I wasn’t sure how summer would look like this year but it’s here and I’m living for it. There’s a lot of quarantine-inspired fashion moving from spring to summer. One of my favourite being the minimal hot girl summer look. This year is all about basics and a rediscovery of comfort wear so naturally, you have to channel it in your outerwear as well. It’s all about keeping it simple for your summer style and I’m not complaining.
Loud prints and colour have never been my style of choice. Instead, I feel myself drawn to the monochromatic look with a dash of nudes and neutrals. Sometimes the best way to make a bold statement is with just a two-toned outfit. We all need some effortless summer looks that look like we tried but not really, you feel me? Here are six minimal summer looks that are so easy to cop, you’ll want to wear them for a walk to the park or for a fancy date night – the options are endless.
1. Bodysuit with heeled sandals.
There’s something about bodysuits that can elevate your look while being super casual at the same time. They’re easy pieces to pair under a pair of shorts or skirt that automatically add a very sleek and clean look to your outfit. I know bodysuits can at times be a bit uncomfortable – good thing most of them have a clasp at the bottom, which I usually undo for extended wear (given that I’m wearing underwear underneath). Bodysuits are very versatile in that it can double as an undergarment and a top. A posh summer look is to style them with a pair of statement shorts and heeled sandals. It’s an easy going out look that I throw on when I want to channel a minimally-chic look. Definitely invest in some solid-coloured bodysuits to interchange between bottoms for multiple outfits.
Wearing: M Boutique Bodysuit | M Boutique Leather Shorts | Zara heeled sandals | Ray-Ban Sunglasses
2. Long dress with chunky sneakers.
It’s not summer without an easy tank dress that makes dressing up feel effortless. Even better when said dress has a slit up the side to show off some leg. I love how it’s become completely acceptable to style long dresses with sneakers nowadays. I’ve been loving the chunky white sneaker look this summer and what better way to stay comfy and stylish than to wear it with everything – from workout wear to a summer dress. If anything, pairing a dress with sneakers makes much more of a statement than heels would. For a completely minimal summer look, style a long fitted dress with some white chunky sneakers and an oversized linen shirt. It’s the perfect casual weekend look for a trip to the supermarket or city strolling.
Wearing: Talula Dress | Amazon Button Down Shirt | Amazon Chunky Sneakers | M Boutique Sunglasses
3. High-neck tank with leather shorts.
One of my favourite reasons for minimal dressing is that you get to recycle the same pieces over and over again with a few tweaks for a completely different look. One item of clothing you’ll see me wear all the time no matter how hot it gets is my leather shorts. I love incorporating leather into most of my outfits. They are the ultimate touch of edgy style that can also be very feminine if styled with the right pieces. For a completely polished summer look that’s also perfect for a night out is to style a high-neck tank with leather shorts. It’s the perfect mix of classy meets sassy while looking completely put-together. I would dare to say it’s the business casual look of quarantine.
Wearing: Frank and Oak Tank | M Boutique Leather Shorts | Welly Merck Watch | Ray-Ban Sunglasses | M Boutique Necklace
4. Cropped top with high-waisted shorts.
Of course, I can’t forget my all-time favourite cropped top for the summer season. To be honest, I love wearing crop tops all year round but they’re definitely the most popular during summertime and for good reason. They accentuate your waist and look very flattering on if you have more of a petite body type like mine. Styling a cropped top with a pair of high-waisted shorts is my usual go-to outfit when I have no idea what to wear that day. It’s feminine yet so comfortable that I don’t have to worry about wearing it for long periods of time. The crop top and shorts combo is a minimal summer outfit that you can wear on its own or under any shirt or jacket for a style upgrade. Add a chunky sneaker for a sporty yet feminine look.
Wearing: Wilfred Cropped Tank | M Boutique Shorts | Amazon Chunky Sneakers | Ray-Ban Sunglasses | Welly Merck Watch | Auxiliary Purse
5. Mini dress with lace-up boots.
Sometimes less really is more especially when talking about long sleeved tunics that show off a dangerous amount of leg. I love a good mini dress on a night out but since parties are a thing of the past, there’s definitely a way to bring out that sexy mini dress for a casual day out. To transform a super short tunic into a casual look, try styling it with a chambray boyfriend shirt around the waist to balance the amount of leg showing. As well, instead of open toe shoes, you can style your mini dress with a pair of combat boots for an edgy cool girl look. As a result, instead of looking like you’re on your way to a party, you’re good for anything from patio season to a romantic movie night. Make sure to add some gold accents to up the chic factor as well.
Wearing: Fashion Nova Mini Dress | M Boutique Chambray Shirt | Little Burgundy Boots | Ray-Ban Sunglasses | Welly Merck Watch | M Boutique Necklace | Auxiliary Purse
6. Baggy cropped top with shorts.
Out of everything, my favourite summer look this year has to be the baggy long sleeved crop tops. I’m getting Flashdance vibes with the resurgence of slouchy tops designed with a dropped shoulder. Like I mentioned, this is the year of ultimate comfort so we should all dress the part. Nothing is more in style than lightweight shirts cropped to match your high-waisted shorts at the moment. It’s all about easy looks for summer and because I love comfort more than anything, it’s great having a few airy long sleeved shirts to easily throw on top of my favourite pair of shorts. This is a great low-key look that’s also super stylish for a summer barbecue or for long walks in the park.
Wearing: Oak + Fort Long Sleeved Top | M Boutique Shorts | Ray-Ban Sunglasses | Welly Merk Watch | M Boutique Necklace | Auxiliary Purse
Quarantine has affected our style in many ways. Ideally, we all want no-fuss summer style that’s both practical and stylish at the same time. With all that’s been happening, it’s nice to know we can stay comfortable without compromising our need for style. Don’t be afraid to style the same pieces for a completely different look this summer. You’ll realize just how many different outfits you can make from just one piece of clothing. The minimal aesthetic is the perfect hot girl summer look we’ve all been waiting for.
As an Amazon Influencer, I earn a small commission on all Amazon products featured.
If you enjoyed this post and would like to see more like these, please subscribe to my mailing list and follow me on Instagram @michellesinstyle!
For More Summer Style:
Follow me on IG: @michellesinstyle
6 Comments
I really love the outfits. They’re so versatile and I can wear many of them in the hot weather we’ve been having. How do you come up with these trends? I also love those leather shorts you’re wearing. I can’t wait to read and see your next blog post
Thanks for the kind words! I’m glad you enjoyed this post and like the outfit ideas for summer. I’ve really been loving dressing comfy since coming out of quarantine so I definitely needed to incorporate that into my summer looks. Stay tuned for more summer style posts 🙂
I love all of these! Cute, edgy and chic. Timeless looks!
Aw thanks girl! I’m so glad you like them. Definitely easy outfits to put together!
I love your fashion taste! Would you have any recommendations for basic chic for someone with a postpartum body? I’m carrying a little bit of extra fat around the tummy!
Yes of course, you can definitely still look minimal chic regardless. I’d recommend wearing the long fitted dress and oversized shirt combo that I mentioned in this post. If you tie the ends of the shirt around your waist, it’ll look more polished and you will definitely hide that tummy fat easily. If not a dress, then a flowy top with a pair of cute shorts also works!