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    1. Fashion
    2. Summer fashion

    Your Guide to Summer 2021's Wardrobe Essentials

    These are your better basics.

    Sara Holzman's avatar
    By Sara Holzman
    Published 21 June 2021 In Features

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    What to Wear This Summer

    (Image credit: Diego Armando Mendora)

    We’ve grown accustomed to the comforts of sweats and timeworn tees, but this season we’re peeling off the layers. Liberating ourselves via clothes, author and lingerie expert Cora Harrington explains, is a convention steeped in history. Following the darkness of World War I, sultry skin-baring silhouettes demonstrated a lighthearted ethos. “The 1920s were an era when people were exploring themselves, exploring sensuality and kind of this new spirit of the world,” says Harrington. A century later, as we get ready to let loose once again, our wardrobes will follow suit. Ditch your sleepy hibernation clothes for a handful of free-spirited pieces: a slight standalone silk camisole that’s surprisingly easy to hand-wash, a roomy pair of khakis, and a radiant pendant necklace that will brighten the mood.


    The Silk Cami

    No need to be coy, a dainty silk camisole with an ultra luxe hand-feel shouldn't be hidden.

    What to wear this summer: cami

    Zadig&Voltaire Lace Detail Camisole
    $198.00 AT CFARFETCH.COM

    What to wear this summer: cami

    Morgan Lane Striped Print Camisole
    $220.00 AT FARFETCH.COM

    what to wear this summer: Floral Camisole

    $455.00 AT MYTHERESA.COM

    Brock Collection Floral Camisole

    Cami NYC silk camisole

    Cami NYC Busy Bead Stretch Silk Camisole
    $198.00 AT SAKSFIFTHAVENUE.COM

    Shop more silk camis here.

    Latest Videos FromMarie Claire
    Watch full video here:

    The Pendant Necklace

    Whether you prefer structural pieces or daintier designs, a striking pendant necklace will add a bit of je ne sais quoi to any outfit.

    Vessel Pendant

    Sophie Buhai Vessel Pendant
    $750.00 AT SOPHIE BUHAI

    'Malibu' Necklace

    Serendipitous Project 'Malibu' Necklace
    $200.00 AT SERENDIPITOUS-PROJECT.COM

    Large Wishbone Pendant

    Agmes NYC Large Wishbone Pendant
    $320.00 AT AGMESNYC.COM

    Divina Necklace

    Jennifer Zeuner Divina Necklace
    $310.00 AT JENNIFERZEUNER.COM

    Shop more pendant necklaces here.

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    The Baggy Khaki

    Thanks to their neutral hue, khakis pair perfectly with summertime prints and lighthearted accessories. The relaxed cut avoids any office drone implications.

    Khaki Pants

    DSquared Khaki Pants
    $252.00 AT YOOX.COM

    High-Rise Cotton-Chino Flared Pants

    Victoria Victoria Beckham High-Rise Cotton-Chino Flared Pants
    $475.00 AT MODAOPERANDI.COM

    Box Pleat Straight Leg Trousers

    A.P.C. Box Pleat Straight Leg Trousers
    $291.00 AT FARFETCH.COM

    High-Waisted Pleated Trousers

    RED Valentino High-Waisted Pleated Trousers
    $475.00 AT SAKSFIFTHAVENUE.COM

    Shop more khakis here.

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    The Ballet Flat

    The versatile ballet flat has become the city girl's go-to shoe. Opt for a pointed-toe version to refine any look.

    Dream Ballerina

    Mansur Gavriel Dream Ballerina
    $375.00 AT MANSURGAVRIEL.COM

    Schutz Arissa Flat

    Schutz Arissa Flat
    $68.00 AT SCHUTZ-SHOES.COM

    Lee Flat In Black Suede

    Larroude Lee Flat In Black Suede
    $250.00 AT LARROUDE.COM

    Floral Ballet Flat

    Schumacher x Margaux Floral Ballet Flat
    $228.00 AT MARGAUXNY.COM

    Shop more ballet flats here.


    The Day Clutch

    Who said clutches were just for the evening? Woven materials and bright colors mean these hand-helds are just right for sunshine-y days.

    Fendi clutch

    Fendi Beige Cotton-Crochet Pochette
    $3890.00 AT FENDI.COM

    Claire V Stripe Woven Leather Clutch

    Claire V Stripe Woven Leather Clutch
    $264.00 AT NORDSTROM.COM

    Jane Rattan Clutch Bag

    Kayu Designs Jane Rattan Clutch Bag
    $245.00 AT KAYUDESIGN.COM

    Flowers Canvas Classic Clutch Bag

    Sarah's Bag Flowers Canvas Classic Clutch Bag
    $230.00 AT MAISON-DE-MODE.COM

    Shop more day clutches here.

    A version of this story appears in the Summer 2021 issue of Marie Claire.

    Sara Holzman
    Sara Holzman
    Social Links Navigation
    Style Director

    Sara Holzman is the Style Director at Marie Claire, where she oversees fashion coverage spanning seasonal trends, celebrity style, designers, Fashion Month, and shopping. With more than a decade of experience in fashion media, she has held roles at Condé Nast’s Lucky and Self and contributed style and travel coverage to Equinox’s Furthermore. A graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism, Sara is based in New York City, where she writes about fashion through both an industry and personal lens, including the realities of getting dressed as a working mom. Follow her on Instagram at @sarajonewyork.

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