I Asked My European Mom What Trends She's Following This Summer—She Said These 7
Yep, quiet luxury doesn't just apply to Sofia Richie Grainge–aged women and TikTok teens. It also applies to some of the coolest people I know: moms.
Since I first learned how to put clothes on my back, my chic mom has been pointing me in the right sartorial direction. As she's a free-spirited, anti-trend European, her summer basics of choice have been embraced by fashion people everywhere as the epitome of stealth wealth. While she's always worn things like linen jackets, tailored trousers, and logoless bags since the beginning of time, her favorite trends are back in the mainstream.
As the adage goes, mother knows best. Below, shop the seven anti-trend quiet-luxury essentials all cool European moms swear by. If you want to feel like an elevated bougie auntie, now's your chance.
White Trousers
This lean, crisp pant style is worn by tons of chic French and Italian women year-round, but the effortless style shines brighter in the summer.
Knit Maxi Dresses
For a lightweight grab-and-go outfit, you simply can't go wrong with an understated longline knit dress. Wear it alone or on top of a classic black bikini for your Grecian getaway.
Oversize Poplin Shirts
If there's one thing cool European women swear by, it's the power of a simple white shirt. While the style isn't new by any means, the trendy ways to style it—especially given the understated nature of this year's stealth-wealth movement—make this piece a no-brainer.
Linen Blazers
Sure, a black blazer is the epitome of class, but its fresher, leaner linen counterpart has stolen the hearts, minds, and credit card numbers of cool French women everywhere this year.
Leather Slides
If you're looking for your sign to invest in a no-frills pair of good-quality leather sandals, let this be it: The silhouette goes with everything in your closet already. Pants, dresses, and skirts are all easy outfit options.
Raffia Totes
Invest in a timeless, oversize raffia tote to hold all of your French baguettes and farmers market flowers this summer.
Tailored Shorts
For a modern, elevated take on shorts, opt for a tailored version. Shorts are clearly for everyone, and these classic pairs make the ultimate style statement, regardless of age.
Ana Escalante is an award-winning journalist and Gen Z editor whose work ranges from dissecting size inclusivity at fashion week to discussing how American Girl Doll meme accounts are the the answer to society's collective spiral. She's covered it all: Queen Elizabeth II's corgis, Roe v. Wade frontline protests, and the emergence of jorts (or jean shorts for the uninitiated). At Who What Wear, Ana is responsible for delivering smart, insightful, personality-driven shopping guides and trend features for a digital-first generation.Before joining Who What Wear, Ana was Glamour magazine's editorial assistant, where she focused on daily news and special packages, including leading the brand's 2022 Met Gala coverage. For more than half a decade, she has covered style, beauty, and digital culture for publications such as Paper magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Vogue Japan, and Allure, among others. Ana has been called a rising star in media by publications such as Nylon and Teen Vogue. (Her mother, meanwhile, calls her "the coolest person" she knows.)
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