30 Cute Outfit Ideas to Add to Your Summer Wardrobe Right Now

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What does summer 2024 have in store for you? A gorgeous vacation, afternoon brunches, rooftop soirees, a summer romance perhaps? Whatever the season brings, be sure to have a weather-appropriate outfit prepared. From sweating in the city to sparkling in the sea, we might not have your itinerary handled for the summer, but we’ll surely do our best to make sure you look good doing it (whatever it may be) in a cute summer outfit.

In the age of character dressing—clean girl, office siren, rocker girlfriend, etc.—choosing your aesthetic for the summer can seem overwhelmingly compartmentalized. Not to knock the aesthetics of the moment, but your personal style is an ever more important way to stand out from the other mob wives. This summer, try out different characters for different activities or, better yet, create your own complex and nuanced character: you. To help you get started writing your summer story, we’ve analyzed street style, social media, and runway trends to help build out your warm-weather wardrobe. Whether you’re nautical or nice, Wild West or heading east, or anything in-between, scroll on for your dose of summertime fit-spiration:

Pop of Red

You might’ve seen this phenomenon on the streets of New York or all over your Instagram feed. Red accents are nothing new, but the pop of red has become synonymous with a sleek, on-trend aesthetic in recent months. To meet the requirements of this trend, just a pop is all you need. Nothing more, nothing less!

Easy Shirt

Cowgirl Straight Cut-Out Knee Jeans

Blink Metallic Knot Slide Sandals

Mediterranean Summer

Whether you’re living it up in the Greek Islands, Mallorca, or St. Tropez, or you’re just trying to make it to work every day, you can still manifest the Mediterranean lifestyle. Dress for the life (or at least the vacation) you want!

The Nautilus Hair Clip

Lands' End Womens Supima Cotton Camisole White Plus 2X

Solid Kerry Long Skirt

Hot Pants

A trend we’ve seen season after season, the appropriate season for hot pants is finally here. You won’t have to freeze your butt off (literally) anymore for this summer ’fit. Pair with boots or loafers and an oversized blazer or moto jacket.

Cropped Embroidered Tank

Monica Shorts

Leather Harness Buckle Biker Boots

Scarf Tops

Nothing says summer like a flirty printed scarf worn as a top. Scarf tops can go with anything, from loose jeans to mini skirts, and look perfectly cool and casual. They’re also a great way to even out (or show off) your summer tan lines.

Ramona Scarf Top

Poppy Eco Jeans

Kitten Heels Thong Sandal

Boho Chic

If you paid attention at all during the recent fall/winter 2024 runway shows, you’ll know that boho is back and better than ever. That means fringe bags, flowy dresses, and slouchy boots will dominate the summer and last well into fall.

Ruffled Mini Dress

Miyako Two-Tone Denim Ankle Boots

Fringe Messenger Bag

Animal Prints

Animal prints are, in some fashion tribes, a neutral. Glamorous winter prints aside, summer is the best time to have fun with prints, from zebra to snakeskin. Mix and match or wear your print of choice as a single statement piece with true (a.k.a. other) neutrals.

Zebra Mesh Minidress

Suzanne Baguette Bag

The Marion Strappy Wedge Sandal

Brunch-Ready

This one goes out to the Sofia Richie Grainge wannabes of the world (so…most of us). For an elegant summer look that you can wear from brunch to boat (read: yacht), go for more skin coverage, minimalist colorways and patterns, and ultra-flattering silhouettes. Hamptons home not included.

Halter Knit Maxi Dress

Luna transparent Mesh Ballerina Flats

Small Andiamo

Nautical or Nice

We should all be around some form of water this summer, whether it’s a beach, lake, pool, sailboat, you name it. For this particular outfit trend, a port town is recommended but not required. We know boat shoes are making a big comeback thanks to Miu Miu, but stripes are fair game here, too.

Colorblock One Piece

Striped Mini Dress

Boat Shoe

Fresh Off the Beach

Even if you live nowhere near a beach, why not look like you do? Go for a carefree, California vibe with a beach-to-outdoor-dinner look: swimsuit top, denim shorts, and easy sandals, bonus points if you have gorgeous, glimmering jewelry to elevate the ’fit. In summer, the rules are what you make them! (Disclaimer: If you’re actually going from the beach to dinner, do make sure to bring dry bottoms to change into post-swim!)

Barbados Bandeau Top

Ayla Denim Shorts

Suede Sandals

Going West

Thanks to Beyoncé (and Lana del Rey’s upcoming country album, lest we forget), it’ll be a cowboy kind of summer. Get your cowboy boots and oversized belt buckles ready. Even if the Western look isn’t exactly your style, you can go with subtle nods to the trend, like the horse print swimsuit top from Solid & Striped. Yee haw!

The Miranda swimsuit Top

Parker Long Frayed Shorts

Howdy Y'all Boot

Office-Appropriate

Although you might dream of vacationing all summer long, you still have bills to pay, which means you’ll be taking frequent trips into the office. This simple, sophisticated tailored set is ideal for workdays.

Irena Tailored Fitted Vest

Irena High Waisted Tailored Pant

Miranda Semi Patent Leather Top Handle Bag

A Blazer Set

Many fashion lovers like to pair blazers with lengthy bottoms, but during the warmer months, swapping a long pair of pants for shorts or a skirt offers a cooler alternative.

New Agency Blazer

Contour Muscle Tank

Samba Vegan Shoes

Crochet Cover-Up

If you’re traveling to the beach this summer, packing a crochet cover-up is essential. I’d suggest pairing this colorful look with a white swimsuit set and a pair of comfy flip-flops that will carry you through the day. By the time the sun sets and the temperatures drop, you’ll be glad to have something to keep you warm.

Multicolor Open-Knit Halter Maxi Dress

Crochet Swim Triangle swimsuit Top

Crochet Swim swimsuit Bottom

Public Pajamas

A simple pajama-inspired set is arguably the easiest summer outfit idea to exist. If you don’t feel like putting a lot of energy into assembling an outfit, you’ll want to have one of these tucked away in your closet.

Garçon Cotton-blend Voile Shirt in Tidewater Stripe

Pull-on Short in Tidewater Stripe

Ully Lo Nappa Leather Sandal

The Button-Down Shirt

Button-down shirts have been around for ages, and they’re never going out of style. Why would they? The sharp seam lines and crisp collars exhibit a sense of elegance that is so appealing. To dress it down a bit, we recommend matching this outfit with a pair of white sneakers.

Linen Oversized Shirt

The Neale Linen Shorts

Marchello Pleated Linen Shorts

Air Max 90 Sneakers

Flow Retro Runner Sneakers

The Shirtdress

Summer is all about shedding clothing, so leave the pants behind. Of course, if you want to jazz things up, add a pair of classy mules.

Mary Classic Shirtdress

Magnolia Mule

Candy Mini Knotted Intrecciato Leather Tote

Summer Corsetry

Since the corset is the main attraction here, additional statement pieces aren’t necessary. Instead, a plain black skirt will suffice.

Strapless Corset Top

Opening Pencil Skirt

Houramu Light Blue Patent Leather Mules

The Micro Mini

If you were paying attention during Fashion Week last fall, chances are you witnessed the takeover of Miu Miu micro miniskirts—which are very much still en vogue. Mix up the proportions by styling micro-minis with oversized T-shirts.

Fitted Crew Marcy Tee

Audrey Pleated Cotton-twill Mini Skirt

Mia Low Waist Linen Skort

9060 Sneaker in Turtledove

9060 Sneaker in Turtledove

Baby Blues

We can’t get enough of baby blue this summer, especially in the form of a flowy maxi dress. You can even dress it down during the day with sneakers and up at night with heels.

Chambray Callahan Shirt Dress

Xt-6 Expanse Low Top Sneakers

Cat Eye in White

Easy Neutrals

While vibrant colors certainly dominate summertime fashion, neutrals deserve to shine too. This outfit is functional for a night out on the town or a casual summertime date night.

Audette Structured Cotton Twill Corset Top

High Rise Stride Jeans with Washwell

Dunk Low Retro Sneakers

Double Denim

The denim-on-denim look is such an early 2000s trend. How can anyone forget that Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake’s double-denim look? Well, this trend has definitely made a comeback, but in 2023, we’re opting for denim corsets paired with baggy jeans.

Corset Style Denim Top TRF

Tinsley Baggy High-Rise Jeans

Leather Croissant 90 Heel

The Silk Slip

Slip into a silky skirt for a leisurely day in the sun. Satin slip skirts are so versatile, and one of our favorite ways to style this look is with a white tank top.

Tasha Tank

Sense of Shine Midi Skirt

Linden Patent Leather Sandals

On the Down-Low

You may have thought the end of low-rise pants had happened years ago, but the style has seemingly resurfaced among the street style set. If you’re wondering how to style low-rise pants during the summer, a scarf or satin top might just be your answer.

Cowl Neck Cami

Elise Silk Crop Camisole

The Harlow Wide-Leg Pant

Daya Slide Sandal

The Harlow Wide-Leg Pant

Daya Slide Sandal

Unexpected Necklines

An unexpected neckline immediately transforms any outfit from simple to spellbinding. For a chocolate brown shade like this, beige accessories are your best bet.

Rossana Maxi Dress

Tribute Mules in Smooth Leather

VLOGO Small Raffia Top-Handle Bag

The Tailored Vest

There are certain pieces of clothing that are worthy of investment, and vests are one of them. During colder months, style them with a long sleeve garment underneath, and when temperatures warm up you can wear them solo. No matter the weather, vests are always there to save your wardrobe.

Baby Got Back Linen Vest

Wide-leg Linen-blend Pants

Joy Shoulder Bag

Black & White

At first glance, this outfit might appear dull, but I’d argue that it’s actually a flattering formula. The black-and-white combination will never go out of style, and its ageless quality is what makes it so special.

Fitted Ribbed Tank

Full Length Pants

Punta Leather Mules

Crema Nappa Mule

Maxed Out

Every summer wardrobe calls for a white maxi dress. And this season, crewneck styles are having quite a moment.

Asymmetric Draped Maxi Dress

Platform Strap Sandals

La Vague Shoulder Bag

Easy Co-ords

The coordinated look is simultaneously polished and casual. Take this look for example—we love how the sophisticated nature of the top balances the relaxed quality of the cargo pants.

Wide Strap Crop Top

The Oversized Poplin Shirt

Drop-Waist Wide-Leg Cargo Pant

Summer Brights

Weekend brunches have always been a beloved summertime activity, and aside from the bottomless mimosas and delicious food, dressing up for the occasion is the best part. To really serve a look, style a vibrant dress paired with toned-down accessories.

Tie-detail Shirt Dress

Linley Sandal

White Baguette Swipe Bag

A Go-To Formula

You know those days when you’d prefer to keep it lowkey, and the thought of piecing together a look is simply a nuisance? If you’re having trouble styling an outfit that doesn’t require a lot of effort, this outfit recipe comes to your rescue: one sleeveless top, wide-leg jeans, and sandals. What more could you need?

Halter Vest

Celia Bootcut Jeans

Ollie Zip Leather Shoulder Bag

Say hello to rooftop happy hours and weekend trips to the shore, because summer has officially arrived. Although many of us look forward to basking under the sun, we often spend endless time ruminating on what to wear before stepping outdoors. Sultry temperatures place several limitations on the type of fabrics we can wear and the amount of garments we can layer, so it’s understandable that dressing for warm weather can be tiresome. If you find yourself defaulting to overused outfit formulas that are lacking excitement, you're not alone.

Fortunately, we're here to help! One of the best ways to reignite your passion for summer dressing is to search for inspiration through street style looks. We’ve gone ahead and done that for you, perusing countless street style moments that took place across the globe, from New York City to Paris, and even Copenhagen. Below, you’ll find a curated collection of cute summer outfits that you can incorporate into your own wardrobe. We’ve got an outfit for every occasion, whether you’re grabbing brunch with friends, traveling to your summer getaway, or even running errands in the heat. And we've even taken note of all the hottest trends from crochet pieces to slip skirts.

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