Reading · In Joy with Brittany Viklund

Get cozy and settle in with the Weekly Welcome, where we’ll enjoy bite-sized tidbits of a sentiment to explore for the week and beyond in an effort to foster, nurture, and embrace joy.

Summer is the season I’ve been least excited to get dressed in since becoming a mother nearly 10 years ago. Most items in my summer wardrobe either didn’t fit my current body the way I prefer or weren’t functional for my lifestyle.

Now that I am on the other side of having children, and firmly in my postpartum body, I’ve been slowly building a wardrobe that suits my personal style and lifestyle, and almost entirely secondhand.

For the past few years I’ve shared about my commitment to buying no new clothes and my journey into sourcing the things we need secondhand. It’s been a beautiful learning experience and outrageously fun. Way more fun than a blurry eyed late-night Aerie (or insert any other fast fashion brand) haul where only some of the items actually fit me the way I want (but like, only kinda) and all of the items are too trendy to last more than a season, or frankly, too poorly made to. When I’m thrifting, I’m exposing myself to new brands and styles, prints and patterns, cuts and fits and unlocking parts of my personal style that have been suppressed by retailers regurgitating the same trends.

In the past few weeks I’ve experienced a major shift in how I feel about dressing myself. Considering how much I loathed dressing myself in the summer— ever reaching for black bike shorts or leggings— this has been a pleasant surprise. Not only do I like my clothes more because I am selecting them with greater intentionality, and treasure hunting my way to them (or to get a little woo-woo, they are finding their way to me…), but my clothes carry more meaning to me now, they have soul to them.

I’m more connected to my personal style than ever before because I’m not just limited to what’s new and trending. And as someone who cares deeply about the environment and the future my children have on this planet, it feels really good to divert items from the landfill and reduce the demand for new goods. On top of all that, shopping secondhand is also more cost effective, so I’ve got more money in the bank for things that truly matter to me— the food we put in our bodies, experiences and activities, causes I care about, and our future.

Earlier this spring I did a closet refresh and purged some items I was no longer wearing. The extra breathing room in my closet energized me. I felt much more excited to get dressed and put together outfits when I had less to work with. Then, determined to build a summer wardrobe that feels good, I ventured to a local consignment store and picked up a few new (to me) dresses and skirts that would work with what I already had in my wardrobe. Since these two events, dressing myself feels more creative, expressive, and joyful. I even challenged myself to wear anything but black leggings for as long as possible (I’m on day 24 of no black leggings!), and it’s been such a lovely way to do something small yet pleasurable for myself everyday.

With all this zest, I put together a lookbook of summer outfits I’ll be wearing on repeat this season using only what I already had in my wardrobe and secondhand items. Since most of these items are thrifted this is not your typical style post full of links but rather something that I hope will inspire you to do two things: 1. See new ways to wear something that is already in your closet and 2. See that there are so many wonderful pieces waiting for you at your local thrift and consignment stores— with enough garments already in existence to dress the next 6 generations (I’ve never been the same since learning that) it’s literally alllll there.

By the way, my closet is tiny— so tiny I can actually wrap my arms around it! And if my mighty little closet can do all this and more (!!) I hope you feel encouraged that yours can too.

Up until recently I resisted wearing skirts and dresses, struggling to make them functional in my lifestyle with young kids. But I decided to change that and I’m so glad I did because maxi and midi skirts and dresses are so comfortable and delightful to wear.

✿ fun patterned maxi dress— A dress doesn’t just have to just be a dress! Adding accessories changes the shape and layers create an entirely new outfit. I love this hot pink boxy sweatshirt I’ve had for years paired with the greens orange quilt pattern on this dress, mixing earth tones + cozy print with something bright and bold.

✿ funky pattern— I found a maxi skirt that fit me perfectly in a pattern I wouldn’t normally gravitate towards but I love it both with neutral colors (I consider moss and olive green neutrals) and for pattern mixing or pairing with a graphic tee.

✿ flowy skirt & top— There is something romantic about a little flow in your step and pairing my favorite thrifted linen tank (you will see it a lot in this post!) with a flowy peachy skirt makes it perfect for casual wear or dress up.

✿ simple cotton maxi dress— I forgot how nice it is in the summer to throw on a breezy cotton maxi dress and dust your hand, especially after a day in the sun and water. I found this drapey cotton dress made by an Italian brand at my local consignment shop!

✿ linen skirt and body suit— Simple and chic. Body suits are the most low fuss way to enjoy a tucked in look IMHO.

If I’ve learned anything in the past few weeks it’s that skirts and dresses— no matter the color or pattern— can be as versatile as your favorite pair of blue jeans!

✿ graphic sweater— I love the look of this skirt with my favorite cotton graphic sweater that I got secondhand last summer (after wanting a similar one for years).

✿ gingham crop top— I got this gingham crop top secondhand two summers ago and I was so excited to mix patterns and pair it with this skirt like a little garden picnic on my body! Adding a red baseball cap makes it playful and laid back and my new favorite thrifted vintage denim chore jacket takes it up a notch further.

✿ belted with a white blouse— This white cotton blouse has been in my closet for 4+ years now and paired with this skirt and an old (Hollister!) belt from my high school days (!!!) turns it into a western leaning cottagecore dream outfit (if we can mix patterns we can definitely mix aesthetics too, we’re having fun here!).

✿ casual layers— Not that were anywhere near fall, but I like to think about how my summer outfits can transition to cooler weather. A neutral cotton sweater + some brown loafers makes this a great transition outfit or with sandles for a cooler summer day (don’t hate me but this is part of our climate here in Vermont).

✿ keep it simple with a body suit— Simple is chic too and I love how body suits bring things together seamlessly.

My go to staple in the summer is an oversized button down. I love having the light layer for a cool morning or evening but also, it’s just so easy breezy and effortless.

✿ chambray or denim button down with a skirt— Chambray and denim button downs have been a wardrobe staple for as far back as I can remember. They can function like a light denim jacket, cute with a short skirt.

✿ with a baseball cap— Effortless yet intentional, when in doubt throw on a button down with a baseball cap!

✿ over a crop top— A button down with a crop top + leggings has been my summer uniform for a few years now, but this summer I’m trying out the jorts trend with a pair of thrifted wide leg denim that was too short on me and ngl, I dig it.

✿ side tuck— The side tuck gives you a bit of shape and detail without having to fuss with tucking the whole thing in, a perfect balance.

✿ tied— But a tied button down is the OG queen, over a swimsuit, with a skirt, or your fave pair of jeans.

✿ two buttons— The two-three button move is my favorite for warm summer days. Let that air flow gently kiss you throughout your day.

✿ with overalls— Under your overalls, over your overalls, or try this trick to achieve a little bit of both!

Summer date nights are my favorite but also incredibly rare as all of our childcare options are limited in the summer months. A girl can still dream though…

✿ favorite black linen top— I found this linen top and the previous owner had sewn pleats into the front to bring in the boxiness, which I easily undid thanks to my seam ripper! Now it’s my favorite shirt. I love the fit and square neckline and how versatile it is with skirts, green twill wide leg cropped pants, or baggy vintage denim. And my thrifted denim chore jacket with black woven loafers makes it great for the seasonal transition or cooler days.

✿ colorful ruffles— I’ve had this purple cotton ruffle top for 5 years now and it’s one of my favorites to wear when I want to feel “dressed up” but comfortable (which the only way I ever wan to feel). The color is not one I normally choose but I love it and love that it’s something different in my wardrobe. It looks great tucked in with cream twill cropped pants or untucked with dark wash cropped denim, but would also be flirty with a skirt or denim skort (which I finally got my hands on via eBay after wanting one for a few summers now).

✿ gingham mini dress— I love a mini dress but rarely find any that work for my height so I was elated to score this pink gingham cutie at a consignment shop. I love it dressed down with a denim button down, too.

This summer we’ll be on the move a lot, so outfits need to be comfy and functional from everything to trotting around NYC and Boston to countless baseball games.

✿ white tank— A simple white tank is a classic piece in my wardrobe. I’ve had this seersucker apron tank in my closet for 6 years— if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. It pairs perfectly with this straw wide brim hat I’ve had for even longer (my only hat like it because once again, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!).

✿ checkers + sports jersey— I love pairing my sports gear with a pattern, like these gingham shorts or checkered slip on Vans to keep things interesting. Jersey’s are also cute with maxi dresses and pleated shorts.

✿ overalls— Last summer I bought a pair of secondhand overalls that I loved so much I also purchased the shorts version (both via Poshmark). The extra pockets are helpful for long days out and about and as a millennial I will simply never get over how cute denim overalls are. A full length baggy pair are on my thrift wishlist.

✿ baseball hats— My favorite accessory is a baseball hat and yes, wear them to baseball games but also wear them everywhere! Pair them with something unexpected like a dress or flowy top.

Summer is a busy season but it’s also a season to indulge in leisure— swimming, lounging, and even though the sun lingers past 9pm, I refuse to neglect a full night’s sleep (most nights).

✿ eggplant leggings— Though I’m challenging myself to forgo black leggings (except for actually working out), a unique color is a great way to mix things up from Pilates to over air conditioned grocery store runs. I love this eggplant pair I found at a consignment shop (again, not something I would have picked on my own if confronted with my preferred color options but now that I have them I am obsessed with the color).

✿ soft pants— I found some organic cotton joggers recently at the thrift store that I’ll be reaching for on lazy days, paired with a crop top or cotton sweater. And after a long, busy, summer day, nothing is more relaxing than slipping into soft pants and a soft top and lounging on the couch with a book or favorite old movie.

✿ swimsuits— These swimsuits were $4 at an estate sale and while they are not my typical high-waisted cut, I’m leaning into them because they were FOUR DOLLARS at an estate sale and I’m unlearning the belief that moms subscribe to “clothing rules,” because we don’t. Also the perfect swim cover up is a button down. Facts.

✿ cotton PJ set— I found this cotton PJ set at the thrift store and they genuinely feel like the most luxuriously crisp and cool hotel sheets. I feel so chic in them, even if no one ever sees them, I love it.

And most summer days are simple and ordinary, so I reach for my faves.

✿ linen— shorts, pants, and a linen tank— easy, breezy, breathable summer girl!

✿ cropped jeans— I found these dark wash Levi’s in the men’s section (always, always, always!!! look in the men’s section!) that were too short on me but a quick snip of the scissors and they hit just right now. And since they were thrifted they are deliciously worn in, I’ll wear them with all my favorite graphic t-shirts and tanks.

✿ button down, cropped top, shorts— My summer uniform. Do you have a summer uniform? If not, let this be the summer you define one. What will you grab and throw on for impromptu ice cream shop bops? Your summer uniform, that’s what!

✿ baseball hat + tank— I have these seersucker apron tanks from 6 years ago in 4 colors (white, black, rust and lavender), and I still love wearing them all summer long. Add a baseball cap (I hope you are not playing a drinking game every time I say baseball cap because that would be extremely dangerous).

✿ shorts— Maybe it’s a height thing but I’ve never been a big fan of the way shorts feel on my body. Perhaps its the way they are always riding up or how the backs of my legs on those weird plastic coated metal park benches always have the most uncomfortable impressions, IDK. But recently I found some high-waisted denim shorts that I’m excited to wear all summer with t-shirts. I looooove shorts + long sleeves, a cotton crew neck with shorts is a dream (and I’m fairly certain the obsession originated from THIS Britney Spears music video).

I have finally discovered that I can keep my little wallet, keys, and lip balm in a small pouch and easily transition to a functional bag for different circumstances. And now that I have my fresh new thrifted entry way set up I have a way of doing this almost effortlessly on my way out the door— just add water bottle and snacks!

✿ everyday tote— I’m not much of a “nice bag” person (too many risks with 4 small children and my own carelessness) but I did find a Longchamp Le Pliage bag for $5 at the thrift store recently and after a little sprucing up it’s back in shape and fantastic for running around and not having to stress about what happens to my bag. Plus it was only $5 so I too can handle whatever it is forced to endure.

✿ large boat tote— I got this large boat tote when my kids started more regular sports and it’s still clutch for just that but also as a travel bag.

✿ straw market tote— I’ve had this bag since 2020 and it’s perfect for stuffing with fresh produce during market season.

✿ mini boat tote— this has become my grab n’ go bag for errands or Pilates, etc because I can easily toss in the things I need plus a drink, sunglasses, and my book or e-reader.

✿ library tote— We’ll be at the library plenty this summer and my fave tote, from a local bookstore, is ready.

✿ backpack— I thrifted this Matt & Nat vegan leather backpack for $10 and it’s perfect for outings where I’m stuck with everyone’s extra stuff but don’t want to shoulder the load.

Give yourself some breathing room— it’s actually wild to me how much more excited I am to get dressed when I have LESS in my closet! Don’t start with a trip to the thrift/consignment store, start by reducing and then fill in the gaps that will compliment what you already have.

Use Pinterest to shop your closet— this is my favorite way to use Pinterest for outfit inspiration. You don’t need the exact items in an image to recreate it, but you can start by searching for items in your closet that you want to style— maxi dress outfits, oversized button down style, etc. Pin things based on what you have in your closet as opposed to what you want.

Where I shop— For a good deal and more unique finds I like to browse the thrift shops, no one is curating them so you can really encounter a wide variety of items. For easier browsing or when I’m hunting for something specific, my local consignment shops tend to come through (and these days their prices are pretty comparable to some of the thrift shops). If you are new to thrifting and secondhand shopping then consignment shops are a great entry point as they are more curated. When I’m looking for something extremely specific (a certain style of denim, a brand, a specific item like “denim skort” or an exact item like “tall Hunter boots”) I use eBay, Poshmark and Depop. Depop is my favorite of the three because it’s less overwhelming to me, seems to have a larger vintage offering (as opposed to more trendy or fast fashion items) and offers free shipping which is a nice bonus.

Materials matter— I have become extremely picky about the materials my clothes are made from, so now I always check the tag in search of items that are 100% natural fibers (cotton, linen, silk, etc).

Start a list— If you don’t yet have one, start a “thrift wishlist” in your nots app. You gotta make a thrift wishlist so the thrift Gods know your needs… I mean so you stay focused on what you are looking for. Give your list a look before you start your thrifting adventure. You can also create a thrift wishlist Pinterest board too!

Be open to all seasons— The thrift shops feature items for all seasons so be open to thinking about fall and winter as many folks have cleaned out their closets for summer and have dropped fall and winter items off.

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