What happens when Team Who What Wear UK is let loose in the London HQ of Moda Operandi on a beautiful sunny day? Summer trends galore, outfits a-plenty and shopping lists as far as the metaphorical eye can see. Our fashion editors teamed up with the ultra-chic e-tailer to uncover the looks that really matter this season and translate them into real life. And whilst we were surrounded by such glorious things we thought it only wise to also highlight the cult pieces everyone's been after on Instagram (hello there, new Cult Gaia bag) so you can snap them up before they sell out again…
From this year's update on off-the-shoulder silhouettes to the one new hue we can all agree on as vital for any hot-weather wardrobe, all of the below trends and combinations come with our expert approval. We did all of the hard work (ha!) so you can spend more time just looking your very best.
Keep reading to see which key pieces and trends we tried and loved…
'80S REVISITED
On Emma Spedding: Rianna + Nina Claudia Blouse (£660); Agmes Gold Vermeil Cuff (£760); Goldsign Benefit Jeans (£250); Boyy Karl 24 Bag (£924).
"I dubbed this my Kris Jenner look, because the orange handbag, gold bangle and loud, shouty print makes me feel like I'm in Beverly Hills in the '80s." — Emma Spedding, deputy editor of Who What Wear UK
On Emma Spedding: Rianna + Nina Claudia Blouse (£660); Goldsign Benefit Jeans (£250); Boyy Karl 24 Bag (£924).
"Boyy's bags are back in stock and this orangey shade of tan goes with everything I tried on—surprisingly versatile and yet still such a head-turner. Also, these Goldsign jeans were the perfect fit on me." Emma Spedding, deputy editor of Who What Wear UK
SMOCKING
On Hannah Almassi: Rhode Resort Eva Balloon Sleeve Dress (£414).
"I'm all for exposing shoulders but often find it tricky going without a bra—so this super suck-me-in smocking finish to this beautiful dress keeps everything in place, and looks really striking in this ultra shade of pink too." — Hannah Almassi, editorial director of Who What Wear UK
On Hannah Almassi: Rhode Resort Eva Balloon Sleeve Dress (£414).
"This is the kind of dream maxi that works on the beach as well as it does at a wedding—just switch up your shoe choice." — Hannah Almassi, editorial director of Who What Wear UK
THE LITTLE YELLOW DRESS
On Isabel Mundigo-Moore: MDS Tiered Eyelet Dress (£738); Jennifer Behr Buttercup Earrings (£300).
"Yellow is THE biggest colour of 2018 and wearing (almost) head-to-toe buttercup made me realise why: it feels amazing!" — Isabel Mundigo-Moore, associate social media editor of Who What Wear UK
On Isabel Mundigo-Moore: MDS Tiered Eyelet Dress (£738); Jennifer Behr Buttercup Earrings (£300); Axel Arigato Low-Top Sneakers (£16).
"When it comes to super-girlish trends I think it's best to go all-out and commit, hence the ruffles, broderie anglaise, bows, flowers and pastel colour!" — Isabel Mundigo-Moore, associate social media editor of Who What Wear UK
On Isabel Mundigo-Moore: MDS Tiered Eyelet Dress (£738); Axel Arigato Low-Top Sneakers (£160).
"Pairing my summer dress with these sneakers made it feel easy and comfortable, yet still very chic." — Isabel Mundigo-Moore, associate social media editor of Who What Wear UK
POLKA DOTS
On Emma Spedding: Rebecca De Ravenel Talitha Blouse (£456); Lisa Marie Fernandez Diana Skirt (£492); Glorinha Paranagua Milano Bamboo Tote (£630); Veja Espar Sneakers (£90).
"Polka dots are everywhere this summer, and my favourite way to make them look extra special is to double up on the dots and play with contrasting prints." — Emma Spedding, deputy editor of Who What Wear UK
On Emma Spedding: Rebecca De Ravenel Talitha Blouse (£456); Lisa Marie Fernandez Diana Skirt (£492); Glorinha Paranagua Milano Bamboo Tote (£630); Veja Espar Sneakers (£90).
"The smaller spots of the Rebecca de Ravenel blouse perfectly complement the bolder monochrome print of the Lisa Marie Fernandez skirt. They key is to keep the rest simple, so I added a pair of classic white Vejas." — Emma Spedding, deputy editor of Who What Wear UK
FANCY PANTS
On Hannah Almassi: Blazé Milano Resolute Blazer (£1764); ATM Top (£114); Proenza Schouler Flared Lace Pants (£1998); Alexandre Birman Clarita Kitten Heels (£435).
"The only time you'll find me in trousers is when they're really outrageous—I don't really do denim, for example, so these red lace flares are the perfect option for the extroverts out there." — Hannah Almassi, editorial director of Who What Wear UK
On Hannah Almassi: Proenza Schouler Flared Lace Pants (£1998); Alexandre Birman Clarita Kitten Heels (£435).
"To make the red pop I kept everything else monochrome, opting for my favourite wear-everywhere sandals, a pair of kitten-heels from Alexandra Birman (basically the comfiest stilettos you'll ever find)." — Hannah Almassi, editorial director of Who What Wear UK
WHITE DENIM
On Isabel Mundigo-Moore: Joanna Ortiz Cameroon Top (£738); Eve Denim Charlotte Jeans (£300); Mansur Gavriel Mini Folded Bag (£565).
"So it turns out you can feel very cool and very professional at the same time. The trick is all-white, with a statement sleeve. I love how the wrap makes the look feel tidy, while the white jeans fit like a dream." — Isabel Mundigo-Moore, associate social media editor of Who What Wear UK
On Isabel Mundigo-Moore: Joanna Ortiz Cameroon Top (£738); Eve Denim Charlotte Jeans (£300); Mansur Gavriel Mini Folded Bag (£565).
"The key to wearing white jeans in 2018 is to opt for a loose-fit silhouette—so these are the very best option around." — Isabel Mundigo-Moore, associate social media editor of Who What Wear UK
STRAW BAG 2.0
On Emma Spedding: Delpozo Bow-Embellished Dress (£1620); Cult Gaia Stella Tote (£228).
"If there's one thing that still has plenty of mileage from last summer it's the straw or raffia bag: although I have to admit I'm craving something more directional and it definitely lies in the sure-to-be-cult favourite from Cult Gaia (the brand who did those crazy-popular bamboo ark bags)." — Emma Spedding, deputy editor of Who What Wear UK
On Emma Spedding: Delpozo Bow-Embellished Dress (£1620); Cult Gaia Stella Tote (£228).
"This summer is all about confectionery colours, and this Delpozo gown makes me feel like a bag of Pick n' Mix thanks to the lollipop stripes and Willy Wonka-esque bows on the shoulders. This is exactly what I want to wear to every summer wedding." — Emma Spedding, deputy editor of Who What Wear UK
PASTEL TAILORING
On Isabel Mundigo-Moore: Magda Butrym La Vienna Top (£738); Esme Vie Trousers (£792); Loewe Hammock Bag (£1525); Bally Janelle Slippers (£450); Roxanne Assoulin Hip Hop Earrings (£162).
"These two silky fabrics together make for a great Monday morning outfit. This blouse lingers right on the edge of being a luxurious top-half of a pyjama set so that Sunday night feeling isn't too far away. I felt instantly confident." — Isabel Mundigo-Moore, associate social media editor of Who What Wear UK
On Isabel Mundigo-Moore: Magda Butrym La Vienna Top (£738); Esme Vie Trousers (£792); Loewe Hammock Bag (£1525); Bally Janelle Slippers (£450).
"If you're good at caring for your investment buys (and not the kind of girl who puts handbags on floors) then I'd highly recommend looking into cream-coloured bags and shoes: elegant, grown-up and going to be best friends with everything else you own, I promise." — Isabel Mundigo-Moore, associate social media editor of Who What Wear UK
CUTE CO-ORDS
On Hannah Almassi: Miaou Kelly Top (£192) and Tommy Jeans (£342); Alexandre Birman Clarita Kitten Heels (£435).
"The instant outfit thing really appeals to my busy self! What's more this daisy-embroidered twosome is from a new brand everyone's talking about: Miaou." — Hannah Almassi, editorial director of Who What Wear UK
-
Reformation's Sale Is Finally Here—8 Marked-Down Items I Tried On and LovedMore discounted finds are inside.
-
Massimo Dutti's Summer Drop Looks Too Good to Be True, so I Test-Drove It IRLMind-blowing.
-
I'm Knee-Deep in Sales RN—These Discounted Finds Left My Head SpinningHappy shopping.
-
I Just Popped Into Saks—These Summer Finds Are So Good It's Stressing Me OutI'm still thinking about them days later.
-
Yep, the Moda Operandi and Fifteen Percent Pledge Trunkshow Is EverythingThe partnership spotlights eight Black designers making waves right now.
-
Moda Operandi's Co-Founder Told Me 3 Holiday Fashion Trends That Will Be MajorLauren Santo Domingo weighs in.
-
The Best Under-$250 Fall Staples From Net-a-Porter, Moda, and Nordstrom—PeriodOh, these are good.
-
The 5 Most Important Trends for Fall, According to Moda Operandi's Co-FounderLauren Santo Domingo weighs in.
