I Spot Trends for a Living—Here's Every Single One I'm Buying for Summer
As a fashion editor, I'm acutely aware of all the current trends on the scene and have basically made it a pastime of mine to uncover emerging micro-trends about to make it big. Since I spend so much of my time trendspotting and reporting on the styles that are in and out, I tend to rack up a massive shopping list for the holes in my own closet. At the start of each new season, I keep a running tab of all the pieces I want to add to my wardrobe to hit on each of the overarching trends I'm seeing.
On my list of trendy clothes for summer 2021 are items such as ribbed tanks, shimmery swimsuits, and fashion-y flip-flops (just to name a few) that represent each of the larger trends I want to test out myself. By keeping a list like this, I'm able to avoid making impulsive purchases and ensure that each item I add to my virtual shopping cart is one that I'll be satisfied with in several months' time. With that, keep scrolling to see every summer trend I plan on buying into and the items I'm eyeing to do so.
Bare Midriffs
Summer Knits
Checkerboard
Shirt Dresses
Loose Denim Shorts
Bubblegum Pink
Puff Sleeves
Open Backs
Colored Button-Downs
Boxer Shorts
Underwire Bikinis
Terry Cloth
Shop the matching Fiji Shirt ($88).
Asymmetric Necklines
Retro Sunglasses
Lime Green
Tennis Skirt
Layered Looks
Relaxed Jeans
Retro Sneakers
Short Hemlines
Crochet
Shop the matching Openwork Knit Shorts ($30)
Ribbed Tanks
Pucci (and Pucci-Inspired) Prints
Colorful Jewelry
Halter Tops
Nostalgic Jewelry
Y2K Dresses
Cushy Flip-Flops
Gathered Details
Shop the matching Linen Paperbag Shorts ($78)
Up next, peruse my list of the best bikinis on all of Amazon.
Anna is an NYC-based senior fashion editor who has been a member of the Who What Wear team for over seven years, having begun her career in L.A. at brands like Michael Kors and A.L.C. As an editor, she has earned a reputation for her coverage of breaking trends, emerging brands, luxury shopping curations, fashion features, and more. Anna has penned a number Who What Wear cover interviews, including Megan Fox, Julia Garner, and Lilly Collins. She also leads the site’s emerging travel vertical that highlights all things travel and lifestyle through a fashion-person lens.
-
Believe Me—You'll Still Want These 36 Items in 2026 (and '27 and '28)
Timeless with a capital T.
-
Let Me Cure Your Zara Fatigue One Chic Massimo Dutti Find at a Time
From summer-sale deals to brand-new arrivals.
-
A Rich-Looking Closet Is the Goal—31 Amazon Picks That Surprisingly Fit the Bill
Bring on the compliments.
-
There Are Over 500 Tops and Jeans at Zara, But Only These 32 Chic Picks Need Your Attention
I'll bet they'll sell out before July's over.
-
Just Dropped: 29 Fall New Arrivals That'll Be Wardrobe Staples by September
Mentally escape the heat with me.
-
The Only 10 Things You Need This July Are Under $100 Each
Affordable summer shopping made easy.
-
According to the Fashion Set, It's Officially a Sardine Summer—35 Picks They Can't Get Enough Of
The tinned-fish trend is in full effect.
-
I'm a Senior Fashion Editor—Meet the 36 Nordstrom Finds I'm Recommending to All My Fashion Friends
I've already heard from at least six satisfied customers.