Summer Mode Activated—8 Fresh Basics That Just Hit Different

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(Image credit: @fitzpatrickerin)

Summer is basically here, and as your trusty Who What Wear editors, we'd never miss an opportunity to bring you some style inspiration for the season ahead. We're back this month with our try-on series to showcase our styling capabilities and the newest pieces from our namesake clothing line. If you're familiar with this series of editor outfits, then just keep scrolling to fill up on outfit inspiration and affordable shopping picks. But if you happen to be new here, then let me fill you in. 

We drop new pieces for our Who What Wear line at the top of each month, and today's roundup highlights the warm weather–ready frocks, summer tops, and fresh lounge looks from the May collection. Even though nothing rings up for more than $40 in this edit, the looks our editors put together with these new summer basics are making the affordable buys look far pricier. Ahead, see how we each wear our picks, and then shop our favorites if you're so inspired.

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Yusra Siddiqui, Assistant Market Editor
(Image credit: @thatgirlyusra)

"When it comes to the summertime, I live in two things: oversize button-downs and midi skirts. This one has seams running across the skirt to add a fashion-girl flair to classic gingham, so it’ll definitely be on high rotation for me this summer.” 

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Lauren Eggertsen, Senior Editor
(Image credit: @laurenegg)

"This knit vest is the perfect spring-to-summer piece. You can wear it buttoned all the way up as a top layered under a jacket or style it open as I did here. So if you’ve been looking for something to liven up your wardrobe, look no further.”

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Erin Fitzpatrick, Senior News Editor
(Image credit: @fitzpatrickerin)

"You can’t beat gingham for summer. I love the short sleeves and midi length, which make this dress so easy to throw on with absolutely anything. I styled it with a fun visor, cat-eye sunglasses, and zebra-print sandals."

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Jasmine Fox-Suliaman, Audience Engagement Editor
(Image credit: @fashionwithjazz)

"Nothing really screams summer for me quite like a tiered minidress. I love this Who What Wear version because the fabric is breezy, the cut is comfortable enough to wear as we re-emerge into the world, and it's super easy to style up or down based on your plans. Basically, it's your not-so-basic LBD."

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Judith Jones, Senior Market Editor
(Image credit: @joiedejude)

"This wonderfully lightweight and effortless trapeze dress is perfect for the summer months ahead. I can see myself wearing this everywhere from the beach to a nice al fresco dinner with the right accessories. I love the fact it has pockets too. It also happens to be perfect for my growing baby bump right now! Roomy and comfortable."

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Anna LaPlaca, Associate Editor
(Image credit: @anna__laplaca)

Meet my summer loungewear uniform. I'm not sure how I ever lived without sweatshorts before WFH, but they're now a key part of my wardrobe. With the matching sweatshirt, this duo is the perfect casual outfit for warmer weather. Wearing them together is a no-brainer, but I also like the idea of throwing on the shorts as a swimsuit coverup.

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Sarah Yang, Managing Editor, THE/THIRTY
(Image credit: @sarahayang)

"Gingham? At a picnic? Groundbreaking. (Said in my best Miranda Priestly voice.) But in all seriousness, I feel like I can wear this top to a picnic or barbecue and not feel like a complete cliché. I think it's the very dramatic sleeves that help give it some oomph and character. It's just an easy summer top that makes a statement without much effort."

More pieces we're eyeing for summer:

Up next: These Shoes Were Starting to Feel Dated, so I'm Replacing Them With These 6

Senior Editor

Anna is an editor on the fashion team at Who What Wear and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews with Who What Wear's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.