The Brands That Make Up Most Of My Warm Weather Wardrobe

...the brands I continually rely on for timeless staples

Monday was a bit of a heatwave here so it was time to pull out my spring / summer bins (I do a bit of a seasonal swap)!

When going back through my warmer weather staples I realized I should do a post on my tried and true brands that I continually rely on for those more timeless styles… and I pull back out year after year. The pieces I’m truly excited to pull out again each summer… especially in the heat. If you’re working towards building a foundational and classic wardrobe that lasts beyond one season this post may be for you. I’m sure you already know all of these brands… but I thought this may also be helpful for petites as these are the brands that fit me the best (or I will alter and make them work because I love them that much, ha!).

In no particular order…

Warm Weather Brands I Rely On |

Faithfull | chic easy cotton and poplin dresses and linen shorts*… Faithfull is a minimal brand I can rely on for the fit and quality… also at a price point that feels a bit more reasonable. For a similar minimal feel, other Australian labels I like: Posse, St. Agni and Diish (although Diish tends to run larger on me so I don’t always have the best luck but it’s a great option if you’re not 5’1’’. Also, J.Crew has some great easy linen styles this season… I just got this dress that’s a great beat the heat shift).

*I just got these and they’re a good fit / shorter in length if you’re petite

Matteau | Another timeless, minimal Australian brand ~ Matteau is one of my absolute summer favorites when craving a more sophisticated dress… and I love their swimsuits especially. I have this suit and this square neck one (I’ve owned 6+ years now) ~ they’re so well made and flattering! Matteau’s dresses run big on me but I still try to make them work because it’s one of my favorite brands for chic staples. I’ve had luck with the shorter and midi styles like this one that I live in in the summer (I wear size 1). Matteau is a bit more splurgy ~ but the quality is next level and these are the dresses I’m excited to pull back out each summer. Lasting me well beyond just one season.

Tee. Black Sandal. Fisherman Knit. Linen Shorts. Black Swimsuit. Blue Oxford Shirt. Leather Sandals. Brown Knit Skirt Set.

Toteme | On a similar note as Matteau, Toteme is another brand (as you know) I rely on for those timeless, capsule wardrobe type pieces that I pull out season after season. Toteme makes up a big chunk of my key investment staples at this point (like my fave splurge-worthy tees with longer sleeves, my spring trench, also here and suede shirt)! More sophisticated than my typical everyday mom-life but one that I aspire to wear more of, and pull out when I’m not in the grass at soccer practices!! Toteme also runs very large so I size down (and usually wear 30 / XXS).

Massimo Dutti | I look at Massimo Dutti when I’m craving a specific Toteme or The-Row-esque piece but at a friendlier price point. I have way better luck with Massimo Dutti over Zara*. The fit in dresses / skirts are larger on me ~ but I’ve had luck over the years with their jackets and shirts (I just bought this one and it’s a nice dressier, slightly sheer knit top). I find the quality to be better too. Massimo Dutti is also great for inspiration / styling… and navigating their site in general (over Zara, imo)!

* I shop Zara for kids but rarely do I find anything that works for me, personally

Shaina Mote | a smaller brand that I go to for amazing, well made basics... that you truly live in… (love their whole brand ethos). My most worn worn button up* is Shaina Mote (great fit, feel and I like the way the sleeves are easy to cuff and actually stay put)... oh and shirt dresses! I also come to SM for their knitwear ~ classic spring fisherman knits and this is my absolute favorite painter coat!

* additional classic button-ups worth mentioning: Frank & Eileen has a great more knock-around button-up (the Shirley) that I wear a lot in the summer as a swim cover-up. And TWP * & Yaitte take the cake for me as far as the most luxurious quality button-ups. They just feel so good on your skin.

* I own the Next Ex Shirt and find the cropped fit to be really flattering / easy to style with skirts and denim

Alémais | Moving into color and print! ~ Alémais is a brand I come to when I’m craving something playful and quirkier! I have a few dresses and linen shorts from the brand now and they’re just really happy! I’m sure you know but Alémais was started by a previous designer of Zimmerman… is crafted by skilled artisans who use natural, organic textiles and traditional techniques. They also have a lovely sustainable brand practice and ethos.

Jenni Kayne | Of course, the CA girl in me… I live in my JK lighter weight knits this time of year. This cable knit v neck is a top spring pick for a spring knit to throw on in the evenings. Jenni Kayne’s bottoms and dresses are usually too big on me but the knitwear are staples in my wardrobe.

*currently running a Spring 20% off Sale too

Dôen | has been hit or miss for me over the past couple years… feeling a little too feminine?… but I do still rely on a few older Dôen styles of mine and pick up a piece here and there. Their silk skirts and midi silhouettes fit me the best (I lived in this cotton dress last summer, such a comfy one!). And I do love a little spring lace!

*speaking of, I still also have older Isabel Marant pieces I pull out every summer from my New York days (some 10+ years old?). I haven’t actually bought any new Isabel pieces in a long time but I still wear these older breezy summer eyelets (love the sweet detail on these shorts).

White Dress. Brown Dress. Black Dress. Linen Silk Jacket. Leather Sandals. White Knit Dress with Fringe. Ecru Tank.

Warm Weather Brands | Shoes

A.Emery | has become one of my absolute go-to’s for simple, well made gorgeous leather sandals that break in and wear beautifully. The Kinto was my most worn sandal last summer (a dressier version of your classic flip flop)… I also own and wear this style a lot too.

Jaime Haller & Freda Salvador | for loafers. My white Jaime Haller loafers were just restocked! These are the absolute comfiest loafers ~ I like these paired with spring dresses and shorts. Freda makes the best fall / winter boots but also makes a super comfy ballet flat that’s made for city walking!

* Freda’s Friends & Family 20% Off Sale is currently happening too

Saint Laurent | for more of my splurge, dressier summer sandals. I have a few Saint Laurent slides and dressier leather sandals for summer events that have been well worth the price for the amount of wear they’ve given me. Also, not a big one for logos but I do find these to be so chic!

Warm Weather Bags |

Dragon Diffusion | You know my love for Dragon Diffusion leather woven bags ~ I’ve pulled mine back out again this season and they’re just that ideal larger tote size and feel more luxe. They’ve lasted me years at this point and have held up so beautifully. (I’ve been grabbing for my green tote the most lately). But take a browse on their site… there are so many more colors and sizes options.

Khaite | I gravitate towards Khaite more in the fall / winter for their leather and denim… and that touch of edge. But I do love Khaite in the warmer months for their sandals, sunglasses and bags. The Augustina, as you know, in raffia and suede is dreamy for spring and an ideal smaller crossbody size.

The Row | Not necessarily for warm weather ~ but a year-round staple for me for simple, beautiful quality leather bags. And I especially love The Row’s clutches for spring / summer. The Mira clutch is on my wishlist in moss which feels very me (also fun fact: my husband and Rex’s middle names are Moss so that feels meant to be?).

Workout Gear |

Varley | is a year-round staple for me but must be included in this list as their lighter spring knits are so great for lounge and sportier outings. Varley just does athleisure so well! Comfiest, softest materials… I like these shorts for around the house and these for more of a workout / active short.

Nylora | the Alex and Audrey leggings have become my absolute most worn. They’re both super flattering high-rise styles that suck you in and make my legs look extra long. Which I’ll take any day!! Nylora’s tanks and tops also fit me really well ~ more cropped styles, if you’re petite, which are nice for working out. This square top style is a really flattering cut (I’d say they run on the smaller / snug side).