Simply Put, These Are the Top 10 Things to Buy This May
The early-summer edition of your monthly shopping list is here.
Welcome to 10 Things to Buy, a monthly shopping list that helps you shop smarter by focusing on the 10 key items to add to your cart that month if your wardrobe is in need of a boost. As a Who What Wear editor for the past 11 years, I've spent many hours advising people on what to shop for during any given season, so you're in good hands. Whether you're shopping for cold weather, warm weather, a vacation, or a wedding, I'm here to offer up the most seasonally appropriate suggestions. Be sure to return at the start of each month for more.
As the saying goes, April showers bring May shopping (that's how it goes, right?). The days are consistently warm and long, which means it's officially time to start building your summer wardrobe if you've yet to do so. And as per usual, I'm here to help with that via my monthly shopping list of the top ten things to buy. April's list was all about transitional pieces, but May's is chock-full of early summer finds—some basics and some trend-leaning pieces. No matter what your wardrobe needs are this month, I'm sure you'll find something among the options below that'll meet them. So with that, keep scrolling to shop the top ten things to buy during May 2026.
Bug-Eye Sunglasses
And just like that, people are suddenly trading slim oval shades for oversized bug-eye sunglasses. Adding a pair to your eyewear collection is an easy way to make any of your outfits this month (and on) look extremely of-the-moment.
Lightweight Balloon Pants
It was one year ago that genie pants came back into relevance, and now, you'd be hard-pressed to find a brand that isn't making its own version of the trend. Lightweight balloon pants made of poplin, linen, or silk are a smart purchase to make this month. You'll reach for them whenever it's too hot for jeans but you don't want to wear shorts.
Elevated Thong Sandals
Yes, flip-flops are still as popular as ever, with elevated pairs that make outfits look polished as opposed to sloppy being the style du jour. Zero in on thong sandals made of leather, suede, calf hair, or satin, and you'll even find shockingly elevated jelly versions on the market this season.
Raglan Tee
Raglan tees, AKA baseball tees, are the most noteworthy of T-shirt trends this season. There are a slew of color combinations on the market, and the fashion crowd is finding creative ways to style them as of late. Add one to your wardrobe to join them.
Satin Bermuda Shorts
Don't you love it when two trends combine to form a style that feels fresh and new? This season, that trend is satin bermuda shorts. Among the options are lace-trimmed iterations, a chic continuation of the silky lace shorts trend that went viral last summer.
Raffia Bucket Hat
The start of summer is a great excuse to buy a trendy new hat. This year, the trend to spend your money on is a minimalist raffia bucket hat, which is a seasonal take on the felt bucket hats that were everywhere during winter.
White Soft-Leather Flats
It's time to put the black ballet flats on hold in favor of white ones made of soft leather. Whether in the form of a loafer, minimalist ballet flat, or an oxford shoe, your May outfits will look infinitely chicer.
Lace-Trimmed Camisole
Lace-trimmed everything is trending, but one of the latest of the lace-trend offerings to catch on are silky camisoles. They look especially cool, peaking out beneath a tee or lightweight sweater.
Light-Wash Denim
If you're like me and are a jeans wearer even during the summer, the trend to buy this month is a light-wash pair. They have a reputation for being quite casual, but this season, everyone is dressing them up with heels.
Minimal Tank Dress
If you're a fan of '90s minimalism, you'll be pleased to know that one of summer's biggest dress trends is a simple tank dress. In fact, they were all over the F/W 26 runways as well, which proves that the trend has legs.
