Hello, summer! The warm season of 2023 might be the best we’ve had since 2019, pre-lockdowns. The big question is: Do you have enough warm-weather basics to get you through a full calendar of picnic, barbecues, and weekend hangs?
If not, you might benefit from my go-to, wardrobe-stocking solution. It’s not revolutionary: It’s Old Navy. Old Navy summer clothes are cute, casual, and affordable. And if you take care of them, you can probably keep wearing them for a few years, too.
Here’s a personal anecdote (OK, a tangent). A few years ago, I took a summer trip to northern Michigan. I did a terrible job packing and found myself without enough clothes to avoid spending my whole trip at the laundromat. So I sought out the nearest Old Navy to beef up my summer wardrobe quickly and cheaply. And, you know? I still have most of those pieces in my rotation today.
For anyone who needs a summer refresh on a budget, here’s a look at the best of Old Navy summer clothes right now.
The best of Old Navy summer clothes, 2023
Y’all know how Old Navy plays with its pricing. The price can be $30 on Monday and $14 on Thursday. To avoid giving you inaccurate pricing info, I’ve left the price tags off the pieces below. But know that most of these had a regular price well below $50 when I shopped them. Chances are, you can snag them for a lot less during a weekend sale.
With that caveat, let’s dive into the best of Old Navy summer dresses, skirts, shorts, and tops.
1. Floral maxi
An easy, bold print maxi dress is what I’d call an outfit maker. Slip into this pretty dress when you want to make a casual impression without effort. I love the pink floral, but you can also buy the same piece in two other patterns, plus solid black, pink, orange, and blue.
2. Button-front linen dress
A tie-up back means you can adjust this dress to fit you perfectly through your midsection. That, combined with the shift shape, should be flattering to most shapes.
You can get tons of use out of this dress, too, because it’s incredibly versatile. Wear it to a backyard party with a tidy sneaker or slip into kitten heels, add a blazer, and head to work.
Opt for solid black, a rust-red color, or a black and white pattern. Old Navy’s linen summer dress is available in sizes XS to 4X.
3. The denim short
A few years ago, I fielded some flak from readers for recommending shorter shorts for older women. At the time, I was in my mid-40s and didn’t feel a touch insecure about wearing shorts with a 5-inch inseam.
Fast forward to my 51st year and, I admit it, I don’t wear small shorts like I used to. These days, I’m more of an 8-inch or 9-inch inseam kind of girl (err, lady).
Old Navy’s distressed denim shorts have that longer inseam — without looking like something an old lady would wear. The best of both worlds, right?
4. Pull-on midi skirt
Can I tell you how happy I am that pull-on, soft cotton-blend midi skirts are a thing again? I have a few in the closet that have been waiting for the right season to see the light of day.
This style is so easy to wear and always on point. Simply pair it with your favorite t-shirt or tank and add a cute pair of sandals or sneakers. At that point, you’d be dressed for a shopping day, a mani/pedi with the girls, lunch alfresco, city sightseeing, and more.
5. Linen pant
If you’re going to wear pants in the summer, reach for a linen pant with a short hemline. Those two features will keep you cool when you don’t feel like baring your legs.
Old Navy’s summer pant has a high, elasticized waist that’s both flattering and comfortable — confirmed by the shopper reviews. Pair this pant with a shorter top or a lightweight blouse and a French tuck.
6. Dolman sleeve blouse
Here’s a workhorse garment you can team with jeans, slacks, or skirts. You could even wear this button-down over dress, knotted at your waist.
The v-neck combined with buttons and a slight dolman sleeve will add a chic polish to your casual-day looks. No wonder this is an Old Navy best-seller.
The top is available in six colors and sizes XS to 3X. I’m thinking about picking up more than one.
7. The everyday t-shirt
Can you have too many pretty t-shirts? This is another favorite pick of Old Navy shoppers everywhere — must be the super soft construction, perfect v-neck, and the hip-length hemline. Or maybe it’s the ruby red color.
Whatever the case, know that a sale can bring this t-shirt’s price down to $5. I’d skip a cup of coffee to add this shirt to my summer rotation, for sure.
8. Cropped tank
Old Navy shoppers say this tank is the perfect crop length. It’s short enough that you can leave it untucked without looking sloppy, but long enough that you’re not displaying miles of abs.
The top is made of a waffle-knit cotton, so it has a nice amount of stretch. You can read that to mean it’s comfortable enough to wear when an impromptu park volleyball game could appear on your itinerary. The four-button front also gives this tank a style edge that’s a nice change of pace over plainer, more common summer pieces.
Old Navy summer clothes for affordable style
Old Navy is a great place to stock up on your summer styles without blowing your full-year clothing budget. Maximize your savings by checking the return policy before you shop, joining the ON Navyist rewards, and keeping tabs on the website for sales. Happy shopping!
