Sundresses are the easiest way to get through the summer. But if you aren’t a dress enthusiast, or if you want a little more variety than wearing a dress everyday, an interesting top and neutral pants are the simplest alternative.
The pants will present no challenge if you collect a small set of options. For me, the relevant colors are: white, black, tan, and army green.
You will, however, want a few silhouettes to accommodate a selection of fun tops.
I posit that one could get through the whole summer with just two pairs of white pants (one wide-legged and slightly cropped, the other straight or slightly flared, slightly cropped or full-length) and two pairs of tan pants (one full-length straight-cut and one boot-cut or slightly flared).
I leave the army green and black pants to your discretion.
What makes a top fun? Asymmetry, a whimsical silhouette or beautiful dressmaker details.
I have bought many of the ones shown here on The RealReal. The labels I look for are Marni, Sacai, Brogger, Rosie Assoulin, and Isabel Marant. I’ve also had good luck over the years with JCrew and three brands carried by Shopbop and Nordstrom: Ganni, English Factory, and Endless Rose.
For tops, I favor white, black, and blue-and-white stripes because these colors generally don’t show sweat. As you will see below, however, I do occasionally like a chili red.
This top and I ran afoul of TSA at BWI airport several summers ago. The grommets set off the metal detector and the agent kept telling me to step to the side, when she actually meant for me to step back through the detector. We were facing one another such that side, front, and back should have had the same meaning. It was no “stage left” situation.
Read on, Directorate. There is more valuable information below.
Please note: The photos in this post are from 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 and my hair looks almost exactly the same in all of them. Consistency! May The Directrice be at least one constant in our rapidly changing (devolving!), frightening world.
Minor variations in hair probably reflect differences in humidity. Also, the eagle-eyed may notice more grey. It’s happening.
I like all of the tops. The variety of styles and colors make many choices possible.
This is so revelatory – the outfit completely changes with the different pant widths! I really love that Marni pleated peplum sleeveless top – so sharp. Thank you for putting so many photos together. It’s educational.
And thank you for your constancy. Much appreciated.
Such a helpful tutorial! Thank you!
I can’t help it, whenever I see that red-and-white bag, it’s all I can think about for days! Though now I’m also obsessed with the nom nom necklace. So many treats!