Nordstromdo not sponsor this post. Thank you so much for supporting the brands that work with AWSL.
When most people talk about summer wardrobe essentials, they show you the same list of plain white sneakers and chino pants. But for me, a true summer staple is anything that keeps you cool, doesn’t require ironing, and makes you feel alive when it’s ninety degrees outside.
At a reader’s request, I’ve stepped out of my usual comfort zone to share colorful pieces and patterns that hit all those marks. They have the practicality you need in the heat, but with added fun built in.
This Faherty Lucia dresshe just jumped into my hand. A throw dress is very important in summer. The style is simple, the red is strong, and the fabric feels cool to the touch. Made from 100% organic cotton with adjustable straps and a fitted bodice for a sleek, fitted look. The medium fits me, but I prefer the smaller, which fits better under my arms.
I know many ladies like to have their arms covered, so I tried some options. On the left, I’m wearing this linen blend,Nic + Zoe Bolero cardiganin true red… I have their short linen cardigans and I find them very important in the summer.
The color match is amazing, and they looked like they belonged together. This shape also comes with asilver wispa neutral that can go with everything.
On the right, I wrote it about thisHalogen Eyelet Embroidery Shirt. I’m seeing a lot of both eyelet and embroidery this season, and I was happy to find this one that’s not too girly. The structured, boxy shape makes it the perfect piece to layer over things as a third layer, or button it up over a tank.
ThisHalogen Pintuck Skirtit is a blend of cotton linen with a touch of spandex for comfort. A neutral chambray color that looks cool in summer. The slightly flared A-line shape gets structure from the pintucks, which draw the eye up and down to elongate the look. It comes in a standard length, but I was pleased to find it came in smaller sizes.
I suggested it for this goodHalogen Striped Front-Tie Sleeveless Sweater.This is a sweater tank with “semi-cardigan” printed permanently over the shoulders. I say semi because from the back, you can just see the smooth bottom of the shirt with the sleeves well placed. I love making a cardigan over my shoulders, but it can get bulky, and this solves the problem. This also comes in two color combos.
This is Vince CamutoFeaturing a Floral Midi dresslight and airy as can be! It cinches the body with bra-friendly straps and will go well with flip-flops as it can be dressed up just for dinner. Rayon is a breathable fabric that feels cool to the touch, so you know it’s comfortable to wear. The brand says it’s big, but I didn’t find that to be the case for me in this little way.
Patterned wide-leg pants are having a big moment this summer, and Nordstroms has lots of great options. TheseHalogen Easy Wide Leg Pantsspoke to me because it’s a linen/rayon blend with a hidden side zipper, side pockets, and machine wash, tumble dry. Who wants to waste drying and ironing when it’s hot? Not me. For me, any pants that can be machine washed and dried are essential for summer.
ThisHalogen Ruffle Neck Flutter Sleeve Topit stands out with the peacock’s eye. Made of breathable and cool 100% cotton. Hip length means you can tuck it in or not, depending on what you pair it with.
Here’s another patterned pant, this time geometric all over.These are Halogen Relaxed Drawstring Satinnavy print pants with elastic waistband and drawstring. Multi-functional pieces like this are essential for travel, and I think these would also make a great pool cover.
I got into thisCaslon Swing Sleeveless top. It has a wide bottom and a slight A-line, but I shot it to show the belt. Plus, because the pants are baggy, I wanted something close to my body on top. This is a beautiful layering piece made from a cotton blend that comes in eight colors. I threwthis simple Caslon cardiganover my shoulders for some added style, and you can see how much better it looks when the cardigan is styled up likea sleeveless sweaterabove.
A lightweight third layer is often a welcome summer essential to cover up when the air conditioner feels like a freezer. This is Eileen FisherOrganic Cotton Gauze Jacketit’s been on my radar for a few weeks, and if they had a little something in store, it would come home with me. It’s just structured enough with welt pockets on the front and white buttons. I know a lot of people don’t care about the color of the buttons, but these blend in rather than draw attention.
I paired it with thisCaslon Straight Fit Stripe Knit Midi Skirtin navy and white. It’s 100% cotton with a decidedly nautical vibe and drawstring. It has a low slit in the back for ease of movement and is very comfortable to wear. This also comes in red and white, but I’m part of the navy.
If you’ve been around here for a while, you know that most of my clothes are from scratchNordstrom. They have a huge selection in store, but online is even better. Free shipping and returns can’t be beat, so I can order a few sizes and return the ones that don’t fit.
I saw the sign on the door, and the buzz I heard from several customers sounded great, so I’m looking forward to seeing what they have in store this year.
Are you wearing patterned pants this summer?