Summer bottoms
Summer time! The summer season is from June 21 to September 21. When we think of summer we think of relaxing in the sun, watermelon and peaches, lemonade, barbecues and picnics, and long days of sizzling temperatures. 🍉 A time of the warmest weather and the tiniest clothes, summer may also be the easiest time to dress of the whole year! That’s because you don’t need to layer or wear much for the most part. The heat really is made more bearable with the correct clothing which makes you feel lighter and more breezy. Read on for the best bottoms for your summer wardrobe. These are the top styles we recommend but you may or may not want to include all of them in your wardrobe. Use what best suits you and your unique style!
Summer bottoms essentials checklist:
Pleated skirt:
Pleated skirts in mid-lengths are absolutely gorgeous in the summertime! These skirts are perfect both for workdays and dinners because they have a very feminine and polished vibe. It is great that pleated skirts sit loose off the skin because it helps keep you cool! For the office, tuck in a collared shirt or add another tailored top or vest. For night, add fun heeled sandals and a cute bag. See more ways to wear skirts here.
Midi skirt:
Midi skirts in general are amazing for summer! They are flattering and chic, while keeping you comfortable and cool at the same time. Summery prints work well here, they are instant outfit-makers by pairing them with many basics you already have in your closet! Invest in a midi skirt you love, then wear it with casual footwear during the day and dressy heels at night. See more ways to wear skirts here.
Look for midi skirts at Nordstrom, J.Crew, and Free People.
Khaki shorts:
Khaki shorts — shorts in tan or camel colors — look so summery! You will feel light and ready for the sun in these shorts. Khaki shorts act as the perfect backdrop to just about any and all warm weather tops and jackets! They are a wonderful neutral basic for your summer wardrobe. We love how highly versatile this style is. See more ways to wear shorts here.
Find great shorts at Anthropologie, Express, and Loft.
Denim shorts:
Another way to show off your legs in the summer is with cute denim shorts! Denim shorts in blue or black are a summer staple for sure. Pair little denim shorts with fuller-coverage tops — like button-downs, peasant tops and blazers. That way you will feel more comfortable and not overly exposed. Or, if it’s scorching out pair denim shorts with a tank top like Taylor did! See more ways to wear shorts here.
Get great denim shorts at Express, Nordstrom, and Free People.
Dress shorts:
If you haven’t tried dress shorts, you are missing out! Dress shorts are a pleasure to wear and they are surprisingly flattering too. Since they’re not tight, they are very forgiving to the legs! A great summer closet staple is a pair of dress shorts in a solid color. Black leather is a nice choice that has the added bonus of being a great closet piece all-year — even in the winter with tights! White, yellow and red are some other fabulous colors for refined shorts. Wear these shorts with flat sandals for the day or pumps or sandals to dress them up at night! See more ways to wear shorts here.
Cotton drawstring pants:
A good quality pair of cotton drawstring pants can go from yoga or Pilates class to lunch with a friend or running errands. We love these light, comfy pants in the summer! Like wearing pajamas out of the house, these pants help you take advantage of the sporty athleisure trend. Get yourself a pair — you’ll be happy you did! See more way to wear these pants here.
Check out the cotton drawstring pants at Express, Free People, and Urban Outfitters.
Cropped lightweight pants:
Cropped lightweight pants are probably the quintessential pants of summer! Cotton and linen fabrics cut to expose the ankle make them very comfortable no matter how hot it gets outside. Cropped pants are perfect for the weekend, lunch, work or dinner activities — it just depends on what shoes and tops you put with them! Dress them down with flats and a tee, or up with a fun going-out top and heels. See more ways to wear cropped pants here.
Look for cropped lightweight pants at Loft, Gap, and White House Black Market.
Wide-leg trousers:
Wide-leg trousers are one of our favorite pants for summer! Make sure yours are in a lightweight fabric and you will love them for the beach, the office and everything in between. There is something that feels so elegant about wearing wide-leg trousers and wedges in the summer (part of it is the leg-lengthening effect!). A classic summery color such as white or tan is perfect, as are floral prints in fresh blues. See more ways to wear wide-leg trousers here.
Find wide-leg trousers at Loft, Free People, and Urban Outfitters.
White jeans:
When the weather starts warming up it is time to break out white jeans! As black jeans are the staple of winter, white jeans are the staple of summer. White jeans are classicly chic and what could be more neutral? They literally go with everything — pretty much all your warm-weather tops and footwear will look fabulous with them! See more ways to wear white jeans here.
Boyfriend jeans:
Boyfriend jeans are excellent for summer because their loose cut helps increase airflow, keeping you from overheating! But unlike the dark navy, gray and black boyfriend jeans of the winter, summer is the time to wear all the light, pretty, summery shades. Choose rugged boyfriend jeans in colors like blues, pinks and whites! See more ways to wear boyfriend jeans here.
Fun boyfriend jeans are at Gap, Urban Outfitters, and Levi’s.
Shop summer bottoms
