15 Editor-loved Summer Style Essentials From Nordstrom

It seems like almost every rom-com I grew up watching featured a female lead who was a journalist in New York City. From “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” to Sex and the City and “The Devil Wears Prada,” nothing seemed more glamorous than writing in my tiny apartment day after day while going to cool events night after night. The reality is that I’m typically writing day after day, then too tired to go anywhere but a yoga class or my bed at night, but one of the biggest unexpected perks has to be how much I’ve gotten to learn about fashion.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed getting to learn about style from some major designers and other seasoned editors, but the best part is when I get to share my learnings and personal favorites with my friends and our readers. I’ve been writing about style for over seven years now, and Nordstrom has to be one of my favorite places to shop online. This summer is all about investing in high-quality essentials like linen trousers, breezy dresses, and some button-ups along with some fun accessories, and Nordstrom works with high-end brands that I trust. Ahead, find some of the items I’m hoping to add to my summer style rotation.

Related: I’m a Travel Writer Living in New York City, and These Are the 7 Styles That Everyone’s Wearing for Summer

Becca Mykonos Semisheer Ribbed Cover-Up Maxi Dress

A stylish cover-up is a summer wardrobe essential and even moren so when you’re trying to avoid overpacking. This cover-up dress from Becca is semisheer and has stylish slit details, meaning you’ll be able to wear it to the beach and dinner afterward without having to go back to your hotel room to change.

Beach Riot Celine Cutout One-Shoulder One-Piece Swimsuit

Some people think of one-piece swimsuits as unstylish, but one of my favorite things about them is that they double as a bodysuit you can pair with jeans or a skirt. I have my eye on this because of the one-shoulder neckline and cutout at the waist.

Caslon Dolman Sleeve Cotton Button-Up Shirt

If you want to capture the vibe of summer without overheating or baring a lot of skin, a cotton button-up shirt always does the trick. In my summer style rotation, button-ups are a frequent occurrence with a variety of outfits. I’ll wear one over leggings and a sports bra to give myself more coverage on my way to pilates, over a bathing suit to keep my shoulders from burning, tied over a silk slip dress, and, of course, just tucked into jeans.

Schutz Cinna Sandal

These Brazilian-made sandals and I are about to become good friends. Fitted with a decorative buckle, these shoes are just compact enough for me to throw them into my gym bag, then walk from my workout to brunch plans with ease. There’s just no better way to elevate a simple jeans-and-tee outfit than with a chic sandal.

Good American Good Legs Flare Jeans

I’ll use any opportunity I can to praise Good American jeans when I can. I have a curvy body type, and I love the way the stretchy fabric hugs my figure. These are currently a staple in my closet in the black color, so I’m looking forward to snagging this wash for more casual looks.

Wayf Jolie Smocked Tie Front Top

Trendy items tend to be ones you can only really wear once in a while, but this top is versatile despite its unique details. The ties, puff-sleeves, and smocking are subtle enough to wear this on repeat for years to come.

Free People Cooler in Capri Off the Shoulder Top & Skirt

Two-piece sets are the unsung heroes of my wardrobe. This one’s got a cropped, off-shoulder top paired with a skirt that has a stretchy waistband, so it’s bound to be both stylish and comfortable. Naturally, this is great for dressier occasions, but it’s equally easy to throw on for a midday coffee run or any other time at which you want to look like you put more effort into your ensemble than you really did.

Open Edit Cowl Neck Satin Slipdress

I’m not kidding when I say that I own over a dozen slip dresses, and that’s saying a lot considering the fact that I live in a tiny apartment with an extremely small closet. I wear them for chilling at home, morning walks, park hangs, dates, and more. Obviously, you can dress them up or down easily, but the slit and cowl neck on this dress make it perfect for more formal occasions.

Le Specs Outta Love 51mm Oval Sunglasses

If you’re thinking to yourself, “How the heck are these tiny oval sunglasses going to look on my face,” I don’t blame you. But these sunglasses have tiny lenses offset by a thicker frame, so they’re a great way to dip your toe into oval frames. I love the black ones, but I’m also thinking about how cute the ecru and lime colors would look with an all-white or all-black outfit.

Tory Burch Ella Hand-crocheted Tote

I’m a major fan of Tory Burch, and seeing this summer-ready tote makes me like the brand even more. The structured look is hand-crocheted from raffia palm trees and is big enough to use as a work, errand, or beach bag. Unlike some heftier crocheted bags, this only weighs half a pound, meaning you can easily bring it along with you for a day of sightseeing.

Petal & Pup Devlin Linen Wide Leg Pants

When you’re looking for cool items to upgrade your summer look, you might not think of some basic pants. But when you find yourself standing in front of your closet with outfit anxiety, having one high-quality pair of wide-leg trousers can mean the difference between relaxing into a fine ensemble while doing your hair and frantically running out the door 10 minutes after your dinner reservations began. These linen pants have a tailored look to them, and I won’t be surprised if they become one of my go-tos.

Edikted Lace Trim Sweetheart Neck Corset Top

Maybe I’ve just been watching (and rewatching) too much Bridgerton, but corset tops are slowly taking over my closet right now. First of all, I can easily throw one on with jeans to look a bit dressy. I also always get compliments on my outfit when I have one on. This lace-trim option features stretchy fabric and a sweetheart neckline, too.

Mango Mid Rise Straight Leg Jeans

Mango’s jeans are really popular amongst my friend group for their reasonable price and fit, and this option in white is in my cart right now. With a straight leg and mid-rise waist, I can see myself wearing them with a silk cami or the corset top above in summer and a turtleneck sweater in winter (wearing white after Labor Day is my favorite rule to break).

Skims Fits Everybody Tube Dress

This dress checks all my boxes for style, comfort, and price. It comes in sizes XXS to 4X, comes in bold and neutral colors, and is made with Skims’ signature barely there fabric. I resisted shopping from the brand for a long time, but once I finally caved and got some of its underwear and T-shirts, I can’t help but reach for them over and over again.

BP. Rib Crop Cardigan

Yes, I’m writing this in the midst of a heat wave. But I get uncomfortably cold when restaurants and friend’s homes have their air conditioners blasting, so I always carry an extra layer with me. I typically layer with a button-down shirt, but I am looking to add this cardigan to my roster for dressier occasions. Plus, it’ll come in handy in the winter time, when it’ll work nicely as a base layer.