Fail-safe and favoured by the style set, these reliable summer buys are always on trend. Invest in them now and you’ll reap the benefits for summers to come …
Collarless blouses
White tank tops
Always a go-to, white tank tops have been upgraded from staple pieces to premium basics over the last few seasons, thanks to designer versions such as Loewe’s anagram tank which went viral two years ago. For summer 2026, V-neck iterations have a new verve. White cotton V-neck tank, €29, at COS.
Thong sandals
Whether it’s a pair of flip-flops or a minimal-leaning leather style, thong sandals come back around every summer. This year, the aesthetic is less monastic, more quirky. Think: beading, pops of bright colour and flashes of gold or silver hardware. If you’re looking to invest in a buzzy collaboration, this pair from style influencer Courtney Grow‘s pairing with Reformation is it. Chianti Geffen beaded sandals, €218; www.thereformation.com.
Drawstring trousers
If summer dressing is about heroing easy (read: lazy) pieces, then drawstring trousers are the zenith of this look. Luckily, they are always trending, too. Whether it’s a pair in seafaring blue and white stripes, a bougie silk upgrade or a cargo style, these trousers are the easiest way to look undone but cool. We’re currently coveting Leset’s Kyoto cotton trousers (endorsed by style influencer Lucy Williams), but on the high street, COS’s cotton straight-leg drawstrings have appeal. Khaki Kyoto cotton wide-leg trousers, Leset, €310; www.mytheresa.com.
Basket bags
At this point, you can’t utter the word ‘summer’ without coming across an array of chic basket bags promising to give you the effortless allure of a Parisienne. Whether you go designer, hit the high street or find a woven style at a market, a raffia bag is always going to endure (and hold the kitchen sink). However, right now we’re drawn to smaller styles with quirky additions. This striped basket bag with bamboo handles has a vintage feel, plus it can be customised. Multi-colour basket bag with bamboo handles, €29.99, at Parfois.
Woven hats
Sun hats woven from raffia or paper straw are always in vogue. Not least for the artisanal flair they add to any outfit, but also as a novel alternative to wide-brimmed floppy hats. (They’re much easier to pack, too.) Natural raffia bucket hat, €39, at & Other Stories.
Tailored shorts
Love them or feel indifferent to them, the Bermuda‘s longline silhouette is a constant come summer. Why? Firstly, Bermudas are easier to wear than short-shorts. (Less leg on show means less tanning to do.) Plus, they imbue outfits with an ease that is always appealing. Our tip? If denim styles feel too boyish, upgrade to a leather pair and team them with kitten heels and a tank top. Brown leather Bermuda shorts, €320, at Massimo Dutti.
READ MORE: The Best Denim Shorts Outfits To Try Now – Plus, 5 Pairs We Rate
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