How To Rewear What You Bought Last Summer
I'm looking at you, mesh flats!!
You don’t need new clothes. You need new ways to wear old clothes. And I’m here to help.
There’s something about summer specifically that can turn the saviest of shoppers into trend maniacs. I’ve seen it with my own eyes! Best practice for me: building a core summer wardrobe and accessorizing with secondhand pieces that nod to the present moment without reading as fast fashion.
So here we go: reprising some of 2024’s greatest hits for another season of wear. Try these outfit formulas on your own, or at least, get inspired to slow down and make the most of what you have at home.
Revitalize your long white skirt.
Remember when you couldn’t walk four blocks in the city last summer without seeing a flock of girls in long white skirts? I love the look! Though, as someone who SEWED their own maxi skirts for length in high school, it’s complicated.
Grab your maxi or maxi-ish skirt or dress and get ready to see it in a new light. Yes, a tshirt is great, but what about a transformation? I like wearing a shirt OVER my long dresses to mimic the shape of a skirt. Another tip: tie a silk scarf at an angle as a belt on your skirt or dress to take the tshirt look up a level. Big belts are happening, so maybe source one on eBay.
Belts MUST be purchased secondhand. I promise to cool it on the caps at some point in this letter. But I feel really passionately about this. There are too many amazing, high quality belts on secondhand markets for under $40. Or have one made in Florence.
A belt to base your entire summer personality on for $20.
I really adore the brand Rue Sophie and this skirt is no exception. Plus I’d wear it with these boots, this necklace, and a black turtleneck in the fall!
Giving someone a vintage rare Pucci silk scarf as a birthday gift is very chic.
Be real. You have vested interest!
I think we all were swept into the Big Vest PR play of 2024, and it’s not a bad thing. Vests are fabulous. We just need new ways to wear them instead of their rigid little suits, which, come on, you know I love.
My pet peeve is a too tight vest. You can see in the vest pictured, oversized really lends itself to limitless layering. I like vests that tie in the front for the same reason. This summer, wear your vest with your busted jean shorts (maybe you prefer this shape) or your sporty skort.
Copy me and wear a vest over a tiny black dress with loafers and socks. It’s a bit school girl, a little lad-ish, but a great outfit in a pinch.
I have this EXACT vest, also a size 14, and love layering with it. It’s $40.
Easter egg for later in the letter. An Easter egg on sale for $56, I might add.
A very sophisticated vintage vest for $32.
Give your crochet top another chance.
Crochet was e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g last summer, and it deserves another chance at styling! Hold off on the Poshmark pile for a second!
Let’s re-contextualize your crochet pieces. They are a texture, not a theme. You can wear a crochet shirt without having to pile on shell earrings, a basket bag, and a bandana tied like Maria from The Sound of Music.
Armed with textural inspiration, why don’t you try layering a crochet top under a blazer? Or maybe with black cotton shorts and some black leather flip flops?
Combine the two points above in Exhibit A!
This vintage crochet outfit for $80 feels like the find of this letter to me.
A $50 shirt that would look very becoming over a green swimsuit as a cover up.
Did you mesh flats even make it?
I’m serious. How do those things hold up? Let’s assume they’re doing ok. My take here is to incorporate them into your workwear/more formal outfits instead of just wearing them with jeans.
Picture a crisp white shirt and silk gingham shorts with mesh flats. Or how about with a gorgeous cocktail dress to a networking event on a rooftop?
I adore this vintage Ralph Lauren Collection dress on eBay. It’s a little expensive, but so special. Wearing mesh flats with this takes them out of 2024 context.
Same story with this timeless yellow stripe from Brooks Brothers for $25.
Leopard print is forever.
I cringe at even calling leopard print a trend. Forgive me, Mother Jenna Lyons. But I think it’s always a good time to try pairing leopard with something you’d maybe not go for instinctually.
An all white outfit is made a little more dynamic with a vintage leopard silk scarf! I think black tie looks are cool with a leopard clutch. And an a-line leopard dress is bffs with sneakers—very Scandi.
If you’re stumped on an outfit or just feel overwhelmed—reach for leopard!
Guys, I know this is a pitcher, ok, and it’s not even leopard print, but isn’t it cute?
Embrace the print via a vintage Cavelli skirt!
Or go bold and very early Carrie by pairing your leopard with a vintage floral dress.
Tennis-core no more?
I’ve taken one tennis lesson. My husband gave me more for my birthday, but that was months ago. The thing is, you don’t have to play to co-opt the outfit. We all know that!
Instead of channeling a full Paige Lorenze moment, why not introduce your tennis-y pieces with your tried and true favorites. Think of the shirt you always wear when you don’t know what to wear and then pair that, a fun bag, and a tennis bottom.
You don’t have to resort to a pleated skirt! I think athletic shorts are a lot easier to style.
These are my official summer 2025 shorts! We’ll see how long they fit…
There are millions of great tennis tshirts on secondhand sites.
I don’t really get how these Prince shorts are under $10 but ok?
Honorable Mentions
I’m new to Lawn Party and think their necklaces are so FUN. You know we love a vintage upcycle.
My friend
has excellent taste, including her recent guide to gifting a 31 year old.I’ve been using this sunscreen for a while and I’m into it! Honestly, pregnancy skin is real and this mask helps, along with these, and this toner.
Wait a minute, I’m packing up two curated boxes of some of my skincare/beauty favs! Just comment* below your summer skincare savior and I’ll randomly select two of you and ship these little boxes your way. TY for reading Long Live <3 (*double entry if you restack!)
Thank you for reading Long Live. It means so much to me. You can preorder my romance novel, Exit Lane, on Bookshop or Amazon. You can shop my favs here, follow along on Instagram + Tiktok, and shop my Notion template. You can book my Office Hours to talk shop here. Get matched at EV Salon. And if you want to partner on a future Long Live, email evan@communite.co x
Belt as a personality brings me back to high school when I wore my mom’s 3” red patent leather belt daily. I became the red belt.
I'm a new convert to Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun SPF50 cream, aaaaand (as a bonus put-one-in-every-purse-and-in-the-car-for-your-backs-of-hands) the same Relief Sun in a little deodorant style stick. It makes reapplicaiton something I'll actually do midday.
this is for those who have run out of self-consciousness about sun care: this year I acquired Patagonia Sun Gloves for doing fieldwork (I'm an environmental scientist, and when I'm out doing fieldwork my hands get sweaty/dirty which makes reapplication of SPF annoying). I've been wearing them not only for that, but recently also for long road trips to protect the backs of my hands while driving...I'm obsessed.