Let’s be real: summer on the coast is kind of a fashion wildcard. One minute you’re sweating through your tank top at the beach, the next you’re freezing on a foggy ferry ride or wishing you’d brought a jacket to dinner. Add in the constant salt, wind, sand, and surprise rain showers (I see you, east coast), and you’ve got the ultimate outfit challenge.But after spending the last few years moving between both coasts of Canada — and trying to stay cute while doing it — I’ve finally narrowed down the pieces I reach for again and again. Enter: my coastal summer wardrobe staples. They’re comfy, breezy, layer-able, and make me feel like a Pinterest board even when I’m just grabbing a bagel or walking the dock.
So if you’re trying to build a summer closet that works for campfires and cottagecore brunches, keep scrolling. I got you 🐚
🌿 Section 1: Core Coastal Summer Wardrobe Staples (aka what I’d panic-pack if I had 10 minutes)
Let’s start with the backbone of the whole closet — the stuff I wear so often it’s almost embarrassing. These are my can’t-live-without-em essentials for summer.
🕊️ Linen Pants (AKA my second skin)
If you’ve ever experienced a breeze through linen pants, you know. There’s just something about them that says “I read poetry barefoot but also hike mountains.” They’re breathable, slightly dressy, and they go with literally everything. I wear them with tanks, bikinis, crewnecks, and sometimes no shame at all.
Hot tip: go for cream, sage, or oat colors — they match every accessory and don’t scream sweat stains.
🩳 Low-Rise Shorts (Hollister…yes, we’re bringing it back)
Low-rise shorts are back and honestly? I’m not mad. They sit perfectly under long tanks and crewnecks, and they feel more relaxed than high-waisted pairs when it’s stupidly hot out. I love the Hollister ones because they’re comfy, not booty shorts, and give off a kind of “I used to surf but now I do yoga” energy.
👚 Babydoll Tanks (Brandy Melville style, minus the weird sizing)
These are the ultimate soft girl summer staple. Ribbed, fitted, slightly vintage-feeling — I wear them tucked into shorts, under cardis, or alone with a claw clip and a dream. I stick to earthy tones like sage, blush, and ivory (aka the Coast2Closet color palette™).
🩴 Birkenstock Flip-Flops (Yes, the thong kind — don’t judge until you try)
I’m talking about the Birks that go between your toes and magically make flip-flops not look tragic. They’re comfy, they mold to your feet, and they actually look cute with outfits. I’ve worn mine to the beach, on coastal hikes, and to casual dinners without ever regretting it.
🧺 Section 2: Layering Pieces I Bring Everywhere Because Coastal Weather Is Chaotic
Even in July, the coast loves a temperature drop. These layers are the glue holding my coastal summer wardrobe staples together — and I bring at least one of them everywhere.
☁️ Oversized Crewneck (my emotional support sweatshirt)
This thing lives in my tote. Whether I’m watching a sunset, out on a boat, or roasting marshmallows by a fire, I end up throwing it on. I love that it’s cozy but still gives “college girl on the dock reading her novel” vibes. Thrifted is best, but I also love soft faded ones in cream or dusty green.
🧥 Lightweight Cardigan (aka “I might be chilly but still want to look like a forest fairy”)
Cardigans are sneaky powerful. They take any basic outfit and make it feel like you tried — without overheating. I like cotton or linen blends that breathe but still offer some warmth when the breeze kicks up.
👕 Henleys (Linen, Wool, Whatever — They’re Always a Win)
There’s just something about a button-up henley that feels effortlessly coastal. I wear them over tanks or under jackets, and they work perfectly from sunrise hikes to beach bonfires. Think: fisherman’s daughter meets cottagecore.
🌸 Section 3: Accessories That Make the Look
Here’s where the magic happens — those small, functional touches that tie your whole vibe together. No coastal summer wardrobe staples list is complete without them.
🧵 Quilted Flower Tote Bag (aka the entire aesthetic in one item)
Mine’s handmade and I’m obsessed. These bags are roomy, cozy-looking, and scream “I collect seashells and vintage recipes.” Bonus: they hold everything from SPF to snacks to your book of the month.
🐚 Dainty Silver + Shell Jewelry (Tarnish-Proof or Bust)
Nothing ruins a vibe like green fingers. I go for pieces I can wear all summer without worrying — thin shell chokers, silver hoops, and beachy bracelets that survive salt water and sweat. Think mermaid, but minimalist.
✨ Glow Recipe SPF Powder (Game. Changer.)
You know when you’re glowing from the sun and sweat but you still need more sunscreen? This is it. It’s a reapplicable powder SPF that doesn’t mess up your makeup. I keep it in my bag at all times — it’s a holy grail.
💧 Owala Water Bottle (Because hydration is the accessory)
Call me dramatic but this bottle makes me drink more water. It keeps everything icy cold, has the cutest colors, and the straw-flip lid is strangely addictive. You’ll never catch me without it on a hike, a picnic, or even in class.
☀️ Wrap-Up: Build Your Own Coastal Summer Wardrobe Staples
The key to a perfect coastal summer wardrobe isn’t having a million pieces — it’s having the right ones. Things you can throw on after a swim, layer up during an evening walk, or rewear five days in a row because you’re too busy watching the tide roll in to care.
So whether you’re on the foggy east coast or the breezy west, I hope this gave you a little inspiration to build your own coastal summer wardrobe staples that feel soft, practical, and totally you 🌸
Drop your favorite summer staple in the comments, or tag me @coast2closet so I can see how you style yours. I’ll be over here, sipping iced coffee in linen pants and pretending I’m in a slow-living movie.
Check some of my fav pieces below!
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