30 Feel-Good Summer Buys From & Other Stories, Mango and Arket

After the long grey winter and positively dreary spring we’ve had—not to mention the last few years of uncertainty—it’s hardly surprising that, as this summer of relative normality arrives, we’re ready and raring to break out of our "boring” basics and embrace feel-good fashion. We’re talking brights, frills, sparkles and, well, anything goes, really. The rule book is being thrown out the window, and certainly here at Who What Wear UK anyway, we’re preparing for a season of having fun with our wardrobes, especially as we start thinking seriously about investing in outfits for upcoming events, from weddings to summer parties and even—*whispers*—holidays.

It’s so easy in autumn and winter to cosy up in simple knits and beige layers, isn’t it? But when the warmer months hit and the sun comes out, it’s the perfect excuse to embrace a brighter life. Even my own style—which I would characterise as classic minimalist most of the time—is starting to lean towards sunshine shades and Floridian prints right now. I blame the big summer energy that’s present on my social media feeds. Weddings are wild again, festivals are back in full swing and tropical far-off places are starting to feel closer to hand (if only through my iPhone screen for now). 

Although I’ll never be able to deny the dependable draw of a white or black summer dress, I’m so looking forward to experimenting with some smile-inducing pieces. Especially after scrolling through the new-in sections of my favourite brands recently. & Other Stories, Mango and Arket, in particular, have all embraced colour and fun details in their new collections. But I also know that brights can be a little intimidating, and it does take a little more expertise and effort to find the pieces that still look really elevated and will last way beyond a short summer season. So below, I’ve put together an edit for you with 30 of the very best pieces I’ve spotted from the brands above that come fashion-editor approved. 

Keep scrolling to see and shop them all. And I dare you not to smile ear to ear.

1. ARKET

2. & OTHER STORIES

3. MANGO

Up Next: I Hand-Picked the Best Designer Buys From This Year's Summer Sales