I'm Skipping These Summer Trends and Buying These 10 Anti-Trend Alts Instead

Ask anyone who sits near me in the Who What Wear office, and they will, without hesitation, tell you that I'm not a safe person to ask about buying into trends. I don't have an ounce of self-control when it comes to clothes, shoes, and accessories, and I want those around me to act accordingly. But even a certified trend maniac like me sometimes grows tired of them. When that happens, I know I can count on chic anti-trend staples to get me through.

First, I want to clarify that being classified as anti-trend doesn't mean something is boring. In fact, I'd argue that for a piece to be considered anti-trend, it must be good enough to have outlived the trend cycle and entered into the very exclusive "timeless" category. Think cat-eye sunglasses, trenches, button-down shirts, and a stellar pair of black strappy sandals. They'll be cool forever—no matter what's trending—making them the best investments. 

Below, see which summer trends I'm passing on in favor of some more classic anti-trend items that I can count on no matter what. 

Trend: Bra Tops

Anti-Trend: High-Neck Tanks

Style Notes: Though bra tops can be a fun option for certain events, I want to invest only in pieces I can wear anywhere and with anything rather than ones that only work for a few occasions. That's why I'm mostly skipping the trend in favour of high-neck tank tops that are beyond easy and look good no matter what they're paired with. 

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Trend: Sporty Sunglasses

Anti-Trend: Cat-Eye Sunglasses

Style Notes: I exclusively wore sporty sunglasses not too long ago. But when you only wear super trendy items, you often quickly become tired of them. That's exactly what happened with those shield-like shades I used to wear. One style of eyewear I never get tired of is cat-eye sunglasses. I always fall back on this retro and chic style. It's by far the best style to invest your money in. 

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Trend: Early '00s–Inspired Asymmetric Dresses

Anti-Trend: Halter-neck Dresses

Style Notes: I can't be the only one seeing asymmetric, sheer dresses like those popular in the early '00s by designers like Jean Paul Gaultier all over my feeds. And while I'm not mad about their resurgence, I'm also not jumping at the chance to buy a ton of the styles for summer. Instead, I'm choosing a forever silhouette that's flattering and gorgeous every time: halter-neck dresses. 

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Trend: Micro Miniskirts

Anti-Trend: White Cotton Skirts

Style Notes: I've owned my fair share of miniskirts during my 27 years. However, I likely won't be adding another to my collection in 2023. Instead, I'm focusing that portion of my shopping budget on white cotton skirts with just the right amount of volume and a classic silhouette that feels too perfect for summer to resist. 

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Trend: Platform Flip-Flops

Anti-Trend: Simple Strappy Heels

Style Notes: I've been telling my friends to skip platform flip-flops and prioritise more classic sandals since the '00s style repopularised a few years back, but many didn't listen. And yet, here I am again, trying to convince them of the staying power of timeless, strappy styles. 

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Trend: Puff-Sleeve Blouses

Anti-Trend: Poplin Button-Downs

Style Notes: Though one puff-sleeve blouse will come in handy when your outfit appears otherwise lifeless, your wardrobe doesn't need dozens. It would, however, benefit from a few new poplin button-down shirts, which can be styled in dozens of different ways, from tucked-in to unbuttoned and loose. 

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Trend: Quilted Jackets

Anti-Trend: Classic Trench Coats

Style Notes: Quilted jackets had their moment a few summers ago but have since lost momentum, as many buzzy trends do. A lightweight outerwear item that never loses steam? Trench coats. 

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Trend: Split-Hem Jeans

Anti-Trend: Relaxed Denim

Style Notes: In my opinion, denim is sacred and shouldn't be messed with very often. I don't want purposely distressed jeans, coloured jeans, or ones so skinny that they cut off your circulation. Instead, I'm a fan of the classics: relaxed, comfortable denim that's existed for decades. 

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Trend: Low-Rise Maxi Skirts

Anti-Trend: Pencil Skirts

Style Notes: We've discussed the rise of low-rise maxi skirts on Who What Wear. They're trending on runways and social media alike. However, if I had to pick between them and my favorite high-class pencil skirt, I'd pick the latter every time. 

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Trend: Mini Bags

Anti-Trend: Top-Handle Totes

Style Notes: I feel very strongly that handbags should be able to fit your necessities (and then some) rather than hinder you from being able to carry things as simple as your phone and lipstick. Such is why I've completely given up on mini bags and will forever favour top-handle totes with plenty of storage space for my long list of must-have items. 

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Next Up: Flat Shoes, Basket Bags, Pretty Dresses: What Luxury Will Look Like This Summer

This story originally appeared on Who What Wear U.S. and has since been updated.