute on Pinterest, but then collect dust in the back of your closet or the capsule wardrobe lists that make you feel like you need a whole new wardrobe every three Months. Instead, today I'm going to give you the goods that are personalized, practical and designed to help you feel amazing in everything you wear this summer. Doesn't that sound so much better? So let's start with really what's going to make up the bones of a great summer wardrobe. I want to talk about those essential pieces that will really work hard for you, that will mix easily together and help keep you cool and comfortable all season long. I'm going to give you a few key categories that you can build from, but remember, we always want to personalize this for what works for you. The first thing that is really smart to consider for your summer capsule is some lightweight layers. I want you to think about breathable button down shirts or linen blazers, cropped jackets, those essential third pieces that are really going to be perfect for fluctuating temperatures and over air conditioned spaces. It's so nice to just have a few easy top layers that you can grab and go. The next thing to consider adding in are going to be some easy everyday tops. You might want to have a good mixture of some more fitted and relaxed styles. Think about tank tops and T shirts, short sleeve blouses, really whatever fits with your personal style aesthetics. And I think it's so smart to choose pieces that are in breathable fabric like cotton, modal or linen blends. So you want to look for necklines and sleeve lengths that flatter your body's shape and also help to balance your proportions. The next thing to consider on your list are some good bottoms that go with everything. Whether you love to wear denim shorts this time of year, some good flowy midi skirts, wide leg pants, maybe in a great linen fabric or just a solid pair of utility shorts. I want you to think about and choose some bottoms that compare with multiple tops and shoes that are already in your existing wardrobe. And I would recommend that you pick the styles that not only flatter your figure, hopefully that goes without saying, but that are going to work for your most frequent summer activities, whether that includes chasing the kids at the park or sitting at your desk at work, or if you're doing a lot of travel and you want some good options that feel comfortable but still stylish for for long travel days or times when you're maybe waiting to catch a plane at the airport. The next thing that I love to put on my personal summer shopping list and that you might wanna also consider for yours are just some simple one pieces and I'm not talking about bathing suits here, but I love some easy one piece outfits like sundresses rompers or jumpsuits. Well, I don't personally wear rompers or jumpsuits because that for me feels very impractical with how tiny my bladder is. And for me I don't wanna have to take off my whole out when I need to use the ladies room. So instead I personally will stick to some really great staple dresses that I can dress up or down, but whatever works for your personal taste. It is so nice to be able to just wake up, throw on one cute effortless piece and go. I generally prefer to invest in items that you can dress up or down that you might want to be able to wear to brunch or a baby shower or even to the office. With the right add ons, these can definitely make getting dressed up an easy no brainer. The next thing on the list are some good neutral, comfortable shoes. And you often are going to need to kind of switch out your footwear for this season. So you do want to make sure that you've checked off your need for any sandals, slides, even just basic trainers. Whatever you tend to reach for on the daily Remember, the goal here is to establish a collection of pieces that you want to wear on repeat. It's awesome to have a few shoes in your closet that can work with multiple outfits in multiple ways, so I would really love for you to have it least one essential pair that can take you from casual to elevated without a second thought. And the last thing on the summer essentials list are some good Go to accessories. Think sunglasses, straw bags or bags that you can pack up and take to the beach with you. Maybe it's a chic baseball hat in one of your best colors or a fun sun hat. Any items that are going to help you express your personality while pulling your summer outfits together. And here is the key. You don't need everything on this list I just gave you. You just need to pick the right key pieces, the ones that you're currently missing, and that will do the most for your wardrobe as a whole. Now before I get into how to decide what those items are, I want to sprinkle in a little extra something something just because while having those versatile basics is important and essential for you to get dressed, I'm also a big fan of keeping your wardrobe feeling fresh and current. So if you are curious about some of the things that are really tre for this summer, I want to share just a few standout essentials that you might want to consider. And of course, if you are obsessed with learning about trends and you want to know even more options. You can also head back to episode number 221. I'll link it up for you in the show. Notes I shared Spring 2025 fashion trends and what to wear this season. So that will help walk you through kind of the full list of trends to choose from, but a couple that I think are just really great across the board and easy to integrate into your summer wardrobe. Essentials are going to be first and foremost sheer fabrics because it gets I don't know about where you live, but it gets hot here and so having some good lightweight and breathable sheer pieces can really add a soft, sexy feel while helping to keep you nice and cool. You could try a sheer button down over a colorful camisole or basic black bralette. Or I am loving the skirts that have an added sheer overlay so you can just get that subtle peekaboo effect at the hemline. It's such a practical way to take advantage of this trend without feeling self conscious and or going too over the top. Another trend that I'm really loving for summer are the soft sorbet colors that are happening right now. We are seeing so many beautiful dreamy hues like pistachio lavender, my personal favorite butter yellow. You know I'm obsessed sky blue. I mean these are lovely additions if you typically wear neutrals, but you do want to start branching out and try something new like we talked about in a recent episode. And if you're afraid of feeling totally washed out, you could also just add one of these small pops of pastels in a low cost handbag or a piece of costume jewelry as a really fun summer addition. Another trend that you might want to consider are some utility inspired pieces. Think cargo pockets, zippered vests and belted shirt dresses. These are going to add a slight edge to your typical outfit but still feel totally effortless in one fell swoop. And this is the perfect trend to try if you have a natural, classic or slightly creative style. But really, depending on how you style and these pieces, I think that this trend can really work for anyone. All right, the next one is Bermuda shorts and this is definitely not a trend for everyone. But if you've been relieved to see the end of the short shorts craze season after season after season, then you might want to seize your moment and snatch up a pair of Capri or Bermuda length shorts this summer. I'm just saying if this is your thing, the time is now. Now if you're looking for a signature print this summer, I did share about picnic plaids in our seasonal Trend Episode Plaid is everywhere right now and what's great about it is you can apply it to any piece of clothing from a button down shirt to a sundress to a full skirt or shorts. The options are truly endless and the variety is available right now in stores. So that's another great essential trend that you might want to consider for your summer closet. And the last one is just a pair of minimalist sandals. Clean strappy silhouettes in neutral tones are going to serve you super well right now and you get big bonus points if they are comfy and walkable. You don't have to compromise fashion for function. You can go ahead and get those 10,000 steps in and snatch up a pair of really simple but comfortable sandals for the season. And remember, you do not have to chase every trend. I just want you to pick one from this list. Or you can go back and listen to the other full Spring 202520 Wow. 2025 trends episode that I shared not too long ago. Of course I'll link it up in the show notes for you. Or you can just keep looking for just one new style that aligns with your existing wardrobe or excites you in some way and experiment in a way that still feels like you. This is totally optional, but I do like to incorporate one or two trends each season just to keep my wardrobe feeling fresh and having some fun, keeping my closet a little bit playful and not taking my fashion too seriously. Okay, so now this is really the part of the episode that I care most about and it's helping you make sure that everything you buy and wear actually works for you. You know, I am not one for generic checklists of things that you must have in your closet. We have to take these options and then personalize them in a way that makes sense for you and makes your wardrobe feel complete. It's not for that influencer on your social media feed or for a life that you don't actually live like we talked about in our last podcast episod, but doing this in a way that is personalized to work for you. So here's how to get really intentional before you do any shopping for this season or before you even reorganize your closet for the summer and decide what to keep, replace, let go of, and fill in for this season. The first thing that I want you to do is to evaluate what you already wear on repeat. If you want to bring in more pieces that you absolutely love and want to wear over and over, don't reinvent the wheel. Start by looking at what's already working for you so you can do more of that? Ask yourself, what are the three pieces that you have worn the most in the past couple of weeks? Are there any common threads around comfort, fit, fabric, color, the overall aesthetic of those pieces? Again, I want you to do more of what's already working and build any new additions around that the next thing you can do. This one's not going to surprise you. But friend, please, if you haven't already, get your calendar out and look at how will you actually be spending your time this summer? Are you going on a couple of vacations? Will you be at the pool or the lake every day with your kiddos? Are you heading into the office as usual? I want you to focus on clothes that are going to match your real life. Think about how you want to look and feel for all the activities that you have going on because otherwise you're not going to have an occasion to wear pieces that you're bringing in just because you happen to like them if you don't have the actual need. So again, we want you to bring in items that you can wear on repeat. And so for that reason alone, they've got to work for all the different activities that you have going on. So definitely make sure that you take a peek at your calendar so you can set yourself up for success and have everything that you need all ready to go. The third thing is, as always, to consider your color palette. If you are drawn to certain colors or if you want to try one of the trending hues, maybe one of those beautiful pastels we talked about, make sure it complements your skin tone and that it pairs well with the other items in your closet. Remember we talked about last week in episode number 237 when you want to start branching out from neutrals or the colors that you've been defaulting to, it's so helpful to just start small. Maybe you want to try a new hue in a nail polish or a simple accessory or another low cost item and see how it feels first. But make sure that you are considering your color palette and when you're bringing in new things that it's going to work with the whole collection of your closet. All right, next, know your Go to silhouettes. You got to take a little time to think about what cuts you feel your best in. Is it high waisted shorts? Wrap dresses, a line skirts? Trends definitely come and go, but knowing your best shapes and what works for your body will always help you feel well put together and in style. All right, the last One on the list is to honor your budget. I do not want you to go broke chasing all the summer styles. So instead, remember that less is more. Start with one or two items that will help to refresh your wardrobe to give you the biggest return on your investment. And then you can always keep branching out from there as more funds become available. Or if you can find some things that are going on sale more towards the middle of the season. You don't have to buy everything all at once. And remember, sometimes it's one small item that can make a massive difference in your wardrobe. Maybe you just need to pick up a new belt that you can use for your shorts and to cinch your dresses at the waist. Or maybe you need a fresh pair of sandals that just look a little bit more up leveled from what you wore last summer. Maybe it's a simple pair of earrings and that's all you need to feel brand new and to make your other pieces work so much better together. Sometimes it's just those little details that you have maybe been neglecting or need to replace in some way that can make all the difference. All right, so there you have it. Your complete guide to building a summer wardrobe. And that actually works for you on repeat. We're not falling for those cookie cutter checklists. You can take some of the options and ideas that I gave you today, but taking the time to curate your own mix of pieces that you love. Choosing thoughtfully the trends that you enjoy and that align with how you want to show up. And outfits that make you feel like your very best self is going to make all the difference in showing up with confidence for everything you have going on over the next couple of months. And if you only take one thing away from this episode, let it be this. You don't need a huge wardrobe to have great style. You just need to have the right pieces in place and the confidence to put them together in some fun ways to keep you going. So if you need more support with this, you know I am always here for you. We can team up together inside her style collective this season. That would be such a joy for me to do. And if you want to join us and revamp your summer style, then you can head right in. Just go to herstylellc.com collective for all the details about this very strategic step by step program that's going to walk you through the whole process of building a wardrobe you love. Either way, I would like to know what is one item that you're excited to wear on repeat this summer? Come on over to our free Facebook community@herstylellc.com community. Tell me what that is for you. What's making it onto your summer shopping list? I would love to know what you're looking for. Thank you so much for hanging out with me on her Style podcast today, my sweet friend. I will meet you right back here again in just a couple days. Thank you for listening to today's episode. If you want to stop copying everyone else's style and start dialing in your own swoon worthy signature look, head over to take my free 5 minute personal style quiz which you can find at the link in the show notes. If you've enjoyed our time together, please be sure to rate, review and subscribe to her Style podcast so you never miss an episode. Finally, I invite you to make this a two way conversation and send me a DM over on Instagram eatherigstyle to let me know how I can best support you on your style journey. I'm always here for you in style and service. Until next time, Sam.