The 12 Prettiest Summer Pieces Under $100 That We’re Currently Lusting After
by The Candidly Team
We’ve reached a point with clothes where we’re sick of buying cheap things that fall apart after a handful of wears but also find the prices of most fashion labels faintly nauseating.
We need more in-between brands. Or, at least, more in between pieces of clothing that are at the pinnacle of quality but the middlest of middle range prices.
And since there’s no magical store out there curating these pieces for us, we decided to go out and do it ourselves.
So without further ado, here are 12 things under $100 that would all be stars of any summer wardrobe. Every single one is uniquely special, gap-filling, and honestly, just seem like they could cost a lot more in other places.
1. This Luxe-Looking Striped Set You’d Never Imagine Was On Amazon
Tankaneo Womens Striped 2 Piece Outfit
We recently wrote a whole article about warm-weather Amazon sets, because 1. We’re lazy about dressing in the summer and 2. After digging through the weeds, we found some very, very chic ones. This one might be the chicest though. The stripes. The variation on the hem, pocket, and sleeve. It’s the kind of detail that makes clothes look 4 times as expensive.
Price: $46
2. This Gauzy Jumpsuit We Now Live In
Like we said, we’re lazy in the summer but we still want to look put-together. In addition to being extremely flattering, especially on curves, this jumpsuit is uniquely light and gauzy. It’s made from the soft, whispery material we want to live in when the weather is warm. And because it’s black, we can style it for the beach or for our bougiest dinner plans. Here’s how one of us styled hers recently.
Price: $89
3. This Cotton Skirt That Tricks The World Into Thinking We’re “Styled” When Really we Just Want Comfort
We get accused of being “skirt people” quite a lot. And we wear the title proudly, because skirts are the most minimal effort way to look like we put in real effort. Also, we get tired of jeans and tees - not often - but certainly in the summer. Skirts are more airy and spacious and comfier after a big meal. Particularly THIS skirt. The elastic waist is a dream, but that weightless, elegant A-line makes it our go-to summer skirt. Comes in a sea of colors we either already own or have in our cart. One being white…
It’s Free People which runs spacious so size down.
Price: $60
4. This Elevated Tank That Makes Us Look “Nice” When Forced To Go Sleeveless
J.Crew Vintage Rib Sweetheart Tank Top With Contrast Trim
Another little gem from J.Crew. We talk all the time about how a well-cut tank is so flattering to arms, chests, and waistlines. But this tank takes that shape and adds little details that make it more zhuzhed up. We wear it with skirts and jeans and wide-leg pants (see below). Because it’s the most classically chic color combination, it makes anything we wear into a “look.”
Price: $39.50
5. These Easy, Breezy Denim Trousers
Gap × DÔEN High Rise Denim Trousers
We were curious if Zac Posen’s influence on the Gap, as the brand’s new creative director, would make us love the Gap again. And with his first move being this collaboration between Gap and DÔEN, we’re feeling very optimistic about the future. These pants are a drapey-pant-loving lady’s dream. Lengthens your legs for days and nips your waist to perfection. Just a dream pant from a dream collab.
Price: $100
6. This Chic Linen Shorts Set
Gap Linen-Blend Button-Back Cropped Tank Top and 365 High Rise Linen-Blend Shorts
We’ve already attested to our love of a good set. And admittedly, we’re not alone. There are A LOT of cute, linen sets out there, so why this one? Short answer - the fit. We dare you to a find a better shaped top or a more perfect-length pair of shorts, all of which look tailored and like you’ve just stepped off the Amalfi coast. Especially with a pair of THESE.
7. This Woven Tote That Just Brings Us Copious Amounts Of Joy
Abercrombie Straw Packable Tote Bag
We won’t use a lot of words, because this one is all about its picnic-in-Paris looks.
Price: $40
8. This Light And Airy Button Down We Now Live In
J.Crew Factory Gauze Button-Up Shirt
Button-downs are another instant way to make an outfit look chic. We recently rounded up our favorites HERE. But in spring/ summer months, it’s all about this one, which is very flattering and easy to tuck, half-tuck, or tie at the waist, sleeves rolled up etc. It’s gauzy and breathable so we don’t sweat through it. In the evenings, we dress it up with the below skirt.
Price: $47.50
9. This Perfect Dress-Up Skirt
Quince 100% Washable Silk Maxi Skirt
Maybe you see a lot of silk slip skirts around, because they’re classic and French and complementing to our curves. But this one is THE one for us, because it’s a maxi version, which just ups the elegance factor several notches. We wear it with a white button-down as a sort of going-out-to-dinner uniform, the length making us feel very, very chic.
Also, it’s washable, and we spill a lot at those dinners we wear it to.
Price: $80
10. This Lazy Sundress That We Wear On The Scorchiest Days
J.Crew Ruffle Beach Dress In Stripe Airy Gauze
Ok, we went $6 over budget here, but that’s because the ease of waking up warm and throwing on this dress with a sleek, little slip-on sandal is what we live for in the summer. It’s so cute and lightweight, and the happy melon color is an instant surge of joy. Also, the shape is excellent for days we feel bloated, which just outright sucks in the heat.
Price: $106
11. These Sandals We Are Living In Til September
We’ll just come out and say, at full price, this sandal is sliiiightly over $100 but we have a code for you that puts it under. And the quality of this sandal (which matches/ makes better every outfit we wear) means it’s a shoe we can wear forever. It’s a much more sophisticated alternative to a flip flop. Just as practical but so much prettier. Comes in gorj neutral shades as well.
Use CANDIDLY20 to get 20% off!.
Price: $79 - $95
12. This Summer Lounge Set Of Our Collective, Cozy-Seeking Dreams
Z Supply Dawn Smocked Rib Short and Zoe Silky Rib Tank Bra
If you want to get something from this list that will make you happy on a soulful level, it’s honestly probably this set. There is nothing like the silky knit but somehow magically lightweight material that we never want to slip out of. You have to feel it to understand. The shorts set is nice for hot nights (and days) but the PANTS work just as well. We’re telling you - LIGHTweight. Also, for some reason we can’t explain, they’re wildly flattering.
Price: $49 for the shorts, $34 for the bra, $54 for the pants
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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