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


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.
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.
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:
Dries Van Noten is a brand I regularly drool over and this top is a nice entry point if you're looking to add some luxury to your wardrobe this summer. Polka dots are trending, and this is primed to be paired with jeans and flip flops for a warm evening out.
Shirts play a big part in my wardrobe, especially in the summer months. This one feels a bit different to my others and can work as a cover-up, look great with jeans and sandals, and rise to dressier occasions like dinners out. I'd even wear this open as a light jacket.
The beautiful colour is what drew me in first and I love how it looks with black. Pair with tailored trousers or shorts for the office, tuck into your favourite jeans or wear open over a bikini this summer. Naturally, this went straight in my basket, along with the matching trousers.
These are my second pair of sandals from this designer. If the first pair are anything to go by, I’ll soon find them glued to my feet. These are definitely what I would categorise as a ‘posh’ sandal, reserved for going out and holidays. I love how they make my go-to nice top and jeans look feel a bit more special.
Designer denim fans, listen up. Before you make another purchase, you need to check out this jacket from Nobody’s Child. Even I was floored by how good it looks and feels in the flesh—the perfect balance of boxy and structured, like the kind of thing you’d find vintage shopping but without the hours of searching.
I love a shirt, but I didn’t have anything that felt quite like this. Statement but timeless, structured but relaxed, like a vintage piece you’d steal from your effortlessly cool older sister. Since it arrived, I’ve barely taken it off, and it’s giving all my go-to basics a whole new lease of life.
I am, and always will be, a denim girl through and through. My ideal pairs? Vintage-feeling, no stretch, soft cotton with an androgynous edge—jeans that feel like they’ve been worn and loved for years. If you don’t fancy spending hours trawling vintage stores, this pair might just scratch that itch.
I've tried on quite a few pairs of longer-length shorts, but these are the best I've found so far. The cut is relaxed yet polished thanks to the darker wash and neat hem. I bought a 12 and they fall on my hip so I’d say go for your true size in jeans, often I say to size up in denim shorts but not these.
A recent addition, and one that I can already see myself wearing a lot, it this cosy and cool cardigan. There's a very Isabel Marant feel to it, like something you'd find in a great vintage shop. Already I'm imagining styling it with white denim and black boots or clogs. It's definitely thick enough to wear as a jacket on milder days, or add in as a layering piece on chilly winter days.
White jeans are one of my favourites for the colder months as a good way to stay warm without your outfit feeling too heavy. They work well with tonal shades or cream off-white or light grey, or provide striking contrast to darker tones of black, red, navy and green.
If you are going to treat yourself to something that will make you feel instantly a bit more pulled together this January, make it an understated leather tote bag. Liffner'sattention to detail is on par with designers like The Row or Khaite but at a more affordable price point.
I've never been much of a smart shirt wearer in the past but I'm completely obsessed with this style. It's surprisingly soft and easy to wear, and the cuffs to most of the talking to instantly elevate the rest of the look. I'd style just like this for evening with black trousers.
For those who have a lot of nice tops in their wardrobes, or have a hard time finding dresses they like, I highly recommend adding a long silk maxi to your collection. The styling options are endless for both day and night, and if you pair with a matching black top you're able to emulate the look of a dress with this piece.
I can confidently confirm that With Nother Underneaths’s black tailored trousers are actual perfection. My styling tip would be to size up if you want to wear them a bit slouchy like the image above and if you're tall, don't worry there is a generous hem. You can also get 20% off with code ANGIE20.
Not only will these work for so many occasions, but they're also so comfortable. The wool adds a little extra warmth and they can be easily styled for day or night. For evening, add a nice top or simple black roll neck and either boots or heels. At the weekend, simply tuck in your favourite jumper for a relaxed yet put-together feel.
A cotton crew-neck T-shirt that is ever so slightly sheer always looks great popping out from under a crew-neck knit or a V-neck sweater.
The right shade of stonewashed denim contrasts dark or bright shades (see the red jumper below) in such a chic way.
Consider this the perfect cream silk midi skirt. It's a great piece to add contrast and lightness to the heavier fabrics around at this time of year. I’m wearing mine with loafers and an oversized jumper.
You can't go wrong with a linen set. Try this oversized boyfriend button-down and add some boxer shorts for ease. Remember, don't worry about the creases—this is lazy dressing, after all.

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.
-
Styling Duo Chloe and Chenelle Delgadillo Break Down Tate McRae's Iconic Looks for F1 Music Video
They're so so good.
-
Don't Pack Up Your Sweaters Just Yet—Cool Fashion People Are Repurposing Them in the Chicest Way for Summer
All the outfit inspiration is inside.
-
Goodbye, Boring Basics—This Is the Elegant Trend New Yorkers Are Wearing With Tank Tops This Summer
Obsessed.
-
3 Aesthetic Pairings to Try If Your Wardrobe's Starting to Feel Stale
Foolproof solutions.
-
The Best Elevated Basics to Shop If You Love The Row, According to a Stylist
So chic.
-
I Can't Stand It When People Follow These Fashion Rules to a T
It's time to break the rules.
-
10 Style Tips That Will Make You Look Rich This Summer
Number four is already trending.
-
Brand Layering: The Art of Knowing Which Labels to Pair With Each Other
The ultimate styling hack.