It’s officially summer time, and the livin’ is easy. As it gets more and more unbearably hot outside, all we can find ourselves thinking about are products that can make the transition to sweaty season a whole lot easier.
Based on the anonymous shopping data we’ve gleaned from our stories in May, our readers are thinking the same way. Topping the sales leaderboard are low-effort but chic wardrobe staples, including breezy summer dresses, tennis skirts, and matching sets. These are the type of outfit ideas that can see you through every fun scenario you have coming up, from summer weddings to music festivals. There are also a few vacation-ready essentials thrown in for good measure, such as a set of highly rated packing cubes.
As it happens, May was an excellent time to stock up on these products, given that tons of sales happened over Memorial Day Weekend. There was also Way Day and Nordstrom’s half-yearly sale, with deals across the beauty and home categories. Lucky for us, many of these markdowns are still available as of now, especially on big ticket purchases such as mattresses. Browse ahead for the greatest hits from our shopping content last month, from gold jewelry you’ll want to wear seven days a week to furniture that will brighten up even the smallest living spaces.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
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We’ve never met a one-shoulder summer dress we didn’t like. The relaxed yet polished silhouette of this linen A.L.C. number means it can easily be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion. We love how the gathered front hem creates a rippling effect on the striped fabric, making the whole outfit chic and visually interesting even with barely any accessories.
Shop Blooomingdale’s
A.L.C. Carolyn Dress, $, available at Bloomingdale’s
We practically live in our Lululemon Align leggings. The butter-soft fabric is buttery smooth yet curve-hugging, and stretches to accommodate your movements like a second layer of skin. The V-shaped waist and slightly flared hem make these Aligns look slightly more elevated than your average workout gear. We recommend adding this pair to your travel outfit stash while they are still on sale.
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Lululemon Align V-Waist Mini-Flare Pant, $, available at Lululemon
Plenty of Memorial Day mattress sales popped up last month, but if you think you’ve missed out on the limited-time deals, there is no need to fret: a handful of brands have opted to extend markdowns way into the summer, including Helix Sleep, which is currently offering 20% sitewide with a gift of two pillows along with every mattress purchase. This is your chance to upgrade to the Dusk Luxe, the brand’s bestselling model for sleepers with back pain issues.
Shop Helix
Helix Dusk Luxe Mattress, $, available at Helix
H&M Studio’s resort collection has been getting us in the mood for our Euro summer. This capsule lineup, featuring billowy dresses and caftans in classic Italian palazzo motifs, is a win in vacation dressing. This mulberry silk-blend top is one of the few pieces left that hasn’t completely sold out, but we’re willing to bet that it won’t stick around for long. The pleasing pastel yellow is making us crave a gelato under the Tuscan sun.
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H&M Silk-Blend Embellished Blouse, $, available at H&M
We are constantly refreshing Free People’s new arrivals section, and this dopamine-inducing matching set caught our attention big time. Think of it as the summer version of a matching sweatsuit, with the fitted crop tank offsetting the baggy silhouette of the sweats. Lounging around has never looked better.
Shop Free People
FP Movement Go To Set, $, available at Free People
If you live in a small space, you need furniture that has an impressive internal capacity while taking up as little room as possible. This mid-century-style TV stand fits the bill perfectly, offering ample cabinet space packaged in a chic walnut finish and gold-tone handles and legs.
Shop Wayfair
Mercer41 Mehpare 59” Media Center, $, available at Wayfair
It’s the summer of tenniscore fashion, and you will be right on trend in this flirty Vuori number. Our Associate Fashion Writer Victoria Montalti took this bestselling tennis dress out for spin in her write-up of Vuori’s Court Collection, and gave it a five-star rating for the lightweight, moisture-wicking fabric, plus the built-in shorts and shelf bra. It’s like wearing a comfy bodysuit that is in no way constricting — and looks good with absolutely everything.
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Vuori One Shot Tennis Dress, $, available at Vuori
An underwire bra is just not it during sweaty season. This bralette from SKIMS’ Fits Everybody collection is that rare type of undergarment we all crave when it’s hot: a bra that is so soft it doesn’t feel like you’re wearing a bra at all. Bonus points from us for the wide array of sizing and colorways.
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Skims Fits Everybody Crossover Bralette, $, available at Skims
You’ve heard lots of great things about Away’s suitcases, but the brand has a seriously impressive travel accessories game, too. These packing cubes get a vote of confidence from us for their compact design that can cram and compress like no other, and can be flattened down when not in use. The water-resistant nylon exterior comes with a see-through mesh panel to make it easier to see what’s inside without having to unzip. The best part? They are designed to perfectly fit inside your Away carry-on.
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Away The Insider Packing Cubes, $, available at Away
Nap dresses are the ultimate lazy summer outfit. You can’t go wrong with Hill House Home’s classic Ellie style, with a smocked bodice and ruffled shoulders. This green cotton fabric is breathable, flowy, and doesn’t wrinkle easily. It’s the perfect thing to throw on when you just can’t be bothered to put together an ensemble.
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Hill House Home The Ellie Nap Dress, $, available at Hill House Home
Achieving the perfect summer blowout seems to be top of mind for our readers right now: the Dyson Airstrait has been popping off from our roundup of the Nordstrom half-yearly sale. According to our beauty editors’ honest Dyson Airstrait review, the styling tool is excellent at achieving smooth, glossy hair using Dyson’s patented air technology without causing any heat damage.
Shop Nordstrom
Dyson Airstrait Hair Straightener, $, available at Nordstrom
We are always looking for lighting solutions that add to the ambience without taking up too much precious space, so imagine our delight when we came across this adorable mushroom desk lamp. It can be switched on and off by tapping the top, and instantly casts a warm and cozy glow to any living space. And, get this: the 45% off Way Day deal is still available.
Shop Wayfair
Orren Ellis Xyanna Metal Desk Lamp, $, available at Wayfair
If you are looking for a pair of good hoop earrings to wear day in and day out, these twisted hoops from Ana Luisa are a solid choice. They are just the right size to be noticeable without looking too bulky, and the twisted design detail reminds us of antique jewelry. The fact that they are waterproof and tarnish-free are always appreciated.
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Ana Luisa Paris Twisted Hoop Earrings, $, available at Ana Luisa
PSA: You are about to see capri pants everywhere this summer. While the classic over-the-knee tights style might be too much of a ’00s fashion throwback for some, this high-waisted denim pair, featuring a raw hem that cuts off at the shin, feels much more approachable and modern. You would look so put together with a pair of knee-high leather boots and a white button-down shirt.
Shop Frame
Frame High Rise Easy Capri, $, available at Frame
Slingback shoes have been in style for a couple of years, and that’s not about to change any time soon. This elegant cream-and-black pair, still on sale over at Nordstrom, is about as chic as they get. Reviewers love the metal buckle detail and how easy they are to slip on.
Shop Nordstrom
Sam Edelman Kara 2 Slingback Flat, $, available at Nordstrom
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