What I'm Loving From Ann Taylor's Spring and Summer Collection – And Why

Style is not about having too much, wearing too much, nor buying every trend that pops up. True style is about self-confidence, knowing what resonates with you, and maximizing it. As one who identifies with modern classic style, I tend to reach for pieces with clean silhouettes, timeless appeal, and a dose of contemporary edge. These have been the backbone of my wardrobe for many years and they never fail to set the tone for seasonal style. Here are five proven staples for the Spring and Summer if you're a modern classic like me:

1. A White Top or Shirt

A white top or shirt instantly brings polish and a fresh allure to a look. White shirts in particular offer plenty of styling options as they can be layered over or under others pieces to create dimension. White shirts and tops also pair effortlessly with just about everything you already have in your closet: jeans, dressy pants, pleated skirts, or shorts. And whether you like to keep your Spring and Summer color palette neutral or colorful, a white shirt is a piece that will ground your looks in that crisp, warm-weather vibe.

Massimo Dutti White Shirts

Elie Tahari Cleo Shirt

Sézane Hillis Shirt

White House Black Market Square Neck Vest

The Balloon Sleeve Shirt by Rochelle Behrens

Ann Taylor The Long Crew Neck Vest

Ann Taylor Lace Trim Blouse

Ann Taylor Embroidered Collar Blouse

2. Wide-Leg Pants

If you follow me, then you know I absolutely love wide-leg pants! They're are effortless and super easy to style. In the Spring and Summer, I especially love them in flowy and light linen material, and also in bold prints. For work, you can pair wide-leg pants with a white button-down shirt, or a fitted bodyduit and linen blazer, or even a belted sleeveless waistcoat. For more casual occasions, I like to pair my wide-leg linen pants with fitted sleeveless tops and heeled sandals. Wide-leg pants are very versatile and flatter most body types making them an investment-worthy closet staple.

Faithfull The Brand Syna Pants

Heron Crossover Waistband Pants

Veronica Beard Hoyt Wide-leg Pants

Theory Wide-Leg Pants in Good Linen

Ann Taylor Triple Pleat Palazzo Pants

Mango Cotton Pants with Pleats

Ann Taylor Statement Palazzo Pants

3. A Raffia Bag

Raffia is to Summer what fur is to Winter: the signature texture that instantly brings seasonal flair to your outfits. I am a die-hard leather bag person. A leather bag is polished and seasonless, and easy to pair with all kinds of looks. But in the Spring and Summer, I like to break the leather bag routine a little and add some texture to my outfits. And that's when I reach for a raffia bag. Those come in a variety of shapes and sizes and though they're typically associated with casual fits, I have paired them with dressier looks to give those more of a chic and summer-y vibe. 

Reformation Lucia Tote Bag

Kate Spade Cruise Medium Tote Bag

Dolce Vita Calix Tote

Tuckernuck Raffia Brett Tote

Sézane Justine Maxi Basket Bag

4. A Shirt Dress

Who doesn't love a shirt dress? Just like wide-leg pants, shirt dresses offer a ton of versatility for Spring and Summer. I especially love them in midi and maxi lengths for a breezy effect. A shirt dress can be elevated with a wide leather belt and dressy heels for work, or worned as a casual attire with sneakers, a baseball hat, and a neckerchief. Shirtdresses can also be donned as light layers over jeans and a fitted tank top for weekend errands, or worn over bathing suits as cover-ups. They're that versatile and a must-have for a complete modern classic wardrobe.

Boden Ora Linen Blend Shirt Dress

Boston Proper Linen Maxi Shirt Dress

Elan Maxi Shirt Dress at Nordstrom

5. Strappy Sandals

Sandals are the go-to shoes for Spring and Summer but not all sandals are created equal. We all love to reach for our super casual and comfy thong sandals or slides when it gets warm outside. And there's nothing wrong with it! But when you want to make an outfit more intentional and elevated, dressy sandals are your friends. Blocked or stiletto heels, straps, and sometimes a little lace action can completely transform a look for the better. For maximum versatility, I like to go for dressy leather sandals in neutral hues such as black, brown, or tan. These make the perfect finishing touch to a work outfit as they do to an elevated casual look.

Sam Edelman Massey Stone Wedge Sandals

Tory Burch Twisted Heel Sandals

Tony Bianco Bless Heels

Vince Camuto Hamda Sandals

Donald Pliner Kamele Dress Sandals

Dolce Vita Mylee Leather Heels

Homing in on your Spring and Summer essentials is key to achieving your best seasonal style. Remember, you don't need a lot, just the right pieces to mix and match for work and play. Which staple tops your list? Chime in below!

Black and white is such a classic combo, perhaps the most classic combo of them all! It's a color pairing I go to often when putting together looks, whether it's for work or casual settings. Because these hues never go out of style, they're easy to shop for. Dresses, pants, skirts, shirts, blazers, you name it, you're sure to find your favorites in black or white, or a combo of the two! 

Black and white oozes a classic and polished vibe that elevates any outfit. And when it comes to workwear, this combo is like magic, turning the simplest black pants and white shirt into an intentional, business-ready look. Here are some bold ways to wear black and white to the office:

Black and White Printed Skirt With A Fitted Top

One of the easiest ways to rock a black-and-white printed skirt is to wear it with a fitted black top. I opted for a sleeveless square neck top to go along with the geometric print of the skirt. This is a look that can multitask for work if worn with heels, or be perfect for weekends if worn with ballet flats or casual sandals. 

Black and White Printed Skirt With A Blazer

For an effortless yet intentional office outfit, reach for a blazer! I restyled the same black-and-white printed skirt I wore with the previous look, but this time wore it with a black blazer to dial up the business vibe. You could finish the look with black pumps or give it a little casual balance with Mary-Jane flats.

Black Pants With A Striped Blouse

Black pants are a must-have for any wardrobe and for this look, I wore a belted pair of black pants with a black and white blouse. The cigarette pants silhouette and the loose blouse balance each other beautifully to create a polished combo for the office.

Black Balloon Pants With A Printed Shirt

I've been into balloon pants lately! They offer a fresh take on the typical straight pants or wide-leg pants silhouettes, and are super comfortable. Balloon pants are easy to wear for casual occasions, but they can also be elevated to workwear level with the right pieces. For this office look, I paired black balloon pants with a black-and-white batik-print shirt. The combo gives a strong modern vibe that reinterprets the "pants-and-a-shirt" work outfit formula. To zhuzh it up, go for a colorful leather bag.

Black Wide-Leg Pants With A White Shirt

Wide-leg pants are a no-brainer when it comes to styling! And I adore them for that reason. For this office look, I wore long black wide-leg pants with a lace-trim white shirt and a black belt. A simple yet very effective business casual outfit!

Black Pleated Skirt With A Striped Shirt

All it takes to make a casual oversized striped shirt look more polished is to pair it with a midi pleated skirt (other skirt here) and a wide leather belt. You can go for pointy leather pumps for a super sharp allure, or keep it chic with Mary-Jane ballet flats.

Black and White Printed Pants With A Black Top

Remember those pants? They're a fave and ones I always get compliments on! They feature a stand-out batik print and a wide-leg silhouette that is easy to wear with so many closet staples. For this outfit, I opted for a structured black turtleneck top that I belted for a tailored vibe. This is the kind of outfit that signals a bold attitude and one that can multi-task for work, fashion events, and some off-hour feats.