Recently, blog reader Cindy wrote a lovely email and asked, “Susan, please consider a post regarding new purchases you are making for spring. I know you only make a select few every season.” I’ve received similar messages from many of you since, so this post is for all of you.
I’ve been planning my spring/summer 2025 purchases for the past two months. Visualizing outfits I will need in warmer weather helps me get through the harsh winter months. Some items were so successful last summer that I built upon the linen theme to invest in more pieces to wear with what I already have.
Dresses have never been my favorite, but I must admit they are much cooler in hot weather. I’ve learned that my best options are midi-length dresses with no gathers or tiers. The effect is more modern and feminine when I show the collarbones, forearms, and ankles. The bodice must fit close to the body without adornments, and the skirt should flow across the hip area in a floaty A-line.
On cool evenings, I can add a denim jacket or a colorful silk twill scarf over my shoulders. The simplicity of these dresses will allow me to add any cropped jacket and bold earrings or a dynamic pendant necklace.
Even when I drape them over my shoulders, I love the look of a soft striped tee. This one is so soft and comfortable I could sleep in it. It looks great alone or under a denim jacket with white jeans.
Blue and red are my accent colors, so I bought both. I will wear them open like a jacket over a white tank and linen pants or mostly buttoned and loosely tucked into white jeans.
I will also treat the red linen shirt as a third layer over a slim-fitting tank and white jeans.
Our evenings are often chilly, and restaurants are always too cold, so a cotton cardigan with a modern silhouette is necessary year-round.
When something I like is trending, I take advantage of availability to stock up. I’ve always been a fan of vests, so I bought this off-white one to wear over faded jeans and sandals. Silver jewelry, a tan straw tote, and aviator-style sunglasses will accessorize the look.
Now, here is the surprise element! Me in shorts? I haven’t worn shorts in twenty-five years, but these linen ones will look great with a plain fitted tank and the shirts above worn open with flat sandals on the hottest days.
I always get compliments on my hats, and this silhouette is a favorite. Since I have a roundish face, I look for hats with a higher crown and brim about two inches wide. A masculine style in neutral colors without froufrou is much more modern-looking.
I chose these glasses for the modern style and straight lines, which are better with a round face. Don’t leave polarized glasses in your car. The summer heat will remove the polarization.
This chunky silver cuff had me at hello!
I saved Christmas gift money and gap bucks to invest in timeless pieces that complement everything I already have. The modern silhouettes of these items will add a bit of spice to all the basics in my closet. As always, the styling, accessorizing, and colors make the look your own. Finding the elements that flatter your shape and coloring is the key to looking great.
I’ll share pictures of these items used in outfits as soon as I can dedicate a sunny day to the project. Of course, you will also see them styled in my looks for the next few months.
*Disclaimer: Some links are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost.
Thank you so much for this post! I love all of it. Can’t wait to see your pictures of the outfits.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Thank you for your early summer post! I love vests also and am wondering what kind of shirt you would wear under the white vest?
I will wear it as a top, like the black one in the photo of me from last summer in the email notice. You could also wear it over a thin white tee if you like.
Gorgeous in a dress.
Thank you for the ideas. I like what you said about planning what to wear in the warmer weather helps you get through these last harsh winter days. Boy, do I need that. Winter is hanging on in Wisconsin and I need to think warm weather.
I really like these and am looking forward to seeing your outfits with these items.
Such good choices! The dress is scrumptious! I love the cut. Very flattering. I can see how great these pieces will look this spring and summer. I can hardly wait to see how you work them together and with accessories. Some of them come in petites too!
Great choices! I’m looking for tee shirts and tanks that are shorter, but not crop!
Linen shirts are a staple for me in summer and this red linen is irresistible.
I am a big fan of striped teeshirts. They are easy to put together with jeans etc. Love this post thanks Susan.
I love the pictures you took years ago in a long dress that I think was light blue chambray. I don’t know why you don’t were dresses more often! You look adorable in them and they are flattering on you. Hope you wear the new dresses in the spring and summer. I wear mine with the shirts you show tied at the waist. Everyone comments that they should do the same with shirts. I love wearing my shirts with my vests and even a tie! I am trying to bring back that look for spring. I have some vintage ties from my husband’s uncle and also his Dad and my Dad. Precious wearing these ties.
Hope you are all doing well. What socks will Mr. Mickey wear for spring??? Thank you for the posts. Love them.
Patty V.
A great forward thinking post to cheer up the end of winter blues. Love the gap vest , the colour is chic. The dresses are elegant too , Lots of nice things you have shown us.
Thanks Susan x
Thank you for all of your thoughtful and attractive spring fashion suggestions!!! You have such lovely, classic taste.
Do you happen to have any sunglass recommendations for long or oblong faces?
You can wear round and oval frames.
Hello Susan, well what lovely pieces you have chosen. I am heading into Fall here but the same pieces in perhaps different colours would work too. You have such an elegant style and I often find I can do something similar with my own wardrobe choices, seeing what and how you are incorporating your new additions helps greatly. Take care thank you.
Thank You so much for your class and style that enhances and helps us transition; age appropriately, from season to season without breaking the bank!
What size tee shirts do you wear in the Banana Republic line? I ordered some in medium and they are a little snug.
I bought the tee in a size medium.
Thanks for sharing Susan. I loved all your selections. The shorts look comfy, cute and cool.
Some Banana Republic reviewers of the long sleeve tee say it is thin and see through in white so the striped one may be too. What is your impression before I order it?
I was looking for tees made from a high percentage of cotton, with lenzing modal for softness. These tees that are that. They are not thick sporty cotton tees, rather they are thin and perfect for layering. I did not find them to be too sheer.
Thank you for this post!
What a delightful preview of springtime clothing! I was (silently) oohing and aahhing as I scrolled. Those striped shirts are so good looking, and I like the idea of wearing them as a jacket or tucking them loosely into jeans. I am looking forward to seeing how you style them in both ways.
Shorts! Now there was a surprise, but I really like the style of those shorts. I still have good-enough legs to maybe pull them off (still do ballet and swimming), but my knees look their age. Where do these shorts hit on your legs? I know you’re 5′ 6″ tall, like me, I’ll look forward to seeing them on you in upcoming columns.
Thanks for a lovely look into upcoming spring fashion! I hope you and Mr. Mickey have a lovely weekend,
The shorts end a few inches above the knees I would rather not show, but I choose to be comfortable in the lovely heat when it arrives.
Love this post! I would appreciate a post on what type of hats and sunglasses to wear when you have a thin face.
Have a great day. Thanks
You can go for beanies, bucket hats or more rounded versions of hats. Rounded frames will also help to balance your features.
Your spring/summer wardrobe pieces look wonderful & your reasoning for such purchases is appreciated.
I love linen, but I dislike ironing ( after ironing my husband’s military & airline shirts for over 40+years!).
How do manage to keep linen from looking crumpled after a cleaning?
Ironing and steaming are the chores I don’t mind. It might help to take the shirts out of the dryer while they are still damp and hang them on a hanger to finish air drying.
Thank you
This is Cindy and this one was for me. Thank you so much, Susan, for this post. I am currently curating my closet to be more capsule like. A couple of items you show will be added to my current list of things to purchase. I do love to wear linen here in SW FL during spring and summer.
Why are you buying from the Gap, a fast-fashion provider whose items are of questionable quality? Shouldn’t we be looking for lasting quality?
I avoid polyester and other manufactured fabrics from anywhere. When I find mostly cotton, linen, or wool from sources I’ve bought from for years, I know the pieces will last. I’ve been wearing some of my items from Gap for five years. The most sustainable wardrobe is the one you already have.
I just finished ironing the blue striped cotton oxford cloth shirt I showed above. The quality of the work and fabric used to create the shirt is far better than expected. I will enjoy wearing these shirts for years. Read the descriptions and look for natural fabrics. So-called fast-fashion retailers often have some classic gems hidden among the trendy trash. I would have paid $100 for the same quality shirt at Nordstrom or J.Crew.
Here is an interesting review on the Gap.
I was wondering about the fit of the striped t-shirt and the striped button shirts. Do they run true to size?
I purchased my usual size medium in both shirts. The button-up shirts are oversized, tunic-length, and have a relaxed fit, but that’s okay for me because I intend to wear them open over a tank as a “jacket” most of the time. The tees have a roomy fit, which is neither too tight nor loose.
Hi Susan. I live in a very hot climate. I started wearing shorts again last year. I decided to do it because I came to the conclusion that capris weren’t for me anymore. Do I have the knees for it? No, but I still enjoy wearing them!
Susan,
l can’t wait to see you modeling your new pieces! l love everything here, especially the red shirt. (l’m into red again after several years of not wearing it). l’m wondering if you order everything or shop in person? Spring can’t get here soon enough! Thank you for the inspiration.
I ordered everything online but read the descriptions and size guides carefully.
Hi Susan, I wasn’t one of the ones that asked for this post, but thank you to those that did, and thank you for doing it!
It really was interesting. I usually don’t go into a new season with a plan! I’m trying to spend less, so a plan would be a great idea!
I picked up two things that you featured; the red blouse and the striped tee! I love the nautical look in the summertime, and these pieces should lend themselves to that beautifully! Thanks so much. I’m always so excited to get your posts because they are so helpful.
I can’t wait to see you in all these pieces.
Very helpful and inspiring, Susan! Thank you.