Cheryl Shops

It finally (finally) feels like summer here in the Bay Area: the weather is warming up, my workweek ends at 1pm on Fridays, and we have a bunch of fun trips planned. I also really look forward to wearing some of my favorite key pieces every summer—they're simple yet there's something about them that just makes me feel happy and carefree. Here are my 5 summer go-tos for 2022 (and every year).

H&M white linen shirt

A classic white button-down shirt is one of those items that always ends up on a must-have pieces list, so it's a little cliché and yet it's here for a reason. I prefer linen to cotton for some reason (in winter, I like silk better), probably because linen is very breathable and temperature-regulating. If you sweat as much as I do, however, anything white linen has a limited shelf life, so I tend to buy mine at fast fashion or mass-market retailers. I've found H&M to be a great source for linen shirts—the silhouettes are very current, and the fabric is high quality and doesn't shrink. I love the loose fit of this one (slim-fitting linen almost seems like an oxymoron), and I'm wearing my usual size small. 

Madwell relaxed denim shorts

You might remember these denim shorts from last summer—they were the first pair of shorts I bought in 20 years! After some initial apprehension about whether or not I could pull them off, they quickly became a summer favorite and I couldn't wait to break them out again this year. The key element to these, like a white linen shirt, is a relaxed fit, because when it's hot and sticky outside, I don't want to be wearing anything snug. These shorts in particular run a bit big; I sized down to a 27 (I'm almost always a 28 in jeans) and they're still pretty roomy. Together with the white linen shirt, I feel like they give iconic '90s Cindy Crawford vibes, and I'm here for it. 

Mango straw basket bag

This bag is several years old—you last saw it in August—but Mango keeps bringing a version of it back every year because it's just so good. I love a straw bag for summer because it's lightweight and can hold a lot of stuff. This one in particular is great because it has multiple strap options (I often wear it as a crossbody bag with the longer strap) and a cotton lining so your stuff doesn't fall through the cracks. And while I won't begrudge you for splurging on a designer straw tote, the price on this one is just right. 

Ganni leopard bucket hat

Speaking of straw, I love a good woven hat for the beach, but those tend to be hard to travel with—they get smashed in your suitcase and can droop if they get wet. And since I already had a straw bag in this outfit, I figured one straw piece was enough. This cotton bucket hat is still breathable (although not quite as much as straw or raffia) yet sturdy, and I like that I can flip up the brim if I don't need to be shaded. I bought this one in Copenhagen a few years ago (you last saw it here) and Ganni keeps making it every year, with slight variations. Also worth noting: since leopard print is a neutral, it goes with everything ;) 

Nomadic State of Mind sandals

I am not a completely-flat-sandals kind of person; I have super high arches, so generally I like a little heel, or if not, at least a little support. But I really liked the ropey, straight-from-my-yacht-in-Greece look of these sandals, so I decided to take a chance on them and boy are they comfortable. The ropes are soft and don't rub against your feet, and you can adjust the straps to best fit the shape of your foot. I don't think I'd wear them for a long day of walking, especially anywhere with a super-uneven surface, but they were perfect for a day of outdoor wine-tasting, which is one of my favorite summer time (or year-round, TBH) activities. They run TTS!

OUTFIT DETAILS:  H&M white linen shirt | Madwell relaxed denim shorts | Ganni leopard bucket hat | Mango straw basket bag | Nomadic State of Mind sandals