11 Minimalist Outfits to Sport This Summer for Understated Elegance

Photographed by Liz Sunshine

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Though plenty of TikTok pundits may disagree, minimalism is so much more than a trend. The low-key yet elevated approach to luxury exists today in brands like The Row, Khaite, and Toteme, among many others, but its roots go way back to Margiela, Hermès, and early Calvin Klein. Thanks to an emphasis on essentials, minimalism makes crafting an understated, elegant look easy. Investing in sleek denim, simple handbags, crisp shirting, and nonchalant trousers over those buzzy It items, is a wise principle pulled from the minimalist playbook. For summer, we’re mapping out ten must-have outfits that are polished and practical enough for every day.

Vogue’s Summer Minimalist Must-Haves:The Simple Maxi: Faithfull Hedy strapless maxi dress, $290The Classic Sandals: Bottega Veneta Riva flat mules, $950The Airy Skirt: Khaite Dawn skirt, $1,800The Bright Yellow Button-Up: Alex Mill Jo shirt, $145The Sleek Jean: Frame The Hang mid-rise straight-leg jeans, $268The Minimalist Bag: Aesther Ekme soft baguette shoulder bag, $620The Plain White Tank: Toteme curved ribbed stretch tank, $105The Tailored Trouser: Marie Adam-Leenaerdt cotton-jersey wide leg pants, $690When it comes to mastering the art of minimalism, monochromatic looks are a chic place to start. For summer, we love an all-white outfit that incorporates bright white or cream denim (a versatile summer staple) or easy trousers. All-black, too, is always classic, whether in the form of a maxi dress or a more au courant pair of capris. That said, the minimalist need not shy away from color. A hit of solid red, or butter yellow, is an excellent way to make an outfit pop. The key is to keep the silhouettes simple.

Like always, we’re looking back to the ’90s for inspiration—an era most equated with the minimalist mindset. Think of Acne Studios’s slouchy suit matched with a pair of Emme Parsons flip flops, or a sweet black skirt set from Staud worn with a strappy kitten heel. All of the looks we’ve curated come with the minimalist seal of approval, of course. Here, shop 11 minimalist outfits that scream chic for summer.

Simple Styling TwistsThis sleek Leset top can moonlight as a mini dress, but we like it best with coordinating satin trousers and clean accessories.

Leset

Barb satin sleeveless minidress

Marie Adam-Leenaerdt

cotton-jersey wide leg pants

Proenza Schouler

Slash cutout slingback sandals

Elleme

trousse suede shoulder bag

9-to-9 EaseFaithfull’s strapless silhouette needs little else aside from silver jewelry and unfussy sandals to keep the look cool

Faithfull

Hedy strapless maxi dress

Lié Studio

The Andrea earring

Sophie Buhai

classic circle bangle bracelet

Retro ChicA crisp base of capris and a high neck tank gets a hit of charm with cherry red flats and a cylindrical straw tote from Khaite.

High Sport

Brendan cotton tank

One-and-DoneA sweeping blue maxi dress is a simple way to make a statement. A woven bag and classic sandals complete the look.

Massimo Dutti

long flowing v-neck dress

Bottega Veneta

Riva flat mules

Chan Luu

14k bond cord pearl necklace

Relaxed PolishA slouchy suit and minimalist flip-flops strike the perfect balance between sophisticated and nonchalant.

Acne Studios

crepe barrel-leg pants

James Perse

ribbed stretch-Supima cotton tank

Smooth Like ButterWhite denim shorts and a butter-yellow button-down make for an easy off-duty combo. Add oversized aviators with coordinating tinted frames.

Celine Eyewear

aviator-style acetate sunglasses

Femininity UnraveledA balletic boatneck and ethereal white skirt offer a light and airy take on summer minimalism.

Flore Flore

Steffi long sleeve t-shirt

Ruohan

x Hereu Puntera ballerina flats

Aesther Ekme

soft baguette shoulder bag

The All-White FormulaClassic white jeans, a simple tank, and minimalist sneakers are proof that you don’t need much to look pulled together.

Toteme

curved ribbed stretch tank

Frame

The Hang mid-rise straight-leg jeans

Dries Van Noten

Dustin sneakers

Jacques Marie Mage

Cliff D-frame acetate sunglasses

Mastering Summer BlacksStaud’s black halter and skirt duo makes an impact with clean lines. Add Toteme’s kitten heels for a chic girls night out.

Staud

Flores cotton-gauze halterneck top

Staud

Carla cotton-gauze midi skirt

Toteme

kitten heel slingback sandals

A Subtle Burst of ColorPair a bright red mini skirt with a simple top and barely-there sandals, for a clean-meets-flirty look.

Nili Lotan

Wrenley ribbed cotton tank

St. Agni

petit woven trapeze bag

Suzie Kondi

Foosta cotton-poplin mini skirt

Ancient Greek Sandals

Sfendoni sandals

Playful RestraintA sleeveless turtleneck and black maxi keep things streamlined, while avocado-green flats and fish-shaped studs add a subtle jolt.

Proenza Schouler White Label

Sandrine ribbed turtleneck tank

Éterne

stretch-jersey maxi skirt

Manolo Blahnik

Ballerimu bow-detailed satin mules

Clare V.

sardine stud earrings