As we head into summer, we're likely to see memorable outfits that will inspire our future shopping purchases. To get an early look at what we'll see this summer, I asked Who What Wear fashion editors to share the top trends they'll be adding to their wardrobes, as well as the exact items they're eyeing.
Their top trends include everything from a fresh way to wear color to a dominating accessories trend and the shoes every fashion insider is shopping for now. The shopping selects include everything you'll want to wear this summer, whether you're mapping out your vacation shopping or heading to a big event. Ahead, see the six trends our editors can't stop thinking about for summer and the pieces that deserve a spot in stylish wardrobes, starting with my selects.
Easy Elegance
Over the last year, my wardrobe has been inspired by the minimalism of '90s fashion that has recently returned to the runways in a major way. Heading into summer 2023, however, I've gravitated toward the easy elegance of tweed jackets, sophisticated heels in unexpected colors, and timeless-yet-impactful accessories, including Chanel sunglasses with a beaded strap that launched this year—a style that has already been on heavy rotation in my personal wardrobe. These pieces have a soft elegance that I plan to incorporate into my summer looks.
Raffia
"Raffia is a trend that comes around almost every summer. Yet brands manage to make it feel fresh every single time. Loewe and Paula's Ibiza always come up with the best summer handbags, in my opinion, and after their classic raffia took off when they first released it, many brands followed suit. When I chatted with the Loewe team at their most recent preview, they showcased their latest iteration of the summer trend they love to champion, and it's cooler than ever. I also love seeing the fabric in less traditional silhouettes, like clutches or pointed-toe flats. Also, even when I'm not heading out to a tropical destination, wearing a raffia accessory and basking in the warm weather is a great way to start the summer." — Yusra Siddiqui, associate editor
Larger-Than-Life Earrings
"There was one jewelry trend spotted across F/W 23 collections that I didn't see coming: massive earrings. Designers including Saint Laurent, Schiaparelli, and Ferragamo finished several looks in their collections with similarly bold, sculptural studs, and it immediately piqued my interest since an earring style hasn't dominated more than tried-and-true hoops. With the revival of '80s excess and old-money aesthetics, it makes sense that we'd see designers reaching into the archives to create pieces reminiscent of the late '80s. In fact, some of the best shopping for this trend can be found on Etsy, as long as you can get comfortable with the idea of clip-ons (some of the best authentic versions are). I've already been testing the style with an elastic headband or a slicked-back hairstyle to let their bold shape really shine." — Anna LaPlaca, editor
Ballet Flats
"I know it might be a little blasphemous to admit the following, but I'm so excited about the prospect of ballet flats for the summer. Obviously, I'll still slip on a pair of slides for sweltering hot days, but I love switching it up with ballet flats made from more summer-friendly material like raffia, satin, or mesh. Plus, I just invested in Miu Miu ballet flats, so I have to utilize them to the max." — Jasmine Fox-Suliaman, editor
Quiet Luxury
"This summer, I am feeling more anti-trend than ever, so I am fully embracing the quiet-luxury movement that is as timeless as can be. I am fully committed to investing in pieces that can stay in my closet for a lifetime. With that being said, all things quiet luxury are currently calling my name. I feel like the buzzy word has a lot of different subgroups, so allow me to define what it means to me. While some categorize this trend as a modern take on minimalism, I see it as an opportunity to elevate classic pieces and wardrobe staples while taking inspiration from the archives. I'll be doing this with breezy linen separates and iconic silhouettes. Also, this summer, I won't be afraid of outfit repeating." — Sierra Mayhew, associate editor
Slept-On Color Combos
"Spring's color offering was on another level, with designers like Victoria Beckham, Amy Smilovic at Tibi, and Tory Burch all coming up with eye-catching shade pairings that felt both unexpected and perfectly matched. Green with red, red with brown, and brown with orange—each combination was more supreme than the last. I've already begun experimenting with color clashing this season, mostly with reds and greens together, a duo I've become a tiny bit obsessed with. I also love brown, orange, and electric blue together for a very '60s and '70s vibe. Bags are a great way to play around with this trend without too much work, as are shoes, tights, and layering pieces like T-shirts or thin turtlenecks. So much of my feed is minimal, with only shades of cream, navy, gray, and black, so it feels different and exciting to experiment with vibrant colors for spring." — Eliza Huber, editor
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