37 Anti-Trend Summer J.Crew, Ref, and Zara Finds That I'm All But Losing It Over
Basics are essential during any season, but never are they more crucial to one's wardrobe than in the summer when the smothering temperatures limit the amount of fun layering and experimentation we can possibly do. Outfits have to be kept fairly simple. But in my mind, that doesn't mean a look has to be boring. Rather, it forces you to stock up on basics that impress all on their own—no frills, just understated perfection.
Whenever I've had to fully restock and refresh my basics collection, three retailers have consistently proved their superiority: J.Crew, Reformation, and Zara. J.Crew and Reformation are perfect for those pieces that you want to invest in for years ahead, like cotton and linen dresses, tailored separates, and forever footwear, and Zara helps to keep your overall budget in check without making you sacrifice in the style department. Below, scroll through a mix of all three and start building a dreamy, anti-trend basics collection in minutes.
For work meetings and chic late lunches alike.
Shop the matching Linen-Blend Midi Skirt ($70).
The quiet-luxury basic everyone needs this season.
Didn't you hear? T-shirt dresses are trending thanks to Sofia Richie Grainge.
A whole handful of Who What Wear editors own and frequent this top in either white or black.
A lightweight topper that'll add dimension to any classic jeans-and-tee combo.
Coming up next: Wealth's the Word: 37 Items That Don't Shout But Scream Expensive
Eliza Huber is a New York City–based fashion editor who specializes in trend reporting, brand discovery, and celebrity style. She joined Who What Wear in 2021 after almost four years on the fashion editorial team at Refinery29, the job she took after graduating with a marketing degree from the University of Iowa. She has since launched two monthly columns, Let's Get a Room and Ways to Wear; profiled the likes of Dakota Fanning, Diane Kruger, Katie Holmes, and Sabrina Carpenter for WWW's monthly cover features; and reported on everything from the relationship between Formula One and fashion to the top trends from fashion month, season after season. Eliza now lives on the Upper West Side and spends her free time researching F1 fashion imagery for her side Instagram accounts @thepinnacleoffashion and @f1paddockfits, running in Central Park, and scouring eBay for '90s Prada and '80s Yves Saint Laurent.
-
My Friend Wants a Chic Wardrobe—I Sent Her These Early Black Friday Fashion Deals
Discounted gems from Nordstrom, Zara, J.Crew, and more.
By Jennifer Camp Forbes
-
I Just Found the Most Luxe-Looking Sweaters From Gap, Madewell, and J.Crew—And They're All on Sale
Up to 50% off.
By Judith Jones
-
Laura Harrier Keeps Wearing the "Dated" Shoe Trend I Bet Will Make a Huge Comeback in 2025
French women agree.
By Eliza Huber
-
I Have a Feeling These 30 Zara, Madewell, and J.Crew Items Will Sell Out by November 30
Haul incoming.
By Grace O'Connell Joshua
-
Law Roach's World: His New Book, Bag of Choice, and What He Grabs on a Target Run
"[Styling] has made my world so much bigger."
By Jasmine Fox-Suliaman
-
Friend to Friend: You're Going to Look Incredibly Chic Wearing These (Sale!) Finds From Madewell, J.Crew, and Banana Republic
Blazers, boots, button-downs and more.
By Judith Jones
-
J.Crew Just Launched the Buzziest Collab of Fall, and We Tried It
It's joyous.
By Yusra Siddiqui
-
I'm Thinking Ahead—Here's Everything I Already Know I'll Buy Come Spring 2025
Right off the runway.
By Eliza Huber