This Is Our 4-Piece Summer Uniform. Today, Tomorrow, Forever.
It’s 4 steps, takes 3 minutes, and attracts more compliments than we’re fully comfortable with.
by The Candidly Team
We’re not enormous fans of frivolous rules made up by fashion editors who’ve run out of things to write about.
But…
We do love a uniform.
A template type of thing that gives us a wildly easy framework for how to dress in a way we automatically know will make us look and feel undeniably excellent.
Even on our frumpiest of days. When we’re bloated. Or just blah. Or so freaking hot, we can’t imagine putting an ounce of effort into our appearance beyond tossing our humid hair into a rubber-band ball of a bun.
Life has taught us that such style goldmines do exist. And guys, we think we just dug one up.
First, a few preliminary clues.
Image Credit: Minka Kelly: Rocstar Premiere/ Dino/ FameFlyNet Pictures, Eva Mendes: Just Jared, Katie Holmes: Backgrid
Onto us yet? How bout a few more?
Image Credit: Keira Knightley: Just Jared , Minka Kelly: Bauer-Griffin/GC Images, Anne Hathaway: Ralph Lauren
Okay, so first off, this is not a color story or a rule about wearing navy or yellow… though it’s not not a color story in that we did think these colors looked glorious on every woman above.
However, this is actually about a 4-piece ensemble that looks amazing on every woman on earth. At least every woman we’ve tried it on (cough, ourselves). Before we get into what it is, here is why it works:
Comfort: Despite looking totally tailored and chic, this is one of the lightest, airiest looks we’ve put together. An actual dream to wear.
Ease: Throw on these 3 or 4 pieces (depending on your layering preferences) in any which way, and you will look your best. We don’t even fully understand why. You just will.
Proportions: It’s balanced, no baggy bottoms paired with mumu tops, which just ends up looking weighted and schlumpy. It’s also not skin-tight head to toe, so there will be zero self-consciousness. However, when done correctly, it is so well cut that it will give you the perfect, curve-celebrating silhouette.
Chicness: aka attractiveness, loveliness, prettiness, effortlessness, femininity. It exudes, we swear, all of these things.
Here’s how one of us put it together recently:
And here’s how it works:
1) Basically you start with a skirt. Yes, a skirt. We’ll get into how to choose THE skirt in a minute. But once you have the desired belly-and-butt-skimming fit, everything else is a breeze.
2) Next, you add a perfect-fitted tank. Easy enough.
3) Use a relaxed, button-down. This can be tied or tucked at the waist - hourglass anyone? Buttoned or unbuttoned to show a select amount of skin, from a sexy, dipping neckline to a fully opened outer layer.
4) Add a comfy summer shoe that elevates your look without a hint of pain.
Sounds almost too simple, right? Well it all comes down to choices. And fear not, we spend the majority of our lives sourcing these solution-oriented pieces.
And we’re not gonna hide how excited we are about the 4 we found:
1. The Supremely Flattering Skirt
We write a lot about this skirt. But there’s a very good reason - several very good reasons.
1. It’s an elastic waist in the back, so the comfort and stretch is incredible, but the front has a smooth even waistband so it looks very polished.
2. It falls perfectly so as to be spacious without adding bulk to our bottom halves.
3. It has the perfect floaty material we love to wear in the heat.
4. It costs 3x less than designer versions of this same style.
5. There are so many incredible colors. Here’s just a sampling:
One note: Free People runs big, so we recommend sizing down.
Price: $60
Lilysilk Silk Striped Midi Skirt
Here is the exact silky, striped, classic skirt shown above. We’ve found THIS skirt to be one of a very select few that are worthy of investment. From a pure looks standpoint, it will attract more compliments than you might be comfortable with. There is also nothing more flattering around your belly than that wide waistband.
Price: $275
2. The Perfect-Fitting Tank
Z Supply Essy Ribbed Cropped Tank
A tank is one of those small yet essential staples where the fit makes a world of difference.
We won’t over-explain. Here is the foolproof formula: 1. a scooped neckline to frame your chest and shoulders and 2. a ribbed fabric that makes your waist slimmed and smoothed.
We love this one from Z Supply because it doesn’t show your bra straps and is just the right length that hits perfectly at the top of most skirts, so we don’t have to tuck which can create bulk and bunching.
And we also managed to get you a code from so use CANDIDLY to get 20% off.
However, for the most flattering, high-end, skinny-strapped tank in existence go HERE. And for a foolproof $20 option you can buy in 13 colors go HERE.
Price: $39
3. The Gauzy Button-Down
J. Crew Factory Gauze Button-Up Shirt
We probably don’t need to tell you why a well-tailored button-down is possibly the most useful item in your closet in terms of instantly elevating your entire look. It’s light, loose, and eternally chic. And in this divinely gauzy fabric, it’s the ideal summer staple. You can style it 17 ways, but our favorite is rolling up the sleeve and tying at the waist for a little extra tummy coverage with the above skirt and tank.
Price: $47.50
4, The Comfy-Chic Shoe
Nisolo Women’s Huarache Sandal
We’ve never sourced a prettier slip-on sandal, but more importantly, both the quality and the comfort of this one are on another level. Comes in 4 lovely, neutral colors. And the brand was kind enough to give us a code for 20% off. Use CANDIDLY20.
Price: $138
Nisolo Stella Go-To Block Heel Sandal
If you want to add a little height, THESE are unquestionably the most comfy heeled sandals we’ve tried. And we are big babies when it comes to foot pain. You can walk miles in them.
Again, they’re from Nisolo. And again, you can use code CANDIDLY 20 to get 20% off. Not sponsored. We just love these shoes, you guys.
Price: $170
Dr. Scholl’s Time Off Platform
A sneaker so graceful, it may as well be a ballet flat. Especially when worn with a skirt.
Price: $70
BONUS: THE ACCESSORIES
Once fully dressed, these are the “essentials” that get us fully out the door.
The Necklace You Can Swim And Sweat In
Mejuri Pavé Diamond Round Necklace
Usually a combination of beaches, pools, workouts, or just existing in 90-degree heat has us saying farewell to most of our jewelry until October. But this chain is solid gold with real diamonds, and therefore will not tarnish. Plus, it’s so gorgeous and subtle, we pretty much just layer it with anything else we decide to wear.
Price: $328
The Packable Hat
J. Crew Wide-Brim Packable Straw Hat For Women
The shape of this hat will convert the biggest “I’m-not-a-hat-person” to a hat person. It’s time to give in. Your shaded skin and hundreds of hours you save by not having to do your hair will thank you.
Price: $69.50
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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