Simple, Effective, and Chic: 5 Outfits Our Editor Has on Rotation This Summer

Like many East Coasters, I recently did the seasonal closet swap, and the result was, well, underwhelming. I'm from California, so when I moved to NYC, the idea of having a wardrobe for each season was a dream come true. But this year, unboxing my summer apparel left much to be desired. I'm not a "new season, brand-new closet" type of shopper, but it's become clear that I need to make some updates. I'm looking to invest in color and print trends, versatile office-appropriate pieces, and a few new accessories for good measure. To help me decide which items to prioritize, I've enlisted the help of my stylish colleague and fellow New Yorker, Michaela Bushkin. Whenever she's in the mood to update her closet, Nordstrom is her first stop. For summer 2025, Michaela curated five core outfits, and most items cost less than $150. See her cool workwear looks and weekend outfits—and copy her summer shopping list—below.

"You heard it here first: Gingham is the print of the summer, so this dress was an immediate yes. While white with red or another bright color is fun (and I will be participating), a white-and-black combo is so classic, not to mention easy to style. This Madewell dress can take you from day to night, which is why it made it into my summer capsule wardrobe. This look is for dinner at the perfect patio table at my favorite NYC restaurant just before the sun sets. (Can you picture it?) Realistically, I'll take the sunglasses off and put the cardigan on about halfway through the meal. (Yes, the cardigan is a styling piece, but it's also practical.) I love that I can also wear this dress during the day with ballet flats or—dare I say—sneakers. And don't be afraid to style it with a bag in your favorite summer hue." — Michaela Bushkin, fashion director

"I debated which color of this Free People knit to buy for about 10 minutes (it comes in four others), but I finally landed on red. It's the perfect addition to my summer capsule wardrobe because it's a simple top in nature, but the fun pop will add some interest when I pair this top with all my favorite bottoms, like these linen shorts and the jeans, white skirt, and shorts featured in the other looks here. I stuck with the black-and-red color combo and tapped into a bit of a French girl aesthetic by finishing off the look with some sleek red sunnies and square-toed ballet flats. Now I just need to book that flight to Paris." — Bushkin

"I probably don't need to tell you that butter yellow is one of the biggest color trends for spring and summer, and I'm so here for it. This linen Reformation dress is great on its own (I love the square neckline), but I tapped into my go-to cool-girl styling trick of tying a sweater around my waist for a little something extra. This one's coordinating butter-yellow striped colorway ties the whole look together. This outfit is perfect for a casual weekend day, but I'll definitely pack this dress for summer beach vacations with the addition of some fun shell and baroque pearl jewelry." —Bushkin

"This look consists of two pieces I will be wearing on repeat this summer: mid-thigh white denim shorts and an oversize black blazer. Maybe it's because I'm in my 30s or because I finally realized they don't suit my body type, but short denim shorts are not a part of my wardrobe anymore. It works out well since longer silhouettes are on-trend. I'll wear these with a bikini on vacation, with a silky top and heels for a casual summer date night, or with my new go-to blazer, pictured here. Speaking of, I've tried on dozens of black blazers, and I can honestly say the fit of this one is exactly what I'm always looking for: oversize but not so much that I'm drowning in fabric. This affordable blazer instantly adds polish to any look, be it a cotton dress or denim shorts. I especially love belting it to give it an interesting detail and a little more shape. This look is very NYC cool girl (thanks also in part to my favorite chunky loafers), and I can only hope it doesn't get too hot to wear this exact outfit anytime soon." — Bushkin

"This look features two pieces I will inevitably wear endless ways all summer long: a linen button-down and a white cotton skirt. Let's start with the button-down. It's an essential styling piece that will take me from the beach (worn as a cover-up) to the office (tucked into trousers). I'll also use it as a styling piece and tie it around my waist to add some color to an all-white look. I did say endless, didn't I? The skirt is so easy to throw on with any top, from this button-down to a tank top. Plus, it's incredibly lightweight and comfortable, so I highly recommend packing this one for any upcoming trip, whether you're strolling a city or hanging out seaside!" — Bushkin