Affordable Summer Fashion
You asked and we answered! We get requests for more affordable pieces all the time so in this post and the corresponding video, I’m sharing TWENTY pieces under $150. All of these affordable fashion finds are stylish and work together as a summer lookbook of sorts. I tried to find pieces that are special, modern, and current, but also very affordable and accessible. There’s a big range in price so there’s something for everyone in this post. Plus, ideas for a variety of scenarios so you’ll find everything from casual summer looks to office attire and special occasions.
If you’re interested in more affordable summer fashion, make sure you check out our For Less Friday series!
Tops
#1) Steve Madden Tee
The first category I want to talk about is tops. You can never have too many tees and tops for summer. This tee is an elevated basic by Steve Madden. If you’re new here, I talk about these elevated basics all the time… They are basics that have design details or elements that make them a little more special, modern, intentional, and unique. This Steve Madden tee is fitted, ribbed through the body, and has beautiful eyelet short sleeves that are what make the tee so special.
The great thing is that it looks like a summer top, but it fits and feels more like a tee. This tee is also great for layering. You can throw a little sweater over it, a cropped blazer, a longline blazer, a denim jacket, or whatever 3rd layer you prefer. It’s such a foundational piece, you can seamlessly mix it into your wardrobe.
I styled it with some Grey Lab jeans, which is a new-to-me brand. I like that these are a lighter wash, which feels summery and modern. The cuff detail is also really cool. I’ll wear these casually all summer long!
I finished off the look with some white sneakers by New Balance. I’ve talked about how white sneakers are super on trend (and not going anywhere anytime soon). It would be a great time to invest in a pair of white sneakers. You’ll wear them year-round…or for as long as you can keep them clean! This pair is more of a fabric, which will be tougher to keep clean than a leather pair but I really love the retro look of these sneakers. And…they’re under $100! If you haven’t already invested in a pair of white sneakers, these are a great option.
Bonus
I wanted to point out this chic striped cardigan sweater…it’s SO cute and I love the blue and white color combo. It’s over $150 at $168 but it’s such a good third layer for summer that I had to share!
#2) J. Crew Henley Tee
This second tee you could add to your wardrobe this summer is this cute J. Crew henley…that’s only $32! This one caught my eye because it’s a look-a-like of this Veronica Beard top. The fabric, thickness, quality, details, etc. aren’t exactly the same…but they look really similar. The J. Crew tee comes in multiple colors so you can grab a few if you love it. What I love about this tee is that it looks more like a blouse. I paired it with some linen DL1961 shorts. You may remember these from my trip to Africa. I’ve been wearing them nonstop and…they’re on sale! On my feet, I’m wearing a pair of brown Sam Edelman slide-on sandals you’ll see styled throughout this post. I talk about them more at the end of this post but spoiler alert…they’re a must-have for summer!
#3) Free People Bodysuit
This top is actually a bodysuit with a wrap front. I love it so much I have it in multiple colors and wear them all the time! Wrap fronts are such a flattering cut on so many body shapes, particularly for women with large busts. The v-neckline is very flattering and elongating too. The fabric is interesting, doesn’t wrinkle, and it’s very silky on the skin. The nice thing about this top is you can wear it alone and it has this sexy but classic feel. But you can also layer it under things so you won’t wear this exclusively in the spring and summer. It’s a piece you can wear throughout the year.
In this look, I paired it with some high-rise, cropped white jeans by Pistola. I love that these jeans don’t have pockets in the front, so you get a more streamlined look. They’re very high-rise. If the tummy area is an issue for you, skip the bodysuit and style the jeans with a longer top. I finished off the look with a J. Crew raffia belt and some Sam Edelman platforms. Raffia is very on-trend right now (and every summer) so I’ve seen a lot of really fun accessories in this raffia fabric. For the belt, the neutral color is limited in sizing but this one is super similar. These shoes are the one thing in this post and video that are over $150 (they’re $160) but I had to share them because they’re such fabulous shoes! Disclaimer: they do have a very high heel (about 5”).
#4) Aqua Cotton Eyelet Blouse
Next up is this sweet white, cotton eyelet top by Aqua. I love the flattering v-neckline, gorgeous eyelet details, and breathability (a must for summer). I paired this blouse with some Banana Republic cargo pants. You might remember these from my trip earlier this year to Utah and my roundup of cargo-trend faves. I completed the look with the same Sam Edelman sandals that will be heavy hitters in your summer wardrobe.
#5) Sanctuary Top
If the Aqua top is sold out in your size, this Sanctuary top is very similar and SO good. It’s a cotton eyelet blouse with short sleeves and a higher neckline but gives the same look and feel as the Aqua one. This would be easy to throw on with shorts, jeans, skirts, etc. and you can easily layer it under things too.
#6) Free People Yucca Blouse
This Free People blouse is made of a breezy cotton, has a boxy fit, long sleeves, and a flattering v-neckline. I’ve styled this top multiple ways this summer and love how easy it is to throw on and be ready in minutes. The great thing about all of the tops in this post and the corresponding video is that they’re SO versatile, you can style them with any bottoms in your closet to make the top work for your lifestyle.
Make sure you watch the corresponding video to see more ways I’ve styled this top!
#7) Bobi Boatneck Top
Next up is a top by Bobi that’s in this super soft gauzy cotton. You can wear it off the shoulder or on the shoulder, it’s cropped, has a lot of elastic, is very comfortable, breathable, and…it’s a set! I’m wearing it with the matching pants in the same comfortable gauzy fabric. This is the perfect beach or lake outfit. It’s so breezy, comfortable, chic, and fun!
#8) J. Crew Tank & Cardigan
I love a matching set and this sweater tank and cardigan are SO cute for summer. The tank has the perfect weight and fit and I love the higher neck for some extra coverage. You can wear the tank on its own or throw on the matching cardigan if you run cold or live in a cooler climate. I styled it with white jeans and brown sandals for a casual and chic summer look.
#9) Norma Kamali Shoulder Pad Top
This top is more on the fall/winter side but it’s so special and lovely that I had to show it to you! It’s still getting down to 45 degrees here in Telluride so you can definitely wear it during the summer if you live in a cool climate like me. It’s a strong structured shoulder top by Norma Kamali. You could wear this on date night with a fabulous necklace or glam earrings. The fabric is wrinkle resistant, travels beautifully, and is paper thin so it doesn’t add heat or bulk, and easily layers under jackets. If you’re an Inverted Triangle body shape, this might not be the best option for you because it will make your upper half look larger. But it’s a great piece to try for other body shapes. In the video, you can see the top styled two ways with white jeans and heels and black pants so make sure you go watch the video too!
Sweaters
#10) J. Crew Lightweight Sweater
For those of you who live in really hot climates, you will probably think you don’t need a sweater for summer. Remember, I lived in Texas for 8 years and I was never colder than when I was sitting in an AC-blasted restaurant during summer. So, it’s nice to have a little sweater you can throw on or wrap around your shoulders when you’re in those situations. The first sweater is this cotton-linen beach blend sweater from J. Crew.
I love this sweater so much because it has such a beachy feel. I know many of you are probably planning lake or beach trips, so this is a nice sweater to have and throw on for dinner by the water or in the evenings for an effortless look. It’s SO lightweight and I love the fit – it’s not too oversized. You can wear it with jeans, shorts, tie it around your waist or shoulders, there are so many ways to style it.
#11) J. Crew Striped Sweater
This J. Crew sweater is very similar but has a different color scheme than the last one. If you love the nautical striped shirt look, you need this sweater! I love the gold button details that elevate it even more and the fit is great. I styled it with the DL1961 shorts in the video and some Sam Edelman gold sandals that are super versatile. Find more info about these sandals later on in this post…
If you’re looking for more of my favorite summer shoes, check out this post next!
#12) Embellished Crochet Sweater
This is a little less basic and a little more FUN. It’s a crocheted, embellished sweater by Aqua that’s so unique! I love an open-knit fabric like this for summer, but this sweater even has subtle rhinestone embellishments that make it a little extra special. You can throw it on over a cami with white jeans and some chic sandals to elevate the outfit. Or try a contrasting colorful cami underneath to add some pop. Or you could even try a bra top if you’re feeling risqué! If your size is sold out, this J Crew beach sweater is similar.
Office Outfit Ideas
#13) Maeve Sheer Top
Many of you have sent us messages saying you’re headed back into the office and need outfit ideas, so I’m sharing a few pieces that are stylish and office appropriate. First up is this chic grid top from Anthropologie. It’s sheer (so you’ll stay cool), it’s so pretty, has a mock neck, and a tie in the back. I love this blouse so much…I saw it and knew I needed to try it. You could wear it with jeans for a casual look, with trousers for the office, or with black pants and heels for date night. I paired it with some tan office trousers by Favorite Daughter. These are not under $150, but they come in a petite and regular length, so I knew I had to share them…shorter women know how hard it can be to find petite trousers! They’re SO good, fit well, and are super high-quality. They are perfect for dressing up for work or dinner with a blouse and heels or dressing down with sneakers and a tee. If these trousers aren’t in your price range, these Banana Republic trousers are similar and under $150.
#14) Pinstripe Blazer & Pants
I love a pinstripe suit, especially for the office! The vertical stripes are so elongating and slimming. Both the blazer and the pants in this set are cropped, making this another great option for petite women. I love the luxe-looking buttons on the blazer, and I can’t believe it’s only $41! The pants are on sale for $55 so you can get the pants and the blazer for under $100…a steal! I styled it with some older loafers I bought when we lived in Spain but you could wear this set with pumps, flats, or whatever you prefer.
Swim
#15) Bleu by Rod Beattie Lace Up Swimsuit
I haven’t talked about this brand enough but it’s SO good and a must-try if you haven’t already. You can get a one-piece in the $120-$150 price range and the quality and fit are lovely. The exact brown one-piece I’m wearing is sold out, but I linked this year’s version and will share some more Bleu by Rod Beattie pieces under $150 below…
Dresses
#16) Bloomingdale’s Eyelet Midi Dress
I know that not everyone is a huge fan of dresses, but I LOVE them because they’re so easy, especially for summer. You don’t have to mess around with too much styling because it’s a one-and-done piece. The first dress I want to share is this beautiful eyelet dress by Aqua. It’s 100% cotton so it’s super lightweight and breathable. I wore it out and about on a recent trip and felt so feminine and stylish. I love that it’s midi length, so it gives more coverage. And the cap sleeves fit more like a sleeveless style. This dress is selling out SO fast so we found this one that’s by the same brand and looks very similar in case your size is sold out.
We recently did a For Less Friday series post featuring this dress and more affordable white dresses if you’re looking for more white dress ideas.
#17) Moon River One-Shoulder Midi Dress
The next dress is a one-shoulder midi dress by Moon River. It’s sexy, simple, and chic. I love the one puff shoulder and small cutout that’s strategically placed for that flattering effect. Since it’s a one-shoulder, you have to consider the bra situation, but you could wear a strapless bra or nippies.
#18) Michael Stars Tank Dress
A tank dress is a great option when you want to look and feel casual but pulled together. It’s one of those versatile pieces that’s easy to throw on and style. I’ve had this dress for years and still wear it. It’s cotton, not too trendy so it won’t go out of style, and it’s great to have for everyday or travel.
#19) Norma Kamali Gown
If you’re looking for something extra special, this Norma Kamali dress is for you. It’s super sexy, has flattering ruching in the midsection, an asymmetrical hemline, and a beautiful portrait neckline. If you have a large bust, this might not be the dress for you, but if you have a small to medium bust, it’s a great, affordable special occasion dress.
Shoes
#20) Sam Edelman Brown Sandals
The first pair of heavy-hitter summer shoes under $150 are the Sam Edelman slide-on flats you’ve seen throughout this post. The brown is really versatile for summer, but they come in 13 other colors, are super comfortable, and if you take care of them, you can wear them over and over and over again!
#21) Sam Edelman Gold Sandals
The second pair are also by Sam Edelman. The brand is known for its high-quality, comfortable, and affordable shoes so you really can’t go wrong with any of their sandals for summer! I also love that the sizes are the same across the board…cause I don’t like returning shoes. The sandals I’m wearing are the “Gold Leaf” color which is SO versatile, but they come in other colors too. I love the double strap for comfort and stability, but it also looks very sleek and streamlined. You can wear these with pretty much anything for spring and summer.
#22) New Balance Sneakers
I talked about these earlier in the post, but I want to reiterate that if you don’t already have a great pair of white sneakers for summer, these are a wonderful option!
Which of these pieces is your favorite? Are there any affordable summer fashion finds you want to share? Please let us know in the comments below so everyone can benefit!
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