A few weeks ago, on the first day of school, I went upstairs to turn off the light my daughter had left on. I walked into her room and couldn’t believe the mess she’d made. Clothes everywhere. Drawers pulled out. Shirts stuffed inside instead of folded. It looked like the Tasmanian Devil had come through.

Over the years, I’ve accepted that my kids aren’t nearly as overly organized or Type A as I am, and that’s okay. But this wasn’t like her. I shut the light off, walked out, and figured she’d be cleaning it up after school.

When she got home, I asked about her first day, whether she had homework, and then told her that if her closet wasn’t cleaned up that evening, she’d be grounded.

She looked at me and said, “Mom, I was taking pictures of all my clothes. I found this app on TikTok and wanted to upload everything so I could see my outfits. I was going to clean it up.” Fair enough.

Then my husband looked at me and said, “You’re getting onto your daughter for doing the exact same thing you do.”

He wasn’t wrong. To be fair, she’s my daughter. She’s spent the last year watching me document my wardrobe, so I probably shouldn’t have been surprised.

Since then I’ve thought about what led her there. It’s not lost on me that she’s organized, most likely because of me, or that she’s been around style her whole life since it’s literally what I do all day. But she found and downloaded this herself, without even knowing what app I use. She simply wanted to see everything she owns laid out in front of her, and get better at putting it together. I think there’s something to say about that.

I don’t know if that’s what everyone wants. I can’t speak for anyone else. But I see it everywhere. We dig through drawers for the one thing we know we own but can’t find. We lay outfits out on the bed before a trip. We make packing lists. And there’s that inevitable moment, standing in front of a full closet of clothes, saying, “I have nothing to wear.” I truthfully don’t know a single person who hasn’t been there. I think it’s that we don’t know our closets well enough to see what’s actually in them.

That’s most likely the reason I started documenting my outfits back in January of last year. It wasn’t really about tidiness, even though I love organizing and am very much one who thrives on order. It was my attempt to make sense of what I owned, and to ultimately get a better understanding of what made my style personal.

Each month, I went back through what I'd worn, found patterns, and shared those with all of you. It was fun, and liberating, and not only did it solve an itch for order, but this developed habit gave me tangible data. It told me so much about my closet and even more about my style. Naturally, I wanted more and knew a 90-day no-buy would give me that.

Did I think I'd do both back to back? No. Did I think either one would turn into something I'm still doing? Also, no. I honestly didn't know what would come of it beyond finally having everything laid out in front of me.

Digitizing your closet is a project. I know that firsthand, as it took nearly two weeks of set aside time to layout, photograph, and upload my entire 450+ item wardrobe. Now I realize I may be in the minority here, but that volume doesn’t make the process any less of a process. And clearly, witnessing my daughter dump her closet out just to photograph a fraction of her own, confirmed it’s messy. It takes time. So I understand the hesitation.

But I would, 100%, do it all over again. Yes, it gave me data, something tangible, closet stats, cost per wear, the numbers I’ve written about before. But on top of that record of facts, having digitized my closet changed how I get dressed on a daily basis.

My “nothing to wear” days are a lot less frequent now. I build outfits before I even get dressed, so I’m not standing there each morning making decisions on the spot. If I want to wear something, say a skirt, and can’t remember the different ways I’ve styled it, I can pull it up and see every outfit I’ve worn it in before.

There are so many benefits beyond the basics that digitizing our closets can give us. But at the core, taking this step to make sense of your closet is a pretty good place to start.

While I was reaping those benefits in real time, I was also working. I was constantly sourcing new inspiration, creating outfit planners, developing guides and weekly edits. To be completely transparent, a lot of what I was sourcing was aspirational. I didn’t own most of what I was sharing. And while my intentions have always been to help you work with what you already own, translating those ideas into my own closet was difficult, and probably just as difficult for you.

I’ve always been intentional about including ways to do that, ie: sharing style notes to swap a shoe or change a layer, etc. But even for someone with style running on autopilot, deciding what layer to change or what shoes to swap is easier said than done.

None of that is a knock on aspirational inspiration, or on the planners and guides themselves. There’s real value in them.

I’ve spent years building what it takes to style a closet well, by way of planners, guides, and ideas from my own closet. That’s not going anywhere.

Looking back, it’s probably no surprise where all of this has led. As of today, I’m also one of the stylists on Indyx! For years, not knowing what was in your closet meant all I could hand you was a blueprint. With Indyx, I can now step in as your stylist, see what you’re working with, and help build outfits from what you already own.

I’ve been in this style space for nearly 10 years now. From sourcing outfit inspiration, building planners and guides, to transparently sharing the connection between style and self. It’s solidified where I stand and more so, how I’ve chosen to share style.

I approach it a little differently than most, and unapologetically hold a sense of pride, knowing it’s not just a stance for the sake of setting me apart. It’s one that stays true to who I am and it’s transformed the way I think about style.

I’ve watched how this industry feeds on insecurity. The more convinced you are that something is wrong with what you’re wearing, the easier it is to sell you something. My refusal to be part of that update culture nonsense, overconsumption garbage, or false narrative that we must become this palatable version of ourselves to be accepted amongst the “stylish ones” is largely what I hope resonates here.

Becoming more intentional about what earns a place in your closet, where outside opinions carry less weight, and where the focus is in understanding our closets is where I am at. I couldn’t be more proud of that and more so where it will lead us.

So, how do we work together? First, you’ll download Indyx (it’s free!) and start digitizing your closet. Be sure to use my code sarahstories when you sign up for $10 in styling credit. Once your closet is there, you’ll fill out a short questionnaire so I can get a better understanding of your style and what you’re looking for.

From there, I’ll put together your Lookbook, which is ten outfits tailored to you. These can be based on an upcoming trip, the season ahead, or whatever you’re looking to get out of your closet.

One thing you won't find with most styling services is the ability for your stylist to see your closet. That's what I'm most excited to offer. Seeing what you already own gives me a tangible way to identify real gaps. We can work entirely with the pieces you have, or I can include a few thoughtful recommendations.

Whatever connection brought you here, whether it be your love of outfits, inspiration, or this different approach to style, booking with me now as your stylist is an extension of that. It’s my way of getting to the heart of what we’re after: understanding and making sense not only of our closets, but of our personal style.

This universal feeling of having nothing to wear stems widely from a lack of understanding our closets. My daughter’s mess of a room and my frustration of trying to interpret Pinterest saves were both examples of trying to tackle this alone. There’s no denying a fresh perspective would have been really helpful in either moment.

Having me in your corner means a fresh set of eyes on what you own and the value of it. I’ll help you find the gaps you might not have noticed, and give recommendations that serve purpose.

All this to say and reiterate: Style is personal. It’s specific to you. I’d love to be the one who helps in that process to learn, see and discover all of it.

Download Indyx - it’s free!
Use code sarahstories for $10 styling credit
Take a look at my closet

Like how the bookstore owner I follow over on TikTok summoned all the millennials last night to share in the excitement of her thrifted CD. I’ve unapologetically had Savage Garden stuck in my head all morning. Or how the home renovation account I follow spent an entire reel complaining about a $90 pair of pants that weren’t, in fact, worth the hype (or influence). And Tracy, a style creator I’m certain many of you follow here on Substack, sent out a beautifully written ramble about her ADHD brain and journey toward self-forgiveness. None of what’s been shared is why I followed any of them. But it’s what I remember.

I used to run a series over on IG called The Saved Edit. It mostly was a compilation of outfits, home decor, quotes, ideas, whatever had been sitting in the depths of my saved iPhone folders. Every so often I’d dump it all out, share it in a reel, and finally delete the screenshots I’d been hoarding for months.

I’ve been missing having a place for that.

So, I thought to revive it. Yes, to document and make space on our family iCloud, but more so to connect in a way with all of you.

I could keep this stuff to myself. I could just journal it. But I've always found writing (or talking) things out kind of therapeutic. Documenting a thought scratches the same itch as documenting an outfit does. And truthfully, seeing someone else get a little too excited about a thrifted CD or a bad pair of pants makes me feel less alone in doing the same thing. That's the connection I'm after here.

The Saved Edit (here on Substack) will be in slightly different form: random thoughts, saved screenshots, whatever rabbit hole I’ve fallen into lately. Probably an outfit or two in there too, because it wouldn’t be me without it!

Thoughts worth Saving

Everywhere I look on social media these days, it’s about self-improvement, productivity, wellness, ways to better your business, the right hook, the marketing strategy … do this, definitely don’t do that mentality. And while I feel I’ve done a pretty good job lately of taking a stance on that sort of culture in fashion, I still fall into it elsewhere. Am I eating enough protein? Lifting three times a week, journaling, getting adequate sleep, sticking to routine, posting, or even writing enough?

We're all trying to better ourselves, constantly being fed "do this, do that," like success and goodness are just on the other side of it. But taking a minute to see the life I'm trying to better reminds me it’s already good.

Sitting with my coffee the other morning, scrolling through all of it, one of my dogs came and nudged me to pet him and softly rested his head on my knee. He didn’t care about the protein or journal prompt, really any of it. He just wanted his head scratched. This is what already good looks like:

• My dogs losing their minds when I get home

• Coffee from my Nespresso in my favorite mug

• Getting dressed and thinking, yep. That’s it.

• Finding an antique that somehow had my name on it

• Watching the birds at my feeder

• A text from a friend that makes me laugh out loud

• Rediscovering a song I used to love and listening to it on repeat

Loves worth Saving

Clothes are in here too, obviously. But in the spirit of showing more of what’s outside that box, I’m starting with everything else first.1

Skincare. I'm a nerd when it comes to skincare, so when a friend shared the LumiSpa from NuSkin and I saw the visuals of what it does, I was intrigued enough to buy in. It made me question how I'd been washing my face this whole time. Having a device makes that step feel like a step instead of something I rush through. I also grabbed a few things from their AgeLOC line, aimed at fine lines, dark spots, and general skin aging. My skin looks better than it has in a while. I shared more on it, here.

Lifting. Movement has always been a priority for me, though my reasons for it have shifted over the years. Right now it’s something I give myself. Being strong matters more to me now than being skinny ever did. I’ve been doing the Kelsie Brown Fitness program at home, a mix of pilates, barre, and strength work, and she’s become part of how I show up for myself most days.

Antiquing. This one surprised me. My daughter got into bag charm making this summer, and I quickly realized what that hobby was costing me in beads from Michaels. So we started thrifting for beads instead, and ended up in a few stores that had more than clothes and jewelry. I saw dishes I grew up eating off of and got hit with a wave of nostalgia. Turns out my husband remembers eating cereal out of the same shallow bowls as a kid. Most weekends now, I end up in at least one antique mall hunting for Pfaltzgraff Yorktowne dishes. Still working on completing the set.

Style worth Saving

The scarf. I've been trying to bring more color and accessories into my outfits lately, and scarves around my neck aren't usually my thing, but this one's got me wanting to find a fun way to wear it anyway. I also just love how simple the rest of the look is.

Layers. She took layering to a whole new level here. Fall is the season for it, and I can't wait to play with contrast and mix rich colors like this.

Leopard pants, but with color. This one's an oldie but goodie. I've saved, styled, and shared it before, and it's still a good reminder to not just wear my favorite leopard pants, but pair them with color.

Spaces worth Saving

Coffee corner. If you follow me on Instagram, you've probably seen the indecisiveness: the back and forth over a coffee maker upgrade. I've since decided against the unjustifiable cost of it, and I'm looking at ways to style my coffee corner instead. Loving the canisters and the table lamps here.

Home office. My husband requested my "design eye" for his home office, quite the compliment. I love the integration of a sitting and reading area with the wall art. The built-ins and the wall sconce are dreamy too!

Wicker baskets. My daughter can attest to my love for a basket; antiquing has me stopping in every booth to admire the variety. We have plans to add some built-ins downstairs in our living room, and I love the idea of styling them with baskets and propped-up art.

I don't know exactly what these Saved Edit posts will become yet, and I kind of like that. Per usual, I’ve already got several ideas piling up and listed. An empties list? More screenshots, of course. Probably a fashion industry rabbit hole in there somewhere too. I’d love to know what you’d want to see.

If you have even a remote interest in fashion, your inbox and social feeds probably look pretty similar right now. The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is everywhere. Every year it becomes the unofficial kickoff to fall shopping. Wish lists, try-ons, roundups, and top picks. Better yet, the pieces everyone says are worth buying before the season even starts.

I haven’t covered the sale in years, and that’s been a really intentional decision.

There are absolutely good deals. If something you’ve already been planning to buy happens to be included, it’s a great opportunity to save money.

Over time, I’ve realized I didn’t want to spend my time creating content that encouraged people to build a wardrobe around a sale. I’d rather spend it helping you build one around the clothes you already own. And that shift has quietly shaped almost everything I’ve created over the past few years.

The Summer Outfit Edit is probably the clearest reflection of that shift. It now holds more than 85 outfits, but more importantly, there are hundreds (maybe even thousands, if I’m putting it lightly) of ideas.

Take this outfit from last week’s lineup. On the surface, it’s one outfit. If you happen to have similar pieces, you could absolutely recreate it. (Those striped shorts really are great… definitely one of my closet MVPs.)

But humor me for a second, because this is where I start going down a rabbit hole.

I start looking beyond the outfit itself. The idea of mixing similar prints stands out. The striped top could become the starting point for a completely different outfit. I could probably tie the scarf onto my bag instead. And that color combination? Blues for the win!

Suddenly, one outfit has turned into several ideas. And that’s before I start pairing those ideas with everything else already hanging in my closet.

That’s what this Summer Outfit Edit has really become for me. Yes, it’s a collection of outfits, but it’s also become a collection of starting points. Every look has the potential to start another, whether it's a color combination I want to remember, a styling detail I hadn’t considered before, or a piece that reminds me to pull something out of my own closet more often.

With that in mind, I thought it’d be fun to revisit1 a handful of my favorite additions from July and see what else they spark.

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This post includes the original outfit from the Summer Outfit Edit alongside how I wore it. It also includes several visuals, so you may want to open it in Substack or your browser for the full experience.

I loved the color combination, but a blazer in the NC heat wasn’t happening. A sleeveless version gave me the same feel while making it much more wearable. It’s a reminder that inspiration doesn’t have to be recreated exactly to work.

This summer may have officially made me a shorts person. I grabbed these Target shorts on a whim and have reached for them more than I expected. Paired with the striped knit tank, this ended up being one of my favorite casual outfits from the month.

Last year I wrote an entire post about styling a scarf this way because it was completely outside my comfort zone. Since then, I’ve worn this outfit exactly as shown a handful of times because I just love it. The scarf adds contrast, gives the outfit a little more shape, and is such a fun finishing touch. It’s funny how the styling ideas you hesitate to try sometimes become the ones you reach for most!

Another unexpected favorite from my “maybe I’m a shorts person” era. I’d been seeing lace shorts everywhere, but I wasn’t convinced they were for me. Turns out, paired with a simple tee, they felt equal parts romantic and casual.

I absolutely loved this one and have already worn it more than once this month. I was determined not to let the heat dictate my outfits this summer, and this one proved I didn’t have to.

This is probably the outfit I took the most liberties with. I kept the idea of the solid tee and striped shorts, but simplified the rest. Could I have gone for the necklace, flats, and sling bag? Absolutely. That’s the fun part … they’re still there the next time I want to wear this idea.

I loved the idea of bringing in stripes, but borrowed the concept and reached for my striped silk shirt instead. I love how this one turned out.

At one time, I would’ve never worn double denim. Now it’s a formula I reach for without a second thought.

Looking back through these, it’s easy to see how one outfit can lead to five more if you let it. And if there’s one thing this summer reinforced, it’s that this is the part of fashion I want to keep thinking about.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve put together one outfit, only to have it remind me of three others.

That happened more than once while I was putting together this week’s edit. I’d finish a look, then immediately think of another outfit from earlier this summer that used the same piece in a completely different way. It felt like every new outfit brou…

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July is the point in summer where I start questioning every outfit decision before I even leave the house. Is this too hot? Is this too much fabric? Can I sit in my car without immediately regretting this? Will I freeze the second I walk into literally any building?

That’s where the blank stare starts. So this week’s Edit is built around outfit ideas tha…

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The Summer Outfit Edit was created for exactly that point in the season: a growing place to come back to when you need a fresh idea. I’m sharing another look inside this week with a free preview of the latest additions.

Inside are seven new outfit ideas, styling notes, and a few extra ways to wear the pieces featured throughout the week.

Paid subscribers receive a new lineup each Sunday, along with access to the full Summer Outfit Edit and the private chat throughout the season. You can upgrade below if you’d like to follow along for the rest of summer.

Subscribe now

This post includes several visuals and outfit ideas and may be a bit long for email. To get the full experience, you might want to open it in Substack or your browser.

If something catches your eye, you’ll find links1 throughout the post, along with a collection with everything featured in this week’s lineup gathered together.

Monday
This is one of those outfits that can work for the office and still feel right for dinner afterward. The strapless top gives the white trousers a little more personality, and the olive and brown keep the whole thing grounded.

Throw a lightweight sweater over your shoulders for chilly restaurants or evenings. It keeps the outfit feeling polished without taking away from the strapless top.

Tuesday
A bright red top is an easy way to make jeans feel like more than the default. I like that the rest of the outfit stays simple and lets the color do the work.

When you’re wearing a bold color, repeat it in your sandals or accessories to tie the look together.

Wednesday
The printed pants are doing the work here, so the oversized white button-down keeps the rest of the outfit simple. I like it worn loose like this, but you could also do a partial tuck if you want to show more of the waistband.

These pants work just as well with a simple heeled sandal if you’re headed somewhere a little dressier.

Thursday
A striped sweater vest and denim shorts is an easy pairing when you want something a little more pulled together than a tee. The gold buttons and black accessories keep it from feeling too casual.

This vest also works with white denim or linen trousers when you want a little more coverage.

Two more ways to wear denim shorts: A feminine blouse with woven flats is a softer option, while the scarf top and red sandals bring in a little color. Longer denim shorts work just as well for either look if that’s more your preference. For the scarf top, a strapless bra or nipple covers work best.

Friday
A black slip dress is an easy starting point for summer. The white button-down makes it feel more casual, and you can wear it open or tie it at the waist.

As a bonus, I styled the same dress two more ways: with a blazer and heeled sandals for dinner, and with a white tee and sneakers for a more casual option. Swap the blazer for a denim jacket if you’d prefer a more casual layer, and shorten the straps slightly when wearing the tee underneath so the dress fits better over it.

Saturday
A striped button-down has already earned a spot on my summer essentials list, and I love the colored version here. Wear it open over a tee and shorts, or button it up and wear it on its own.

Sunday
I’ve been seeing lace-trim shorts everywhere lately, and I just grabbed a pair to experiment with. I love the texture they add to a simple tee, and that you can dress them down like this or swap in a black tank or bodysuit for the evening.

If you’ve made it this far, you’ve essentially seen exactly how the Summer Outfit Edit works.

Subscribers also have access to the private chat, where we’re sharing outfits, swaps, and questions along the way.

If you’d like to continue receiving the weekly lineups throughout the summer, you can upgrade your subscription below.

Subscribe now

Over the last month, we've added a lot of outfits to the Summer Outfit Edit. (59 to be exact, which feels slightly excessive now that I'm typing it out.)

Some were saved for later. Some were recreated right away. And some probably got lost between screenshots, shopping carts, and the realities of everyday life.

Before we move into July, I wanted to revisi…

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Every time I have a trip coming up, I somehow end up thinking I need a whole new wardrobe.

A beach vacation suddenly has me looking at linen sets, colorful dresses, and sandals I wasn’t thinking about two weeks ago. A city trip can send me down a completely different rabbit hole. Before long, it’s easy to feel like I need a collection of clothes designed specifically for wherever I’m going.

It makes sense, though. Vacations often ask something different of our wardrobes than our everyday lives do. And yes, sometimes there are genuine gaps to fill before a trip. Maybe you need a swimsuit. Maybe your walking shoes have seen better days. I’m not against shopping for a trip when something is truly missing.

Where things get tricky is how quickly a few practical purchases can turn into the feeling that you need a completely different wardrobe for a week away. Over time, that changed the way I pack.

Today I’m sharing the process I use before every trip, along with the pieces I’d pack for a typical summer beach vacation.

1. Plan for the Actual Trip

Before I ever step into my closet, I start with the trip itself.

What are we actually doing?

Are we spending most of our time at the beach or by the pool? Will we be walking around a town or city? Do we have any excursions planned? Are there a couple of dinners that feel a little dressier than the rest of the trip?

I find it helpful to think through the different moments I’ll need outfits for before I start pulling clothes.

A casual morning coffee run requires something different than a beach day. A sightseeing day looks different than a dinner out. Once I have a rough idea of what the trip will actually look like, it becomes much easier to identify what I need and, just as importantly, what I don’t.

This step alone usually cuts down on overpacking. Instead of packing for every possible scenario, I'm packing for the trip I'm actually taking.

2. Shop Your Closet Before You Shop the Internet

Once I’ve mapped out what the trip will actually look like, I head to my closet.

This is the point where a lot of us are tempted to start shopping. We know we need outfits for the trip, so it feels natural to start looking for them.

Instead, I try to build those outfits from what I already own first.

It took me a few trips to realize that my favorite outfits were rarely built around the brand-new pieces I'd bought specifically for the vacation. More often than not, they started with pieces that were already doing the heavy lifting in my wardrobe, like the white button-down I’d reached for more times than I could count, the linen trousers that worked with almost everything in my suitcase, or the dress I knew I’d feel good wearing.

Those pieces were already part of my wardrobe. I knew how to wear them, I knew what to pair them with, and when the trip was over, they slipped right back into everyday life.

By the time I've finished pulling from my own closet, I usually discover I already have a lot of what I need. Not everything, but enough to create a strong foundation.

3. Identify the Gaps

Once I’ve pulled together a few outfits from my own closet, the gaps become a lot easier to spot.

Only then do I start thinking about whether there's anything I actually need. Whether it's a new swimsuit or replacing a worn-out pair of sandals, I find those decisions are much easier to make once I've taken inventory of what I already own.

I think this is where vacation shopping can easily go sideways. When we start shopping before assessing what we already have, it’s easy to overbuy. We end up solving problems that don’t actually exist or purchasing pieces that duplicate something already hanging in our closet.

Starting with my own wardrobe helps me separate a genuine gap from a momentary impulse.

My Go-To Beach Vacation Packing List

Once I’ve worked through the process above, this is usually where I land for a typical 5–7 day beach vacation.1

Clothing

• 2–3 swimsuits (usually two bikinis and one one-piece)

• 1 cover-up (bonus if it converts to a dress)

• 1 linen set (button-down, shorts)

• 2 non-denim shorts

• denim shorts

• 1-2 tank tops

• 1-2 tees

• 1 feminine top

• 1 pair of linen trousers

• 2 button-downs (one poplin + one linen from the set)

• 1 dress

• 1 lightweight sweater

• 1 lightweight layer (denim or field jacket)

Shoes

• Flip flops

• Sandals

• Sneakers

Accessories

• Beach bag

• Everyday bag

• Handsfree bag

• Belt

• Hat

• Sunglasses

• Minimal everyday jewelry

What I’d Wear

Here's how I'd wear those pieces throughout the week. Links are included with each outfit.

I still enjoy shopping before a trip. In fact, I usually do end up browsing a little more than usual once something is on the calendar.

The difference is that I’m no longer starting with shopping.

By the time I think about adding anything new, I’ve already looked at the trip itself, the outfits I’ll realistically need, and the pieces I already own. That makes it much easier to see what’s actually missing and what’s simply appealing in the moment.

The goal isn’t to pack less or avoid shopping altogether. It’s to make sure the wardrobe you pack still feels like your wardrobe when the trip is over.

Looking for more outfit inspiration?

If my style resonates with you, I share additional outfit inspiration with paid subscribers through the Summer Outfit Edit every Sunday. Paid subscribers also have access to our subscriber chat, where we discuss outfits, styling questions, and seasonal planning.

One of my favorite things about collecting outfit ideas over time is that you start to notice new possibilities in pieces you may have overlooked before.

A pair of trousers gets styled a different way. A vest shows up in a new combination. An outfit you’ve already seen sparks a completely different idea.

That’s part of what I’ve enjoyed most about building the Summer Outfit Edit. The growing collection of outfits isn’t just there to inspire. It’s there to help you see more potential in the pieces you already own.

This week’s additions include a mix of workwear, casual outfits, and a few outfit formulas you can adapt using pieces from your own closet.

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This week’s outfits feel like a mix of polished and relaxed in the best way. There are easy pieces I’d wear on a weekday, outfits that work for a casual weekend, and a few that could easily take you to dinner or plans with friends.

You’ll see a few familiar pieces repeated throughout the week, but each outfit has its own personality. Take the ideas that …

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There’s something about summer style that’s hard to resist.

The breezy dresses. The strappy sandals. The colorful accessories. The outfits that make you want to book a vacation immediately.

It’s not just the clothes themselves. It’s also everything they seem to represent. The relaxed, carefree version of yourself who somehow always looks put together, has a summer glow, and makes getting dressed look easy.

And that’s not accidental.

The industry has become incredibly good at selling that version of summer.

I was at the mall with my daughter this past weekend, and honestly, I get it. It was hard not to want it all. Everywhere we looked felt like another invitation to summer. The colors, the displays, the styling, all selling the same idea: that this is the version of yourself you’ll be when you’re wearing it.

Before you know it, you've bought into the feeling and ended up with a collection of beautiful summer clothes that don't always work together the way you hoped they would.

And trust me, I’ve fallen into that trap more than once.

I’ve found that getting dressed becomes much easier when I have a few pieces I can come back to again and again. They're rarely the stars of the outfit, but they're often what I rely on most because of how many different ways I can wear them.

So before you add anything else to your summer closet, make sure you have these1 first.

If you'd rather browse everything in one place, I've rounded up the full collection here.

White Tee

A white tee is one of the most useful pieces in my summer closet. I reach for it on its own, layered under other pieces, or as a starting point when I’m putting together an outfit. It works with just about everything and gives me a simple foundation to build from.

My Pick: Everlane box-cut tee

Other Options:
• Madewell Oversized tee
• J.Crew Boyfriend cropped tee

Fit Notes: I size up two sizes in the Everlane tee for a more relaxed fit. The boxy shape works well tucked or untucked, and the heavier-weight cotton gives it a little more structure than your average basic tee.

Ribbed Tank

A good ribbed tank plays a very similar role to a white tee in my closet, especially during the hottest months of the year. I wear them on their own with shorts, skirts, and linen pants, but I also use them as a layering piece under button-downs and lightweight jackets. They’re simple and comfortable, which is exactly why I reach for them so often.

My Pick: Pact On The Go-to square neck

Other Options:
• Z Supply Sirena ribbed tank
• Madewell 90s scoop neck tank

Fit Notes: I’ve owned a lot of tanks over the years, and quality makes a bigger difference than you might think. Lower-quality tanks tend to lose their shape and need replacing more often. The Pact tanks are made from organic cotton and feel substantial without being heavy. I also love the stretch in the Z Supply tanks because they hold their shape well throughout the day.

White Button-Down

A white button-down is one of the most versatile pieces in my closet. I wear it tucked, untucked, buttoned, layered, and thrown over tanks and dresses as a lightweight layer. It can feel polished or casual depending on how it’s styled, which is exactly why I reach for it so often. More than almost anything else on this list, it gives me options. Whether I want a little extra coverage, another layer, or simply a different way to wear what’s already in my closet, a white button-down almost always works.

My Pick: Sezane Max

Other Options:
• J.Crew Ettienne oversized
• J.Crew classic linen
• Gap oversized gauze

Fit Notes:
The Max Shirt is intentionally oversized, and I wear my usual size 0. It fits true to size for an oversized shirt, so I wouldn't recommend sizing up unless you want an especially oversized fit.

Striped Button-Down

A striped button-down serves a similar purpose to a white button-down, but with a little more personality built in. While a white button-down acts as a blank canvas, a striped version brings immediate interest to an outfit without requiring much additional styling. I often reach for one when I want a simple outfit to feel a little more complete. Paired with denim, shorts, or layered over a tank, it does a lot of the work for you.

My Pick: The striped button-downs I wear most are older purchases from J.Crew, Madewell, and Target that are no longer available. Rather than a specific recommendation, I’d focus on finding a stripe pattern and fit you love since this is a piece you’ll likely reach for year after year. I prefer a slightly oversized fit that can be worn tucked, untucked, layered over tanks, or tied at the waist. Whether you choose poplin, linen, or gauze comes down to personal preference and climate.

Options:
• J.Crew Poplin
• Madewell straight hem
• J.Crew gauze
• Mango cotton

Feminine Blouse

A feminine blouse earns a place in my summer closet because it offers something the tees and button-downs don’t. It’s an easy way to add a little personality to an outfit while still pairing effortlessly with jeans, shorts, skirts, and linen pants. I often reach for one when I want to feel a little more dressed up without wearing a dress. Whether it’s dinner, date night, or a day when I want something different from my everyday basics, a feminine blouse gives me another option.

My Pick: My favorite feminine blouses are no longer available, but I tend to gravitate toward styles with subtle details like embroidery, eyelet, ruffles, or a puff sleeve. I prefer a relaxed fit that can be worn tucked or untucked. While I often choose white because it pairs easily with the rest of my closet, this is one category where I’m more likely to incorporate a subtle print or a little color.

Options:
• Madewell Leah top
• Doen Nara top
• Aritzia Fiore linen blouse

Linen Pants

Linen pants are one of my favorite alternatives to shorts during the summer. They offer the comfort and breathability that make linen so popular this time of year while providing a little more coverage. I often reach for them on days when I want to stay cool but don’t necessarily want to wear shorts. They go with everything from tanks and tees to button-downs and feminine blouses, making them one of the easiest pieces to wear on repeat.

My Pick: Abercrombie Sloan linen-blend tailored wide-leg

Other Options:
• Z Supply Vista pant
• Ruti Uptown Loose pant
• NaNin Lena silk canvas pant

Fit Notes: These wide-leg pants fit true to size and are available in short, regular, and long lengths. At 5’3”, I wear the regular length. They come in several versatile colors, including white, black, and khaki, making it easy to find an option that works with your wardrobe.

Denim Shorts

No summer wardrobe would be complete without a great pair of denim shorts. They’re one of the easiest foundations for casual summer outfits and pair effortlessly with everything from tanks and tees to button-downs and feminine blouses. Over the years, my preferences have changed quite a bit, and I’ve learned that fit matters more than anything else. For me, that often means sizing up and choosing styles with a little more room through the leg. The result is a pair that feels comfortable, easy to wear, and much more versatile.

My Pick: AGOLDE Parker long denim short

Other Options:
• Levis Ribcage denim short
• COH Ayla denim short

Fit Notes: If there’s one thing I’ve learned about denim shorts, it’s not to get too attached to the size on the tag. I often prefer sizing up for a more relaxed fit, especially in styles with less stretch. This year I’ve also found myself gravitating toward slightly longer inseams, which feel just as easy to style while offering a bit more coverage.

Non-Denim Shorts

While denim shorts get most of the attention, non-denim shorts are just as important in my summer wardrobe. They’re often what I reach for when I want something a little softer, more polished, or simply different from denim. Whether they’re linen, twill, or another lightweight fabric, they offer the same ease as shorts while giving me more variety in how I get dressed. They give me another option when I want a break from denim.

My Pick: Many of my favorite pairs are older purchases that are no longer available, but they’re the type of piece I wear year after year. I prefer a relaxed fit that feels comfortable through the leg and doesn’t cling in the heat. Having at least one non-denim option adds a lot of variety to a summer wardrobe.

Options:
• J.Crew Tropez linen short
• Aritzia Effortless short
• Sezane Rome short
• Recreational Habits Ferry boxer

Jeans

While shorts tend to get most of the attention in summer, I never stop wearing jeans. They’re often the piece that helps bridge the gap between casual and polished, and they’re an easy option for cooler mornings, air-conditioned spaces, travel days, or evenings out. More importantly, they work with every top on this list. A great pair of jeans gives you another way to wear the pieces you already own, which is exactly why they continue to earn a place in my summer wardrobe year after year.

My Pick:
Madewell Vintage wide-leg crop

Other Options:
• Agolde 90s crop mid-rise straight
• Everlane Way-High curve
• COH Miro relaxed

Fit Notes: The Madewell Vintage Wide-Leg Crop Jean is this year’s version of a pair I’ve owned and loved for years. I find they fit true to size with just the right amount of stretch for all-day comfort. The cropped length works especially well for summer and pairs easily with everything from sandals to sneakers.

Midi or Maxi Skirt

A skirt is one of my favorite alternatives to both shorts and dresses during the summer. It offers the comfort and ease of a dress while giving you more flexibility in how you style it. Paired with a tank, tee, button-down, or feminine blouse, it can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. I often reach for one when I want something light, breezy, and comfortable but don’t feel like wearing shorts or committing to a dress.

My Pick: The skirts I wear most are older purchases that are no longer available, but I consistently reach for cotton poplin and linen styles in neutral colors.

Options:
• Aritzia Luminary poplin skirt
• Tuckernuck Nicole circle skirt
• BR Viscose-Linen maxi
• BR Factory Linen pintuck midi

Midi or Maxi Dress

A dress earns its place in my summer wardrobe because it’s often the easiest outfit option. When I want to feel a little more dressed up or simply don’t want to think about putting an outfit together, a dress does the work for me. It’s a true one-and-done piece that can be styled casually for everyday wear or dressed up for special occasions.

My Pick: Sezane Raquel dress

Other Options:
• Aritzia Tina poplin dress
• Doen Quinn dress
• The Drop tiered maxi dress

Fit Notes: The Raquel Dress fits true to size. I love that the buttons are fully functional all the way down and that it comes with a matching belt, which gives you the option to define the waist or wear it without. It comes in several colors, but I chose black because it gives me the most flexibility when it comes to styling.

Lightweight Layer

A lightweight layer is one of those pieces I don’t need every day, but I’m always glad to have. Air-conditioned offices, restaurants, travel days, and cooler mornings are all situations where it comes in handy. Whether it’s a denim jacket, lightweight field jacket, or casual bomber, having one extra layer gives me more options.

My Pick: Many of the lightweight layers I wear most are older purchases that are no longer available. More than the specific style, I’d focus on finding one that feels easy to throw on over the pieces you already own.

Options:
• AYR The Ride or Fly denim jacket
• Madewell Field jacket
• Joe’s Jeans Zip Bubble jacket
• Zara Puffball bomber jacket

Accessories & Shoes

Accessories are often what make an outfit feel finished. For summer, I tend to keep things simple and rely on a handful of pieces that work with almost everything in my closet. A raffia tote instantly feels seasonal, while a flat, sneaker, and sandal can cover just about every outfit I wear throughout the summer.

Raffia Tote

My Pick: Sezane Justine Basket bag

Other Options:
• J.Crew Como woven tote
• Gap Straw tote bag

Fit Notes: I love that the Justine Basket bag comes with multiple strap options, so it can be worn on the shoulder or carried by hand. It comes in a variety of colors, but I tend to gravitate toward neutral versions because they work with everything in my summer wardrobe.

Sneaker

My Pick: Freda Salvador Eda D’Orsay sneaker

Other Options:
• Veja Campo sneaker
• Zara fabric sneaker

Fit Notes: Fits true to size. I love that they feel a little different from a traditional white sneaker and can be worn comfortably without socks.

Flat

My Pick: Madewell Greta ballet flat

Other Options:
• Freda Salvador Jada square toe ballet flat

Fit Notes: I love the Mary Jane-inspired silhouette and how easy they are to dress up or down. Madewell consistently makes some of my favorite flats because they're comfortable and come in a variety of styles, from classic leather to mesh, bows, and raffia. If you're looking for a versatile flat for summer, they're a great place to start.

Sandal

My Pick: I don't have one specific favorite sandal, but I tend to gravitate toward simple, neutral styles that work with everything in my summer wardrobe. Whether you prefer a slide, strappy sandal, or flip-flop comes down to personal preference, but I find that one versatile pair can go a long way.

Options:
• Steve Madden Haydn slide sandal
• Everlane The Leather flip-flop
• Project Cloud flip-flop

If my style resonates with you, I share additional outfit inspiration with paid subscribers through the Summer Outfit Edit every Sunday. Paid subscribers also have access to our subscriber chat, where we discuss outfits, styling questions, and seasonal planning.

One of the things I’ve noticed over the years is that getting dressed gets easier when you stop expecting every outfit to be completely different from the last one.

Most of the outfits in this week’s additions build on pieces that appear more than once. A striped shirt. A favorite pair of pants. A lightweight layer. The pieces change roles, but they keep showing up.

That’s often where the best outfit ideas come from. Not adding more to your closet, but seeing familiar pieces in a new combination.

This week, I’m adding 11 more outfits to the Summer Outfit Edit: seven complete looks, plus a few additional ways to wear some of the pieces featured throughout the lineup.

Access to the full Summer Outfit Edit, future weekly additions, and the private chat are available to paid subscribers throughout the summer.

Subscribe now

Read more

One thing I’ve noticed is that summer tends to arrive with a lot of anticipation. The trips. The plans. The things we’re looking forward to.

Then summer arrives. It’s hot. Schedules change. Life gets full. And before long, some of those outfit ideas we had at the beginning of the season start taking a back seat.

That's what inspired the Summer Outfit Edit. A place to keep collecting outfit ideas and styling notes throughout the season, so when getting dressed starts running on autopilot, you've got something to pull from.

Today, I'm opening up the first week as a preview.

Future weekly lineups, access to the full Summer Outfit Edit, and the private chat are available to paid subscribers throughout the summer. You can upgrade your subscription below.

Subscribe now

This post includes several visuals and outfit ideas and may be a bit long for email. To get the full experience, you might want to open it in Substack or your browser.

A quick note before we get started: each outfit includes links1 to help you recreate the look. Some are exact pieces, while others are similar alternatives when the originals are no longer available.

You’ll also find a separate collection with everything featured in this week’s lineup gathered together in one place.

Monday
A matching set is one of my favorite shortcuts when I want an outfit to feel cohesive. Here, the blazer and scarf add a little personality, but the set itself is doing most of the heavy lifting.

A denim jacket would make this feel more casual if you don’t need the structure of the blazer.

Tuesday
This outfit is built around one of my favorite formulas: stripes and trousers. It’s simple, easy to recreate, and one of those combinations that always seems to work.

A lightweight cardigan over the shoulders would make this feel a little more office-friendly without completely changing the outfit.

Wednesday
This is an outfit I’ve recreated before and continue to come back to. The combination of a long vest and cropped denim strikes that balance between relaxed and put together that I’m always drawn to.

If you prefer more coverage, a fitted white tee underneath would completely change the feel of this without taking away from the shape of the vest.

As a bonus, I used the same cropped jeans to create two additional outfit ideas. It’s a simple reminder that one piece can often go further than we think.

Thursday
Sometimes it’s a single detail that makes you save an outfit, and for me it was the green sneakers. They give an otherwise simple combination of a sleeveless top and trousers a completely different feel.

Swap the sneakers for a sandal or ballet flat and this immediately feels a little dressier without changing the outfit itself.

Friday
A tank and shorts is a pretty simple starting point, but the suede shacket is what makes this outfit feel memorable. It changes the feel of the outfit completely without making it any more complicated.

This same outfit would also work with linen pants if shorts aren’t your thing in the summer.

Saturday
The combination of olive and denim gives this outfit a little more depth than a typical white tee and jeans pairing. The lighter accessories keep it feeling fresh and seasonal.

If it’s already hot where you are, swap the jeans for denim shorts and keep the rest of the outfit exactly the same.

Sunday
This feels like the kind of outfit I’d throw on for a coffee run, a travel day, or any morning when comfort is the priority. The striped shorts keep it from feeling too basic, and the sweatshirt gives it a little more shape than a tee on its own.

You can opt to wear the sweatshirt or drape it over your shoulders to have on hand if temperatures cool off later in the day.

If you’ve made it this far, you’ve essentially seen exactly how the Summer Outfit Edit works.

Subscribers also have access to the private chat, where we’re sharing outfits, swaps, and questions along the way.

If you’d like to continue receiving the weekly lineups throughout the summer, you can upgrade your subscription below.

Subscribe now

This spring, the Style Guide and Builder gave those outfits a more organized and flexible home than the planners ever could. Instead of assigning outfits to specific dates, everything could live together in one place and be revisited, however you wanted to use it.

At the same time, heading into summer, I knew I wanted this season to function a little differently.

Summer has never been my easiest season to dress for, and I liked the idea of creating something that could continue evolving in real time throughout the season itself. New outfit additions each week. Styling notes. Fresh references to keep building on over time. A place for creativity, experimentation, and community to exist alongside the outfits.

That’s really what led me to create the Summer Outfit Edit.

The Summer Outfit Edit is a growing seasonal outfit file that will continue evolving throughout the summer. New outfit ideas, styling notes, planning pages, and linked looks will continue being added each week from June through August, all living together in one place.

By upgrading your subscription, you’ll receive access to the Summer Outfit Edit itself, along with all subscriber-exclusive additions and the private chat.

What you’ll receive

Upgrades include access to the Summer Outfit Edit file: a growing seasonal outfit file that already includes a full launch collection built from the outfits I’ve been sharing throughout May.

Every Sunday, a new weekly lineup email featuring at least seven additional outfits, styling notes, linked looks, and visual references will be delivered.

Those weekly additions are then added into the Summer Outfit Edit itself, where they become part of a running collection of outfits, planning pages, and styling notes throughout the summer.

Throughout the summer, the weekly additions are also organized into categories for easier outfit planning and reference later on.

I wanted this to feel structured enough to keep returning to, while still leaving room for the kind of flexibility and experimentation that naturally happens this time of year when routines are shifting constantly.

Access to the private subscriber chat is also included throughout the season for outfit discussions, styling questions, and seasonal planning along the way.

If you loved the planners..

If you loved the planners and weekly outfit lineups, I think this will feel very familiar, just in a more flexible way that continues growing throughout the season.

The Style Guides and Builders are still very much part of this world, too. This just felt like the version I wanted summer specifically to take.

And transparently, I know this is a lot.

I know the way my brain naturally organizes things can sometimes feel a little intense. But I also really wanted this to work, whether you’re someone who loves planning things out ahead of time or someone who simply likes having fresh outfit ideas show up in your inbox each week.

Some of you will use the planning pages and interact with the file itself. Others may simply look forward to the weekly emails and let the edit continue building in the background as a running collection of outfit references to revisit whenever you want.

More than anything, I wanted this to feel like a natural continuation of the weekly outfit lineups so many of us have enjoyed over the years, while also giving the outfits, ideas, and inspiration a place to continue growing throughout the summer itself.

What I hope this becomes for you

I also know summer can feel oddly difficult when it comes to getting dressed. Routines shift. Schedules change. It’s hot. People are traveling. Some days feel overplanned, and others feel completely unstructured. And at least for me, that’s usually when getting dressed starts feeling harder too.

My hope is that the Summer Outfit Edit becomes a place you can keep returning to when you want a fresh idea, a visual starting point, or simply like the idea of fresh ideas continuing to arrive each week.

Upgrades are now open, and the full Summer Outfit Edit launch collection is officially live, with the first weekly lineup addition arriving this Sunday.

Subscribe now

As of this week, my kids are officially out of school for summer, and I’ve found myself looking back through old outfit photos, pulling aside the ones I’d still happily wear again right now.

Some are a few years old. Some are more recent. But all of them still feel easy, wearable, and like something I’d genuinely want to reach for as we move into summer again.

These are a few early summer outfits I’d still wear in a heartbeat.

I’ve linked1 as many exact pieces as I could throughout this post, along with similar alternatives where items are older or no longer available. My hope is that these outfits serve less as exact shopping lists and more as visual starting points if you’re looking to fill a gap in your summer closet or rework pieces you already own.

This post includes quite a few visuals and outfit ideas, so it may be easier to view directly in Substack or your browser for the full experience.

This is one of those outfits that reminds me how much a small layer can change the feel of a basic summer outfit. The tank and jeans keep it simple, and the sweater over the shoulders adds a little contrast while also giving you an optional layer later on, depending on your plans. I’d still wear this exactly the same way now.

This outfit still feels like proof that simple summer outfits don’t need much to work. The oversized chambray shirt gives the shorts and tank a little more balance and coverage, and rolling the sleeves while leaving a few extra buttons undone keeps the whole thing feeling relaxed.

The sneakers keep this skirt from feeling too polished, which is usually what makes outfits like this easier for me to wear during the day. And if you want it to feel a little more elevated later on, swapping them for a strappy sandal completely changes the direction of the outfit.

The heels and longer shorts make this a good option for summer dinners, date nights, or plans that feel a little dressier without needing a full event outfit. Pushing the sleeves up slightly keeps the sweater from feeling too heavy with the longer shorts, and if it gets too warm later on, it could easily be draped over your shoulders instead.

I love using the same color for the bag and shoes to pull an outfit together, especially when the rest of the outfit is softer and lighter, like this one. And if you want a version that feels a little more casual for hotter days, swapping the jeans for denim shorts keeps the same overall feel.

Outfits like this are exactly why I keep coming back to lightweight button-downs in the summer. Leaving it open over the tank keeps the outfit relaxed, gives a little extra coverage, and makes simple linen pants feel a little more finished without needing much else.

I’ve already made my love for an oversized button-down pretty clear at this point, but here it is again. I throw one over dresses constantly in the summer because it gives a little extra coverage for restaurants, coffee shops, or anywhere with aggressive air conditioning without changing the outfit too much.

If you’ve missed the outfit planners …

I think you’re really going to love what’s coming on Wednesday, especially if you’ve enjoyed the weekly outfit ideas and lineup emails over the years, too.

Upgrades are now open for the Summer Outfit Edit: a growing seasonal outfit file with weekly additions, styling notes, planning pages, linked looks, subscriber chat access, and exclusive weekly outfit lineups delivered throughout the summer.

Subscribe now

Honestly, I’m always curious what products other people repeatedly buy and genuinely use, so I thought it would be fun to round up the beauty, skincare, hair, wellness, and random maintenance products I keep reordering over and over again.

And yes, all of these were purchased on Amazon1. Could I buy many of them directly from the brand or somewhere like Ulta? Absolutely. But honestly, Amazon is convenient, and over time, I’ve found it easier to keep up with reordering products I use consistently this way.

That said, I’m very careful about checking sellers when it comes to skincare, supplements, and beauty products. I always make sure I’m purchasing directly from the brand storefront or from a reputable authorized seller before ordering anything.

If you’d rather browse everything in one place, I also rounded all of these up here.

Wellness Staples

These are the products that have quietly become part of my everyday routine over the past couple of years. Nothing flashy. Just things I consistently reorder because I genuinely notice a difference when I’m using them regularly.

Seed Daily Synbiotic (DS-01)
I’ve taken this every single day for the past year and genuinely notice a difference when I’m consistent with it. It’s helped so much with keeping my digestive system regulated and has become one of those things I don’t really want to go without now.

Ritual Essential Multivitamin for Women
These have been part of my daily routine for a while now too. I originally started taking them because I wanted to be more consistent about overall wellness as I’ve gotten older, and I love that they’re simple, easy to take, and don’t upset my stomach.

LMNT Electrolytes
I reorder these in bulk at this point. I usually drink one almost every day, especially after workouts or first thing in the morning, and they’ve become one of those routine products I always want to have on hand. I’ve tried almost all of the flavors at this point, and raspberry is still my favorite.

Everyday Skincare

Clearly I have a thing for Dermalogica because half of this section somehow ended up being their products, but these are the skincare products that have quietly become part of my everyday routine over time. I’m very much in the phase of wanting to take care of my skin consistently and age gracefully without doing anything invasive, so a lot of these products are less about “fixing” something and more about keeping my skin feeling healthy, hydrated, and supported.

Dermalogica Active Moist
This has been one of my go-to moisturizers for years. It’s lightweight but still hydrating, which I really appreciate as my skin has changed over time. I use this daily and feel like it gives me moisture without making my skin feel heavy or congested.

Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel
I’m really picky about cleansers because I don’t like anything that leaves my skin feeling stripped, and this one has been consistently good for me. It cleans my skin well while still feeling gentle enough for everyday use.

Dermalogica Sound Sleep Cocoon
I started using this more consistently as my skin started needing a little extra support overnight, and I genuinely wake up feeling like my skin looks more hydrated and rested. It’s become one of those nighttime products I keep repurchasing.

Alba Botanica Daily Moisturizing Lotion
I’ve always been someone who puts lotion on every single day, and this one has been a favorite for years. It’s thicker and really moisturizing without feeling greasy, plus it has vitamin E, which my skin especially loves.

Products I’ve Really Noticed a Difference With

I feel like these are the products that made me go, “okay wait… this is actually doing something.”

Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting Exfoliant
This is one of the products that really made a noticeable difference in my skin texture and overall glow. I feel like it helps keep my skin smoother and clearer, especially as aging skin starts needing a little more consistency and maintenance.

Colleen Rothschild Glycolic Acid Peel Pads
I love these and use them interchangeably with the Paula’s Choice exfoliant depending on what my skin needs. I try not to overdo exfoliating products, but these are really good for helping my skin feel smoother and refreshed. I always notice my skin looks a little brighter after using them consistently.

CKD Retinol Collagen Gua Sha Neck Cream
This one is newer to me, but I’ve really been enjoying it. The built-in gua sha applicator is really easy to use, and my neck feels noticeably softer and smoother after applying it. I’ve only been using it for a couple of weeks, but I do feel like I’ve already seen a slight difference.

Colleen Rothschild Illuminating Tinted Eye Cream
I really love this for mornings when I want to look a little more awake without putting a ton on under my eyes. It’s tinted, so it brightens and illuminates while also feeling really hydrating and smoothing. It has ingredients like hyaluronic acid and caffeine in it, so it feels like a mix between skincare and makeup, which I really like.

The Oils I Cannot Quit

I know oils are not everyone’s thing, but my skin absolutely loves them. These have been longtime staples for me and are products I reach for constantly.

Vitamin E Enhance Professional Grade Oil
I have repurchased this more times than I can count at this point. I use it every single morning and genuinely feel like my skin misses it when I don’t. My skin absorbs it really well, and it leaves everything feeling soft, hydrated, and healthy without feeling overly greasy.

Cocokind Chia Facial Oil
I combine this with my vitamin E oil almost every morning, and my skin really seems to love it. It gives my skin such a healthy, glowy look and feels really nourishing without being heavy.

Little Things I Keep Reordering

These are the random smaller beauty products that somehow became staples.

Abib Collagen Eye Patches
If you’ve followed me for a while, you already know I love eye patches and have tried so many over the years. These are some of my favorites because they actually stay in place instead of sliding down your face the entire time you’re wearing them.

Paw Paw Wonder Blenders
I genuinely don’t understand why makeup sponges have gotten so expensive, so I’ve repurchased these over and over. They work really well, blend everything evenly, and I like that I can replace them regularly without feeling ridiculous about the price.

Triangle Powder Puffs
I use these for applying finishing powder and really like them. They make it easier to press powder into smaller areas around the eyes and nose without everything looking too heavy.

Clean Skin Club Face Pads
These definitely fall into the category of not technically necessary, but I really like them. They’re thicker than most face pads, don’t fall apart, and just feel a little nicer to use overall.

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
I’ve gone through so many of these over the years and always end up repurchasing another one. Technically it’s a sleeping mask, but honestly I use it more like an everyday lip balm because it’s so hydrating and nourishing. I keep one by my bed at all times and use it constantly, especially when my lips start feeling dry.

Little Maintenance Things

I do still get things like professional dermaplaning done, but these are the products I use to maintain everything in between.

Schick Dermaplaning Razors
These are really good for maintaining things in between appointments. I’ve tried several over the years, and I especially like the handle on these because they feel easy to control and use.

Silicone Shower Scrubber
I used traditional loofahs forever, but eventually started spiraling a little thinking about how gross they probably were, so I switched to these silicone shower scrubbers and genuinely prefer them now. They feel cleaner, hold up well, and just give me more peace of mind overall.

Hair Products Worth It

Hair products are one of those things where I’ll keep testing until I find one I really love… and once I do, I rarely switch.

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Advanced Clean Dry Shampoo
This is the only dry shampoo I use anymore. I’ve tried so many over the years, and this is the one that actually makes my hair feel clean instead of just coated in product.

Davines OI Shampoo + Conditioner
I really love this shampoo and conditioner duo. It makes my hair feel incredibly soft, smooth, and healthy without weighing it down, and the scent is so good.

Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo
I use this about once a week as more of a scalp treatment, and I absolutely love it. It gives my scalp such a deep clean feeling without feeling harsh, and my hair always feels fresher afterward.

This was very outside my normal style content, but honestly kind of fun to put together. Clearly I’m a creature of habit when it comes to products, because apparently I just keep reordering the same things over and over again. Now I want to know: what random product do you refuse to live without?

That’s really the idea behind outfit formulas for me. Not rigid outfits to copy exactly, but simple starting points you can build from and make your own through layers, accessories, color, proportions, or small styling shifts.

These are 5 outfit formulas I’ve been relying on lately along with the ways I’d personally style1 and build from each one.

This post includes several visuals and outfit ideas and may be a bit long for email. To get the full experience, you might want to open it in Substack or your browser.

Tee + Jeans

This is probably the outfit base I return to most because it gives you so much room to play. The outfit itself is simple, which is exactly why it works.

For this version, I added a sweater vest and a red shoe to break things up a bit and give the outfit more personality. This is usually where I lean on my A’s method a little. Add a layer. Add an Accent. Accessorize. Adjust something small. It doesn’t take much to completely change the feeling of an outfit like this.

You could also throw a blazer over it, drape a sweater on your shoulders, switch out the denim shape, or completely change the feel just by swapping the shoe.

The base stays the same. The styling is what changes the outfit.

Stripes + Trousers

This is one of my favorite outfit formulas when I want something that feels a little more polished but still easy. The striped tee keeps it casual, while the trousers instantly make the outfit feel a little more pulled together.

I went with navy trousers here because they’re one of my most-worn pairs this time of year, but this formula works with almost any color combination. You could do a striped tee, a striped button-down, wider stripes, thinner stripes, white trousers, olive, linen, black… once you have the base, there are so many directions you can take it.

For this version, I added a denim jacket and brown bag mostly because I liked the mix of the warm brown against the navy tones in the outfit.

White barrel jeans + Chambray top

I really like this combination for spring and summer because the white denim and chambray together feel lighter and a little more seasonal while still being incredibly easy to throw on. It’s one of those outfit formulas that feels intentionally casual.

I chose a barrel style white jean here, but this would work with almost any white denim shape, depending on what you like wearing most. Straight leg, wide leg, cropped, full length… the formula itself stays the same.

This is also the kind of outfit where small styling shifts can completely change the feel. Roll the sleeve, half-tuck the shirt, switch the shoe, add a sweater over your shoulders, or bring in woven accessories once the weather gets warmer.

Double Denim

Double denim is one of those outfit formulas where you either like it or you don’t. But for those of us who do, it’s honestly one of the easiest things to throw on.

I usually like keeping a little contrast between the washes so everything doesn’t blend together too much. If I’m wearing darker denim on the bottom, I’ll usually reach for a lighter wash on top, or vice versa.

This is also one of those outfits where the styling details do a lot of the heavy lifting. For this version, I added a tank underneath, a colorful necklace, and a boot with a little shine to break up the denim and give the outfit a little more personality.

You could also wear the shirt open over a tee, swap in a sneaker, or throw a trench over top and call it done.

The Sandwich Method

This isn’t a new styling concept by any means, but it’s one of those things that once you notice it, you start seeing it everywhere and immediately want to play around with it yourself.

The idea is basically creating a “sandwich” with your outfit by repeating a color near the top and bottom. Think of those pieces as the bread. For this version, the navy striped sweater and blue sneakers are the bread, with the white button-down and sweats in the middle.

Some people do this by matching their bag and shoes, but I think it works just as well when you tie in a layer, accessory, or even a color in a stripe like this. It doesn’t have to be exact. The repetition is what makes the outfit feel more connected and pulled together without needing much else.

Lately, having a few outfit bases to work from has made getting dressed feel a lot easier for me. I spend less time standing in my closet trying to figure out an outfit from scratch and more time actually playing around with styling, layers, accessories, and combinations I may not have reached for otherwise.

It’s also pushed me beyond automatically defaulting to blue jeans every single day, which honestly says a lot coming from me.

Hopefully, these give you a few new ideas to play around with this week.

xx,
Sarah

What I had instead was a short list of replacements. Things I had worn so many times they needed to be renewed. And a few things I genuinely didn’t own that I kept reaching for and coming up empty.

Here’s what made the list1.

Two pairs of jeans. I know.

I have a lot of jeans. More than most people would consider reasonable. And after 90 days of sitting with all of them, I still came out the other side wanting two more. But these felt different than how I used to shop. Before the no-buy I would have added them to cart without much thought, probably thrown a few others in while I was at it. These I actually thought about.

The Le Jean olive cargo barrel had been on my mind for a while. I had a straight leg pair in a similar color that had shrunk in the wash and never fit right after that. I kept reaching for them anyway. The barrel silhouette is what sold me. I love the shape.

The Everlane high rise sailor was a replacement for a pair I donated before the no-buy and immediately missed. High rise, wide leg, a wash I love. I just did another closet cleanout this week during our renovation and got rid of 11 pairs of jeans. So yes, I donated a pair, missed them, bought them back, and then purged 11 others. I think I’m good.

Basic tees, long overdue.

My basics had gotten to the point where I was avoiding them. Pilling, stretched out, past their prime. These weren’t exciting. They were necessary. And there’s something clarifying about replacing something worn out with something that just works.

If you’re looking for a great basic tee, I recommend these from Everlane. I size up two sizes for the perfect, not too tight, lived in feel.

It was time for new bras.

I heard a podcast recently with Mel Robbins and celebrity stylist Erin Walsh and the whole conversation was about intentional dressing. She talked about the idea that getting dressed starts before the outfit and that the first thing you put on your body sets the tone for how you move through the day.

And I thought about my bras. Old, stretched out, something I had never really considered beyond functional.

There’s something about starting from the inside out that I hadn’t fully considered before. I decided to give these a go. The first thing on your body deserves the same thought as everything else.

In my matching set era.

I haven’t always been a matching set person. Somewhere along the way, that changed. I already own two Varley sets that I reach for constantly, and I wanted new colors. There’s something to be said for knowing what works and just leaning into it.

These fall into that elevated athleisure category. Comfortable and put together, and practical enough for whatever the day actually looks like. The price point is higher than most, but it shows in how they feel and how they hold up.

A fun pop of color.

I have jewelry. A lot of it is gold, some with initials, all of it safe. What I don't have much of is color or anything that really makes a statement. And in developing my method around adding interest and having outfits say something about you, I realized my accessories weren't giving me much to work with. This necklace was the start of changing that. Colorful, a little playful, and exactly the kind of thing that makes an outfit feel more like me.

Pure joy in burgandy.

I have plenty of sneakers. I got these anyway. These burgundy Adidas sneakers are a color I have always loved and always loved seeing styled on others. They felt fun and different in a way that was hard to say no to. Sometimes a purchase doesn't need more justification than that.

The wildcard.

These are completely off-brand for me. They are trendy, a little nostalgic, and the kind of thing I would have scrolled past six months ago. These tortoiseshell jelly flats from Dolce Vita add texture, pattern, and honestly a little fun to my closet.

I showed my daughter a similar style when we were out shopping last weekend. She immediately redirected me elsewhere, but was sweet about it. She said they weren’t for her but that I would like them. She was right.

There’s something about jellies that takes me right back to wanting a pair as a kid and thinking they were the coolest thing. These feel like that, but grown up. I have no idea if I’ll love them in practice, but I wanted to try.

Looking back at this list, what stands out to me most is how familiar all of it feels. Pieces I had worn into the ground, kept reaching for, or realized I didn't actually own that fit naturally into the way I already get dressed.

A good pair of jeans. Better basics. Matching sets I know I’ll live in. Even the more playful pieces still feel connected to my actual style instead of some version of who I thought I should be dressing like.

I think that was the biggest shift for me coming out of the no-buy. Not suddenly becoming someone who never shops, but becoming a little more honest about the things I actually wear constantly and what’s genuinely worth bringing into my closet.

I haven’t written a Style File in months, and there’s a reason for that. Life has been busy. And I know everyone says that. But I mean it in the way that surprises even me sometimes. No free nights for the next six months. Saying hi to my husband in passing. Not being able to commit to anything without checking the Skylight calendar first. Hockey. Soccer. School. Get togethers. Deadlines. Every single day there is somewhere to be or something to do. And I chose this. We chose this. These are the priorities we set for our kids and the life we wanted for our family. I’ll gladly choose it again. It’s just a lot to hold.

Style Files live at the intersection of style and self. They're the pieces that remind you that getting dressed has never really been about the clothes. I don’t write these lightly. I don’t write these unless I feel steady about what I’m trying to say. And for a while, I haven’t felt steady. I’ve been in the middle of a kind of internal recalibration that’s hard to name while you’re still inside it. Questioning what I’m building. Questioning what growth actually means to me now. Sitting with the tension between what performs and what feels true. Thinking about identity in this season of motherhood and work in a way that feels different than it used to.

When I’m in the middle of that kind of processing, I stay surface here. Outfit formulas are easier to share than uncertainty. I reach for what’s safe in my closet the same way I reach for what’s safe in my writing. These pieces require conviction and thought and depth, all of which have been absorbed by everything I’ve been trying to sort through.

It was a regular morning. Low impact cardio, around 8am, a ride with an instructor I don’t typically take from but had been curious about. We were working through the hardest part of the ride when she said it. “Now’s a good time to get out of your own way.”

I ride for more than the physical reward. The emotional reset is what keeps me coming back. So when something lands in the middle of a ride, it tends to land somewhere deeper than the bike. This did. It stayed with me long after I stepped off. I just didn’t know why yet.

I kept coming back to it. Turning it over. The meaning seemed clear enough. Get out of your own way. We know what that implies. We assume it means stop hesitating. Stop doubting. Stop standing in the way of your own progress. But I’ve never been standing still. Not once in the years I’ve been doing this.

For years, I gave work away and wondered when it would be enough. Sat in silence where I expected a response. Watched effort disappear into a void. Earlier this year, I pivoted completely on how I monetize my work, on my content, on everything. I developed products, built a strategy, researched and learned, and kept showing up in ways most people never saw.

Life outside of work is in motion, too.

My son got his license recently. For sixteen years, he has depended on us. He made me a mother, and I have never taken that lightly. God chose me for him and him for me. It’s the best role I’ve ever played. And I am proud of who he is becoming, genuinely. But there’s a grief in letting go of the version of that role I’ve known. A new kind of fear that comes with watching him make decisions on the road, choices and consequences that are now his responsibility. I find myself hoping he still needs me, just differently than before. I am somehow moving through one of the hardest transitions a parent faces.

And still, when she said, "Get out of your own way”, it stopped me.

I wasn't hesitating. I was moving. I still am. But moving under pressure is its own kind of obstacle. It has a way of making you feel lost even while you're in motion.

Getting dressed has become one more place where I perform. The agenda follows me into the closet every morning. What I've committed to publicly, the week's content, and wherever I'm going and who I need to be when I get there.

And I don’t think I’m alone in that. The pressure we carry into the closet comes from everywhere, from the scroll that tells us what’s in and what’s out, from the opinions of people whose approval we never asked for, and from the quiet fear of getting it wrong. It builds slowly until you reach a point where you just want to stop caring, where you wonder why any of it matters, and where walking away from it entirely suddenly feels like an option.

And it doesn’t stay in the closet either. It follows you into the seasons of life you’re moving through and into the roles you’re trying to fill well.

A few weeks ago I was at my son’s end-of-season get-together with his team. I left my phone in the car. I’ve been making more of an effort to be present lately. It hasn’t always come naturally. I’ve spent too many Saturdays at my desk when I could have been somewhere else. But I’ve been learning that the moments I can’t get back matter more than the ones I can reschedule. So I’ve been trying.

And that afternoon, I was just there. Watching him with his friends. Laughing with ours. Soaking up the sun. Someone asked about my outfit, and I answered and moved on because it didn’t feel like work. It felt like conversation. When the pressure lifts, even the things that usually feel heavy just feel like life. It can all wait. It does matter. Just not right now.

I know not everyone’s life revolves around content. But I think most of us have something that follows us the way content follows me. Something that makes it hard to just be somewhere without it pulling at you. Leaving your phone in the car might look different for you. But the relief of finally doing it, whatever that looks like, is worth finding.

I’m not going to wrap this up with a tidy list of steps and motivational quotes. That would be a little ironic, wouldn’t it? A motivational phrase is what started all of this in the first place. But there are a few things worth holding onto.

Get out of your own way implies hesitation. But for some of us the obstacle has been pressure. When you notice it, when you finally name it for what it is, you can lift the valve.

It’s reaching for something in your closet because you like it, not because it proves something. It’s unfollowing and unsubscribing from the noise that’s been telling you what to wear and how to wear it. It’s stopping the work from being a referendum on your worth and the response from defining the value of what you’ve given. It’s leaving your phone in the car and just watching your kid laugh with his friends in the sun.

The pressure isn't going anywhere. We'll still show up to our closets every morning. We'll still do the work. We'll still move through every role and every season. But now we know what we've been carrying. And knowing it is what makes it possible to lift the valve, to move freely, and to finally get out of our own way.

So this week I thought to put together1 seven outfits that require minimal effort but don’t read that way. Whether you’re in the middle of a move, a busy week, or just a morning where getting dressed feels like too much, these work for that too.

This post includes several visuals and outfit ideas and may be a bit long for email. To get the full experience, you might want to open it in Substack or your browser.

I love this combination of brown and black together. It's one of those pairings that feels unexpected but works every time, whether you go the barrel jean route or keep it shorter like I did here. The accessories aren't required, especially on the days when you're working with limited time or a limited closet, but they're what add that personal touch that makes an outfit feel like yours. A belt, a bag, or earrings go a long way.

Leopard as a neutral is something I fully believe in, and I love the use of prints here. Don’t be afraid to mix them. This is an easy weekend outfit that has a lot more personality than the effort it takes. Swap the sandals for white sneakers if you want to dress it down further.

The color combination here is doing all the work. Olive and navy together always feel intentional and you don't need much else. A cap on a low effort day is always the right call. Swap the jacket for a denim jacket or a cardigan if that's what you have on hand.

A tee and denim formula always wins. It's a reliable choice when you're in a pinch, but making it yours is what brings in that personal touch. I love how simple this one is and how much the bag does for it. You may not have a checkered tote, but that's the point. An accent bag or accessory like this is what takes a simple outfit and gives it personality (I've linked a few fun options below if you're looking to add to your closet).

A dress is genuinely one of the lowest effort things you can put on because it's one decision. The denim jacket shifts it out of purely athletic territory and still keeps it casual. I'd reach for this for school drop off, a casual lunch, or any day I want to simplify getting dressed. Swap the sneakers for sandals when it's warm enough.

The cardigan is what makes this work as more than just a gym outfit. It’s that multifunctional piece that takes you from a workout to running errands without having to change. This is a good one for the days when comfort has to come first but you still want to feel like yourself. Swap the shorts for leggings if the weather calls for it.

The contrast between the cream trousers and the leather jacket is what makes this work. The wide leg keeps it from feeling too polished and the black tee grounds the whole thing. This is the one I'd save for a day when you want to feel a little more put together without actually doing more. Swap the flats for ankle boots if you want to lean into it a little more.