I've Been a Stylist for 20 Years—These Are the Key Buys on My Summer Wish List

Woman wears crochet dress; woman wears green shirt, green bikini and beige sarong; woman wears white T-shirt and white shorts
(Image credit: @angiesmithstyle)

You've probably heard of celebrity stylist Angie Smith from her work with household names like Holly Willoughby, Eva Mendes, Davina McCall and Rochelle Humes. Smith has a gift for making her clients look effortlessly chic, usually on an affordable budget. She's an advocate for shopping the high street, often mixing high and low pieces in her styling; and her own wardrobe and talent for uncovering the most expensive-looking finds is unrivalled. So I'm sure you'll be pleased to hear she's now a Who What Wear UK columnist, here to share her expert shopping picks for the season along with some styling wisdom. Keep scrolling to see her key buys for 2025.

Angie wears a shirt from Matteau, bikini from The Upside and necklace from Kirstie Le Marque

Angie wears a shirt from Matteau, bikini from The Upside and necklace from Kirstie Le Marque.

(Image credit: @angiesmithstyle)

I’ve been a stylist and brand consultant for over 20 years now, and I'm a strong believer in buying less and wearing those pieces more. I've learnt from my experience re-working clients' wardrobes that after editing them down to a smaller capsule, it becomes a lot easier to pull outfits together because you can actually see what's in there.

When shopping for new pieces, it’s important to be practical and think of all the outfits you could wear them with from your existing wardrobe. But most importantly, you have to really love those new items to justify adding them to your rotation. When you wear them, they have to make you feel good—really good. They have to feel comfortable on your body; I’m a strong believer in buying the size that feels and looks the best on you, and in some shops that might be a 12, in others an 18—it really doesn't matter. The buys I include in my monthly edits can be easily styled in multiple ways and will still be relevant years from now. We're talking true wardrobe classics, and I’m showing you where to find them.

Angie wears a crochet dress from The Upside.

Angie wears a crochet dress from The Upside.

(Image credit: @angiesmithstyle)

At last, summer has arrived and it's time to start packing for our upcoming holidays. I've just got back from Sumba, an Island in Indonesia, where I stayed at Cap Karoso and Nihi, both incredibly beautiful resorts. This trip gave me a chance to roadtest some of my summer pieces, and figure out which items are worth packing, and which can be left at home.

On our trip, we paddleboarded, hiked, lay in the sun, and ate under the stars. Whether you're planning on exploring a far-flung island or spending a few days along the British coastline, I've created a concise edit of holiday pieces that are worth the weight limit. Think an easy linen dress, shorts to pull on over swimwear, and of course, a bag or two to consider as your travel and beachside totes.

Keep scrolling to explore my summer 2025 edit.

SHOP ANGIE SMITH'S 2025 EDIT:

1. The Knitted Skirt

2. The Nice Top

3. The Versatile Shirt

4. The 2025 Sandals

5. The Shell Necklace

6. The Most Worn Dress

7. The Boxer-Style Shorts

8. The Personal Necklace

9. The Mini Dress

10. The Mini Bag

11. The Green Bikini Top

12. The Relaxed Jersey

13. The Travel Tote

SHOP MORE OF ANGIE SMITH'S SHOPPING PICKS:

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Emily Dawes
Senior Shopping Editor

Emily Dawes is an editor, stylist and writer with over 12 years in the industry. Known for impeccable taste, our readers trust her advice, especially in her column, expensive-looking high street buys. Working for Who What Wear UK since 2020, Emily has been a contributing editor, branded content editor and affiliate editor. Now, as senior shopping editor, she leads the e-commerce content strategy. After obtaining a BA in English and American Studies from Nottingham University, Emily landed at The Mail on Sunday’s YOU. As the magazine’s fashion editor, she travelled the globe to style and direct fashion editorials and celebrity cover shoots. As a freelancer, she has styled Grazia cover shoots, developed brand marketing and content plans and worked with VIP clients including Elizabeth Day.