A self-proclaimed girly girl, I love clothes. Whenever a new season rolls around, I’m first in line at my local mall to get all the cute new stuff before my friends can beat me to it.

And with all the girly dresses, peep-toe wedges and tees that they’re selling this time of year, I think it’s safe to say that the summer especially is a girly girl’s dream. With so many options, even the shopping-obsessed can feel a bit overwhelmed.

So, how do you know what to buy so you can look cute without breaking the bank? These items that are in my closet are the ultimate summer must-haves:

Sundresses—Every girl’s gotta have at least one! This black and white paisley printed dress from Express was a huge hit at my friend’s dinner party, but also looks great dressed down with a t-shirt for the office. And it’s a steal for only $69.95

Wedges—I’m not usually a fan of big, bold prints, but I couldn’t resist these printed wedges. And what’s more surprising—the fact that Target had such cute shoes (only $24.94!), or the fact that the leopard print is surprisingly versatile?

Party Shirts—All summer, I’ve been living in shirts like this printed one from Forever 21(my absolute favorite store). I’ve gotten compliments when I paired it with skinny black pants at my magazine internship, but it’s also a great shirt to pair with skinny jeans for a weekend out with the girls.

The Carry-all Purse—Ok, so this Marc by Marc Jacobs bag (I got it as a gift, I swear!) isn’t exactly cheap, but it’s probably my absolute favorite thing that I own. It’s small enough to be used as a purse, but large enough to carry some all-important reading material (i.e. Glamour) and snacks. But I’m definitely getting my money’s worth--I’ve been carrying this bag since December!

With items like these, I know I’m heading out into the heat in style. And while I’m enjoying every minute of my summer, I can’t wait to hit the malls again in September. The back-to-school sweaters and boots are almost as good as the summer dresses and wedges.