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Summer-sale season is in full swing. There’s plenty to shop, but one of my favorites is Universal Standard’s annual online Sample Sale. The brand is known for its size-inclusive range — from 00 to 40 — and its high-quality basics have formed the backbone of my closet for years. With over 500 pieces marked down, I’ve combed through all the sale pages and pulled together a roundup of my favorites, which include my go-to workout bodysuit, lots of summery dresses, and plenty of the brand’s beloved denim. The sale runs through August 5, but the good stuff goes fast, so fill your cart now.
Tops
Universal Standard makes some of my absolute favorite basics. From T-shirts to long-sleeve shirts, the quality-to-cost ratio is right on the money, and the pieces I’ve worn multiple times a week have held up beautifully over the years. I recommend taking advantage of this sale and stocking up while you can.
Dresses
Strategist style writer Ambar Pardilla pointed me to the dress section, where she’s eyeing a jersey shift and a smocked poplin number. There’s plenty of styles perfect for whatever summer plans you have, whether its a European trip or dreaded in-office days.
Bottoms
Universal Standard is well loved for its denim, which has just enough stretch to be comfy without sagging or losing its shape. I found plenty of on-sale denim shorts— a must for this scorching-hot summer — in a variety of washes and cuts. There’s also lots of non-denim pants available, including the Moro Pocket Signature Ponte Pants, which “pants-allergic” Strategist contributor Maya Kosoff raved about. “When I tried them on, I liked them so much I (yes) tweeted about them,” she writes. “I could already see myself wearing them with a nice top to a meeting or just on a walk to the bagel place down the street on a Sunday.”
Athleisure
If you buy just one thing from the sale, I highly recommend the Next-to-Naked unitard. I own three and wear them everywhere, from workouts to errands to flights. The rest of the Next-to-Naked line is also excellent. However, since it’s so popular, it was the category I noticed with the most sold-out sizes, so snap up some pieces quickly if you see yours in stock.
Outerwear
While outerwear might be the last thing on your mind — with this heat, who could blame you? — buying jackets and coats off-season is the way to go if you want to score a good deal. I am particularly charmed by the classic wool coat and the cornflower-blue suede jacket below, though there aren’t a ton of sizes left in the latter. I recommend buying now so your winter self will thank you later.
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
