Shop Your Closet for DIY Summer Outfits

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Hi Beautiful!

As midlife women, we often find ourselves stuck in a fashion rut when it comes to our summer wardrobe. We may feel like we need to constantly buy new clothes in order to stay stylish, but the truth is, we likely have a treasure trove of outfit possibilities right in our own closets. With a little creativity and a DIY mindset, we can easily create fresh and trendy summer looks without spending a dime.

Here are some tips for shopping your closet for DIY summer outfits:

1. Create a Pinterest Board of Outfits You Like:

When you are browsing Pinterest, pay specific attention to outfits that incorporate items you already have in your closet. Create a special Pinterest board for these outfits so that you can recreate them from your own closet!

2. Mix and match:

Take a look at your wardrobe and experiment with combining pieces you wouldn’t normally pair together. Try mixing patterns, textures, and colors to create unique and eye-catching outfits.

3. Experiment With Layers:

Even if its hot where you live, hear me out on this. Growing up in Georgia and Alabama, summers were INCREDIBLY hot. My mother did not want to show her upper arms, so she would wear a tank or a camisole then layer over top a lightweight button up shirt. This covered her upper arms while still allowing air to move around the skin and keep it cool. A lightweight kimono can do the same! Experiment with the lightweight layers in your closet and see what you come up with!

4. Accessorize:

As always, keep accessories to a minimum. But instead of layering on jewelry or scarves, try mixing brown leather sandals with a seagrass tote. Pair sparkly sandals with your coastal casual cool outfits!

5. Play Around With What You Have!

Play around with items already in your wardrobe by mixing and matching until you come up with outfits. You won’t love every pairing you create, but I am certain you will find at least one outfit that you LOVE.

Summing It Up…

By shopping your closet and getting creative with DIY summer outfits, you can refresh your wardrobe without breaking the bank. Experiment with different combinations, repurpose old clothes, and accessorize to create stylish and unique looks that are all your own. Who knew that the key to a fashionable summer wardrobe was right in your own closet all along?

Now let me show you some examples! As always, SHOP YOUR CLOSET FIRST. But if you need to supplement your wardrobe, there are shopping links below each photo. I don’t expect that you will have all of these pieces in your wardrobe, but did around and see if you have something similar!

Sleeveless Chambray Button Up + Linen Pants + Sparkly Sandals + Rattan Handbag

You may not have a sleeveless chambray button up in your closet, but perhaps you have a light blue blouse for summer. Pair that with whatever pair of white pants in your closet are the most comfortable for you. Then complete the look with a pair of sandals that maybe have some texture to them, like these sparkly slide sandals here. The baby blue blouse paired with white pants creates a very summery outfit with a coastal casual vibe.

Sleeveless Chambray Button Up + White Linen Crop Pants + Sparkly Slide Sandals + Rattan Handbag

Navy T-Shirt + White Crop Jeans + Brown Sandals + Seagrass Tote

This outfit is rather plain by itself: a navy blue blouse paired with white ankle jeans. But instead of reaching for a white handbag, pair the look with a seagrass tote and brown sandals to add depth, dimension and interest to the outfit. This outfit is a great everyday summer outfit and can be worn almost anywhere.

Navy V-Neck Tee + White Ankle Jeans + Brown Slide Sandals + Seagrass Tote

Sleeveless White Button Up + Baby Blue Linen Pants + Sparkly Sandals

I’m certain you have some form of a white button up shirt in your closet or white casual summer blouse. Try pairing them with whatever baby blue pants (or light wash jeans!) you have in your closet. Then complete the look with sandals that have texture to create interest in the outfit. This outfit is another fabulous example of that effortless summer, easy breezy summer style in the coastal casual kind of way.

Black Sleeveless Button Up + Neutral Beige Skort + Black Sandals + Crossbody Bag

This is my everyday summer uniform: loose fitting blouse + skort + sandals. I see a definite difference in the skin on my legs from last summer, so I’m not as keen about showing my legs as I have been in previous summers. This 16” skort gives me a little more coverage for my legs. So look for any loose-fitting black top in your closet and pair it with a khaki beige skort for an activewear casual summer look. Complete the outfit with a textured crossbody handbag.

Neutral Sweater Shell + Neutral Beige Linen Pants + Brown Sandals + Seagrass Tote

I am wearing warm neutral beiges in this outfit but you can also create the outfit with cool neutrals like grays and muted blues. Simply pair a neutral shell with neutral crop pants, the complete the looks with comfortable sandals. This is a great look to wear to a casual dinner or lunch.

I am barely 5’1 with a 26” inseam and generally wear size 4P. All items fit TTS (true to size) unless otherwise stated.
– Valarie

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