Vintage Housewife Summer Must-Haves

These are the summer must-haves for any wannabe vintage housewife. From vintage summer dresses to homemade sweet treats, all of these items will help you have the best vintage summer!

This post was originally posted in 2020, I try to update it every year to make sure products are still available. If you find a product isn’t available share in the comments and I’ll find a replacement. 

I’d love summer more if I lived on the beach in California or at least somewhere a bit cooler than Oklahoma summers but I still overall enjoy summer. 

I do wish I had a swimming pool because I don’t mind the heat if I can cool off in the water. But Oklahoma doesn’t have a huge swimming season so it’s a fair amount of work to keep up with a pool for not a lot of use. I really wish I had a friend nearby that wanted me to use their pool, all the enjoyment with none of the work. 

My family did end up with an above-ground pool when I was a kid one summer when every day was hitting 100 degrees. We all decided kind of randomly one hot day that we really needed one. I spent a LOT of time in that pool. 

I did have a gym membership that included an indoor pool but I haven’t been using it since it closed in 2020. I have enjoyed using it many summers though not as much as I would my own pool.

There are many things, other than a pool, that I like to have to make summer even better and I wanted to share those items with you. 

Vintage Housewife Summer Must-Haves

When I originally wrote this back in 2020 things were a lot different than when I’m updating it in 2026. For one thing, I’m not promoting things on Amazon anymore and also want to encourage us all to buy less new stuff.

But I also know that we are likely to still buy some new stuff, I know I do because I’m not perfect and we also want to be able to enjoy our lives. So I want to talk about some ways to make our summers better while still voting with our dollars and being more responsible with our purchases.

These vintage summer must-haves will make anyone feel like a vintage homemaker in no time and help you enjoy the summer more, even if you aren’t a fan like myself.

A Vintage-Inspired Summer Wardrobe

I love a flowy summer dress but before buying any new clothes it’s important to check what you already have. See if anything needs mended, if there are items you no longer wear, and even consider if you can rework a piece you have to help you enjoy it more.

If there are any pieces in your wardrobe or you really want new pieces consider buying thrifted first. After that look for better brands that sell higher quality items and have good values.

For some new summer dress ideas you can check out my Vintage-Inspired Summer Dresses post. I highlighted some beautiful dresses that come from some better brands, no Amazon, Shein, or brands like that!

A vintage-inspired swimsuit is also a must-have. I love the swimsuits from Unique Vintage. They are cute and I’ve always liked the items I’ve gotten from them.

Sun Protection

My husband and I are making an effort to get outside more. I don’t do well in heat so this is usually the morning or evening but you still need sun protection!

I tend to prefer a mineral sunscreen, though chemical sunscreens are likely safe (some concerns about possible endocrine disruptor ingredients) and always safer than no sunscreen. My current favorite mineral sunscreen is the Think brand of sunscreen.

I will say it does leave a white cast so it wouldn’t be good for all skin tones. I have seen that they now have a clear version that may be better for all skin tones but I haven’t tested it.

A nice sun hat and sunglasses also help protect you when you are out in the sun. I’m still on the hunt of a vintage-inspired hat that I like.

Bug Protection

Especially when going outside at night bug protection is important. I tend to use a picaridin bug spray. Currently I’m using OFF! Clean Feel, which works well but not a fan of the brand. If you know of a good similar option let me know in the comments.

Now we need to talk about DEET which is also safe. There were studies that led us to believe it wasn’t which led to a lot of DEET-free bug sprays. Now if they are replaced with picaridin that’s fine but some use ingredients that aren’t very effective. The studies were flawed and recent studies have shown DEET to be safe and effective.

Homemade Summer Treats

One of the best parts about the summer are the treats that help keep us cool. If you want to keep that vintage vibe a fun old-fashioned soda shop drink is the way to go. My favorite is a chocolate soda.

Homemade ice cream and homemade popsicles are also great ways to cool down.

Thigh Protection

If you are wearing a lot dresses during the summer your thighs can end up feeling rather sore. There are a few good options for this issue.

There are powders that can help but that’s often messy and needs to be reapplied. I prefer either little shorts or Bandelettes.

Bandelettes are little bands that go around your thighs to protect them. If you don’t like the feel of shorts this is a great option. I’ve wore them for years.

You can also just look for some bike shorts or try out Chub Rub Shorts from Snag I haven’t tried these yet but I’d like to. I love Snag’s tights and it’s a good brand. They have lots of cute options and they are designed to help keep you cool.

MORE VINTAGE HOUSEWIFE SUMMER INSPIRATION

Looking for more vintage housewife inspiration? Join the Retro Homemakers Club! It’s a great place to connect with others that love vintage things and learn to be a better homemaker. You can sip on some lemonade and chat with us this summer.

You can also check out these other posts that help you enjoy this summer.

• Homemade Lemonade Recipes
• 1950s Summer Meal Plan
• Vintage Summer Recipes