I've Been a Stylist for 20 Years—These Are the Key Buys on My Summer 2024 Wish List

You've probably heard of celebrity stylist Angie Smith from her work with household names like Holly Willoughby, Eva Mendes, Davina McCall and Rochelle Humes. Smith has a gift for making her clients look effortlessly chic, usually on an affordable budget. She's an advocate for shopping the high street, often mixing high and low pieces in her styling and her own wardrobe, and her talent for uncovering the most expensive-looking finds is unrivalled. So I'm sure you'll be pleased to hear she's now a Who What Wear UK columnist, here to share her expert shopping picks for the season along with some styling wisdom. Keep scrolling to see her key buys for summer 2024.

Angie wears a white Free People dress and mesh shoes

Angie wears a Free People dress

(Image credit: @angiesmithstyle)

I’ve been a stylist and brand consultant for over 20 years now, and I'm a strong believer in buying less and wearing those pieces more. I've learnt from my experience re-working clients' wardrobes that after editing them down to a smaller capsule, it becomes a lot easier to pull outfits together because you can actually see what's in there.

When shopping for new pieces, it’s important to be practical and think of all the outfits you could wear them with from your existing wardrobe. But most importantly, you have to really love those new items to justify adding them to your rotation. When you wear them, they have to make you feel good—really good. They have to feel comfortable on your body; I’m a strong believer in buying the size that feels and looks the best on you, and in some shops that might be a 12, in others an 18—it really doesn't matter. The buys I include in my monthly edits can be easily styled in multiple ways and will still be relevant years from now. We're talking true wardrobe classics, and I’m showing you where to find them.

Woman wears striped trousers and striped shirt

Angie wears a matching striped set by Deiji Studio

(Image credit: @angiesmithstyle)

When it comes to my personal style I’ve always been a bit of a lazy dresser. It wasn’t until my late 30s that I finally accepted that it was okay to not be perfectly pulled together or constantly change up my daily look. Through exploring my own personal style I’ve come to two key resolutions. One is that it’s okay to wear your favourite things on repeat. They’re our favourite for a reason after all. Two, no one is taking a mental note of what we’ve worn and how many times we’ve repeated an outfit. For me, finding a piece worthy of being worn repetitively is the ultimate object, to ensure each addition is as hard-working and versatile as it can be.

I recently read Johnathan Hadit’s The Anxious Generation and began thinking about how fast-paced we live whilst most people I speak to want a slower life, fewer things, and more time to enjoy and spend with the people we love. When it comes to getting dressed, this should be a joyful experience, not something that adds stress to your day. So, welcome lazy summer style. Here are the pieces that I rely on year after year to make me feel good in the heat (emphasis on feeling good). Alongside there’s accessories that can instantly make your lazy outfit look like a considered curation.

Scroll on to explore my summer 2024 edit.

Shop Angie Smith's Summer 2024 Edit:

1. Easy Dress

2. Chic Sarong

3. Simple Flip Flops

4. Versatile Shirt

5. Black Dress

6. Classic Frames

7. Wear-everywhere Tank

8. Boxer Shorts

9. Going Out Out

10. Big Raffia Bag

11. Slip Dress

12. Understated Midi Skirt

Shop More of Angie's Picks:

Emily Dawes
Affiliate Editor

Emily Dawes is the very definition of a fashion multi hyphenate. An editor, stylist and writer with over eleven years’ worth of experience in the industry, Emily is known for her impeccable taste, elegant outfit choices and being able to spot the next big thing in fashion from a mile off. Our readers loyally trust her advice and shopping suggestions; so much so she began her own column documenting the most expensive-looking pieces on the high street, which has become a top-performing piece of content for the Who What Wear brand.

Emily has worked for Who What Wear UK since 2020 in a myriad as roles, spanning from contributing editor and branded content editor. Now, she holds the position of affiliate editor and is responsible for the brand’s overall affiliate strategy, ideation and content execution. Working closely with Who What Wear UK’s affiliate manager, Emily has been instrumental in securing and nourishing brand partnerships, surpassing her goals as standard. Leading the team in tentpole shopping moments including Black Friday and Peak Trading, with Emily’s guidance and leadership, team Who What Wear is in a stronger affiliate position than ever before.

Prior to joining the Who What Wear team, Emily served as YOU Magazine’s acting fashion editor where she managed the fashion team and oversaw all fashion content output for the fast-paced weekly title. Emily is a stylist in her own right, having worked with a slew of VIP clients including writer and television personality, Elizabeth Day, as well as styling and art directing several celebrity cover shoots for glossy print publication, Grazia. Her adept fashion knowledge means brands regularly sought out to work with her as a consultant: previously she has developed marketing and content plans for brands for Cocoon and Edge of Ember. Before entering the industry, Emily obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English and American Studies with International Study from Nottingham University. Fun fact: Emily spent a year studying in America which saw her join a sorority during her time there.

When she’s not working or tracking down the chicest, new-in items to share with our audience, you’ll find Emily bestowing her East London home with her stylish flair, reading everything from the classics to cowboy romance novels and escaping to the country with husband, baby boy and dog, Roo, whenever she can.

Emily is currently on maternity leave.