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​​7 Summer Fashion Essentials for 2021

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Summer Must-Haves to Keep You Cool in the Heat

While the latest trends might keep us in style for the moment, basics will be in fashion forever. Every season, we see certain pieces pop up again and again and still look good thanks to how classic and versatile they are. No matter what your style, having the essentials in your wardrobe will help make dressing up all the more effortless and true to you.

The summer season brings with it the hottest days of the year, meaning everyone is wearing fewer layers and allowing simplicity to take the reins. From the humble white t-shirt to your most flattering bathing suit, everyone has the basics they need to beat the summer heat. 

If you’re looking for more items to add to the collection, however, here are the best summer wardrobe essentials you’ll be using every time the season rolls around.


What are Basic Wardrobe Essentials?

Wardrobe essentials are those articles of clothing in your wardrobe that will never go out of style and that can easily be put into any outfit you can think of. While these pieces may not be the trendiest, their simplicity is their strength, as they’ll never get old or go out of style. 

Whether it’s a little black dress with ballet flats or boyfriend jeans with white trainers, the simplest items can give us a ton of outfits and pairings to work with.


What Should Be in a Summer Capsule Wardrobe?

One’s capsule summer wardrobe ideas are completely personal and up to their own taste and lifestyle, but there are certain summer staples that pretty much everyone has. Restrictive clothing goes out the window, with many women often reaching for that trustworthy t-shirt dress when they just can’t be bothered to decide on what to wear yet know that this simple piece will always look good and feel good. 

When it comes to summer footwear, everyone loves to give their toes some sun by wearing flip-flops and other airy, open-toed shoes. And of course, no one can go wrong with a carryall tote or crossbody bag that’s practical and just as stylish.


Summer Wardrobe Essentials: What are the Fashion Trends for Summer 2021?

White T-Shirt

No matter who you are or what your style is, no one can deny the timelessness and power of the plain white tee in your summer closet. This is without a doubt everyone’s number one on their summer essentials list, and there’s really no question as to why. A simple white t-shirt doesn’t keep you feeling cool and airy on hot summer days, but it also goes with any kind of outfit you put on. 

We also love that everyone’s go-to white shirt isn’t the same, with one opting for a crop top with cap sleeves to another one going for a linen button-down. White t-shirts, no matter the style, will always be super versatile options and a summer staple whatever the trends. Wear them with denim shorts, a midi skirt, or, if you’re feeling bold, wear white jeans and add some fun colours or eye-catching accessories or shoes like colourful scrunchies and platforms.

Denim Shorts

You can put your favourite jeans away and let your legs breathe in the summer months by reaching for a pair of jean shorts instead. Denim shorts have been around for decades and, like the white tee, are a summer wardrobe essential that will be in style every year no matter what. 

Denim shorts are the epitome of summer style that you can wear with anything, going from simple with a tank top and white sneakers to romantic with a flowy top with strappy sandals.

Hair Scarves

While it may not be in everyone’s summer basics, hair scarves are one of this year’s trends that can work any time and with any of your summer outfits. 

This accessory is perfect on hot days when you don’t feel like tying up your hair but want to keep your hair out of your face on a hot day. It’s a simple and affordable way to accessorise, so we think this is definitely one of 2021’s summer must-haves.

Denim Jacket

While a jacket doesn’t sound like something you wear often in the summer, it’s definitely a great layer on more chilly nights when you need something to keep you warm. 

We suggest going for a denim jacket made with more flexible, lightweight material so you can easily stuff it in your bag and go out for the day.

Little White Dress

While the little black dress is the year-round staple every woman owns, it can make way in your summer wardrobe for the little white dress. Because summer fashion is all about breathability and comfort, white dresses are a much more comfortable option for the season that also comes in a ton of styles to choose from. 

From a jersey t-shirt dress to a flowy cotton maxi dress, this summer must-have is a major fashion statement that anyone can rock. Wear it with ballet flats, your favourite sneakers, or any other comfortable shoes for easygoing vibes.

Statement Earrings

Another accessory that makes summer all the more fun are colourful, large, and bright earrings to pair when your summer outfit is a little more on the simple side. We love the look of a basic tee and white pants or bottoms offset by some colourful earrings.

Floral Dress

Patterns come in and out of style, but the one print that’s always in is floral. The floral dress is one of the ultimate summer wardrobe essentials we find nearly everyone has, and the best part of it is that there’s a floral dress out there for everyone, whether you like something more subdued or something more flashy. 

We love the look of a flowy, maxi dress that reminds us of the season, and there’s no beachier look than a floral dress with a straw hat and some block heel sandals.


Final Note

While the trends that come with every season can be fun to experiment with and wear, you really can’t beat the basics. We find ourselves curious about new summer trends every so often, but nothing can beat the most trusted clothes we own on hot days. 

Whatever your style, these basic pieces are sure to turn into, if they aren’t already, permanent staples in your summer wardrobe.

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Lucy Coleman

Lucy Coleman is a freelance writer and fashion enthusiast hailing from Edinburgh. She discovered her knack for both style and writing while studying at university and decided to pursue her passions thereafter. When she’s not going through racks of clothing at different shops in her spare time, Lucy enjoys listening to music, writing stories at cafés, and catching up to her favourite shows on Netflix.

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