Here's How 8 Women Are Styling August's Hero Buys

Here at Who What Wear, we love discovering a hero buy. You know, the kind of item that pops up on your feed over and over again, worn by people whose style you adore. I like to imagine the cult item with a Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants vibe, appearing in one location and then another, styled in different ways on different people and looking chic all the same.

This month, in particular, it feels as if two very specific hero buys have become virtually omnipresent online. The first is Arket’s Striped Cotton Jumper, which has become a choice staple for chic Londoners on days when the weather just won’t cooperate, and the second is Rixo’s Rickie Printed Shirt, which has been seen on those lucky enough to escape for some sun.

While the two items are drastically different (one is a classic staple, and the other is a fun statement piece), they’ve both managed to gain equal traction, and I’m willing to bet it’s because of their innate versatility. Each time I stumble across the two items, the women wearing them have managed to make them wholly their own, adding a personal flair to the outfit.

With this in mind, I reached out to the women I’ve spotted wearing these looks to find out exactly what they love about the items and ask for a few styling tips (of course). Keep scrolling to see how Marianne Smyth, Aïda Badji Sané, Francesca Saffari and our very own Emma Spedding are wearing Arket’s striped jumper, and then read on for Monikh Dale's, Jo-Ann Alari's, Rachael Clifton's and Sharena Chindavong’s styling tips for Rixo’s fun printed shirt.

Arket Striped Cotton Jumper

Marianne Smyth

"For me, a capsule wardrobe is never complete until some form of knitted striped jumper is thrown in the mix. I love my Arket jumper, as it's oversized yet still retains that feminine touch with the V-shaped neckline. At the moment, during this colder spell, I've been throwing it on with loose linen trousers, and come winter, I'll style it up with wool coats and leather straight-leg trousers."

Aïda Badji Sané

"I love everything about that jumper from Arket. The material is thick but very breathable. I love how they reinvented the marinière with the cut and the details on the collar. It's typically one of those classic items that every French person buys at least once in their life, so obviously, I love it. I think this would look great with black jeans and black shorts or even white shorts or just put over the shoulders. You can also pair it with sneakers, sandals and loafers. It's a timeless piece, so it's very versatile."

Francesca Saffari

"'When in doubt, stripe it out' are words I live by! I'm a sucker for a good marinière stripe, and when I saw this Arket one, I knew it would be a staple in my wardrobe. I love how it has a bit of structure, making it really versatile to style, worn loose with straight-leg jeans or tucked into wide-leg trousers or an A-line skirt. It's the relaxed open collar and V-neck for me that makes it incredibly classic whilst looking so much more expensive than it is." 

Emma Spedding

"I love how this is a classic but feels unique thanks to the collar and V-neck detail. I'd live in this throughout autumn with a blazer, jeans and ankle boots. Simple, but a no-brainer."

Rixo Rickie Printed Silk Crepe de Chine Shirt

Monikh Dale

"I had been after this shirt for so long! I love the Cuban-style collar, the perfect weight of the material and that mix of colour. It's the perfect power piece to team with your ultimate basics like my favourite white linen skirt and flip-flops. Once I'm able to fit back into jeans, I'll be teaming them together with a slight kitten heel for overdue drinks with the girls." 

Jo-Ann Alari

"I love vintage bowling shirts, but it's very rare to find a silk one in good condition, so the Rickie from Rixo ticks all the boxes, as it's a timeless design in a beautiful fabric. I know I'll be pulling it out for holidays and summers for years to come. I wear mine with a pair of vintage Levi's 501s in light-blue denim. It also looks great worn open with a plain white tee or vest underneath."

Rachael Clifton

"I'm usually not one for bright colours, but when I spotted this Rixo shirt, I just loved it instantly! I think it's quite a fun and playful piece but can be pared back with simple pieces like these tailored trousers for a more elevated look."

Sharena Chindavong

"I love this top because of its colours and the different ways you can wear it. A classic button-up will always be a fave of mine. I enjoy wearing it buttoned up and tying the bottom bits together in a knot. Styled like this, it turns into sort of a crop top—perfect for summer days. Other days, I like wearing it as a layer on top of a simpler top underneath." 

Next up, the biggest autumn 2021 trends you need to know.