What to Wear: Memorial Day

Memorial Day is quickly approaching and, regardless of your plans, the occasion calls for a chic outfit! Keep reading for our top picks of women’s Memorial Day outfits to celebrate in style.

This holiday means something slightly different to everyone. Of course, it is a day to honor lives lost and so many of us will spend the afternoon visiting the cemetery. It’s also typically seen as the kicking-off point for summer, with warmer weather and kids freshly out of school for the year. This means camping, boating, BBQs, and gathering with loved ones for delicious food and drink.

For an outfit that works for it all, look for a mix of comfort and style. This is the perfect time to break out your statement pieces and try out the best trends of the season! For the sake of comfort, we’re also opting for lightweight fabrics, pieces that move with you for any planned activities, and practical footwear. Try these outfits to strike the right balance.

Wide Leg Ribbed Trousers + Tank Top + Platform Sandals

For the first of our women’s Memorial Day outfits, try something relaxed that you can wear just about anywhere. Wide leg trousers are one of the most exciting trends of the season. They’re comfortable and breezy for the hot weather, effortlessly cool with a dramatic silhouette, and flattering for so many body types. Marry this trend with the ribbed knit trend that has been going strong all year, and you have the perfect Memorial Day weekend pant! Best of all, wide-leg trousers aren’t going away anytime soon, so it’s an investment you can feel good about.

Pair your wide-leg pants with a tank top to bare a little skin. Balancing the volume of the trousers with a fitted knit tank allows the pants to be the star of the show. You can also play with volume by pairing your pants with a loose drapey tank for an ultra-breezy look.

Finish the look with a pair of platform sandals. These have the best of both worlds by giving you a couple of inches of height without sacrificing comfort. Platform sandals come in so many styles, too, so you’re sure to find one that suits your tastes. It’s the perfect way to elevate your look whether you’re headed to a picnic or to the lake. Get plenty of wear out of the platforms later by pairing with cutoff shorts, midi dresses and skirts, and any other summer apparel.

Printed Puff Sleeve Midi Dress + Sneakers + Statement Sunglasses

A puff sleeve midi dress is not only a summer essential but also the perfect foundation for the next of our women’s Memorial Day outfits. Statement sleeves, particularly puff sleeves, have been hugely popular this year. They create a little bit of romance and femininity in your outfit. Not quite sure about the puff sleeve look? Try a more subtle variation with gentle gathering at the shoulder, or you can opt for a different sleeve detail entirely such as tie straps on a sleeveless dress.

Round out the romantic aesthetic with a floral print. Floral sundresses are easy to find at nearly any clothing store and remain popular year after year! They’re the perfect way to celebrate the change of season. Not into florals? No problem! Any print will do. Stripes, plaids and checkerboard prints, animal prints, and abstract prints are also great options to look for.

Try your dress in a midi length for a modern look. This has become the go-to length of the season in recent years, and we love how easy it is to dress up with heels or down with sneakers. For Memorial Day weekend, balance the feminine look of the dress with a practical pair of sneakers. A sleek pair of white sneakers is a foolproof footwear option! They are a wardrobe essential that you’ll get tons of wear out of for the rest of the season. These are especially great if you’re spending Memorial Day chasing around little ones or plan to be on your feet most of the day.

Bring the look together with your favorite pair of statement sunglasses. Fashion is taking cues from decades past this season, so vintage-inspired frames are a great place to start your search. If you love the oversized look, try a pair with large bold frames. Loving the pastel trend? Go for sunglasses with lenses tinted in an interesting hue. Or, make any old pair you own into a statement by attaching a sunglasses chain. 

Neutral Jumpsuit + Strappy Heeled Sandals + Pop of Color Accessory

The last of our options for women’s Memorial Day outfits start with a neutral jumpsuit. It’s the ideal one-and-done piece to get ready quickly, create a polished look, and it lets you move around a bit more than a dress for any activities you have planned for the weekend. Opt for one that’s lightweight and breathable, such as a linen or cotton blend, and try a looser silhouette for that leisurely look. Utility jumpsuits are always a great variation to try! We love this piece in a neutral shade to maximize styling possibilities and to further play up the natural, earthy look. For a weekend by the water, make yours do double duty as a coverup by pulling it on over a swimsuit.

Pair your jumpsuit with a strappy heel to elevate the look. Fashion continues to take inspiration from all things ‘90s this season, so be sure to choose a pair that mimics the look of the decade. Think low kitten heels and a minimal (but strappy!) style. Once reserved for nights out, this style of strappy heels is making a comeback for everyday elevated casual looks. Memorial Day is a great time to try them out!

To take this neutral look up a notch, make it pop with a bold-colored accessory. Whether you’re into pastels or neons, any color will do! Look for a vibrant handbag or a fun hair scarf to add some dimension to the look. If you want to add a subtle nod to the holiday’s origins without doing a full red white & blue look, pairing your cream jumpsuit with a pop of blue or coral red will do the trick.

Wrap Up

No matter your plans for Memorial Day weekend, we’ve got you covered with these women’s Memorial Day outfits. They’re the right mix of comfort, practicality, and fashion-forward pieces that are sure to garner compliments and have you feeling your best. Try these outfit ideas to kick off summer in style! Finding new inspiration at the beginning of each season is a great way to keep your wardrobe feeling fresh. Keep up with our weekly blog posts to stay inspired for the warm weather ahead.

In addition to our blog content, we offer personal shopping and styling services to help create fresh new looks for you, whether it’s a seasonal refresh, planning looks for an upcoming vacation, or simply because you’re in a rut with your wardrobe. For those living outside of Cincinnati or looking for a more convenient option, check out our online services! Reach out today to get started on your style goals. And of course, Happy Memorial Day!