My Best & Worst Summer Fashion Purchases This Year |

My Best Summer Purchases of 2025

There’s a little overlap between this post and my 7 Wardrobe Pieces I’m Wearing on Repeat This Summer, but that one was more category-focused. This list is about the actual items I loved and wore on repeat, and the pieces I know have real longevity in my wardrobe.

MOTHER Weekender Flares in Totally Innocent

also wearing: Sanctuary mesh tee (M) // Dolce Vita Mylee Heels (8)

I bought several pairs of white jeans this year, but these are the ones I reach for the most, and the ones I truly love to wear. They’re just so flattering, and they pair well with so many of my favorite summer tops.

Dolce Vita Mylee Heels

also wearing: MOTHER Hustler Roller Sneak (29) // WHBM sweater vest (M)

Once I got these, I didn’t need another pair of dressy heels in my summer closet. They’re so pretty on, and they go with everything from dresses to jeans. They’re also remarkably comfortable for a strappy heel. I actually wanted to love the Loeffler Randall pair that inspired this style (I liked the deeper shade of beige a little better), but I found the Dolce Vita more comfortable—go figure! I hope they bring these back again next year so I can link them when I wear them!

adidas OG Samba in White/Off White/Gum

I may be the last person on earth to buy a pair of Sambas, but now I get the hype. These are the only sneakers I’ve wanted to wear since I bought them. I love the mesh panels and the contrasting sand-colored gum sole. They’re such a good update to a basic white sneaker. I don’t expect to wear them much once cold weather arrives, but these are definitely staying in my closet for next spring.

PAIGE Jill Ankle Strap Espadrille Platform Wedge

also wearing: MOTHER Hustler Roller Sneak (29) // EVEREVE Jane Pullover (S)

I found these when I was shopping in-store much earlier in the season, and they are such gorgeous sandals. They quickly became my go-to for when I want a casual heel with my denim looks for dinners out, etc. I love the design with the soft, intertwined flat leather straps in the deep brown shade, and the way it contrasts against the jute-wrapped platform to keep them light and summery.

Loeffler Randall Dana Brown Strappy Jelly Sandal

also wearing: Sanctuary mesh tee (M) // PAIGE Anessa Utility Pants (29)

Jelly shoes were not on my BINGO card this year, but the instant I spotted these sandals, they went right into my cart. They’re just so fun, I love the color and the strappy design, and they’re shockingly comfortable for a flat strappy sandal. Plus, they were part of a limited edition collab so I feel like they’re a little more of an “investment item” than some of my other sandals.

I’ll also give an honorable mention to the Kaanas Alayta Square Toe Naked Sandal and Dolce Vita Dallen—they have a similar strap design, and I love them both, as well. I still wear the Dolce Vita Lorene at times, but now that I have the Kaanas Alayta, I don’t think I’ll wear them as much. I’m mainly keeping them b/c they’re perfect for pedicures, lol!

Vineyard Vines Herringbone 3.5″ Shorts

also wearing: LNA Dessa Muscle Tee (M) // VEJA Esplar (39) // NAGHEDI Nomad Hobo in Cashmere

I’m so glad I found these shorts so early in the season, they’ve been a go-to all spring and summer. They’re just a good classic pair to have on hand, and I’ll definitely be packing them away for next spring at the end of the season. (And I’ll give an honorable mention to this LNA Dessa Muscle Tee. It’s definitely been on repeat this summer—such a pretty color, and it seems to go with everything.

EVEREVE Jane Pullover

also wearing: MOTHER Weekender (30) // PAIGE Jill (8)

This is another top that seems to go with everything, and I just love the fresh green and white color palette. I find myself grabbing it whenever I don’t know what to wear, and it pairs easily with so many of my different styles and colors of blue jeans. It also looks surprisingly good with washed black denim!

KUT from the Kloth Holly Skirt

also wearing: MOTHER tee (L) // VEJA sneakers (39) // HOBO bag 

This is a newer addition to my closet, but it’s quickly become a summer go-to. Since I got it, I’ve found myself reaching for this denim skirt over my favorite shorts nine times out of ten. I love the cool, casual vibe, and it feels just a bit more elevated when I’m meeting friends for lunch or hosting a backyard get-together.

And now, for my most anticipated product roundup of the season…

Worst Summer Purchases of 2025

Even though I edit my closet regularly throughout the season, there are always a few purchases that don’t get as much wear as I’d hoped. The pieces on this list are ones I’ve hung onto, thinking I might reach for them more, but for whatever reason, they’ve just been sitting there, week after week.

As always, I want to be clear that these aren’t bad items in and of themselves. Please don’t feel duped if you bought any of them! They’re still in my closet because I genuinely like them, but for whatever reason, I haven’t had the opportunity to wear them, or when I do, I end up reaching for something else instead. I think this is a helpful exercise because it gives me insight into my own buying habits, and hopefully it’s a valuable learning experience for those of you following along.

Gola Cyclone Leather Sneakers

also wearing: KUT Meg (6) // Sanctuary tank (S)

I still think these are super cute shoes, but I’ve only worn them once since I bought them. For some reason, I have a hard time with color on my feet — I just never feel like myself in anything bright, even as a subtle accent. I did wear those green Steve Madden sneakers a handful of times, so maybe it’s the high contrast between the white and red that throws me off. Either way, these keep sitting in my closet while I reach for my Sambas or VEJAs instead.

Quince Cashmere Tee

also wearing: MOTHER Dazzler Flood (30) // VEJA Esplar (39) // old LOFT crop trench

Ugh, this sweater. I also have a similar one from J.Crew, and both were part of my “England in May” packing plan. I got it in my head that I needed a cashmere short-sleeve tee for that trip. It’s such a classic look, and I love cashmere, so it felt like it should fit my style, but it always feels stuffy and too conservative when I go to wear one of them.

I did wear it once in England, and it looked great with my black jeans and crop trench, but here at home, I never reach for it. I tried to stick to my personal style for that trip and not take on a “London persona,” but I think this was where I got tripped up. Now both sweater tees just sit in my closet, mocking me. I think it’s time to admit they’re not for me and pass them on.

Ming Wang Chain Detail Sheath

I loved this dress, and felt like it was super flattering, but the one time I went to wear it, my daughter started relentlessly mocking the chain detail, and now that’s all I see. It’s also a strange length. I feel like the way it hits right across the middle of my knees, which are starting to show their age, is terribly unflattering. Maybe it wouldn’t have mattered when I was younger, but now it draws attention to an area I’d rather draw attention away from.

And while I’m sharing this picture, I’ll also mention the Sam Edelman Cressa Slingback Kitten Heels. I actually like these shoes quite a lot, and they do fit my style, but for some reason when I want a black sandal, I’ve been reaching for those Tory Burch espadrilles from last year. I’m keeping them, but they haven’t gotten nearly as much use as I expected.

Reiss Akari Linen Blend Maxi Sundress 

also wearing: Loeffler Randall Dana sandals (8) // similar YSL bag // similar hoops // similar necklace

I hesitate to include this one because I don’t actually regret buying it, and I plan to keep it. But I doubt I’ll ever get a great cost-per-wear, so in that sense, it wasn’t my most practical purchase. It feels a little over the top for my casual life, and when it’s an option, I usually end up choosing something else. That said, I loved wearing it for my birthday dinner, and I hope to find a few more chances to pull it out—if not this year, then next spring. We always talk about cost-per-wear, but there’s also something to be said for cost-per-enjoyment… maybe I’ll coin a new term!

Maeve Colette Wide Leg Linen Pants

also wearing: WHBM mesh top (M) // Tory Burch wedge sandals (8) // Freja Hudson

I don’t hate these pants, but I rarely wear them. Being linen, they’re really a two-season pant, which limits my options, and I just feel more myself in jeans so I almost always reach for a pair of those instead. These are still in my closet, though, and I’m hanging onto them since Anthropologie tends to carry them year after year. I have a feeling I’ll find a few more opportunities to wear them if I keep them for next summer.

So that’s that! Again, please don’t feel offended if you bought any of these items on my recommendation — I truly like each one. They just didn’t work out for me… or maybe they just need another season. Sometimes the weather or stage of life changes enough that something I didn’t wear this year becomes a favorite the next. I’ll reassess when I swap my closet next spring.

Side note: I’m often asked what I do with the clothes I pass on. Unworn items get returned, but the rest go to friends and family or to a resale shop. My philosophy is that I’d rather see someone else enjoy them than let them clutter my closet until they’re out of style. Since I add new clothes regularly, it just doesn’t make sense to hold onto things I’m not wearing.

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