The Summer Top That Does The Most

20 ways I’m styling mine and under $200 finds

This week’s note is all about those throw-on-and-go cotton or linen tops. As easy as a tee but with more texture or shape. Since they already lean romantic, I like grounding them with something sporty or structured, it makes the outfit feel styled, not just sweet.

Across the board, these outfits came together quickly and I kept jewelry minimal. When proportions and fit are right, you really don’t need much else.

Lets begin!

One of my go-to summer tops is the brown one below. It has the ease of a tank but with structure and volume thanks to the cotton. It comes in a few colors but I love the brown - it tones down bright pieces better than black or white and feels more wearable.

greatest summer top of all. I found a pair of my red shorts in an XS (Heather Grey is also available in all sizes). I like these as a good comp. Here are the blue sneaks

I also love the tank with silk pants - the cotton adds structure and the silk drapes, that contrast creates the kind of tension that makes an outfit feel styled. I’d skip pairing it with pants in a similar cotton weight, the textures are too alike and can feel flat.

These flipper flops deserve a moment… I love the slight square toe and the dark chocolate brown - they are comfortable and work with all the bottoms I could imagine. I don’t know why no one is talking about them. Achem:

Joyce Lee

, these should make your list!

I usually detest a cap sleeve - strong word, but i’m not a fan of how it cuts off my arm. But alas! this top surprised me. The linen has a natural wrinkle that makes it ideal for packing, and the subtle pleats and texture make it feel elevated without trying too hard. The photos don’t really do it justice, I felt way better in it than it looks here.

I styled it below with this tailored trouser. It’s that structure meets softness thing again. The pants ground the look and give it shape, while the top adds ease. This combo would also work well with a simple slide or a heeled sandal, depending on your day.

This time I paired the same top with silk pants. Similar idea to the cotton / silk combo above, but the textures hit a little differently. Linen feels breezier, more undone, which makes the silk feel even sleeker in contrast.

On the left, I rolled the waistband - a small styling trick that slims the leg and shortens the length just enough for flats. On the right, I left the waistband unrolled, which works better with a heeled shoe to elongate the line. (More on that in this newsletter from a few weeks back).

Same Jcrew top as above. Chocolate brown silk pants. Greatest flipper flops in the land

Okay I know this look is more out-there but it’s also probably my fave. I love when pieces feel like they’re from totally different worlds - a sweet, romantic top paired with sporty track shorts. Like doing your hair on a lacrosse field. (I was going to say hockey field but idk if it’s a court? hmph)

Same shorts as above, sold out in most sizes in the red, but the heather grey is a solid alt. On the left, I wore simple Black flats. On the right, my Tabi sling-backs, I found them on sale if you’re a 37 or a 40.