As much as I love the fall and winter, there is nothing better than packing away my gray and black cold-weather wardrobe and breaking out my summer brights. Each year I do a bit of a seasonal overhaul of my closet and head out to pick up a few missing pieces and on-trend items for my summer wardrobe. This summer, I'm all about bright colors, bold patterns and feminine silhouettes. I've managed to narrow down to my top five summer style staples, so scroll down to find out what I'll be rocking all summer long.
1. Crop Top and Skirt Set
A great crop top and high-waisted skirt set is a must for me; I'm especailly loving tribal prints and patterns. This particular set is from Angie's, and I absolutely love it. The pattern is so fun and the elastic waistband makes it super comfy. I paired the outfit with heeled leather sandals in a neutral color to elongate my legs and dress it up a bit.
2. Sun Hat
I'm a firm believer that every girl should own (and wear!) a sun hat. Not only do they protect your face from the sun (who wants premature wrinkles and sun spots?), but they also are super cute and can be worn as a statement accessory. Not all sun hats have to be massive and made of straw; I love to rock this faded Indiana Jones-style hat with leather trim. Cute and functional!
3. White Eyelet Sundress
Most of you ladies will already have one of these summer staples in your closet, and for good reason! A white eyelet sundress, like this American Eagle Eyelet Cutout Dress (similar here), is easy and classic. It's the perfect way to show off a summer glow! A white dress is also a perfect blank canvas for a bold lip or statement accessories. You can dress it up with wedges for a date or dress it down with sneakers (like I did!) for a more casual look.
4. Oversized Sunglasses
This trend is still going strong, and I absolutely love it. I have a larger, more square-shaped face, so oversized rounded frames really soften the angles and fit my face. I've had these Free People Abbey Road Sunglasses in Cream/Tortoise for over a year now and I wear them constantly. The ombré effect is fun and unexpected, and they're perfect for days when I don't have time for eye make-up!
5. Colorful Maxi Skirt
I'm a sucker for a pop of color, and red is my all-time favorite. I love pairing a traditional summer staple, like a nautical striped boat-neck tee, with something more dramatic, like this gorgeous Free People Flowly Slit Skirt in Fiesta Red (similar here). The color is stunning, and it's super easy to rock this skirt all year round: just pair it with leather boots and a cropped knit sweater in the fall!
Let the Her Campus fashion bloggers know what your summer staples are in the comments below!