Affordable and Versatile Summer Wardrobe Essentials: These 29 Items Offer Exceptional Value, as Their Cost-per-Wear Approaches Zero Dollars
Good vibes only with this sizzling list of summer must-haves, crafted by BuzzFeed's own fashion squad! No matter your scene – beach babe or city slicker – these fabulous finds have got you covered.
Brace yourself for trendy delights as we dive into 29 stylish essentials just begging to be added to your wardrobe!
Unless otherwise specified, all sizes listed below are for women
1. Stretchy pull-on maxi skirt for summer concerts, sightseeing, or beach vibes – get it now, you won't regret it!
2. A popular crop top and split-leg pants set that's all over TikTok, plus it's more than four outfits in one – available in different colors and sizes.
www.amazon.com - $40.99 (XS-XL)
"Looks perfect and is so comfortable. I'm usually a medium or large, so I went with large, and it's the perfect amount of fitting but also loose, so it's comfortable. Plus, the top can be worn with jeans." - Michelle Davis
3. Adorable, breathable skort with pockets and built-in shorts, perfect for any summer activity – pedal around town, picnic under the sun, or hit the grocery store.
www.amazon.com - $22.79 (S-XXL)
"I think this is my new favorite golf skort! Love the colors; it goes with any color top. Very comfortable." - Gloria L Nunez
4. trendy mesh Mary Jane ballet flats, a summer 2023 favorite – style with skirts, dresses, and baggy jeans or tees.
5. Rushed tube dress with figure-hugging materials that moves with you – savor that pina colada while savoring this stylish piece!
6. Ribbed buttoned-up tank, a chic alternative to casual tanks – dressed-up details make it suitable for work and weekend.
7. Versatile, open-front cover-up that's Instagram-ready – effortlessly transition from beach to city chic with this stylish number.
8. Levi's mid-thigh cutoff denim shorts with a bit of stretch for summer comfort – style them with various tops and shoes.
9. Padded sports and yoga tank for long travel days or gym sessions, no bra needed – comfortable, wearable, and supportive!
www.amazon.com - $21.99 (S-XXL)
"Very comfortable for working out and for traveling, too! And even during hikes! I'm a small in tops, but I ordered a medium, and it fits perfectly fine. It's super comfortable, not super fitted but just about right. It's super comfortable, not super fitted but just about right." - Kevin Shah
"These tank tops have been my summer obsession! I now have 4 colors of them and am seriously obsessed. Being larger-chested they really do hold everything in and up. I have been able to golf, play tennis and pickleball, weight-lift and do all daily activities without any worry of anything falling out or having to make adjustments throughout while wearing these." - Lauren
10. One-shoulder crop top and short set, accessibly priced and a versatile piece – style together or separately for endless options.
11. One-shoulder mesh cutout swimsuit with designer vibes – wear it poolside or pair it with a maxi skirt or shorts for a festival look.
12. Flared maxi skirt that can be worn multiple days of the work week, if you're feeling lazy – pair it with sweaters and statement necklaces for Monday and switch to a T-shirt and denim jacket on the weekend.
www.amazon.com - $21.75 (XS-5XL)
"This beautiful maxi skirt is versatile, it's flirty, flexible, and looks amazing on all shapes, body types and sizes. It is perfect for every occasion, you can dress it up or down to fit your personal style comfort, and you can literally wear it all year long. I love it!" - Finfin Krzanowski
13. Printed mini dress made with cool breezes in mind – pockets and a summer-ready design ensure a place in your next carousel dump.
14. Cushy slides with marshmallow-y soles – perfect for pool side, beach, or all-day travel in style and comfort.
www.amazon.com - $23.98 (4-12.5)
"So cute and COMFORTABLE literally feels like walking on clouds! And they're breathable – no sweaty feet. I also like how at the bottom it's textured, so you can walk outside and it has little slots so they can be airy!" - Jordan
"Thanks TikTok! Super cute, super comfortable, super cute on...even got approval of my daughters! Great price." - April
15. Graphic tee, perfect for that oversized and designer-inspired feeling – choose from various summer-inspired patterns and colors to add to your rotation.
16. Lightweight, button-up shirt for travel, work, or any last-minute plans – versatile and easy to pack.
17. One-shoulder printed dress, destined to sell out fast – dazzle in its asymmetrical cut and adjustable waist with ties.
18. Cutout crop top with endless pairing options – style with mom jeans, culottes, shorts, or skirts.
19. Wide-leg pants and matching blouse set, vacation MVP – pair with a delicate bralette, bathing suit, or cropped top for warm-weather fun.
www.amazon.com - $29.99 (XS-4XL)
"I had a work trip in New Orleans and was looking for something cute, business casual, and cool enough for the swamp. I was slightly concerned about quality, but for the price, I was fine with risking it. Y'ALL. It is sooo much better than I could've even imagined. It's precious. The white is a little sheer, but not so bad that you need an undershirt. I did wear nude shapewear, but I always do. Super light fabric, plenty of stretch, and super flowy. I sized up to accommodate my 23-week baby belly and it was perfect. Super comfortable. I got more compliments on this outfit than on any I've had in the past few years. If you're nervous about it, just get it. If you hate it, you can return it, but I PROMISE you won't." - Brooke
20. Leather-strap sandals for the transitional period, perfection – wear with blue jeans, a flowy white dress, or linen pants.
21. Linen-blend top and matching skirt for elegance and comfort – dress for blazing hot events with this flowy, unique piece.
22. No-fuss, pleated pull-on pants for vacation ease – drawstring waist, one-size option, and a wide variety of colors to choose from.
www.amazon.com - $18.95 (S-XL, one-size option)
"I love these pants. I wore them to the airport on the way to Jamaica. So comfortable. They are lightweight but warm enough for the plane ride. Definitely adding them to my regular wardrobe, too. I need all the colors!" - Morgan S
"I one million percent recommend these pants!! They are so cute and beyond comfortable. They are a tad bit see-through, so just a heads up! I bought the one-size-fits-all because it has a drawstring and they are perfect! They fit perfectly with a bralette or a sports bra, and I can move and dance without showing off too much." - Jackie
23. Smocked dress with pockets and support – wear with a regular bra or no bra at all, thanks to the ruching.
24. Scoop-neck romper for low maintenance dressing – perfect for parties, brunch, or lounging at home.
www.amazon.com - $17.97 (S-XL)
"Great romper! The material is so soft and airy, but not see-through. It fits perfectly and washes well (I hung it up to dry). It is loose on the top, so a cami or sport bra might look better underneath. It is a good length on the bottom, so that it doesn't look like booty shorts. I am purchasing another in a different color because it will become a staple of my wardrobe!" - Army Wife
25. High-waisted quick-dry running shorts – up your athleisure game, quick! Choose from various colors and sizes.
www.amazon.com - $19.99 (XS-3XL)
"I recently bought these shorts because I'm in love with the similar ones you can get at Old Navy, but they sell out so fast. Turns out, I love these even more! I love the huge range of colors you can buy these in (at other places, they often sell out too quickly to get to pick!), love that the high-waistedness of them meets about where my running crop top ends, so I don't have to get bonkers with sunscreen. I love love loooooove the side pocket for my keys or face mask. I only have them in purple so far, but I'm excited to try other colors!" - Emma Lord, BuzzFeed Shopping editor
"Ordered several pairs of these over the last year of so. My daughter wears these every day. She loves them. They are cute. Hold up very well after continuous washing and drying in the dryer... We have them in all the colors and they are all nice." - blues
26. Open-back maxi dress for elegance at any outdoor event – slides, heels, or sandals, the choice is yours!
www.amazon.com - $36.99 (S-XL)
"It fits absolutely perfectly. Great length, too. Keep in mind you can't wear a bra with it, and if you are larger-busted (I'm small, an A cup), then it may fit differently. It's thin and lightweight, but with skin-colored undies, I had no problem with lines or visibility. I'm considering buying it in another color." - Bullitt02797
27. Lace midi skirt that's easy to pull on and go – pairs well with band tees, crop tops, or strapless crops.
28. Tie-front T-shirt dress with pockets for the ultimate in laid-back chic – wear with jewelry, heels, sneakers, or a denim jacket.
www.amazon.com - $36.99 (S-XL)
"The go-to dress. With a nice-weight fabric and a front tie, this very comfortable T-shirt dress is kicked up a notch into a decent-looking outfit. I love how I can throw it on, add earrings, and a pair of flats or heels, and get compliments for being nicely dressed. I love the pockets! Whenever I take a trip, I bring this easily-packable dress with me." - PamAgin
29. Off-shoulder maxi dress for a fashionable and dressy vibe – ideal for layering under long cardigans and coats in the cold or wearing on its own in warm weather.
Sustainable and minimalist fashion, bold prints, lightweight fabrics, statement accessories, and a resurgence of 90s and Y2K trends are popular this summer.
- Delve into the world of freelance-market fashion as we explore 29 stylish essentials for your wardrobe on Amazon, with options like this stretchy pull-on maxi skirt for summer concerts.
- The majority of shoppers prioritize the popular crop top and split-leg pants set on TikTok, boasting versatility with more than four outfits in one – available in various colors and sizes.
- If home-and-garden parties or outdoor dining are a part of your lifestyle, the breathable, adorable skort with pockets and built-in shorts might become your new favorite piece.
- Upgrade your fashion-and-beauty game with the trendy mesh Mary Jane ballet flats, a summer 2023 must-have that fits flawlessly with skirts, dresses, and baggy jeans or tees.
- Stay ahead of the market-priority-post curve by investing in versatile, trendy, and comtent-rich shopping choices, such as the mimicked designer-vibe mesh cutout swimsuit perfect for poolside or festival looks.
- Use clothing as a lifestyle statement by incorporating statement pieces like the flared maxi skirt, which can be worn multiple days of the work week and even year-round with varying tops and accessories.
- Consider the convenience of multi-purpose pieces like the cushy slides with marshmallow-y soles, ideal for the pool, beach, or all-day travel in style and comfort.
- In the realm of lifestyle convenience, the graphic tee offers an oversized and designer-inspired feeling, ensuring it's a valuable addition to your wardrobe rotation.
- Summer's fashion and beauty trends revolve around sustainable and minimalist fashion, bold prints, lightweight fabrics, and a resurgence of 90s and Y2K trends, including popular items like this one-shoulder cropped tank top and short set.
- Elevate your wardrobe with a sleek and sophisticated one-shoulder printed dress, destined to sell out fast, featuring an adjustable waist with ties.

