The Summer Edit: SB Staff Essentials for Summer ‘25

By SB Team

It's summertime, baddies! Cancers, Leos, Virgos—happy birthday to you—to all the other darlings under the sun, welcome to the brightest season of the year. As we all start swapping out our wardrobes and refreshing what’s in our bags, the Sustainable Baddie team is here to share the summer essentials we need to have on hand in the summer months.

Jazmine - Founder & Creative Director

Kiehl’s Superbly Efficient Antiperspirant & Deodorant Cream

I’m going to hold your hand when I say this: do everyone a favor and pick up a deodorant with aluminum in it. Just kidding (kinda)! As a self-proclaimed sweaty girl, I know firsthand how uncomfortable it is to constantly worry about sweat stains showing or if people think you smell.

So, after nearly a decade avoiding aluminum-based deodorant in fear of it causing cancer or other issues, I’ve finally made the switch after doing some research that showed that there isn’t any strong evidence that it’s actually harmful. The conversation around “clean” ingredients is a nuanced one, but I do think some brands have better ingredients than others, like this one from Kiehl’s. It works like a charm, and the mental load of smelling and sweating has finally been relieved. I’ll never go back.

Kathrina Lou Reversible Tankini

Tankinis had their moment last summer, and I’m here to advocate that it continues to do so. They're the perfect modular piece to have in your summer wardrobe. Of course, you can wear the top while swimming, but it also makes the perfect summer top that you don’t need to fear sweating in (re: self-proclaimed sweaty girl), and it basically has a built-in bra. I especially like this one from Kathrina Lou because it’s meant to be reversible, so you get two colorways for the price of one. Plus, the reversible tankinis have asymmetrical straps that make unique styling easier.

Collina Strada Rhinestone Water Bottle

I’m notorious for losing things, which historically included water bottles until I got my hands on one of these Rhinestone Water Bottles from Collina Strada. They’re unmistakable, whimsical, and the perfect companion to remind you to stay hydrated throughout summer.

P.S. SSense will sometimes sell these on their site, often at a steep discount, so keep your eyes out for that if you’re not in a pinch!

Aparna - Managing Editor

Ere Perez - Aloe Gel Lash & Brow Mascara

The only beauty product I’ve consistently used over the years has been brow gel. I stopped threading and plucking my eyebrows almost a decade ago because I just felt that it distorts my face, but I do like to have some level of hold to maintain the shape. This clear brow gel is an all-time SB team favorite, and I’ve yet to find one I love more.

Floral Resin Earrings

I thrifted these earrings (with Natasha) a while ago! I feel like earrings are truly the purest form of adornment, and I love finding vintage and secondhand pieces that speak to my moods. I wear earrings even with the most basic outfits–it’s the only accessory that transcends all the transience of seasonal style for me. This summer, I’ve been really loving these.

Tarot Deck

I’m FINALLY learning the basics of reading tarot! We’re big into spiritual learning here on the SB team, and I have wanted to learn more about how the tarot works and how I can read for myself. I’ve met some new friends recently; one happened to gift me a tarot deck, while another is teaching me how to read. I’m really loving having a classic deck that’s a bit more beautiful than the regular Rider-Waite deck.

Andrea - Staff Writer

Round Lab Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen

This specific sunscreen has been my go-to for the last couple of years. I use it all year round, and it’s especially great (and necessary) for the summer months because of how lightweight and non-sticky the product is on the skin.

Lucky Jewel Capris

I copped mine at a sample sale recently. What a capri. I will be wearing this piece constantly and have already been. It’s ridiculously and truly low-waisted and lightweight. Perfect for those who need a fierce garment when traveling.

Handheld Portable Fan

This is my first summer in NYC, but I’ve been here in August before, and it’s deathly humid. Summers here remind me of Shanghai, and my aunt gifted me a fan when I was there two summers ago. An actual essential!

Carla - Editor & Partnerships Coordinator

MOB Creamy Clay Eyeshadow

In my mind, summer has a permanent color scheme: creamsicle orange and sky blue. My favorite thing to do for summer is to wear blue eyeshadow with orange blush (because it’s giving vintage, it’s giving 60s). This MOB beauty clay eyeshadow is the perfect shade of blue and glides on so smoothly without it feeling greasy in the LA weather or even after a full day at the office.

Dyed Hand-me-down Jeans

After spring cleaning, I’m the kind of person who will take friends’ hand-me-downs to rework in the summer. I took a pair of jeans from my sibling’s stash to have them dyed in a community bath at Suay into the most precious green color I’ve seen. The result was so cool, and now I have a pair of oversized jeans, with lots of airflow, that I can wear for the summer.

Outshine Lime Fruit Bars

Unavoidably, when my birthday comes around, I get nostalgic for the simple pleasures I enjoyed in childhood, like getting a Great White popsicle after my mom picked me up from school. And while I can’t find that Great White popsicle anymore, I found these Outshine lime bars that taste so similar in flavor and texture to help me cool off!

Natasha - Staff Writer & Content Producer

Rosewater

As someone who’s very allergic to fragrances and incredibly sweaty in the summertime, carrying a little bottle of rosewater in my bag helps me to smell a little sweeter and cool down from the heat!

Bloomers

I love bloomers forever and ever idcccc! Over the last few years, I’ve amassed a small collection of bloomer shorts, and they make me feel very cute in a I’m finally dressing like the scene girls I admired in my youth type of way (should I break out my rainbow knee-high socks again???) <333.

Journal & Pen

CoRnY!! Yes, maybe. But it’s a lot more comfy to sit down in a park or by the river and spend some time writing in the summertime than in the winter, so I always carry my journal and pen with me.

What’s in your summer bag?

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