3 Easy Summer Outfit Formulas for Moms (or any easy-going style!)

Alright look. I know I’m not a fashion blogger. But I do place a high value on feeling put together when I leave the house. And my relearning my body after having a baby (or anytime our body shapes change!) is often a challenge. What feels good? What fits well? What makes me feel like me without worrying about the trends? So here are 3 easy summer outfit formulas for moms (or anyone really!) with simple staples that you probably already own.

These are in pretty much every weekly outfit rotation and friends, they are so simple. You can easily customize each formula to fit what works for you. Throw in a skirt instead of linen shorts, sandals instead of sneakers, whatever you like best! I’ve also included links to accessories that help me feel like I’ve got my life together and really make the whole outfit feel finished.

A few caveats as we dive into the outfit formulas:

Again, I am not a fashion blogger. I have no idea how trendy these outfits are but I feel good and cute when I wear them, so I’m trying really hard to remind us all that that’s enough!
The goal of this post is to help you feel good in what you already own not to get you to buy things! However….
All of photos below include links to stores like Target, Walmart, Old Navy, etc…because that’s where I actually shop (and the thrift store!). If you find yourself in need of some of these basics, these are items I either own and love or would love to own.

*The links below are either things I actually own and love or things I would love to own. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!

1. denim shorts + a fitted tank + a light layer

Literally wearing a version of this outfit as I type right now: denim shorts, black tank top, black cardigan. Where I live in the PNW, you often need a light layer unless you’ll actually be outside in the sun for an extended period of time. This outfit is perfect for layering, especially on days when it might start out colder in the morning and get hotter in the afternoon.

What I love most about this outfit formula is how the fitted tank feels slimming and trendy, but the looser outer layer makes me feel cozy and comfortable without drawing attention to my midsection.

2. linen shorts + white tee + sneakers

Linen shorts (or pants) for the win, am I right? Comfortable, flowy, and lightweight, the striped linen shorts I own have been a staple for a couple years now – and thanks to the stretchy waistband they fit both before and after pregnancy, so another huge win. I’ve recently enjoyed how put together I feel in basics that fit well and are in colors I know I like – which happens to be a lot of white and black right now. At first it felt a little boring, but the truth is I love it so that’s what I’m going with for now.

What I love most about this outfit formula is how the white sneakers feel with the shorts. It makes me feel a little sportier, which definitely vibes with my “cool mom” goals.

3. your fave jeans + fitted tank + sandals

Here’s the things about this outfit formula: I literally mean whatever pair of jeans makes you feel and look your best. Wide leg, skinny, boyfriend, distressed, light, dark – whatever you already own and love. Repeat after me: I do not need to trendy jeans silhouettes if I don’t want to. Wear what you have, as long as it fits and you feel good.

I recently bought a new pair of dark wash jeans because I wanted a higher waistline to better fit my post-baby curves. Even though the other pair of dark wash jeans technically fit, they didn’t make me feel good. So I bought a new pair that I absolutely love and wear at least once (sometimes twice) a week.

What I love most about this outfit formula is that I get to wear jeans in the summer without feeling too hot. I am a big fan of jeans and the sandals and tank top balance out what might otherwise be too warm of an outfit for summer weather.

4. simple details: shoes + accessories

Ah, accessories. The bread and butter of outfit creation. This is another area where I recently slimmed down my options and I do not feel like I’m missing out. It’s easy to pick details that work together because I carefully curated my choices from things I already owned and loved.

My basics are hair accessories (I love the animal print headband above!), gold hoops, a dainty gold necklace (I own the mama one from here), pearl earrings, and a silver bar necklace.

Again, all of these items I either own, own a similar version of, or would love to own – like those Amazon huggie hoops? My son has figured out when I wear regular post earrings like the Target hoops above, he can just easily yank them out (which doesn’t hurt, but is annoying) so I might try this style instead!

I know we’re into to August already, but it’s still warm out so I feel like I can still write a blog post about summer outfits. If you want, consider these “summer-to-fall transition” outfits. Anyways…the most important thing I want you to take away today is this: