Welcome to 10 Things to Buy, a monthly shopping list that helps you shop smarter by focusing on the 10 key items to add to your cart that month if your wardrobe is in need of a boost. As a Who What Wear editor for the past 12 years, I’ve spent many hours advising people on what to shop for during any given season, so you’re in good hands. Whether you’re shopping for cold weather, warm weather, a vacation, or a wedding, I’m here to offer up the most seasonally appropriate suggestions. Be sure to return at the start of each month for more.
If you love summer, you’re probably feeling pretty happy these days, as the most carefree season of the year has arrived. And even if you don’t love summer (and all the bugs and heat that go along with it), chances are that you enjoy shopping for it. My personal opinion is that summer is the most fun season to shop for, and early June is the time to really hone in on adding to your wardrobe for the height of summer. That means swimsuits, shorts, lightweight dresses, and beachy accessories. As I do every month, I’ve narrowed the shopping list down to the top ten recommended items. So, if you’re ready to do some shopping this month, keep scrolling. (And while you’re at it, check out my shopping list of the top ten beauty products to buy this summer.)
Contrast-Trim Swimsuit
Subtle though it may be, contrast-trim swimwear is one of summer’s biggest trends. The simple, sporty detail is the main feature of the season’s buzziest collab, which is selling out everywhere: Burberry x Hunza G.
COS
Contrast-Trimmed Triangle Bikini Top
J.Crew
Crochet-Trim Scoopback One-Piece
Taffeta Pants and Shorts
The fashion crowd is absolutely losing it over taffeta pants and shorts right now, and I’ve noticed they’re flying out of stock because of it. The fabric looks as pretty in the sun as it does under the stars, and that, along with plenty of other reasons, makes it a worthwhile trend to add to your wardrobe.
SARA CRISTINA
Playa Pearl-Embellished Silk-Shantung Shorts
Chan Luu
Techno Taffeta Shorts
Reformation
Olina Cropped Pants
Open-Weave Summer Sweater
This may be a bit perplexing, but one of summer’s biggest trends is a sweater. Not a warm sweater, though. Open-weave sweaters made of cotton or linen are both effortlessly cool and seasonally appropriate.
J.Crew
Summer Rollneck Sweater in Linen Blend
ZARA
Boat Neck Knit Jumper
Reformation
Elliot Boucle Crew
Sleep Dress
Despite the name, summer’s biggest dress trend isn’t for napping. Relaxed-fitting sleep dresses are the breezy, pretty trend that’ll make you look like an IYKYK fashion girl this month and beyond.
J.Crew
Ondine Mini Dress in Striped Double Cotton Poplin
POSSE
Danielle Lace-Trimmed Cotton Mini Dress
Two-Tone Flip-Flops
As we enter yet another season in which flip-flops are the predominant trend, people are mixing things up and embracing trends within the trend. The one to buy right now (because it’ll make every outfit cooler) is two-tone flip-flops.
ANCIENT GREEK SANDALS
Saionara Leather Flip Flops
Tkees X J.Crew
Limited-Edition Thong Sandals
Reformation
Jessie Thong Sandals
Beachy Jewelry
Wearing jewelry on the beach and beachy jewelry off the beach is the summer 2026 way. It’s an easy way to make any summer outfit more interesting.
madewell
Shell Beaded Choker Necklace
Heaven Mayhem
Capri Earrings
Chan Luu
Starfish Charm Bracelet
Red Pull-On Shorts
Yes, red pull-on shorts are kind of specific, but they’re cool and everyone’s wearing them, so might as well join them.
MATTEAU
Organic Cotton-Poplin Shorts
Khaki Knee Skirt
We all love a white skirt, but if you want to look especially summer 2026, a khaki knee-length or midi-length skirt is the exact style to prioritize.
J.Crew
Pencil Midi Skirt in Cotton Poplin
Aritzia
Wilfred Illustration Skirt
Lightweight-Denim Jeans
This seems to have become the year in which denim brands decide to lean into lightweight denim, and as someone who likes to wear denim year-round, I, for one, thank them.
Levi’s
501 90s Lightweight Jeans
madewell
The Low-Slung Baggy Jean in Airy Denim
Agolde
Valen Jean (Weightless) in Device
Brown Linen Mini Dress
Hold the white linen dresses (well, not really—they’re a classic), but the linen-dress trend to add to your summer wardrobe in 2026 is a brown linen mini dress. It may seem random, but trust me—it’s a thing.
Dissh
Lacy Cocoa Sleeveless Linen Mini Dress
Aritzia
Wilfred Regal Dress
Faithfull
Aloisa Linen Minidress
