Summer Wardrobe Refreshers to Wear Now (and Into Fall)
Retail Reconnaissance: The State of the Racks
I did a bit of in-person Retail Reconnaissance over the weekend, and came away…uninspired. Most of what I saw on the racks looked either bland and generic or cheap and overdone. I’m attributing this partly to being at the tail end of the summer retail season, though it also feels like there’s still a lingering “pandemic hangover.” What do I mean by that? Still recovering from a huge disruption, many brands seem to have either embraced extreme sobriety (beige, bland, safe) or conversely, have taken a YOLO approach and popped open a bottle of sparkling rosé to accompany the scrambled eggs and chorizo breakfast.
A Summer Wardrobe Refresh That Works Into Fall
But we still have several weeks of warm weather ahead, and if your summer wardrobe could use a refresh here and there, I’m starting to see pieces trickling in that aren’t quite so “beach vacation” coded. I’ve found better options online that you can wear now and into fall with just a few adjustments. Here are two versions of the same idea, one in a warm palette, and one in a cool.
A Warm-Toned Look: Olive & Cognac
First up, a warm-toned look built around olive and cognac. What I love about this combination is that it’s already halfway to fall — the palette does the transitional work for you. The linen pants and printed shirt are easy, breezy summer pieces, but come September, swap the woven flats for loafers, add a cardigan over the shirt, et voilà: nothing gets shelved. The tiger’s eye necklace and tortoise frames are the connective tissue here, bridging both seasons without missing a beat.
(Springs, you can replace the olive with brown, tan, or natural tones if you prefer.)
A Cool-Toned Version: Blue, White & Oxblood
And for those of you with cooler palettes (Winters & Summers) , the same idea in blue, white, and oxblood. The plaid shirt and white linen pants are pure summer, but that oxblood bag is the sleeper piece — it’s what carries this look forward. When the weather turns, trade the white pants for dark denim and everything else stays in rotation. The beaded necklaces add a playful note (and a bit of color mixing, which you know I’m always for) that works no matter the month.
Neither of these looks requires a wardrobe overhaul — that’s rather the point. A refresher should be just that: one or two pieces that slot in alongside what you already own and keep earning their place as the seasons shift. And if the racks near you are as uninspiring as the ones I saw this weekend, take heart — the good stuff is out there, it’s just hiding online for now.
Have you spotted anything lately that made you look twice, in stores or online? Do tell — I’m always curious what’s catching your eye.
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I love the way you write. Thanks for giving options.
Thanks, Susan!
Thank you for showing options in the cool color palette ( I am a Winter ).
Love the “warm” look although at first glance I thought the bag was a turban and was thinking wow that’s adventurous! I’m a classic winter and could get away with the olive trousers since they’re not near my face but what “cool” shade goes with olive other than white?
Hah! Several years ago a friend tried to get me to try a turban, but I just felt silly in it. She rocked one though! Cool colors to wear with olive: blue, burgundy, lilac. Since olive is a softer color, softer colors will probably work better than brighter ones. The one exception would be a neutral red, which I think looks smashing with olive.
Yesterday I saw a brown silk twill dress with a drawstring waist at Eileen Fisher that I thought looked perfect for August-September. It’s probably too dark for my coloring, but would look good on the right person.
I do not know how to wear pants with string ties at the waist. They always leave a bulge in the wrong place. Ideas?
Hi Lynn, I wear mine 3 ways: 1) with a shorter top, 2) with a half-tuck in front, or 3) with a shirt like those in the collages, unbuttoned below the waist.
I think drawstring waist pants tend to be unflattering on those of us with a bit of a tummy!
I have a bit of a tummy, and find that as long as there’s enough ease in the cut to not cling to the area, they’re fine. But it’s all about what feels right to each person.
I have not been shopping out as it is just too hot despite stores being freezing! Melting..freezing..melting..freezing..I am just trying to control my waistline so I will fit in Fall clothing that does not have drawstring waists. I do have a new pair of jeans to use and a new dark green purse purchased at the end of Winter sales for this Fall. Because it may be warm up until late September here and into October in SoCal , I bought 2 more pair of linen drawstring pants in olive and khaki. I have been using jersey dresses from 3 years ago purchased quickly in multiple colors after a ‘trial’ one. These are in navy, coral, black, and light pink. All but the pink can go out; that one seemed sheer but OK for home. Thank you for your suggestions and doing the research for us.
Both of these combos resonate with me, especially the olive/warm/autumn outfit. Both are cool, comfortable, classic. Relaxed, but polished.
Great post. Retail is not very inspiring these days. Having trouble with your links. Will try again later.
l love these outfits. I am always on the lookout for tops like this for summer. I just like my arms covered or wear spf clothing. I haven’t seen anything inspiring out there. summer is short here is short so I just make do.
Hi Susan!
Agree with what I see in stores in uninspiring at best v
Were you able to actually see and feel the banana republic linen?
I ordered some of their linen dresses and sent back due to the stiff scratchy quality of the linen.
Just wondering.
I did buy a few tops this summer but they were transitional long-sleeved knits in neutral colours from spring.
The hot weather has arrived but it was so smoky today that I couldn’t see across the street. I guess it’s finally time to bring out the summer clothes. Then it will be August and time to put them away. At this rate, the summer ‘fits should last until I’m 100 years old.
Good ideas but based on the El Nino-y-ness we’re having in Los Angeles, I fear it will be longer than I like until it cools off. Because I’m me (and I love color) I’m enjoying looking and trying not to buy from the Talbot’s Red Door sale right now. It’s tough with lots of stuff being 50 percent off of markdowns. What I’m seriously looking at are some things at Lesley Evers since they have such beautiful (colorful) clothing from mostly natural fibers, and I like to support a woman-owned in my sate company when I can. 🙂
I saw this jacket on the Nordstrom site.
https://www.nordstrom.com/s/blouson-sleeve-jacket/8598666?
Also, in store at Nordstrom, a Vince Camuto sleeveless sweater in very pale yellow and gray stripes, but cannot find it on the site. It was well over $300 but yellow (primrose for my summer pallete) and gray are a favorite combination. Everything you show in the cool collage is something I would wear. Thank you.
Mary
Love these looks Susan and I love your writing too, especially – “either beige-and-boxy or full-on sequins-at-breakfast” caused me to laugh out loud. Thank you for the inspiration as usual!!
I have spotted some soft cotton tops that I think would be really good for the heat here in Texas. I like to wear them with stretchy light weight ankle pants.
I have already bought two fall/winter pieces. Funky blue jeans and an arty black top. Of course I know that a black is not a colour for me near my face, so I am trying to brighten it up with bright and colourful jewellery like a lime yellow arty necklace. Very difficult to find.
Greetje
In Ohio, we typically have several months of warm weather remaining as of mid July. I enjoy fall weather and the accompanying clothes, but until the temperature drops and stays there, I’ll be in my lighter clothes.
Hi Susan,
I bought a red funnel neck jacket called Lola from Wyse London online recently, and I love it. This is a brand I have found somewhat recently. I bought a dress from them to go to a graduation in May and now will go really nicely with the red jacket in the Fall.
I also love Ann Mashburn and really rely on the seasonal sales.
Happy summer!
Hello Susan,
Because of you– I bought the Petite Barrel Jeans from Ruti last year. Good fit and soft fabric! Later, I returned for the black denim barrel denims and recently added the Ruti Go-To Skirt. I’m interested in the Parachute pants once they restock and the Utility Skirt in Coffee Brown that is currently on sale.
Hi Katherine, I’m so glad you like them!