We Swapped Out These 6 Sad Things In Our Closets And Our Summer Wardrobe Instantly Got 10x Better
Fine, judge.
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by The Candidly Team
We’ve been on a real tear lately to understand why we hate all the clothes in our closets.
It inspired us to write THIS article about the only 8 things we own that we actually enjoy wearing. And THIS piece about the only cheap clothes we kept when doing a massive spring clean out.
And slowly but surely, we’re liking our clothes more and more whilst understanding exactly how to wear them.
But it’s been a journey. And in that journey there were 6 very sad things we got rid of. And we didn’t just get rid of them like you do in a fit of organizational rage where half your clothes get dragged to Goodwill but you’re still left hating what’s left. Instead, we figured out WHY we hate these pieces and exactly WHAT to swap them with.
It was, shall we say? Exhilarating.
And so, here are the 6 things we scrapped and the 6 things we swapped in that have made our summer of getting dressed suddenly seem much brighter.
1. jeans that we like ok but that give us A sad butt
WHY: You know the drill. They look fine from every angle until you spin around and see the pancaked butt. Either that or the butt miraculously fits but then there’s a big old kangaroo pouch of material at the waist. We just want jeans to lift and smooth and flatter every curve on our lower halves without giving us this godforsaken gap. And we found 3.
THE SWAPS
Swap 1:
WHAT: Paige Anessa Wide-Leg Jeans*
Why we love it: Have you been to our site before? Then you’ve read about these jeans before. They top every list we write about denim because of their butt-lifting, waist-snatching, leg-lengthening sorcery. They’re more than we usually spend on jeans, but after our Editor-in-Chief bought the cropped version, our entire staff proceeded to go out and buy a pair. She was then gifted the long version from Paige and we all went out and bought those, too, because, and we can’t emphasize this enough, they are the only jeans we reach for most days of the week, and therefore, worth the investment.
Price: $249
Swap 2:
WHAT: Frame Le Sleek Straight*
Why we love it: When it comes to straight-leg, we have found nothing that does more for our caboose than these Frame jeans. They’re untrendy and so deeply attractive, so we know we will be wearing them for all of time.
Use the code THECANDIDLY15 for 15% off.
Price: $258
Swap 3:
WHAT: Mother The Tomcat Flood Fray*
Why we love it: Our editor, who happens to be the lass in this photo, might cut this, but should this photo not come with a *pop* sound effect? That’s literally how it feels to glide these bad boys over our butt. Everything gets hoisted while the legs stay smooth and tailored.
Price: $248
2. Shapeless Maxi Dresses
WHY: First off, please don’t judge us for the above dress. We were picturing flowy caftan and instead got full handmaid. Point is, we didn’t keep it, but we have kept an embarrassing number of shapeless dresses in hopes of getting some tum coverage while still looking “summery” and chic. Turns out, we were going about it the wrong way.
THE SWAP
Swap 1:
WHAT: Nation Tamaira Maxi Dress*
Why we love it: This is the right way. A fit and flare dress is our best chance at getting a more hourglassy shape without feeling like we’re being suctioned into some bodycon. that shows every lump and bump. It’s actually hard to describe how amazing this dress feels. The cut is so polished and chic, like something you’d sashay around Monte Carlo wearing, but it’s the softest, butteriest material you never want to take off. Nothing on this dress is tight, and yet, you have your best shape ever on display. It also comes in navy, which we might have to buy seen as it’s one of two dresses we want to wear all summer. And here is the second one.
Oh, and you can use the code CANDIDLY20 to get 20% off.
Price: $193
* Gifted product
Swap 2:
WHAT: Madewell Poplin Seamed Midi Dress*
Why we love it: This is the ultimate summer dress. We haven’t found one this pretty on for under $300. Light enough to wear on the hottest of days, and yet, you feel fully framed to look your finest. With any sandals in your closet, you can’t go wrong.
And then, there’s the back…
It runs big, so definitely buy a size down.
Price: $158
* Gifted product
3. Unflattering Muscle Tanks
WHY: The high neck, narrow straps combo is both widening and impossible to hide bra under. It makes us hate tanks when really, a good-fitting one can be one of the most flattering items in our closet.
THE SWAPS
Swap 1:
WHAT: AYR The Sexy Flexy*
Why we love it: Skinny straps plus a scoop neck equals a more narrowing effect. This one is the best, bra-strap covering version.
Price: $78
Swap 2:
WHAT: Clyque Donya Tank*
Why we love it: This tank is unbelievable in how it holds you in. To the point of not needing a bra. You won’t find a better layering piece.
Price: $78
4. Straight Leg Shorts
WHY: We try these every year, and every year we look like a tourist on safari. Our legs lose length, and even the best of them are impossible to style (though admittedly, a strawberry sweater tee was never gonna be a good idea).
THE SWAP
Swap 1
WHAT: Gap 365 High Rise Linen-Blend Shorts*
Why we love it: The way these shrink the waist and cover the entirety of our butt without looking frumpy is a dreeeeam.
Price: $50
Swap 2:
WHAT: J.Crew Smocked-Waist Pleated Skirt*
Why we love it: A mid-length skirt is such a welcoming shorts alternative but finding one is so rare, which is why we were thrilled to find this luxe, elastic waisted one from J.Crew.
Price: $118
5. Ratty Pajamas
WHY: We’re adults now, and we have enough trouble sleeping without adding starchy, stiff, ill-fitting PJs that make us feel like a pile of laundry. Investing in a couple amazing-feeling sleep sets is one of the smartest things we did for ourselves this year.
THE SWAP
Swap 1:
WHAT: Negative Supreme Track Pant* and Supreme Tank*
Why we love it: Negative is working some kind of magic with their materials. They’re all we want to wear, and in summer this light, silky PJ set genuinely improves our mood nightly. We also wear the pants during the day with tanks and tees.
Price: $98 for the tank, $148 for the pants
* Gifted product
Swap 2:
WHAT: Z Supply Dawn Smocked Rib Pant* and Zoe Silky Rib Tank Bra*
Why we love it: It is extremely hard to capture the softness of this set. And yet, it is so light an breathable, we prefer it on hot nights to jersey, though they do have shorts if your more of a shorts* sleeper.
Price: $58 for the pants, $34 for the top
* Gifted product
6. Rubber Flip Flops
WHY: Listen, we’re not against flip flops, BUT sometimes adding a rubber flip to an otherwise perfectly put-together outfit just kind of downgrades it and makes it a little less exciting. There are so many chic, cozy flip alternatives nowadays that have made getting dressed so much easier.
THE SWAP
Swap 1:
WHAT: Ancient Greek Sandals Kansiz*
Why we love it: The minimalism makes any boring thing we wear seem extremely quiet luxury and, we have to admit, more expensive. Plus, they have something called comfort soles that are more cushioned and gorgeous-feeling than flip flops.
Price: $220
* Gifted product
Swap 2:
WHAT: Everlane The Day Crossover Sandal*
Why we love it: They’re the most comfortable slides you’ll every wear. They come in a buttery leather and any color you could want. We’d walk miles and miles in them without complaint. And we complain a lot about our feet.
Price: $98
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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