The 3 Summer Staples That Never Fail (and How to Style Them with Flair)

Summer isn’t only marked by the calendar—it’s marked by our wardrobes too. That moment when wool gives way to linen, boots are swapped for espadrilles, and days stretch longer while sleeves quietly disappear. Some clothes come and go with trends, vanishing as quickly as they arrived. But then there are others: the ones that never fail, that survive fleeting fashions, changing seasons, and hastily unpacked suitcases. The ones you know will return—because they never truly left.

Today I’m talking about three of those pieces. There are no surprises here, but that’s exactly where their power lies: they are true summer essentials, the ones that work year after year. But as Marguerite Duras once said, “Style is a way of seeing, not dressing,” and that’s why it’s not just about owning them—it’s about knowing how to wear them, how to make them yours.

The Oversized White Shirt

Arguably the most versatile piece of the season—a seemingly simple garment brimming with possibilities. Masculine in cut, feminine in attitude. Worn as a dress, open over a bikini, tied at the waist, or tucked into straight-leg jeans… The oversized white shirt has that magical ability to adapt to anything and elevate it effortlessly.

The Flowy Linen or Cotton Dress

Summer always smells of salt, bougainvillea, and those long dresses that float in the sea breeze… This piece has the gift of making you feel like you’re part of a Mediterranean postcard, while also solving every “I have nothing to wear” crisis without anyone noticing.
Picture it hanging on the hook of a white house with blue shutters, waiting to be worn again each year. Style it with wedge espadrilles and a woven straw bag for slow plans and sunny strolls; with flat sandals and oversized sunglasses for market mornings; or with a denim jacket draped over your shoulders when the evening breeze sets in.

The High-Waisted Shorts

Sometimes, summer isn’t measured in degrees—but in inches of fabric. And in that sense, high-waisted shorts are a loyal ally. They cinch the waist and elongate the legs—one of those pieces that don’t scream for attention, but bring structure and intention. A blank canvas you can shape depending on your mood, the plan, or the destination.

And so, every year…

Because every summer is and will be different—but some things never change. They repeat themselves like a small ritual. These three pieces are proof of that. They adapt to the trends, they reinvent themselves, but every year they make their way back into the suitcase.

And you? What are those items that come back with you every summer? I’d love to read your thoughts in the comments—or connect with you on Instagram by tagging me at @lailusiondenina.