The 30 Items That Will Define Style in Summer 2025

I'm a summer lover. I know it's hot and sticky, making layering impossible and putting all my go-to outerwear from every other season out of work, but I don't care. For me, the fewer clothes I have to put on, the better. Fun tank tops, lace shorts, playful sandals, and unexpected accessories are the stars of the show as opposed to coats, piled-on sweaters, and colorful tights. When it comes time to start shopping for the season, I get understandably excited, scouring the internet for ideas of what to buy. Runway images, celebrity street style, fashion-week street style, TikTok, Instagram, retailer websites… The works! My quest to discover summer 2025's It items means nowhere is off-limits.

For the last week, I've been on a mission, and as a result, I've narrowed down the season's most defining buys to just 30, including a viral COS dress that gives The Row energy, an actual pair of The Row platform sandals everyone in the WWW office is talking about, and a brooch-embellished Tory Burch tank top that puts every other sleeveless shirt to shame. Plaid shirts, genie pants, and $100 sneakers also made the forthcoming list. But those are just the highlights—keep scrolling to see and shop all 30 pieces. Quit your hunt to pick out what to buy for summer 2025. It's all just a few clicks away.

Khaite

Loop Bead-Embellished Sandals

These beaded Khaite sandals are everywhere this summer, and I can see why. They effortlessly combine clean lines, top-quality materials, and a touch of playfulness, making them both fun and practical, especially since they're flats. Good luck finding a pair in your size, though, if you dillydally. They're selling out at every retailer.

Madewell

Poplin Smocked Maxi Dress

In the last week, this easy, flowy, and versatile dress has been added to nearly 2000 shoppers' carts—1957 to be exact. In other words, prepare to watch it become the most-worn summer frock of 2025.

VERAFIED

Silver Comb Charm

My coworker Anna LaPlaca has been wearing this bag charm as a pendant necklace for the last two weeks, and now, I'm convinced I need one for the same purpose. It gives designer energy, but it costs just $38 and makes every outfit it's paired with cooler.

The number of people who've asked me about this tank top is truly shocking. Every time I wear it, at least four interested passersby want to know where they have to go to buy it, and some have even walked straight to Zara to do so. It's perfect and definitely set to be a summer staple for years to come.

HIGH SPORT

Louis Cropped Striped Cotton-Blend Straight-Leg Pants

Instagram is brimming with chic women wearing these candy-striped pants from High Sport, the brand behind fashion's favorite kick-flare trousers. They might look intimidating at first, but once you've seen a few people style them, the stress melts away, and you suddenly find yourself wanting statement pants to fill your wardrobe.

Yellhum

Rubber Thong Sandals

These Amazon flip-flops are making the rounds among fashion people in New York. Though the red pair is arguably the more popular option, I'm into this toned-down tan alt that's easier to style, super comfortable, and just $55. Say less.

MANGO

Asymmetrical Knitted Cape

Give a poncho a chance this summer, and I swear you won't regret it. Vintage styles are taking over my IG feed, but if digging isn't your thing or this month has just been particularly chaotic (is that just me?), this Mango version is a fantastic alternative. It's affordable, comes in two colors, and checks off one of summer's coolest trends.

Tory Burch

Ribbed Tank Top

No more boring tanks in 2025. This flower-brooch tank from Tory Burch is at the top of my wish list this season. It's simple but unique and can turn any outfit into a showstopper.

Zw Collection

Striped Balloon Pants

These Zara genie pants are going seriously viral this month. Sure, you could splurge on Alaïa or Chloé versions of the bubble-pant trend, but these have a huge fan base, so I suggest trying them out before leveling up to something in the $1000+ price range.

Tory Burch

Patos Mesh Flat

Just when I thought mesh flats were dying out, Tory Burch released this embellished pair, bringing them right back to the top of fashion's footwear food chain.

ALAÏA

Le Click Small Nubuck Shoulder Bag

If you thought the original Le Click was chic, just wait until you really give this smaller nubuck version a good look. The small size is so compact and cute, and I love that it can be both a crossbody bag and a shoulder bag with the right finagling.

Wire-rim sunglasses are definitely 2025's favorite eyewear trend, and everyone, from Jennifer Lawrence to Suki Waterhouse, is ditching their acetate pairs for the thinner, sleeker frames. I love this pair because the color feels different from the prevalent gold and silver options on the market.

COS

Knit Cotton Midi Dress

One of my favorite content creators, Cassandra Lanrick, swears by this COS dress, styling it most often with an oversize tee underneath and flats or sandals. It first came out in winter in a wool version, but this is summer's flowier, lighter iteration.

The Row

Emi Flatform Slide Sandal

Overnight, these became fashion's most wanted sandals for summer 2025. They're patent leather with a flatform design and peep-toe touch. Unexpected? Yes. Warranted? Also yes.

j.crew

Cap-Sleeve Lace-Trim Top in Cotton Voile

Pretty white tops, especially ones with eyelet, ruffle, and sheer details like this one, are some of the most-worn pieces in all of New York, Paris, and Barcelona during the summertime. They go with sporty bottoms, bikinis, jeans, and more. Basically, they work with everything. Plus, they're super breezy and great for warm weather. I own this J.Crew version and can say with 100% certainty that it's comparable to vintage French tops I've searched in flea market bins for.

Open Edit

Crepe Capri Leggings

Capris took over last summer, and after spotting a few dozen pairs in NYC already this season, I'm pretty positive that the trend isn't going anywhere anytime soon. With that, feel good about investing in the trend by shopping this affordable version from Nordstrom's in-house brand Open Edit.

If you're heading to any beach destinations this summer, prepare for everyone cool to be wearing a crochet cloche like this version from COS. There are definitely pricier options on the market right now, but when a style this expensive looking is available, there's no need to go elsewhere IMO.

If you haven't heard of Roucha, now you have, and don't forget it. The brand has risen quickly ever since it launched on Moda Operandi, and it's becoming known not only for this cool red anorak but also its stylized versions of sweatpants and trendy barrel jeans.

Juju Vera

Exclusive Riviera Petra Tasseled Sterling Silver Necklace

You've probably seen Juju Vera's original shell pendant, but this new tasseled version just dropped and will soon be as ubiquitous as its predecessor.

Coastal towns in Europe won't know what hit them when you arrive wearing this beaded crochet minidress over all the bikinis in your luggage. It's a showstopper, no matter how you style it.

cartier

Tank Louis Cartier Watch

Every year it seems, another Cartier timepiece reaches viral status, and right now, that favorite watch is this mini Tank Louis. It's teeny-tiny and oh so chic. Prepare for compliments if you decide to invest in one of your own.

EAVES

Asher Crewneck Sweater

When it gets too warm for cashmere pieces, swap them out for cotton sweaters like this cool, beachy version from Eaves, one of my favorite brands for elevated, cool basics.

Intimissimi

Lace Trim Silk Shorts

I can't help you snag a pair of Dôen's viral Iona lace-trim shorts, but I can provide you with alternatives while you're on the waiting list. I'm super into this affordable pair from Intimissimi that comes in a ton of color options. I'm stocking up.

Need new sneakers to break up your Samba days? I get it. Try these vintage-looking Taekwondos. They're oh so cool and already beloved by celebs like Dakota Johnson and Jennifer Lawrence.

THE GARMENT

Kirsten Embroidered Cotton Midi Dress

This dress is too pretty to not sell out. Don't be one of the many who will miss out on it and snag yours while it's still in stock. The eyelet details! The peplum waist! The knee-length hem! It's perfect—period.

Burberry

Check Trim Bikini

In case you haven't already met, this is the bikini of the summer. Everyone who has one wears it constantly, and anyone who doesn't wishes they did. Burberry might be known for its trench coats, but the brand's bikinis are what people are shopping for most right now.

Heaven Mayhem x Freja

Mini Chrystie Bag in Reptile Noir With Charm

There was an understandable amount of hype around Heaven Mayhem's collaboration with editor-loved bag brand Freja. They're perfect partners and came up with one of the season's coolest shoulder bags.

The Row

Lancaster Checked Cotton Shirt

This shirt is one of the year's hardest-to-find items, let alone just summer. It practically catalyzed the entire plaid trend on its own. My suggestion? Buy the men's version and embrace the oversize look.

Reformation

Vida Linen Low Rise Pant

Still looking for the perfect linen pants? I found them. These low-rise linen trousers are more sophisticated and tailored than typical linen pants with the same comfort and breeziness.

Hvóya

Merezhyvni Woven Flats

If you're not into mesh flats, how about you try 2025's version? Crochet ballet flats have been spotted everywhere of late, and the very best ones come from Hvóya. Every single pair takes more than 20 hours to knit by hand.