I'm an Editor With High Standards—6 Spring and Summer Essentials I Swear By (original) (raw)

Fashion collage of style influencers Marina Torres, Marianna Smyth, and Marissa Cox wearing spring and summer essentials.

With the warm weather now here and hotter weather on the horizon, it's the perfect time to do a closet refresh with a special focus on the staple pieces you are likely to wear the most. When doing my own refresh, I look to prioritize pieces that are effortless while still adding an elevated feel to my outfits. It's always a bonus if they are easy to mix and match, making for easy dressing in the morning.

Right now, my focus is on spring and summer essentials that fit the bill. This includes classic options like linen pants and white dresses as well as fashion-forward picks like sleek sandals and elegant shorts. Ahead, you'll find six key warm-weather essentials that I swear by as an editor with high standards along with visual outfit inspiration on how to style each piece.

Classic Linen Pants

Influencer Marianne Smyth wearing a black tank top, Dragon Diffusion woven leather tote bag, pull-on white linen pants, and black strappy sandals.

Shop:

MANGO

Linen Jogger Trousers

H&M

Linen-Blend Tapered Pants

An all-black outfit to re-create.

Reformation

Olina Linen Pant

Reformation's linen pants are a no-brainer.

Standout White Dresses

Mid-size fashion influencer Marina Torres walks on the streets of a beachside town wearing a puff-sleeve white dress.

Shop:

Free People

Feeling Bonita Strappy Back Maxi Dress

J.Crew

High-Neck Midi Dress in Linen

ZW Collection

Skater Dress

Reformation

Percy Linen Dress

Guaranteed to get compliments.

Effortless Tank Tops

Influencer Sylvie Mus poses on a sidewalk in Paris wearing a collar necklace, white knit tank top, black clutch bag, knee-length denim skirt, and black mule sandals.

Shop:

J.Crew

Vintage Rib Shelf-Bra Tank Top

Reformation

Dusk Knit Top

Boatneck styles are a personal favorite.

Treasure & Bond

Cutaway Shoulder Cotton Blend Tank

Scoop this one up while it's on sale.

This comes in so many great colors.

Marine Layer

Finley Stripe Sweater Tank

Pretty Skirts

Influencer Marissa Cox poses in a garden in Southern France wearing oval sunglasses, a neutral vest top, white linen skirt, and snakeskin flat sandals.

Shop:

ZW Collection

Midi Swing Skirt

Treasure & Bond

Bias Cut Midi Skirt

J.Crew

Gwen Lace-Trim Slip Skirt in Textured Satin

Marine Layer

Corinne Double Cloth Maxi Skirt

Tiered skirts are trending.

Sleek Sandals

British plus-size influencer Abisola Omole wears a white cropped t-shirt, floral-print midi skirt, and black flip-flop sandals.

Shop:

Open Edit

Tori Kitten Heel Sandal

One of the most popular sandals right now.

zara

Lace Up Tied Flat Leather Sandals

Steve Madden

Jessa Kitten Heel Flip Flop

Nineties minimalism vibes.

Reformation

Gemi Bare Sandal

Red shoes are having a moment.

TOTEME

Minimalist Kitten Heel Sandal

Toteme shoes are always a good idea.

Polished Shorts

Influencer Debora Rosa wears oval sunglasses, a white button-down shirt, white tank top, black belt, khaki mid-length shorts, and white mesh flats.

Shop:

J.Crew

High-Rise Trouser Short in Stretch Linen Blend

All in Favor

Pleated Shorts

Easy to dress up or down.

Topshop

Linen Blend Bermuda Shorts

H&M

Linen-Blend Pull-On Shorts

Jennifer Camp Forbes is currently an editor at Who What Wear, where she has worked in a variety of capacities for over a decade, including creative director and various editor roles. She’s well-known as a shopping expert that’s sought out for advice and insight on the latest trends, outfit ideas, and fashion picks thanks to her thoughtful shopping roundups, digital moodboards, and extensive knowledge of up-and-coming brands, plus the new arrivals sections of the chicest retailers. Jennifer has had a lifelong interest in fashion which led her to intern at Harper’s Bazaar as an undergraduate. Later, while working towards her masters degree in psychological counseling at Columbia University, she founded two digital fashion publications: Le Fashion and Olsens Anonymous. The popularity of both sites grew and after graduation she decided put her plans to become a therapist aside to pursue a career in fashion. While she has called Los Angeles and New York City home in the past, she currently works remotely from Massachusetts. When she’s not obsessing over and writing about her latest fashion finds, she is delighting in raising two little ones with her highschool sweetheart, perusing TikTok religiously, listening to podcasts and audiobooks, creating abstract photographs, and eating the best Mexican food she can get her hands on.