From a £65 trainer that’s showing off to a 22 karat diamond earring that isn’t even trying, proof a considered edit will always beat a chaotic one.
There is a very specific kind of joy that comes from a Summer Edit done properly. Not the panic-buy, not the “I need seventeen new bikinis by Friday” spiral that ends in three returns and a lot of regret, but the slow, deliberate kind, where every piece earns its place because it does something the others don’t. A dress that moves like water. A bag with an actual story behind it, not just a logo. A pair of trainers that somehow look more expensive than they are and know it. That’s what we’re doing here, and we’re not sorry about it.
Our editors read every fabric label, interrogated every craftsmanship claim (yes, the raffia really is hand-woven, and yes, that bag really did take four days to make, we checked), and pulled together the eighteen pieces we’re genuinely spending our own money on this summer. No filler. No “trending” items nobody on this team has actually looked at properly. Just the good stuff, laid out below, no arguments accepted.
How we chose: our editors have actually handled or worn every piece on this list, or dug deep enough into the materials, construction and reviews to know exactly what you’re getting (and what you’re not, looking at you, fast fashion raffia that falls apart by August). We looked at fabric composition, craftsmanship, versatility and staying power, not just how something photographs for approximately four seconds on a feed. This list is kept updated as new pieces earn their place and old ones get quietly, unceremoniously dropped.
Nudea Eco-Luxe Maxi Slip Dress, Cocoa
Best for: the “I’ve made an effort” dress that required zero effort
Here’s the thing about a proper slip dress. It should feel like nothing and look like everything, and this one from Nudea nails that balance completely, no notes. Cut from a soft eco silk blend (55% cupro, 45% EcoVero viscose, since you asked), the fabric skims the body with a fluid drape and a sheen that reads far more expensive than it is, which, frankly, is the entire point of a good dress. It falls to a full, elongated length with adjustable straps and delicate embroidered detailing at the neckline, and it genuinely works as hard as you need it to. Wear it as sleepwear one night and as your entire personality the next, thrown on with sandals and absolutely nothing else required. It’s made from regenerated cotton by-products and responsibly sourced wood pulp too, which means it comes with the kind of quiet sustainability credentials we like (Nudea is B Corp certified, if that sways you, and it should). Don’t miss the way it catches the light when you move. That’s not an accident.
Celine Triomphe Metal 02 Sunglasses, Black / Gradient Brown
Best for: statement sunglasses that do the talking so you don’t have to
What’s not to love about a graphic shield frame that manages to look both futuristic and completely timeless at once? We’re not being dramatic, this is simply true. Celine’s Triomphe Metal 02 comes in a sculpted metal frame with gradient brown lenses that shift from smoky at the top to warm amber at the base, and a gold Triomphe signature stamped discreetly along the temples (the brand’s little reminder of whose sunglasses these are, as if you’d forget). They protect against UVA and UVB, obviously, but let’s not pretend that’s why you’re buying these. You’re buying these for the shape. Slip them on with slicked-back hair and a plain white tee and watch everything else in your outfit become entirely, blissfully irrelevant. A good pair of sunglasses can do more heavy lifting than an entire new wardrobe, and this is exhibit A.
BY HAO Éterna Maxi Gown
Best for: the wedding guest dress you’ll wear on repeat and dare anyone to notice
This is a proper occasion dress, the kind you buy knowing you’ll get years out of it rather than one summer wedding and a vague sense of buyer’s remorse. Crafted from a luxurious silk-linen blend (35% silk, 65% linen), the Éterna’s fitted bodice is sculpted to follow the body before flaring into a softly full, floor-length skirt with genuinely graceful movement, none of that stiff, cardboard-y business some “gowns” try to pass off as structure. There’s a concealed back zip for a clean finish, a defined waist that does all the work a corset usually would, and a sleeveless silhouette that keeps things feeling elevated rather than fussy. Come on, this is the sort of dress that makes an entrance without even trying. We’d wear it to a summer wedding, a milestone birthday, or honestly just a very good dinner where we intend to be the best-dressed person there. It’s a tough job, choosing which occasion deserves it first, etc.
tinyOm 7 Chakras Necklace
Best for: layering with a bit of meaning behind it, not that you need to explain yourself to anyone
If you’re the type to know your rising sign without being asked, this one’s for you (and honestly, even if you’re not, it’s still a genuinely beautiful piece of jewellery, so don’t let the woo-woo scare you off). Available in 18kt rose or white gold, the necklace features seven small chakra pendants strung along a thin, delicate chain, with a clasp finished in the brand’s signature meditation symbol. Each pendant represents one of the seven chakras, the spiritual energy centres of the body, symbolised traditionally by the lotus flower. What we love here is how understated it is in practice. This isn’t a chunky, look-at-me piece screaming for attention, it’s a fine, layerable chain that happens to carry a bit of intention with it. Wear it alone or stacked with your other gold necklaces and let it quietly do its thing while everyone else asks where it’s from.
Wide Fit Leather Metallic Flat Sandals, Carvela at M&S
Best for: the wide-fit sandal that still looks properly glamorous, revolutionary, we know
Wide-fit shoes have a reputation problem, don’t they, always assumed to be the sensible choice rather than the good-looking one, as if comfort and style are somehow mutually exclusive. Carvela’s flat sandals for M&S put that tired idea firmly to bed. Crafted from gleaming metallic leather with a buckle-fastened ankle strap, these have all the shine and polish of a proper going-out sandal while actually accommodating a wider foot comfortably, thanks to the brand’s All Day Long comfort technology built into the sole. We’d wear these from a long lunch straight through to evening drinks without a single complaint from our feet, which, let’s be honest, is the entire dream of a summer sandal and something plenty of far pricier options fail to deliver.
Grayson Perry for Liberty Shirley Smith Silk Scarf 45
Best for: wearable art (literally, we double-checked)
We know, we know, everyone says their scarf is “wearable art”, but this one genuinely, actually is, so let us have this one. Created as part of Liberty’s 150th anniversary celebrations, this silk twill square was designed by artist Grayson Perry and features his Shirley Smith print, inspired by his invented muse of the same name and by his Delusions of Grandeur exhibition at the Wallace Collection (yes, there’s a crude little rendering of Hertford House worked into the design, which is exactly the sort of detail we’re obsessed with, no we will not be moving on quickly). It’s made entirely from 100% silk twill, meticulously crafted in Italy with hand-rolled hems, and it’s genuinely versatile. Tie it as a classic neck scarf, wrap it round your wrist for a bold accent, or knot it onto a plain bag strap to instantly upgrade the whole thing from “fine” to “actually interesting”. Don’t miss the detail work up close. It’s a proper little piece of art history you can wear, and yes, we think that’s a flex.
Roxy Sunset Dreams White Sandals
Best for: the beach-to-bar sandal that survives the whole trip without a single blister-related meltdown
Every summer edit needs one hardworking, unfussy sandal, and this is ours, no debate necessary. Roxy’s Sunset Dreams come in a soft cream tone with a subtle square toe shape, a cushioned EVA footbed embossed with the brand’s heritage detailing, and a TPR outsole designed to grip on both wet and dry surfaces (crucial, if like us you’re planning on wearing these poolside, on cobbles, and everywhere in between, because we refuse to pack shoe options for every single scenario). Reviewers consistently rate these for comfort, and we’d agree entirely, they’re the sort of sandal you forget you’re wearing by 3pm. No, really. Pack these and skip the “which shoes for which day” spreadsheet entirely, life is short.
COS Riviera Hand-Woven Tote Bag, Straw
Best for: the elevated basket bag that refuses to look like a beach prop
Straw bags can tip into “beach prop” territory pretty quickly, and frankly most of the ones flooding your feed this July do exactly that, but COS’s Riviera tote sits firmly, confidently on the right side of the line. Made from natural straw, meticulously woven by hand, it’s finished with premium leather detailing throughout, including hand-braided straps and a whipstitched leather base that gives the whole thing real structure rather than that sad, floppy look cheaper versions get after two wears. A drawstring cotton lining keeps your essentials secure rather than tumbling straight out the top, which, if you’ve ever owned a badly made straw bag, you’ll know is not a given and honestly should be the bare minimum. This is the sort of bag that goes from beach to market to lunch without you ever having to think twice about it. Genuinely one of the best straw bags we’ve come across in years, and we don’t say that lightly.
A’DDCT Eau De Parfum, Eat The Peach
Best for: smelling like a peach without smelling like a scented candle someone left too close to the oven
We’ll admit we approached this one sceptically. Fruity fragrances can veer sickly sweet fast, the kind that announces itself from three rooms away and overstays its welcome, but Eat The Peach gets the balance right. It opens with a bright crispness of apple before softening into the fragrance’s real heart, a sweet, succulent peach, before settling into a warm, quietly sophisticated sandalwood base that saves it from ever tipping into dessert territory. What sets it apart, though, is the formulation itself: an ethanol-free, biphase water and oil base rather than a traditional alcohol formula, meaning it feels genuinely gentle on the skin. Shake it before use to properly blend the layers, then let it evolve with your own chemistry, because this one actually behaves differently on everyone, which we find far more interesting than another identikit vanilla musk. Playful without being one-note, and honestly, we still dream of that peach note days after wearing it.
Loewe Reversible Anagram Bombé Belt
Best for: the belt that does actual double duty, unlike most things claiming to be “versatile”
Come on, it’s Loewe. We shouldn’t have to say more than that, but here we go anyway. Crafted in Spain from smooth calfskin leather, this belt is properly reversible, giving you two finishes for the price of one, and it’s fastened with a polished metal buckle sculpted to imitate the brand’s signature Bombé Anagram shape. It’s a slim 2.8cm width with five hole regulation for a proper fit, and it pairs beautifully with fluid shirting for an elevated everyday look or with distressed denim if you want to knock things down a notch and pretend you didn’t spend real money on a belt. We’re not exaggerating when we say a genuinely good belt can transform an entire outfit, and this one, from a house with over 175 years of Spanish leather craftsmanship behind it, is about as good as it gets. Full stop.
Clarins Santal Face Treatment Oil, Dry / Extra Dry Skin
Best for: the bedtime ritual that actually earns its place on a crowded shelf
This is one of those cult Clarins products that keeps coming back into fashion for extremely good reason, and we’re not going to apologise for still recommending it. Formulated with 100% plant extracts, the Santal oil blends essential oils of sandalwood, cardamom, lavender and parsley to tone, soothe and decongest skin that’s dry, irritated or generally stressed out (summer air conditioning, we are looking directly at you, this is your fault). Hazelnut oil, rich in omega 9 and vitamin E, softens and reduces redness while helping to prevent moisture loss and the appearance of fine lines. It’s lightweight, absorbs almost instantly, and won’t stain your pillowcase, which honestly matters more than most beauty marketing gives it credit for. Apply a few drops to damp skin after cleansing in the evening and let it work while you sleep, no effort required on your part whatsoever. Preservative-free, dermatologist tested, and packaged with genuinely eco-conscious materials too. Delectable, and we mean that.
Chloé Summer Banana Raffia Hobo Bag, Ginger Red
Best for: the bag with an actual backstory, not just a made-up “heritage” claim
Every so often a bag comes along that’s worth talking about beyond how it looks, and this is one of them. Chloé’s Summer Banana hobo is hand-crocheted from raffia and buffalo leather by a single artisan over four days, made in collaboration with Made For A Woman, a social enterprise based in Madagascar that supports vulnerable women with fair wages and long-term opportunity. Try topping that with your average “artisanal” marketing copy, we’ll wait. The curved silhouette features a distinctive banana-shaped handle and a handwritten signature nod to Chloé’s heritage, with one main compartment, an internal flat pocket and a simple magnet closure. It arrives with its own dust bag, and because it’s genuinely handwoven, no two are ever quite identical (we happen to think that’s the whole appeal, not a flaw to apologise for). What an interesting dinner party that would have been, the one where this bag design was born.
Jo Malone Sea Salt & Bergamot Cologne
Best for: smelling like the Celtic Sea, minus the actual cold shock of getting in it
Jo Malone London’s newest release is inspired by the sensation of plunging into the wild waters off the British coast, and honestly, it delivers exactly that feeling without any of the involuntary shrieking. Bright bergamot opens things up with a citrus sparkle before giving way to a mineral, airy sea salt heart, grounded finally by a soft, woody driftwood base. Created by perfumer Mathilde Bijaoui, it sits within the brand’s wider exploration of British landscapes through scent, and it’s designed to be worn by absolutely everyone, not filed under “his” or “hers” like it’s still 2004. Spritz generously onto pulse points and let your body heat do the rest. We’d layer it under a Wood Sage & Sea Salt body product for the full coastal effect, but it’s plenty striking worn entirely alone too, thank you very much.
COS Raffia Bucket Hat, Brown
Best for: sun protection that doesn’t require compromising on looking like a fashion editor
A good bucket hat should do two jobs at once, actually shield your face from the sun and look properly put together while it’s at it, and most fail spectacularly at the second part. COS’s raffia version manages both without breaking a sweat. Rendered in a rich chocolate tone, it’s crafted from premium raffia that’s softly sculpted into shape, with inner grosgrain ties that cinch in to hold that shape all day, no sad, floppy brim by lunchtime. It’s the sort of hat you can throw in a beach bag without worrying it’ll come out crushed and ruined. Pair it with the Riviera tote above for a proper co-ordinated moment, or just wear it with everything, because honestly, it goes with everything, we’ve tested this extensively.
Auvere Diamond Cone Threader Earrings
Best for: the earring you’ll still be wearing in twenty years, long after everything else in this list has been donated
Threaders are among our absolute favourite styles of earring, light, delicate and genuinely easy to wear all day without that dragging feeling heavier styles love to inflict on you by hour three. Handcrafted from solid 22 karat gold with a diamond weight of 0.62 carats of pavé diamonds per pair (G colour, VS clarity, for the specifics, because we did in fact ask), these swing and sparkle from a fine golden thread with a cone-shaped charm at the base. Even brands known for their high-karat solid gold pieces occasionally reach for a little extra sparkle, and this is Auvere doing exactly that, with taste. They look genuinely lovely worn alone, but they’re built to be stacked too, layer them with a few studs or a clean-cut ear cuff and let the whole ear do its thing while everyone else is still deciding on one pair of hoops. This is proper forever jewellery, the kind that only gets better with age, unlike most things.
Allegra Draped Satin Sleeveless Top, Buttercream, JAKI
Best for: the top that makes joggers look like an actual outfit, which is a genuine service
This is the sort of top that quietly does more work in your wardrobe than almost anything else you own, and it never once asks for credit. Made from a mid-weight, luxe satin, the Allegra falls fluidly over the body with a softly structured high neckline and gentle shoulder coverage, while subtle ruching through the body enhances shape without ever feeling restrictive or, frankly, annoying to sit down in. In a warm buttercream shade, it has genuine lustre without tipping into “trying too hard” territory. Wear it tucked into tailored trousers for the office, or thrown on with your best denim for dinner, it genuinely transitions from day to evening without you having to think twice or change outfits like the rest of us mortals. Don’t miss how it catches the light when you move, that’s the satin doing exactly what you paid it to do.
Adeline Midi Dress, White, Cintrée
Best for: the linen dress you’ll live in from June through September and refuse to explain why
There’s a very particular kind of dress that becomes the answer to “what should I wear today” for an entire summer, no thought required, and this is shaping up to be ours. Cintrée’s Adeline is cut from 100% linen with a sculpted bodice that nips in at the waist before falling into a softly gathered skirt, giving it real movement without feeling fussy or, God forbid, stiff. Delicate covered button detailing runs through the bodice and a flattering V-neckline finishes things off, while an invisible zip keeps the silhouette clean rather than fighting you at the back. It blends timeless romance with genuinely modern structure, and because it’s linen through and through, it breathes properly in the heat, which after a certain point in July becomes the only feature that actually, truly matters. Everything else is just decoration.
Puma Burgundy Tacklette Trainers
Best for: the trainer with more personality than your usual white sneaker, which, let’s be honest, has none
We’ll be honest, we were fully prepared to buy yet another pair of plain white trainers this summer, resigned to it even, and then these appeared and ruined that plan entirely, no regrets. Puma’s Tacklette arrives in a low-profile, Mary Jane-inspired silhouette with football terrace influences running through the design, finished in a rich burgundy suede with a single strap and a comfortable flat rubber sole. They’re unexpected in the best way, feminine but with enough edge to feel current rather than twee, and they pair just as well with a floaty summer dress as they do with tailored shorts, which is more range than most trainers manage. At this price point, they’re also one of the easiest “try something different” purchases on this entire list. No, really, just get them, stop overthinking it.
That’s the edit, eighteen pieces, one considered wardrobe, and absolutely zero regrets on our end. We stand by every single item, and we will not be entertaining alternative opinions in the comments. Come back next month for the next instalment, because we’re already eyeing up what’s landing for autumn, and it’s going to be extremely good.
