The best summer outfit ideas for every occasion

Date: May 1, 2025

It’s finally, officially summer. Yay! Now it’s time to get dressed—and get moving on all your summer plans. If you’re anything like us, your summer is probably stacked with holidays, weddings, get-togethers, and weekend trips, and you need clothes for all of it. That’s where we come in. We’ve got tons of summer outfit ideas to take you from cabin weekends to a patio happy hour on a sunny Friday afternoon. What could be better than that?

Summer holidays

Summer is bookended by holidays, kicking off with Memorial Day and ending with Labor Day. Chances are you’ve probably got a picnic, barbeque, or family gathering on the calendar for one or all of these holidays, including the Fourth of July. That’s why we recommend focusing on comfort and ease: cutoff shorts and a T-shirt or linen tank top, a lightweight linen sundress and sandals, or a cute matching top and shorts set. On the Fourth, lean into the festive spirit with a punchy red dress or tank top and a baseball cap. Sparklers, anyone?

Girls night out

Heading to an outdoor concert or a night of restaurant- and bar-hopping with your BFFs? You want to look cute but stay cool, so we recommend a monochromatic outfit in creamy white or red, like a crochet tank and skirt set, which feels sleek, stylish, and summery. Shift dresses are a summer classic, and the mini length looks great with a cute bag and a kitten heel. We also love a crochet top with jeans or white pants, as the peekaboo effect of crochet means you can wear your cutest bralette underneath. A long linen vest with shorts or track pants and a tank are perfect for a cute, dressy-casual vibe. To really stand out, we love a statement pant in bright cherry red or a cool stripe.

Patio happy hour

Sipping on an Aperol spritz or ice-cold mocktail on a sunny patio on a Friday afternoon is one of the best feelings ever. It calls for equally breezy and cheerful summer outfit ideas, like a colorful, patterned sundress and shades or a sweet white eyelet blouse and light-wash denim. Slip on your most comfortable sandals and order extra guac.

On the weekend

Anything goes on the weekend in the summer: shorts, jeans, matching sets, you name it. One of our favorite low-key, day-off trends is the varsity look, with sporty touches like striped, vintage-inspired T-shirts, high-waisted shorts, and baseball caps. If your kids want to go throw a ball in the backyard, you’re ready to go—but you could also run out for coffee, walk the dog, or grab lunch with a friend. If you feel like dressing up a little bit, try a midi skirt and tank combo with a sneaker or a woven sandal.

No matter what you’re wearing, don’t forget your accessories! All the best summer outfit ideas include sunglasses and a great bag, and we’re all about the roomy knotted or woven tote or a basket bag this season. They feel a little nautical but very coastal chic, and they’re big enough to stash your keys, shades, wallet, and sunscreen.

Summertime travel

Set that OOO and hit the road… or the air. Travel outfits should be all about comfort, especially if you’re going to be sitting for awhile. A lightweight half-zip will keep you cozy in a chilly airport or when the air conditioner is blasting, so definitely add one to your carry-on bag or wear it on the plane. The classic combo of a summer dress and denim jacket will never fail, and you can mix and match both pieces when you arrive at your destination, saving room in your suitcase. Shoe-wise, this is totally a time for sneakers, especially if you have to go through TSA! No one wants to do that barefoot. No one! If you prefer to travel in pants, try a lightweight gauze style that feels like pajamas (but better!) or a sporty-chic pair of track pants.