The 6 Luxury-Looking Trends I'm Buying at H&M This Summer
Here at Who What Wear UK, we’re fans of H&M at the best of times. This summer, however, the high-street hero has outdone itself with a roster of chic trends and elevated wardrobe staples, that will be favourites in your collection way beyond 2023. H&M is proving tough to beat right now if you’re looking to keep your closet feeling fresh on a budget.
Of course, just like with anything fast fashion, it pays to look out for more premium quality fabrics within the collections (think 100% cotton, linen and leather) and spend that little bit more to make sure items last. As well as focusing on trends that will go the distance rather than styles you'll only want to wear for one season. To help, I've scrolled through the entire H&M website and pinpointed the most timeless, expensive-looking buys that I would recommend checking out.
Some of my favourite new H&M summer pieces.
I picked up on six key summer trends that were appealing to me the most. From effortless black dresses and interesting textures (think pleating and crochet) to lace-up sandals and minimalist bags. There's also plenty of linen for beating the oncoming heatwave. And if you’re not a dress person but still want an effortless all-in-one outfit, don’t skip the co-ord section below.
One or two of these new affordable buys can be a great way to breathe life and modernity into your capsule classics and bolster our existing summer wardrobes. Plus, if you choose the right designer-looking buys, you can trick people into thinking you spent a lot more on your outfit than you actually did—which is always a win.
Keep scrolling to see more, and shop my top six summer trends at H&M right now.
1. Black Dresses
Black might not be the first thing you think of when considering summer dresses, but hear me out. Black always looks chic, and if you opt for light fabrics, strapless or strappy designs then a high street LBD can absolutely work in warm weather, and make you look extremely polished at the same time.
Shop Black Dresses:
2. Linen
Linen has that rare combination of comfy, cool (in both senses of the word) and elevated. Whether you opt for a pair of wide-leg trousers or a printed short-sleeve shirt, it's the ultimate summer fabric.
Shop Linen:
3. Strappy Sandals
If you're shopping sandals on the high street, my advice is to avoid anything too chunky as they tend to look plastic-y. Instead opt for minimal strappy styles or simple leather slides that you'll be able to wear every year.
Shop Strappy Sandals:
4. Co-Ords
Some people just aren’t dress people. If that’s you, co-ord is the easy alternative you need to try out. Look out for H&M's printed sets that you can wear to the beach and to the bar in the evening.
Shop Co-Ords:
Shirt-and-shorts sets are all I want to wear this summer
Whether you’re in need of a formal summer event look (hello, Wimbledon!), this premium-looking piece feels so special.
5. Texture
Opting for interesting textures like pleating and crochet can instantly elevate a high street look. Luckily, H&M has plenty of pieces to suit.
Shop Textured Clothing:
6. Minimalist Summer Bags
Think of these as the bread and butter of a chic summer wardrobe. Whether you opt for simple basket or leather bucket, you'll wear these bags year after year.
Shop Minimalist Summer Bags:
Emily Dawes is the very definition of a fashion multi hyphenate. An editor, stylist and writer with over eleven years’ worth of experience in the industry, Emily is known for her impeccable taste, elegant outfit choices and being able to spot the next big thing in fashion from a mile off. Our readers loyally trust her advice and shopping suggestions; so much so she began her own column documenting the most expensive-looking pieces on the high street, which has become a top-performing piece of content for the Who What Wear brand.
Emily has worked for Who What Wear UK since 2020 in a myriad as roles, spanning from contributing editor and branded content editor. Now, she holds the position of affiliate editor and is responsible for the brand’s overall affiliate strategy, ideation and content execution. Working closely with Who What Wear UK’s affiliate manager, Emily has been instrumental in securing and nourishing brand partnerships, surpassing her goals as standard. Leading the team in tentpole shopping moments including Black Friday and Peak Trading, with Emily’s guidance and leadership, team Who What Wear is in a stronger affiliate position than ever before.
Prior to joining the Who What Wear team, Emily served as YOU Magazine’s acting fashion editor where she managed the fashion team and oversaw all fashion content output for the fast-paced weekly title. Emily is a stylist in her own right, having worked with a slew of VIP clients including writer and television personality, Elizabeth Day, as well as styling and art directing several celebrity cover shoots for glossy print publication, Grazia. Her adept fashion knowledge means brands regularly sought out to work with her as a consultant: previously she has developed marketing and content plans for brands for Cocoon and Edge of Ember. Before entering the industry, Emily obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English and American Studies with International Study from Nottingham University. Fun fact: Emily spent a year studying in America which saw her join a sorority during her time there.
When she’s not working or tracking down the chicest, new-in items to share with our audience, you’ll find Emily bestowing her East London home with her stylish flair, reading everything from the classics to cowboy romance novels and escaping to the country with husband, baby boy and dog, Roo, whenever she can.
Emily is currently on maternity leave.
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