When you’re blessed with having a job that means you spend at least part of your time shopping for a living, you see a lot of stuff. However, our jobs as editors working for a fashion website mean that we often spend time working out what is and what isn’t worth your cash. Right now, that feels more important to get right, what with budgets being tighter and customers wanting pieces that work harder for them. It’s no wonder consumers want longer-lasting items that still nod to trends but aren’t defined by them. There’s no denying that it can be a tricky couple of criteria to fill.
But as I already mentioned, as fashion insiders this is what we do. For this month, I asked several of our editors what’s on their shopping lists for summer. As it’s finally warm, we’re very much thinking about the latest midi dresses and sunnies to wear right now.
Unsurprisingly, several of our editors picked sunglasses as a key item on their lists for the season. Basket bags cropped up a lot as did swimwear (hey, even if you’re not going abroad, you still might do a holiday at home). There are also some super fun prints, chic sandals and great blouses for those warm summer nights. Keep scrolling for our editors’ summer 2021 shopping picks…
I don’t just want these, I’m literally waiting for them to arrive as I type. I had a voucher to spend and took the advice of our shopping editor, Joy, who said some of the best expensive pieces she’s bought are the ones that seem the most frivolous! So here we are: giant tortoiseshell, super-statement sunglasses for a casual summer probably spent at home.
I live in black sandals every summer, especially those that are comfortable but offer a little height. These also have a lovely leather circle detailing on the back of the ankle, which makes them look way beyond their high street price tag.
It’s so hard to find cool navy pieces and yet it’s such a chic colour for things to be rendered in. This shirred linen midi dress is timeless, comfortable and going to get a lot of wear this summer.
Pretty sure I’m not going to have a holiday this year, but this new swimwear brand is fabulous enough to make me book a one-way ticket to anywhere hot!
I’ve gone from being someone who can survive clutching a little pouch full of the bare necessities into someone who requires a fully-blown errands bag. Ideally canvas and roomy, this Noe is the dream ticket. Realistically it’s more likely that I’ll just tote an old book bag around…
This bag just makes me so happy!
The back of this bikini is so special.
I’d wear this with simple white pumps.
I actually already bought this one.
The perfect sundress.
It’s been tempting to rush out and buy everything now that summer has finally arrived, but I’ve tried to resist. However, after trying on in store, this COS dress was one of the few items that made the cut.
I’m adding retro sunnies to all my outfits this summer and my favourite styles, including this Monki pair, come with chunky square frames.
I’m loving all the throwback prints on the high street this season, and these psychedelic Mango trousers are definitely at the top of my list.
I’d wear this dreamy gingham blouse from sustainable fashion brand Ren with slouchy jeans and Birkenstocks.
I have these dungarees in both blue and white, and while I love both, the white pair are just too perfect for the summer months with a white tee base layer and tan accessories.
This was at the top of my wish list for a very long time and I finally made the investment a few weeks ago. Sufficed to say, I’m in love. I know this purchase will be with me for summers to come and I’ll tote it everywhere from park to beach.
I’ve had my eye on these Le Specs sunnies for a while. I just love the oval shape. It’s interesting enough to feel unique, without being to OTT. They’ll make every outfit look that little bit cooler.
I recently tried on a few dresses from Reformation and realised their petite selection fits me like a glove (which, to be clear, is a rarity!) since then I’ve been swooning over everything in their collection. And this dress in particular feels like a true investment piece. It’s just so classic.
I love to support Australian labels, and when it comes to summer fashion you can’t go passed Posse. The brand specialises in creating the most beauty linen pieces. In some alternative post-pandemic universe, I imagine myself wearing this while riding a bike around a Mediterranean island.
These are very classic and I just know they’ll carry me through spring and summer. From jeans to dresses, in this timeless shade of tan these shoes will go with every summery outfit I have.
I’ve wanted a Miaou corset for a hot minute, and this might be the summer I finally splurge on one.
I normally don’t obsess over denim, but I can’t stop thinking about them since spotting these cutout chain jeans.
I have been seriously thinking about investing in my first By Far piece, and I think I’ll have to make it this stripped, spray paint-inspired shoulder bag. It’s the perfect pop of color to pair with all my white linen dresses.
Ever since I stumbled upon the London-based, Black-owned brand Farai London I’ve been obsessed—y’all clearly have something in the water over there because all her pieces are peak-summertime perfection.
Finding a cute summer sandal that I can actually walk around NYC in has been my top shopping priority, and I feel like these white thong sandals fit the bill.
The pandemic has re-taught me the value of comfort and practicality, so I’m ready to add a crossbody bag to my rotation. This one from Jil Sander is at the top of the list.
Brock vibes on a budget.
My dainty gold jewellery will always be a mainstay, but lately I’m interested in adding some playful elements into the mix.
This belt is the collaboration of my dreams. The perfect arc of the hardware. The laminated linen strap. It’s all perfection.
Khaki wide-leg pants are having a moment, but don’t overlook the trending buttermilk colour.
When it comes to swimsuits, I like for them to be simple and chic, but not boring. This bikini is all of those things, and I like that I don’t have to figure out what size to order.
I’m headed to Miami later this month and would love for this beauty to be my daytime bag for the trip and beyond.
I think about this stunning ring a lot—can you blame me? It somehow feels both modern and vintage.
This is the perfect thing to wear with a white tank top and denim shorts.
One of my weaknesses is anything lilac. Another one is pretty midi dresses that you can throw on and go.
