Are you moving your dresses, t-shirts, and everything linen to the front of your closet? It’s getting to be that time of the year here in DC! I always love to see what warm weather styles stores begin to sell for the season and fill any wardrobe gaps I might have. Honestly, I’ve noticed quite a few wardrobe gaps each season since becoming a mom as my outfit needs continue to change. That’s why I rely on classic pieces. In general, I love to browse what’s new and explore fun summer prints and options while staying true to my personal style.
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Anyway, I know a lot of my friends who have kids a little older than mine are really busy this time of the year with graduation, summer camps, and birthday parties. So, I’m sharing a round up of summer outfits that us moms can wear throughout the season. These vary from outfits that you can wear on a park playdate to something you can wear to dinner with your friends.
Ten Practical and Chic Summer Mom Outfits
Here are a few ideas on easy ways to feel stylish this summer. If you aren’t interested in tips, just scroll down for the outfits!
But First, A Few Thoughts On How To Look Stylish In Summer For Moms
Create Mini Capsule Wardrobes for Different Parts of Your Routine
A capsule wardrobe doesn’t have to be for your whole closet. I love the idea of having a capsule wardrobe for playdates and one for dinner with friends. I find this is also really helpful in clearing out your closet because you’ll figure out really quickly what works and what doesn’t with your routine. For example, I love to rotate through just a few pieces when I exercise but the same items also work for casual playdates.
Lean Into Ecru If You Don’t Love White Jeans or White Pants
While white jeans are a closet staple all year, their moment to shine is definitely the summer. However, some white jeans turn out to show a little more than you were hoping, whether they’re literally see through or they just aren’t flattering. Ecru jeans are an excellent option and even have a little bit of an edge to them that bright white jeans just don’t have. Plus, they’re rarely see through. I own and love this pair of ecru high waisted jeans.
The same idea goes for white pants and ecru pants. I love the pair I’m wearing above! I linked a few in different fabrics, including denim and linen, below.
Choose Pieces That Look Good On You And That You Feel Comfortable Wearing
This is always my top piece of advice for anyone who is wondering where to start with their wardrobe. If you don’t feel good in a piece of clothing, it doesn’t matter how trendy it is or how pretty it looks in your closet. You won’t wear it, and you’ll regret purchasing it! I am definitely speaking from personal experience, ha! Interestingly, this is also something that was discussed a lot in my personal styling class I took last year – the number one rule when helping someone build an outfit is to make sure they like what they’re wearing.
This is especially true for moms – I feel like I am moving around a lot more than I did before being a mom. I didn’t used to have a little one to move in and out of a carseat. So, feeling good in your outfit and actually being comfortable in your clothes is hugely important! This doesn’t mean you have to pass on a pair of trendy jeans or shoes you love. I wear barrel jeans, for example, because I feel good in them and they’re comfortable.
What To Wear In Summer For Moms
Okay, let’s look at summer outfit ideas for moms. I broke up these outfits into two categories – some are casual and others are dressier.
Polished and Classy Mom Outfits
The first edit of outfits is for those days or nights when you can lean into getting dressed in something that makes you feel like you or a little more special. Some days, all that means is choosing linen pants instead of exercise leggings for errands or sightseeing. Sometimes, it means a chic dress! A few of these outfits also work for the office.
Linen Shift Dress
Not every mom outfit needs to be for a playdate where you’re wearing a hat and jean shorts. I also need so-called mom outfits for dinners with my family, friends, church, vacation, and more. A linen shift dress is a great option for a lot you’re doing this summer, which makes it feel super versatile. You can also wear a cotton sweater with this outfit to make sure you don’t get cold at night. Or, try a silk scarf! I recently picked up this one to wear with dresses.
My exact dress is old from Everlane, but both Quince and Tuckernuck have nearly identical options that I love. I’ve seen the Tuckernuck shift dress in store and it’s gorgeous. I always love Quince for a quality and affordable option.
Related: How to Style A Shift Dress
Linen Pants You’ll Want to Wear Everywhere
You can wear these linen pants with a button up, tank top, simple t-shirt, or even a tube top. I bought these pants in cream for a warm weather trip to Charleston after loving them in the burgundy color for spring. I love them both for summer! These pants are the definition of effortlessly chic. They’re the perfect amount of wide leg, they have pockets, and a super comfortable but chic waistband. I highly recommend these! I’m wearing the petite medium.
Linen Skirt With Lightweight Sweater
Okay, I’m obsessed with this linen skirt and wore it so much last summer. It’s one of those pieces you’ll just wear a ton – you can see it styled in two different ways below.
The skirt is perfect for events when you need to dress up a little bit – like a school play or a birthday party that isn’t at some sort of park. I wore it here for a garden tour with my family. The skirt is nice to style for casual outfits on the weekend, though. Don’t be afraid to wear it with a t-shirt and sneakers. You can wear it high waisted or a mid rise depending on what you prefer since the waistband is really forgiving.
Linen Skirt And Summer Button Up
This linen-cotton blend button up is a closet hero for the summer. I wear it with linen pants, jeans, travel outfits, and this skirt. I added a belt with fun sun medallions on it for a little unique style touch. You can wear this outfit to work or to brunch with your family!
Investment Dress for Special Moments
I bought this gorgeous Hunter Bell dress for my birthday weekend in Charleston. I love having a dress that feels special but is so easy to wear. I wore it with ballet flats so I could be comfortable walking to dinner. it would look really nice with heeled sandals or espadrilles. I linked a few pairs below that I’ve always loved.
You could also wear the dress with flat espadrilles for a super chic vacation outfit!
Strapless Dress That You Can Style For Family Dinner or Special Occasion
A simple cropped button up over a summer dress is such an easy way to create a chic outfit when you’re running around with little ones. I love how a cropped button up over a strapless dress instantly makes it family friendly too. I took this photo when we were out for a quick family dinner.
Casual Everyday Mom Outfits
These outfits are the ones you’ll reach for often for busy weekends, after school activities when you actually have a chance to change from work clothes, and family travel.
Elevated Cotton Pants
I swear by these pointelle cotton pants! They are perfect for playdates, coffee dates, or just running errands. I also wear them for long travel days, whether that means a long car trip or a flight. They’re the type of piece you can wear with sneakers or ballet flats.
I’m wearing a size medium in the pants and size two in the button up shirt. It runs a little oversized! This white tank top is my favorite for layering throughout all seasons. The mesh shoes I’m wearing are last year’s version, and this year’s version of the mary janes have polka dots. Everything is linked below!
Chic T-Shirt and Practical Jean Shorts
In case you haven’t seen any of my other blog posts or my Instagram, you should know that I hate shorts! But, these shorts are so comfortable, flattering, and insanely practical that I had to get them. They’re perfect for all sorts of mom duties! I love this exact outfit for running errands. If you’re heading to the park or another type of outdoor playdate, just throw on sneakers or flat espadrilles. You will be chic and comfortable! Check out the blog post I wrote about how to style jean shorts.
Lightweight Jeans Made To Wear In The Summer
These jeans are made super lightweight so that you can wear them all summer. I couldn’t believe how soft and, well, actually lightweight they were when I tried them on. If you love to wear jeans, these will be a wardrobe staple for you like they already are for me. They’re the perfect pants to take you from daytime errands to dinner with your friends – and little ones.
Okay, I know this is the casual outfit section of this post and this isn’t a casual look. But, I mostly wear these jeans all the time in the summer with sandals and a simple tee. I do love how the jeans look with an elevated shoe too, though!
Midi Dress and Button Up Shirt
I have so many photos in this type of outfit that it was hard to pick one, so I’m using an outfit that is just one of my favorite looks. It’s effortless, practical, but you still feel put together. Shop my sunglasses and shirt here.
My exact dress is old from Everlane, so I’ve linked some options that I love if you want to wear the dress by itself or with this button up over it.
I hope you found some outfit ideas today! Don’t forget to sign up for my email list! Check out casual mom outfits and stylish mom outfits here!
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