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As warmer weather swings into action, I thought now might be a good time to ask: what clothes do you buy each year? I haven't purposely bought Birkenstocks every year, for example, but when a friend (Auntie M, in fact) mentioned that she buys a new pair at the start of every summer I thought, yep, makes sense.
Do you have old favorite specific styles that you go back to — the same white sneaker or style of Birkenstock, for example — or do you tend to have “holes” that you fill, like new white shirts, 2 new dresses, a pair of nude-for-you heeled sandals — but you buy brand new ones every year depending on what's available and where you are? (On the flip side, as we're thinking about summer wardrobes for weekend and work — are there things that you've had for YEARS that you keep pulling out every summer and are still happy to wear it?)
Pictured at top: Birks / blouse / hat / sandal / dress (all affiliate links; thank you for your support!)
For my $.02, I buy Birks every few years, but if I see a pair that for whatever reason I love — like the electric blue pair at the top of the page — then I'll splurge and get a new pair. I tend to look for new casual jersey dresses every year, but I check a rotating cast of places (stay tuned for our roundup of summer dresses, coming tomorrow hopefully). I went through a phase where I would buy a “cute hat” every year, like a fedora, but I frequently forget it and end up just using the soft baseball hat I keep in my bag. I also like to buy a few trendy/fresh white tops for work and opaque white t-shirts once a year, but I associate those purchases more with spring than summer.
Some of the latest white tops we've featured as of 2024 include these great options…
In terms of “category killers” for summer, I've been very happy with the same maxi dress for about a thousand years now (from Loft, with a keyhole, for what it's worth)… I also have one big, white, summery clutch (I guess that's the term for it? it's one of those sort of artsy bags that is huge but has very little storage space inside and has a short handle) that I got in London years and years ago that I pull out so rarely that it's still in great shape.
Unrelated to any season, I tend to buy new bras and other undergarments once a year, often during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale — and I feel like one should buy a new pair of jeans pretty regularly to keep up with weekend trends (here's my whole theory about how denim trends lead all fashion trends).
These are all the bestselling bras that readers love:
(bottom row): lace / black / red / lace
Ladies, how about you — what are you starting to think about buying for your wardrobe as summer gets under way? What things don't last so well from one year to the next (or get worn so much that you feel justified in automatically purchasing a new one)? On the other hand, what are some of the oldest things in your summer wardrobe?
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Seafinch
Avarcas, every summer! They don’t last and tend to be the only shoes I wear for 99.9% of the summer. A new bathing suit every second year or so. A couple new Boden summer dresses and one occasion dress for whatever my big event of the summer is. Same occasion splurge for winter, a couple pairs of jeans in Fall and new Chelsea Boots whenever mine die. I and still in the nursing-pregnancy cycle and get a bra allowance from my job so once a year new bras, too.
JS
Those sandals are cute! How is the sizing?
Anonymous
You get a bra allowance from your job?
Anon
Yes how does that happen?
NotYourLawyer
I think this is typically only a military thing. They have requirements about what is/isn’t okay for undergarments with certain uniforms, so they give you an allowance to purchase them.
Anonymous
Those sandals are so cute! Where do you buy yours?
anon
I buy a few new tank tops every year. My absolute favorite is the Breezy tank from Athleta, which is pricey, so I buy only one at the time. Other staples that I have repeated: linen shorts from Athleta, denim boyfriend shorts from Eddie Bauer (not a huge EB shopper, but these are great), the tie-knot tee from J. Crew Factory and a certain V-neck top from Old Navy that always comes in cute, tropical prints. Other than that, I plug wardrobe holes as needed. This year I needed new casual sandals, swim bottoms, running clothes and running shoes. Suffice to say, I have spent WAY TOO MUCH on clothing lately.
anon
I am curious about how often people replace their Birks. Mine are probably 5 years old and I got them re-soled last summer. The cork isn’t in fantastic shape, but they’re in good enough condition that I can’t justify buying a new pair even though I wear them allll the time.
Kat G
FYI – this stuff really does help the cork: https://www.zappos.com/p/birkenstock-deluxe-shoe-care-kit-n-a/product/8425883/color/1871
anon
Awesome, thank you!
Houda
I buy a white dress, Birkenstocks, 2 white t-shirts (because these inevitably get permanent stains), 1 broderie anglaise item, and 2 linen garments every summer.
I think my summer wardrobe is very aspirational, but we had a glorious summer in London last year and I’m hoping for another gorgeous one
Anon
Your summer wardrobe sounds great!
Anon
You buy Birks every year? I have one pair I bought 3 years ago that’s still going strong and I wear them A LOT.
Houda
I don’t toss the old ones though until few years
Anon
I usually buy a new hat every year because they get kind of crummy after a summer. But I really like my hat from last year and I’m still wearing it so I’m not sure it will get replaced this year.
I also go through my short sleeved shirts – tee shirts but usually not plain solid color – and throw out ones that have shrunk or faded or have spots or that I just don’t wear, and get some new ones. Lucky brand is my favorite for these.
Anon
New Sperry’s about every other year.
Housecounsel
I buy multiple white t-shirts/tanks and a few colors here and there. Athleta is my most trusted source. I’ll usually get a paid of Millers. This year I need new metallic ones; next year I’ll need black. I always get some super-casual dresses, too, often from athleisure brands like Athleta or Prana.
E
I budget $200/month for my weekend wardrobe, so $1,200 total for spring/summer. I keep a sort of capsule wardrobe that I add to as my budget allows. This includes hats, sunglasses (Ray Ban wayfarers, aviators, and clubmasters), jewelry, swimsuits, clothing, a denim jacket, shoes (I have sandals and wedges in nude, tan, and black), and bags (I have clutches that double as cross bodies in nude, tan, and black. I have some super old Rainbow sandals and Birkenstocks and several pairs of white sneakers.
Jennifer
What is your work wardrobe budget? My budget for all clothing & shoes is $250 a month.
LawyerAnon
I tend to replace my white t-shirts and maybe get 1 or 2 in various other colors. I also tend to get 2-3 casual sundresses because I live in those when it’s 85+ degrees outside. Lands End often has great deals for these.
For work and events, I usually get 1 cocktail or black tie dress to get me through weddings, conference banquets. etc.. for spring/summer. And then 1 or 2 work blouses. My suits can go years without replacement, but I tend to burn through summer blouses every year or two.
Question about birks
I tend to wear sandles that have an ankle flat because I like the extra support. I feel shoes that only have a strap/coverage in the front always feel like they are sliding out of my feet and i tend to claw my toes in to keep them in place.
I want to buy birkinstocks (but don’t like the one’s with the ankle straps) and am wondering if anyone has a similar issue that can speak to their fit. Do you find them to be more fitted/less slidy than regular flip flops or sandles without ankle straps?
B
I have long, thin feet and tend to have the same issue. Birks are the only shoes I don’t have to modify with insoles, pads until the balls of my feet, heel liners, etc. The footed is molded rather than flat, so your feet already have something to grip. The real magic of Birks is that over the first few weeks the footed molds to the specific contours of your foot. My first pair had the ankle strap because I had the same concerns as you. I didn’t like the look and bought a more feminine style. I love them and wear them all the time.
anon
I have the same foot type and completely agree. They mold to your foot, which means I have not experienced the sliding issue I have with most sandals. I have the Mayari style and have wondered if the toe loop section also helps with this issue. The downside to that style is that you can’t wear ’em with socks. ;)
Anonymous
Jack Rodgers sandals, Havaiana flip flops, a new bathing suit, and white t shirt alternatives (I loathe actual T shirts and am always looking for alternatives).
West Coaster
Basically buy a new pair of Asics GT-2000 (and whatever its predecessors were called) running shoes once a year. They are JUST the right fit/cushion/style for my foot bed, and I like how the colours and some of the design are updated at least once a year. Usually I can buy a previous season or year’s version for at least $40 off the current version’s price- bonus!