As an editor at Who What Wear, I typically spend a lot of time looking at new-in products, so I thought it would be handy to have this space where I’m able share with you the very best pieces I come across and the shopping picks I’m personally adding to my wish list.
This month, I’ve transitioned fully into summer mode. With temperatures rising and a heatwave on the way, I can’t help getting excited for all the fun to come. Whether it’s simply transitioning my day to day work wardrobe or planning for upcoming holidays and events like weddings (I have ten, yes ten to go to this year), my current wish list reflects it all.
The current new-in sections seem to be as excited for warmer days as I am—with lighter drops full of linen, swimwear and beautiful dresses. And while there’s plenty out there catching my eye, I don’t plan on being frivolous this season. I’ve been thinking long and hard about what the most useful and versatile summer pieces are that my wardrobe is missing. A classic pair of white linen trousers, for example (and I think I may have found the perfect pair); some timeless leather sandals that will go with everything (Massimo Dutti has the best styles right now, trust me); and a couple of really, really good throw-on dresses to cover me for both beach and event season.
Importantly, a lot of the pieces in the edit below have been on my wish list for the last few years, with new stock releases and in some cases (yep, that Matteau shirt is back) different colourways landing for summer 2023. So I’m extremely confident that I wont regret finally investing in any of them, and being able to pull them out every summer going forward.
So, whether you’re looking to invest in some key summer items, get inspired to “shop” your existing wardrobe, or you’re simply looking to discover something new, keep scrolling to see the 9 new-in items on my summer wish list that I believe are really worthy of your time and money, and read on to discover how I plan on wearing them…
The only summer bag I’m interested in. I’ll be wearing this now with jeans and a blazer, but pairing it with floaty dresses on sunny days too.
If you’re a big fan of The Row, like me, you’ll love these trousers as a way of getting the same quiet luxury look for less.
This summer, I want to invest in a pair of anti-trend sandals that I know I will want to wear every year. These have been on my wish list for years.
Dôen dresses are some of the most versatile around—I’ll be dressing this up with white strappy heels for weddings and down with the flat sandals above on warmer London days.
I know these feel like a rather large investment, but I’ve lost count of the amount of editors and influencers that have recommended them to me as the best pair of jeans they own.
I can’t live without my white tank tops in summer.
I’ve wanted this silk set for a couple of years now and it’s still top of my warm-weather wish list, which gives me confidence that it’s a wise investment I know I’ll want to wear for years to come.
So simple, yet so elevated. Just pair with a basket, lashings of gold jewellery and some simple sandals for a completely timeless, ageless look.
I’m still on the hunt for a pair of timeless luxe sunglasses that don’t have a crazy price tag. These fit the bill perfectly.
I have so many weddings to attend this year, so I’m thinking I’ll invest in one dress that I really love to wear to them all, rather than worry about coming up with different looks. This beautiful style (that will also look great with flats on holiday) is currently the strongest contender.
Whistles kindly lent me this jacket to wear for London Fashion Week and it made so many of my outfits look super premium. I fell hard for it, but when I went back to buy it, it had sadly all sold out. Luckily it’s just arrived back in stock so it’s gone straight back onto my wish list.
These may not be entirely practical, but my heart beats very fast for them. Sometimes you just have to go with your gut when it comes to your wardrobe—that’s when you find pieces you truly want to wear day in and day out.
Strapless tube tops have my full attention this spring, and this sculptural style is the main reason. I can see myself wearing it with loose jeans (namely, Arket’s Shore style in the list below), and some pointed-toe sling backs or strappy sandals for when I want to feel a little more dressed up than usual.
I may have to swear off coffee and all dark liquids with the amount of impractical cream items on my S/S 23 wish list, but hear me out. Switching a natural linen shirt into your day to day outfits can instantly take it into the new season with minimal effort. I’ll throw this over a bikini on holiday, too.
Dôen’s Meribel dress is the perfect example of a missing piece in my wardrobe, as I’ve been on the hunt for one really good dress to invest in for some years now; one that I can wear to work, as well as on holidays and out at weekends as well. Dôen’s styles always sell out so it’s something I don’t mind investing in early to avoid any regret.
I’ve been influenced, and have been looking for the perfect long denim skirt—one of the coolest things you can be wearing for S/S 23. I love it when these buzzy, ‘on trend’ items are also really classic and wearable, and COS’s new-in version is the best one I’ve found at that under-£100 price point. I’m still yo-yoing between the darker blue or white denim colourway, but since we’re looking ahead I think the white might just take the cake.
The Row’s Kris sandals are undoubtedly about to be the brand’s next ‘It’ shoe—you heard it here first—and we’ve been seeing a huge sway towards these kinds of understated leather sandals already for 2023. They are, of course, an investment, but their simplicity will elevate any outfit, and they feel a lot more classic and elegant than some of the brand’s previous big-hitters like the chunky fisherman sandals. I have utter faith that if I do take the plunge, I’ll be pulling them out for many years to come.
I popped into Arket recently for our Great Try On, and these were the one item I haven’t been able to stop thinking about ever since. I never thought I’d be into low rise jeans but I loved the cool slouch to this pair. At 5’2″ they didn’t overwhelm me like other baggy jeans can do, either. They are roomy around the waist so I’d probably recommend sizing down one size to get the perfect fit.
If I had to pick a favourite designer handbag right now, it would be Toteme’s utterly beautiful T-Lock bag. It’s timeless, elevated, and it screams quiet luxury; it’s certainly not a style you’ll see everyone else wearing either. I love the medium size that feels practical but not ‘ludicrously capacious'(Succession fans, that ones for you), and it has a crossbody strap for versatility.
You can always count on Raey to produce elegant yet unique wardrobe staples that feel exactly right for the moment. I’m imaging this with a crisp white T-shirt or button-down, and the blue Arket jeans above.
A crisp pinstripe shirt is a key layering piece for spring, and this will look effortlessly chic over a white T-shirt. As the weather warms up I wear them like cover-ups too.
I just feel like this would make any basic outfit look polished.
I have these perfect wide-leg trousers in black which were probably my best investment of winter, so I’ve got my eye on the lighter beige pair to wear with tank tops all spring and summer.
Yes, it’s back! And I won’t let it slip away for another year.
The best affordable tweed jacket out there.
White tank tops are my most worn staple, so I know for a fact the cost per wear for this will creep down rather quickly.
A beautiful staple to add to my capsule collection.
See? So classic but they still feel fresh.
I couldn’t not include a trench, and this is the style you’ll see fashion people wearing this year.
Still living rent free in my mind, especially this elevated Khaki colour.
I’m planning so many outfits around these already.
I have a soft spot for Arket’s stretch denim. It’s comfy but still holds its shape—these are the latest style I added to my collection.
I just know I’ll wear these all year on repeat.
Such a chic jacket.
My dream bag for 2023.
PSA: Arket just had a a fresh restock of New Balance. I always buy my trainers from here, by the way—it has the coolest edit, so non-sneakerheads like me can be confident picking any style.
