Mom shorts, oversized T-shirts, cargo pants, and more summer styles that my teen and I are constantly sharing.
Catching my teen rummaging through my closet is oddly flattering. Is there anything other than a teen's approval that could make you feel like a cool mom? Since we're in the middle of summer, I've seen her borrowing some of my favorite summer basics, including one of my favorite pairs of mom shorts, which I've yet to see again, by the way, multiple times a week.
I'm never surprised to see her leaving my closet with an oversized T-shirt and a pair of biker shorts draped over her arm. Lucky her, we're also the same shoe size, so she'll even sneak off to her room, then reappear looking effortlessly cute with my favorite Allbirds sneakers. Below, you'll find all nine summer basics my teen loves to borrow from me (and even wear in front of her friends), starting at $8.
Oversized T-shirts have quickly become my teen's go-to summer essential. This T-shirt comes in nearly 30 styles, ranging from graphics to solid colors and stripes, and six sizes (up to 3X). The soft, breathable fabric and relaxed fit helps it pair well with biker shorts to your favorite flare jeans. I love how the stitching is of high quality, and the round neckline would show off a long or short necklace beautifully.
My teen is always borrowing these hair claw clips from me, even though she has plenty of her own. She says she loves them because "they're cute" and "durable" and hold her thick hair with a firm grip. They come in 18 different styles and colors, but her go-to choice is the neutral shade set because "they go with anything."
My teen isn't one to wear dresses often, but when she does, you can bet she's snagging my black T-shirt dress. She's into flowy, loose styles, so this dress fits her dressy-but-comfy look every single time. While she prefers the black, the dress is available in a wide range of colors and patterns, and sizes small to 3X.
These American Eagle mom shorts are a summer must-have -- especially at a whopping 58% off right now. My teen can't get enough of the subtle braided detail at the waistband, which makes these shorts nice for pairing with crop tops to showcase that cute touch. They're available in six washes and sizes 000 to 20. And as someone who used to shop at American Eagle during her own high school days, I'm pretty excited to see the brand is still popular with teens.
My 16-year-old daughter loves her tank tops, especially on hot summer days when staying cool is of utmost importance. We've even created a little system -- she has two colors, I have two, and we swap or "shop" each other's closets whenever we want a quick refresh. She says she loves these tanks because they keep her "cool and comfortable," thanks to their loose fit.
I have two pairs of the Allbirds Women's Courier sneakers that I'm pretty partial to, so when my teen asked to borrow them, I thought she was joking. Now she borrows them way more often than I ever expected. She says she "loves the color" (I own the stormy grey color and one cream and white neutral that's no longer on the website) and how easily they go with just about any outfit. The soft, yet sturdy midsole is extremely comfortable for all-day wear, while the outer cotton canvas has held up against hours of wear in high school hallways, the park, and more places.
These biker shorts are my daughter's go-to for a quick drink run or errands. She loves them because they're super comfortable but still effortlessly cute, with a high waist and stretchy spandex that "doesn't rub and feels great all day." Plus, the handy pockets make them awesome for carrying small essentials, like her phone, whether she's at home or out and about.
I noticed my 16-year-old recently bought herself a pair of sunglasses, but she still sometimes reaches for my aviator ones to add a little edge to any outfit. She's all about this classic style, which is funny to me, because I was too at her age. There are over 20 frame and tint colors to choose from, and every single option is 30% off right now.
These cargo pants come in a variety of colors, including a trendy camo, and sizes range from XS to 3X. They feature a high waist, stretchy fabric, and a wide-leg Y2K streetwear style -- ideal for achieving a cool, comfortable look. My daughter says she loves them because "I just like the look of them and how many pockets there are."