My Foolproof Formula for Putting Together a Weekend Wardrobe You Can Actually Live In

Off for a long weekend to visit family in D.C, I wanted to make our annual family road trip a laid back, intimate adventure. Usually, I plan our vacations meticulously, filling every free moment with an excursion or outing and then scheduling down time. Blame it on the planner in me. I’m the type of person that creates a “To-Do List” for the items on my “To-Do List”.

But this trip, I approached things differently. Instead of trying to maximize every hour, I carved out some time for a few planned activities with the kids but overall, I prioritized rest and downtime for the family to simply be.

I wanted my wardrobe to reflect that same feeling. No fussy outfits. No pieces that required too much maintenance. Just clothes that felt easy and comfortable.

For late summer, I narrowed my long weekend wardrobe down to three elements:

Soft, Breathable Fabrics

I packed a mix of cotton blends and linens, pairing soft everyday basics with more elevated, airy pieces that could easily be mixed and matched. I also made sure to pack a range of shirt silhouettes (strapless, tank, short-sleeve, and long-sleeve) for versatility, which allowed me to quickly adjust to whatever the weather or day demanded. And an unexpected show of bare shoulders in a strapless top is my favorite casual evening look for summer.

Relaxed Silhouettes

For bottoms, I gravitated toward relaxed fits and lightweight matching sets, which give effortless without looking messy. I again packed for versatility and pulled a couple of pants, a dress, and a short set.

Low Maintenance Footwear

Shoes were the easiest place to embrace the laid-back mood. I aimed for comfort without completely sacrificing personality. I packed colorful takes on summer staples alongside a few elevated classics like a heeled thong sandal, a leather loafer, or a mesh flat. Because the rest of my weekend wardrobe was intentionally restrained, shoes became an easy way to inject some fun into each look.

THE WEEKEND CAPSULE

15 pieces of easy layers, relaxed silhouettes and low-maintenance style.

TOPS

• The Neutral Tank
• The Plain White Tee
• The Plain Black Tee
• The Cotton Button-Up
• The Sheer Button-Up
• The Flowy Linen Top

BOTTOMS

• The Matching Pajama Short Set
• The Shift Linen Mini Dress
• The Relaxed Jean (Barrel Leg)
• The Relaxed Jean (Boyfriend/Straight Leg)

SHOES

• The Mesh or Fishnet flat
• The Modest-Heeled Sandal
• The Leather Loafer
• The City Sneaker

HOW TO WEAR IT

Multiple ways to wear them. Nothing too precious.

THE DRIVE

Plain White or Black Tee + Barrel Leg Jean + Mesh/Fishnet Flat

SLOW MORNING

Matching Pajama Short Set + Plain White or Black Tee + City Sneaker

FAMILY DAY

Flowy Linen Top + Barrel Leg Jean + City Sneaker

CASUAL DINNER

Shift Linen Mini Dress + Leather Loafer

SUMMER EVENING

Sheer Button-Up + Neutral Tank + Boyfriend/Straight Leg Jean + Modest-Heeled Sandal

My mission was to build a weekend wardrobe that was easily lived in. And I made it happen by intentionally light dressing, packing comfortable considered pieces and leaving room for the spontaneity of doing less.