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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Some people just aren’t dress people. If that’s you, a silky co-ord is the easy alternative you need to try out. Look out for H&M’s floaty printed sets that you can wear to the beach and to the bar in the evening.
Opting for interesting textures like pleating and crochet can instantly elevate a high street look. Luckily, H&M has plenty of pieces to suit.
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.
Up Next: The 9 Most Expensive-Looking Pieces on the High Street This Week
