MADEWELL: THE STYLES THAT KEEP COMING BACK

Obsessed with Madewell? So am I. Maybe for some of you, it happened all at once, but for me, Madewell has been slowly but surely taking over my closet as the years progressed. Perhaps it’s the simplicity in their style: everything I own from them has minimal branding, and are basic enough so that I can wear them with pretty much anything.

It also helps that their clothes are low maintenance, just throw them in the washing machine, tumble dry low or hang dry, and that’s it! Very rarely do I have to take individual pieces to the dry cleaners (let’s be honest… those bills add up and it’s nice to save extra cash), and oftentimes their basics are affordable enough where I can just go out and buy another one if mine gets stained beyond repair (hellooo red wine!).

What I love most about Madewell is that their minimalistic style allows them to bring classic pieces back season after season – this is a promising sign that their clothes are timeless (I am rolling my eyes at YOU, huge A&F branded t-shirts I loved so much in the early 2000’s) and are always in demand. Take a moment to sigh in relief because if you really wanted that dress that just sold out, chances are that it will be re-stocked if not again this summer, then the next summer!

Here are some pieces that I like for the warm summer and spring seasons that I see keep coming back…

Denim:

Jeans

Okay, so maybe Madewell jeans are not just restricted for the warmer months. In fact, I would recommend buying a pair of their jeans regardless of the season. They are high quality, flattering for all different shapes and sizes, and most importantly, are comfortable. The ones that I own are all high rise, skinny jeans and they have kept their shape even though I wear them all the time. Keep an eye out for the lighter washes in summer – although Madewell always have dark jeans in stock, their white ones fly off the shelves and only re-appear once spring hits every year!

Denim Jacket 

I’ve noticed that their denim jackets are a popular buy during the warmer seasons. The Jean Jacket in Pinter Wash, I recall, was a customer favorite last year, and is alas, a bestseller again this year. After purchasing it, I can see why – it does not look boxy and feels broken in already. However, do size up! I wear a XXS in most of their clothing, but I find the XS to be a perfect fit.

Dresses:

Dresses are a summer staple, there are so many hot and humid days where you want to look cute but the thought of wearing pants makes you die a little on the inside. Therefore, dresses are great to avoid that issue, but sometimes even they can cause you to sweat up a storm on those sweltering days. Hence, I tend to go for looser styles composed of lighter fabric.

A favorite of mine that I find myself reaching for over and over again during those 90-degree plus days is the Lakeshore Button Back Dress. I bought this last year in 2017, but I saw them pop-up on their website for this summer! It fits true to size, and does the job of keeping me cool. The only issue with this dress is that it wrinkles very easily, but since I wear it to casual events or to run errands, it doesn’t bother me that much.

I am also a huge fan of Madewell’s tank dresses. I wanted something that will hit below my knees to elongate my body. Therefore, I bought the V-neck Jersey Tank. It is so flattering – loose enough to keep me comfortable, but also tight enough to hug the right places on my body (I am 5’4 and 108 pounds). I feel feminine yet sporty in this dress – a hard thing for a dress to achieve!

Tees and summer cardigans: 

Tees

Madewell gets the crown for their endless selection of casual, effortless t-shirts. I’ve noticed that they love rolling out striped tees and tops season after season. This summer, I have been obsessed with my striped Setlist Boxy Top. You can find variations of this t-shirt every summer – I’m not sure if the boxy style will appear again next year, but the stripe combo definitely will in one form or another. The classic navy and white stripes just go so well with white denim and a jean jacket.

Cardigans 

Oh, the Ryder Cardigan Sweater. They have a light summer version and a warmer, more substantial fall/winter version. The signature front pockets and longer/looser fit makes this a favorite of mine to bring to work so I can survive the air conditioned temperatures. For me, this sweater fits true to size, but size down if you prefer a tighter, shorter fit!

This list will probably grow longer as I continue to add Madewell pieces to my closet. Keep in mind that Madewell has frequent sales during holidays, and also when the end of the season approaches. Shopping at the end of the season is a great way to save at Madewell – because their styles oftentimes come back, you can always wait until next year to show it off IN season 🙂 Also, they give great discounts to students and educators in store (15% off), so keep those IDs handy. Lastly, sign up for their Insider program – they give fantastic discounts and gifts to those on their list!

What are some of your favorite pieces from Madewell this summer?