Getting Summer Ready: The Textures, Color Combinations, and Beauty Products I'm Loving Right Now
Summer has a funny way of sneaking up on you.
One minute you’re hiding under oversized cashmere and convincing yourself you’ll “start next week,” and the next you’re staring at a sundress wondering why you didn’t spend February making better decisions.
Every year around this time, I have the same realization: it’s suddenly skin season.
For me, that means repurchasing my SoulCycle package, drinking more water, and becoming deeply committed to wellness for approximately 72 hours before it becomes an actual habit.
And before anyone comes for me—this isn’t about shrinking yourself for summer. If you love the way you look, wear the shorts, wear the bikini, wear the tank top. Full stop.
But I do think there’s something nice about feeling your best, and there are a few things I’ve been doing lately that make me feel more polished, more energized, and frankly, more excited to get dressed.
1. The Products That Make Me Look Like I Have My Life Together
Let’s start with skin.
I’ve been dry brushing consistently again and forgot how much of a difference it makes. My skin feels smoother, looks more even, and it takes less than five minutes.
I’ve also been rotating through a handful of products that have become non-negotiables lately.
My daily MVP continues to be Supergoop Glowscreen. If you’ve followed me for a while, you already know this. It gives that slightly tinted, healthy, expensive-looking glow without feeling heavy, and I wear it almost every day as a replacement to makeup.
I’ve also gotten back into using my NuFACE device at night, which is one of those products I forget about until I start using it again and immediately remember why I bought it in the first place.
Add in my favorite facial oil, a hydrating mask (this is my new fave mask: did you know that black tea extract mimics the effects of retinol?) and a good body moisturizer (this duo is my holy grail: oil first and then this) and suddenly your skin looks like you’ve been drinking green juice and getting eight hours of sleep (these really, really help without feeling groggy: code JENNIFERANDREWS for 15% off and thank me later). Even if you’ve been doing neither.
Summer beauty, in my opinion, is less about covering things up and more about creating healthy-looking skin that doesn’t need much else.
I’ve also been using this black tea extract serum and cream on my face and I swear my wrinkles look so much smoother and skin is looking so fresh and glowing!
2. The Secret to Looking More Elevated This Summer: Texture
One of the questions I get asked constantly during styling sessions is:
“How do I make a simple outfit look more interesting?”
The answer is almost always texture.
Especially in summer.
When you’re wearing fewer layers, texture does a lot of the heavy lifting. It’s what makes a simple white outfit look intentional instead of accidental. (And you can borrow this perfect raffia bag from Vivrelle to finish it off: maximum impact, minimum effect on the bank account)! (Use code JENANDREWS for your first month’s membership free!)
And if you’re dressing monochromatically—which is one of the easiest ways to look chic in the summer—texture becomes even more important. (This knit with these trousers: so good!)
Some of my favorite texture combinations right now:
Relaxed meets refined.
Think linen trousers with a silk camisole or a linen button-down paired with a lace-trim skirt. The contrast feels effortless but elevated.
Cotton Poplin (best cotton poplin pants ever!) + Lightweight Cashmere
One of my favorite combinations for cooler mornings and overly air-conditioned restaurants.
A crisp cotton poplin skirt paired with a fine-gauge cashmere sweater always feels expensive. (Love this and this one too!)
Eyelet + Stripes (love these and these too)
Summer’s version of pattern mixing.
A striped knit with an eyelet skirt or shorts (love these too) gives you visual interest without trying too hard.
If you’re looking for a slightly more fashion-forward combination, this one is beautiful.
The transparency of a lightweight knit paired with the shine of satin creates depth while still feeling understated.
The goal isn’t more pieces.
The goal is creating dimension.
That’s often the difference between getting dressed and getting styled.
3. Color Combinations That Always Get Compliments
Another thing I hear constantly during styling appointments:
“I never would have thought to put those colors together.”
And honestly, that’s usually where the magic happens.
Most people stay inside the same color combinations they’ve worn for years. But often the easiest way to refresh your wardrobe isn’t buying something new—it’s pairing pieces differently.
These are the color combinations I’ve been loving lately:
Sophisticated, feminine, and unexpectedly chic.
The navy grounds the softness of the pink and keeps the palette from feeling overly sweet.
Cobalt Blue + Chocolate Brown + Cream
One of the most expensive-looking combinations you can wear.
The richness of the brown makes cobalt feel modern rather than loud.
Emerald Green + Black + Heather Gray
A little dramatic, a little cool.
The gray softens the contrast while still allowing the emerald to be the star.
Classic for a reason.
The addition of white keeps it feeling fresh for summer instead of overly severe.
If you’re color-shy, this is a great place to start.
The navy and gray act as anchors while the yellow adds just enough personality.
One of my favorite styling tricks is to think of color combinations the same way I think about decorating a room.
You need a hero color, a supporting color, and a neutral.
Once you start approaching outfits that way, putting together interesting combinations becomes much easier.
A Quick Note on Denim
I get asked all the time if denim “counts” as a color when putting together an outfit. My answer? Treat denim like a neutral.
Light wash denim works beautifully with softer colors like pink, yellow, cream, and light gray, while darker washes pair effortlessly with black, emerald green, red, chocolate brown, and navy.
And yes, you can absolutely wear black and navy together. In fact, it’s one of the chicest combinations when done intentionally. The key is creating enough contrast through texture or shade so the colors feel deliberate rather than accidental.
One of the easiest ways to make an outfit feel elevated is to stop thinking of denim as casual and start thinking of it as a foundation piece. Once you do that, getting dressed becomes a whole lot easier.
Jen’s Denim Cheat Sheet
Light Wash Denim → Pink, yellow, cream, tan, light gray, olive, black
Medium Wash Denim → Red, navy, white, camel, black
Dark Wash Denim → Emerald, chocolate brown, burgundy, black, cobalt blue
White Denim → Literally all of the above
Final Thought
If there’s one thing I want you to remember heading into summer, it’s this:
The women whose style you admire most aren’t necessarily buying more clothes.
They’re paying attention to details.
Texture.
Color.
Fit.
Skin that looks healthy.
Simple outfits that feel intentional.
That’s usually the difference.
And if you’re currently panic-ordering self-tanner, recommitting to your workout routine, and wondering where spring went... just know you’re in excellent company.
And if all else fails, throw on your favorite elevated jogger set and call it a day. This one’s mine: trousers and half zip!
You can still book a personal Styling Zoom session with me at the very reduced rate of $200. My normal rate is $350. You can book 2 sessions for $350, three sessions for $550 and four sessions for $750 and if you purchase four sessions, you will get a free copy of my new style e-book as well.
Email me at jenknowsbesblog@gmail.com! These slots are going quickly!
If you want to download my new style ebook, you can do that here:
The JKB Outfit Formula Handbook
You can also download my other ebooks here:
The Only Style Book You’ll Ever Need
Minimal Chic: The Art of Dressing for your body type and lifestyle
Also, join my “JKB Edit” broadcast channel I just started here on IG for daily favorites and you can ask me questions over there as well!
Follow me and join my circle on ShopMy as well! I update my shopping links there daily!
And I update this regularly: The Best Spring/Summer shopping guide!
I also curated THE BEST Zara shopping selects here that give expensive minus the sticker shock here!
Love you guys, xoxo Jen