Trends are fresh, exciting, and IMO, what makes fashion so fun. Still, it can be difficult to decipher what you should actually add to your wardrobe—or you risk ending up with a hodgepodge of prints, textures, and silhouettes that are hard to style into a cohesive everyday look.
Erin Walsh, stylist to It girls like Selena Gomez and Anne Hathaway, chatted exclusively with InStyle to help simplify this predicament. Walsh didn’t hold back, candidly sharing exactly what to snag this summer and what to leave behind.
Stylist-Approved Summer Staples:
Timeless Styles
“When it comes to shopping smarter and with intention this summer, I always follow the ‘less is more’ rule,” Walsh told InStyle. Instead of “[jumping] on every summer trend,” she suggests investing in timeless pieces that can be “easily dressed up or down”—much like these Cole Haan sandals or this unfussy midi dress. This way, you can “break the trend cycle” and rewear your pieces all season long.
Levi’s 94 Baggy Shorts
Amazon
Cole Haan Flynn Flatt Sandals
Amazon
Seven Wonders Heather Midi Dress
Amazon
Breathable Fabrics
Perhaps just as important is leaving behind impractical, uncomfortable clothing. The key to doing so? Ditching “overly synthetic fabrics that don’t breathe well,” according to Walsh. Since these fabrics “trap heat,” she suggests swapping them out for “natural fibers like cotton and linen,” which help keep you cool, according to The Fabric of Our Lives. A good place to start is with a 100 percent cotton button-up shirt or flowy maxi dress thanks to their versatility. Another eco-friendly option? These billowy linen palazzo pants that are perfect for the beach and brunch alike.
IPMQ 100% Cotton Button-Up Shirt
Amazon
Faleave Cotton and Linen Palazzo Pants
Amazon
R.Vivimos 100% Cotton Flowy Maxi Dress
Amazon
Relaxed Silhoutes
Walsh suggests steering clear of “overly tight or restrictive clothing” as well; “summer is all about ease and movement, so choose pieces that allow you to enjoy the season comfortably and stylishly.” That doesn’t mean losing all structure entirely, but instead opting for pieces that are relaxed and elegant, like these Willit pleated shorts and The Drop tiered maxi dress. This Cider high-waist skirt also does an excellent job, offering lots of movement on the bottom, and sleek construction at the top.
Willit Linen Pleated Shorts
Amazon
The Drop Britt Tiered Maxi Tent Dress
Amazon
Cider High-Waist Skirt
Amazon
With these stylist-approved picks, updating your summer wardrobe has never been easier. It’s all about choosing pieces that feel as good as they look.
