As summer draws to a close and retailers are gearing up for fall styles, there’s no better time to score deals on all your summer essentials. In this post, I’ll share 11 summer styles that every girl should have in her closet along with the associated cost.
#1: A Floral Mini Dress
Floral mini dresses are my summer uniform. They’re perfect for days in the office and nights out on the town. Plus, there are so many floral prints to choose from. It’s easy to feel pretty in a fun and cute floral dress!
I purchased the above dress from an online thrift shop I love called ThredUp. The retail price for this dress was $36, but I got it for a bit less.
#2: A Comfy Skort
Ok, so I know I already wrote about these super cute tennis skorts in an earlier post, but I kid you not, I’m obsessed! They’re perfect for lounging, quick grocery runs, or walks with the dog.
I spent $14 on this skort, since I bought it when it was on sale.
#3: A High-Rise Pair of Denim Shorts
This one’s a no-brainer, am I right? Denim shorts go with everything! I love wearing my high-rise denim shorts with cute crop tops or tank tops to create the perfect outfit for backyard barbecues or a concert.
I also purchased these from an online thrift shop. And the retail price of these shorts was $15.
#4: A Crochet Sweater
Paired with denim shorts, a crochet sweater is perfect for summer nights when the sun goes down. And aside from being super trendy, crochet sweaters are wicked cozy.
The crochet sweater I’m wearing retails for $54, but I only spent $28 on it, since I bought it when it went on sale.
#5: A Colorblock Midi Dress
This colorblock midi dress is a hands-down favorite of mine. It’s lightweight and easy to dress up or down. I love wearing it for strolls on the beach. It also kicks up beautifully in the back when the wind blows.
The dress I’m wearing cost $23.
#6: A Sunhat
While the warm weather is one of the best parts of summer, it’s not so much fun when the sun is beating down on your face. Use a sunhat to stay cool and look even cooler!
The retail price for this hat is $34 and that’s how much I ended up paying.
#7: A Pair of Overalls
Running around doing errands, but still want to look chic? Try out a pair of overalls to help you stand out in the best way possible.
I spent $25 on these a few years back.
#8: A Dressy Romper
Date nights and never looked so good! Throw on a dressy romper and a pair of wedges and you’re off.
Plus, what’s not to love about this bright, fun abstract print?
I purchased it several years ago for $46.
#9: A Flowing Maxi Dress
Any summer must-have checklist would be incomplete without a maxi dress. Although, I’ll be the first to admit I don’t wear maxi dresses as often as other items on this list, they’re perfect for summer weddings or any other semi-formal event. Dressy, airy, comfortable. Enough said.
It retails for $52 (which is typically more than I like to spend!), but I thought it was worth splurging on.
#10: White Sneakers
I have another post about these white sneakers, but I absolutely love mine! They go with EVERYTHING! I especially love wearing them with casual outfits and using them to dress-down some of my more formal outfits. Also, they’re perfect for exploring the city.
I bought mine for $46.
#11: A Duster Cardigan
Last but not least is a duster cardigan. I debated for a while whether I include this one, but for fair-skinned folk like myself this provides a valuable means of sun protection. It’s lightweight, airy, and perfect for twirling!
This duster kimono retailed for $60, but again I bought it on sale for less.
Total Cost to Own 11 Summer Styles
So now here’s the fun part! How much did I spend over the years on these 11 summer styles that I live by? The grand total (based on retail prices for ease of calculation) comes to almost $400!!!
I could’ve spent that money contributing more to my 401K or investing in my individual brokerage. After all, the S&P 500 index returned about 40% over the last 3 years as of July 2023, a month before this article was published, according to YCharts. Had I invested it in a market fund, as opposed to spending it on the above summer styles, I would have approximately $560 today!
Was it Worth it to Invest in These Summer Styles?
I have gotten great use out of these timeless summer styles and I’m happy with the investment I made in my wardrobe. If I could go back in time, I would make all these purchases over again in a heartbeat.
Agree or disagree? Would you have invested your money differently or are you as obsessed as I am over these styles?
And if you’re curious to know more about the trade-offs I make in terms of my spending habits, check out my other That Cost What posts.