I'm a Shopping Specialist—Here Are 9 Glorious Pieces to Buy in May

Ah, May—such a glorious month! There's a sense of sartorial optimism in the air. You can finally show off your chic new sandals (and pedicure!), you can now wear that floral-print bikini on your tropical vacation just around the corner, and summer Fridays are so close you can almost touch them (bring on the day-to-evening stylish summer frocks)!

It’s my job to scour high and low for the newest, most desirable items of the season, and let me tell you, friends, there is plenty of sartorial goodness to get excited about this month. From breezy summer dresses for every occasion on your Google Cal to the coolest accessories that will take your summer look to the next level, scroll below for the must-have items to add to your shopping list this May.

Summer Dresses

Summer is usually accompanied by a slew of stylish soirée's. (I personally have to attend an engagement party, a bridal shower, a wedding, and two birthdays in the next month.) Luckily, there are so many amazing dresses on the market right now that are ideal for every event on your calendar. Warning: It might be hard to pick just one. 

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Cult brand Rixo is dominating our feeds right now—and we can't keep our eyes off this silk polka-dot maxi dress, which you can wear with sporty sandals or elegant strappy heels.

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Is this not the best vacation dress? Romantic, flattering, and oh so pretty. Wear it with a basket bag and plenty of gold pendant necklaces.

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Every warm-weather wardrobe requires a little white dress. Get your hands on this striking and ethereal flowing frock.

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A pretty floral-print dress for every morning, afternoon, and evening situation. Pair it with this season's strappy sandals or versatile espadrille wedges.

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Bucket Hat

What is the accessory of the season currently dominating your Instagram feed? A cool-girl bucket hat, of course. Pair it with your beach or brunch outfit for an ultra-cool look.

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Shell Anklet

Add a free-spirited touch to your outfit this May with a laid-back shell anklet. If this doesn't put you in the mood to race to the beach, I don't know what will.

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Floral Swimsuit

Sure, animal-print swimsuits are trending, but I have my eye on the gorgeous floral-print one-pieces that are everywhere right now. Whether bold and bright florals or dainty daisy prints, these are sure to incite major swimsuit envy at the pool.

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Shop the swimsuit:

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Natural and Straw Bags

From raffia totes to rope bags, crochet carryalls, and basket bags, natural, textured bags are huge right now and will add a laid-back touch to your summer look.

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A White Tank Top

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White tank tops are having a resurgence this summer, with celebrities and fashion girls spotted wearing the staple with their cool high-waisted jeans, shorts, and skirts. For a modern look, opt for a ribbed texture with a high neck, like this chic tank from one of my favorite brands for basics, The Range.

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Breezy Blouse

For work, the weekend, and beyond, a breezy, romantic blouse will solve any fashion dilemma during the warmer months ahead.

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Tweed Skirt

There is something so chic and sophisticated about a tweed skirt—made even more irresistible when it comes in a trending lavender hue. It will be your go-to for work this season.

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Kitten-Heel Mules

I've already invested in the strappy-sandal and sporty-sandal trends, but what my wardrobe is really lacking is kitten-heel mules. These have been seen on cool girls around the globe, and I'm adding them to my cart as we speak.

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Shop the sandals:

Up next, my 10 coolest buys of 2019 (so far).

Judith Jones
Senior Fashion Market Editor

Judith is the senior fashion market editor at Who What Wear and has worked in fashion for nearly a decade. Judith started on the Shop Who What Wear team, creating content and managing a team of merchandisers for the Who What Wear shopping app. She later crossed over to the editorial team, where she shares the coolest, most desirable fashion market finds and brands in her shopping-focused stories and social takeovers. She has become one of the top affiliate earners during her six plus years at Who What Wear. Before working in fashion, Judith was a TV host on the PBS travel show Globe Trekker (airing on Netflix and Amazon Prime) and shared her passion for travel and food. She studied at the prestigious London Academy of Dramatic Arts as well as Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York. She later studied fashion merchandising and design, which laid the foundation for her career in fashion.


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