These Expensive-Looking H&M Buys Are Going to Dominate This Summer

After all these years, H&M is still one of our favourite high-street stores—not simply because it’s affordable and allows us to tap into the trends easily but also because the design team just knows how to nail a cult buy. Of course, as you know, here at Who What Wear UK, we like to fill our wardrobes with a mix of styles from across emerging and independent, vintage, second-hand and high-street brands, with a few designer investments in the mix. But when a seriously good H&M piece comes along that’s both on-trend and timelessly chic, we can’t help but get excited about it.
Claire Wakeman wears a sellout embroidered dress from H&M.
We’re all in agreement that H&M is having a particularly strong year when it comes to hero buys. It’s part of our job as editors to keep tabs on all the new-in sections, and with H&M, you can barely blink before its best items are sold out. The latest summer drop is full to the brim of classics like easy, pretty dresses, relaxed linens and elevated basics that promise to see us through everything the upcoming season has to throw at us. From far-off holidays and heatwaves in the office to laid-back weekends at home as well as the entire summer events calendar.
Below, I’ve done the hard part for you and scrolled through the entire new-in collection to pull out the six strongest categories on H&M’s website right now and the 30 most expensive-looking buys. From my expert experience, I can quite confidently say these chic styles will dominate this summer thanks to their outfit-elevating qualities and no doubt sell out before the season even officially begins at the end of June. Keep scrolling, then, to see your complete H&M summer 2022 shopping guide, and add your favourites to basket to avoid any inevitable disappointment later on.
1. Easy Throw-On Dresses
Minimal effort, maximum impact. H&M has mastered the comfortable yet polished dress this season.
2. Summer Tailoring
From sleek blazers perfect for throwing over dresses on cooler summer evenings to wide-leg trousers for pairing with tank tops, this is some of the best affordable tailoring I've seen in a long time.
These white wide-leg trousers work as a suit but could also be paired with sandals and a floaty shirt for a work or holiday evening look.
Opt for cropped tailored trousers in summer. They pair so easily with sandals and heels.
3. Relaxed Linen
The ideal fabric for staying cool but looking chic in the heat.
From holidays to warm weekends in the city, these trousers will no doubt work hard in your wardrobe.
4. Event Dresses
H&M has so many cute dresses for summer occasions, from weddings to garden parties.
5. Elevated Classics
Simple wardrobe staples are what H&M has always done best. Opt for minimalist pieces in neutral colours, and they'll last way beyond this season.
Pair this with denim shorts for a casual vibe or the coordinating trousers below for an office-friendlier outfit.
6. Summer Sandals
In this latest drop, there are luxe leather heeled sandals to wear with all your wedding guest dresses and chunkier slides to wear every day.
Up Next: 8 Jeans Trends Fashion People Will Live In This Summer
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 top-selling 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 interned at The Mail on Sunday’s YOU. As the magazine’s fashion editor, she managed the fashion team and travelled the globe to style and direct fashion editorials and celebrity cover shoots. As a freelancer, she styled Grazia cover shoots, developed brand marketing and content plans and worked with VIP clients including Elizabeth Day.
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