I’m a Former Madewell Employee, and I’m Buying These Summer Staples for Up to 81% Off

I never miss a Madewell sale. As a former employee, I got pretty accustomed to filling my closet with the brand’s high-quality staples for way less, so I take every opportunity I can to relive my days of having an employee discount—and right now, a sale that actually beats that discount is happening. TBH, it’s so good I shopped it before I started writing this.

As part of its End of Season Sale, Madewell has marked down already-discounted items by an extra 30 percent with the code COOLDOWN, with savings now up to 81 percent off. There are more than 1,600 deals—which, while great, is also kind of daunting—so I sorted through them all to find the must-grab items. From summer dresses and breezy blouses to on-trend shoes, these are the 10 items worth shopping from Madewell’s double-discount sale. 

10 Must-Haves From Madewell’s Summer Sale

• Pleated Straight Pants, $21 (Originally $108)
• Long-Sleeve Eyelet Popover Top, $25 (Originally $92)
• Pull-On Cargo Shorts, $28 (Originally $50)
• Linen-Blend Column Midi Skirt, $35 (Originally $128)
• Crochet-Knit Crewneck Sweater Tank Top, $39 (Originally $70)
• Handwoven Leather Crossbody Bag, $50 (Originally $128)
• Tie-Waist Romper, $63 (Originally $110)
• Tie-Back Flutter-Sleeve Tiered Midi Dress, $63 (Originally $128)
• Sweetheart Mini Dress, $76 (Originally $128)
• The Greta Woven Ballet Flat, $89 (Originally $148)

Pleated Straight Pants

The best deal I found was on these straight-leg trousers, which are now 81 percent off. This is one of my all-time favorite styles for summer because it’s the perfect balance of chic and wearable. The pleated details elevate the pants while the relaxed leg and 100-percent cotton design offer all-day comfort and breathability. One person described them as “super comfy” and “so soft” while also being “beautifully tailored,” a.k.a. the best of both worlds. This is also a style that looks great with everything—tees, sneakers, heels, you name it—but I’ll personally be styling them with a simple white tank top and brown sandals all summer long. 

Sweetheart Mini Dress

This dress was an easy add-to-cart—I love everything from the short hem and sweetheart neckline, to the bold floral pattern and lightweight linen design. It’s also one of those dresses that can be worn everywhere with a few small accessory tweaks; white sneakers make it perfect for everyday-wear while a pair of strappy heels and a small shoulder bag can take it to night. And for vacation, I plan on repeat-wearing this with brown sandals and an oversized woven tote bag.

Crochet-Knit Crewneck Sweater Tank Top

I live in basic tank tops in the summer, and while they work in most situations, they can sometimes lean a little too casual. So I’m eyeing this crocheted tank—which shoppers call an “elegant summer top”—for when I want a more elevated version of the classic style. According to fans of this top, it has a great “structured” fit and versatile look, noting that it can be worn casually or dressed-up. Grab it in white if you want to keep it classic, red for a pop of color, or stripes for a nautical-inspired summer look.

The Greta Woven Ballet Flat

I already own a pair of Greta Ballet Flats and I might be grabbing another while this woven style is 40 percent off. From experience, I can report that these flats are ridiculously comfortable, buttery soft, and require no breaking in. That high quality and all-day comfort paired with the see-through design celebrities including Jennifer Lawrence can’t stop wearing make these a no-brainer.  

I’ve already shopped Madewell’s double-discount End of Season Sale, but it’s so good I’m now considering doing it again. Shop more of the must-have deals from the sale, below. 

Long-Sleeve Eyelet Popover Top

Tie-Back Flutter-Sleeve Tiered Midi Dress

Pull-On Cargo Shorts

Handwoven Leather Crossbody Bag

Linen-Blend Column Midi Skirt

Tie-Waist Romper