6 Sustainable Summer Outfit Ideas: Breezy & Stylish

When the weather gets warmer, it’s great to slip into cute mini-dresses and experiment with colours, patterns, and new summer outfits.

In fact, here in the Netherlands we love it so much that we have an unofficial holiday—Rokjesdag—marking the first day of the year when we can finally go outside in a skirt (without feeling cold).

However, the flip side of the coin is that this excitement leads to a lot of overconsumption and waste.

Every year, 50 million summer outfits are only worn once… and that’s in the UK alone. So, I’d love to invite you to dive into this season with a more mindful approach (without compromising on style and fun, of course).

Here are some tips and sustainable summer outfit ideas. 

Mindset shifts before experimenting with these sustainable summer outfit ideas

• Think beyond this summer – Fast fashion brands are already shoving the latest summer trends into our faces (and feeds). But when we keep buying new pieces on an impulse, just because someone else decided they’re the latest craze, we end up with a brimming wardrobe that still makes us think “I have nothing to wear”. Instead, focus on sustainable summer outfits that feel YOU—that you can see yourself happily rewearing for multiple summer seasons (for example, what style, colours, and patterns do you like?) 
• Aim for a versatile summer capsule wardrobe (and get creative) – Start from the pieces already in your wardrobe, only add new items you need or genuinely love, and pair them up in different ways to unlock new summer outfits. While it’s a bit more challenging to do that during the hottest season (I doubt you’ll want to add many layers), there’s still so much we can do!
• Buy less but better – When adding to your current wardrobe, choose summer clothes that:
  - were made ethically and to last (not that polyester fast fashion dress produced in a sweatshop and designed to fall apart before September)
  - match your signature style
  - work well with each other and the clothes you already own 

This approach will reduce your environmental impact, feed your creativity, and save you money in the long run!

Practical things to keep in mind when creating new sustainable summer outfits 

• Prioritise natural fabrics – In the summer heat, synthetic ones can get uncomfortably hot on your skin. So, choose natural materials like recycled or organic cotton, linen, bamboo, and hemp
• Choose loose clothes – By promoting airflow and allowing sweat to evaporate and heat to escape from your body, they’ll help you feel cooler in summer!
• Prioritise lighter colours – Your palette should match your preferences, of course. But keep in mind that all-black outfits absorb the heat and can make you feel hotter. So, to stay cool, consider choosing white, neutrals (like beige and light grey), yellow, and pastels

Key staples for multiple summer outfit ideas

Versatile pieces that are perfect for summer (and that, in many cases, you can also wear as part of an all-year seasonless wardrobe, when adding the right layers):

• White t-shirt
• Sleeveless top (like a spaghetti or tank top)
• Summer dress (how about a mini and a maxi dress?)
• Shorts (especially denim or linen)
• Long linen trousers
• Skirt
• White sneakers
• Sandals or flats

I’ll show you how you can use them to create different sustainable summer outfits by pairing them up in different ways or only adding selected complementary items (for example, from the spring or autumn section of your wardrobe).

6 versatile and sustainable summer outfit ideas

1. Organic cotton t-shirt and ethical shorts

A white cotton t-shirt will go with all kinds of denim shorts and those in other fabrics too, like linen.

Or you could play with a couple more colourful t-shirts in different designs, too (perhaps with a print or slogan matters to you).

2. Tank top and flowy skirt 

Depending on its design, you could tuck in your top or wear it loose. 

And while neutrals and monochrome pieces tend to work well together, you could also consider choosing a versatile basic top (so that it goes with your other bottoms, too) and a more colourful patterned skirt. 

The latter will also go with your white t-shirt!

3. Short dungarees or playsuit with an organic cotton t-shirt

Playsuits can work on their own, and you can pair them up with breezy sandals, flats, or trainers during the day and even heels in the evening.

With short dungarees, you could use your white tee or tank top, too. Or how about wearing one strap off to showcase a print t-shirt?

4. Maxi dress to accessorise

You can wear it on its own or, depending on the design, with a white t-shirt underneath (for example, if it has spaghetti straps).

I love monochrome linen pieces, or you could opt for a more colourful and patterned maxi dress.

If it works with your chosen one, add a belt and a long necklace, and pair it up with sandals or trainers. 

5. Short and patterned summer dress (with accessories and layers)

Another piece that can easily work on its own, but consider playing with accessories (like belts) and jewellery, too.

And when the temperature drops in the evening, add a denim jacket or a loose cardigan. 

6. Linen bottoms and a sleeveless top

Flowy linen trousers are perfect for summer!

While they’ll also work well with your iconic white t-shirt, you can consider a tank or spaghetti top (tucked in or untucked, depending on the design of your trousers and your personal preference).

Personally, I love the super versatile “basic monochrome top + colourful trousers” combination.

Finding the right clothes and accessories for your sustainable summer outfits on Project Cece

Now you know exactly what to focus on (and what to avoid) to create versatile and ethical summer outfits you’ll want to wear for many more hot seasons to come.

And if you realised that some key staples or accent pieces are missing from your wardrobe, fret not: you won’t have to spend hours jumping from one small fairtrade online store to the next.

At Project Cece, we brought hundreds of ethical brands in one place, with filters to simplify your choice. 

So, I bet the perfect items to complete your sustainable summer outfits are only a few clicks away.

Start shopping (mindfully)