Take It From a Fashion Editor: These Summer 2025 Trends Are Certified Compliment-Magnets
I combed through 99 runway shows and every retail imaginable to curate this shopping list.
I've spent the past few days combing over runway shows (99 in total, to be exact) and scouring every retailer imaginable to curate Marie Claire's comprehensive guide to the summer 2025's top trends. I've studied the decline of hot pants and the subsequent rise of Bermuda shorts. With the utmost confidence, I can wager that every fashion girl you follow will soon be dressing like a green-thumbed gardener (two words: rubber clogs) or Stevie Nicks circa 1977 (boho fashion is back with a vengeance).
All this is to say that I've earned my credentials when it comes to summer fashion trends. I know which are viral quick hits that will look lovely on Instagram but fade out come September, and which are timeless enough that I'll wear them again next year. So, I figured I'd share my summer 2025 shopping list to offer guidance as you navigate what to wear in the coming months—or to wear now, if you're like the over-eager, elegant women in New York City street style who've already freed their flip-flops and favorite linen pants from storage.
From jelly sandals that actually look elevated to the tote that's destined to be my new favorite laptop bag and the Adidas sneaker I'm dubbing the shoe of the summer, below are the items I wholeheartedly recommend adding to your warm-weather rotation.
When I said fashion editors would be cosplaying as the white witch, I meant myself, of course. This delicate lace top from DÔEN, a long-time editor and celebrity-approved brand, is how I'm getting the "Silver Springs" look.
Every day this entire month, from when my alarm goes off in the morning until my melatonin kicks in at night, the retro sneakers trend has been running through my mind. In particular, I've become fixated on the powder pink Adidas Tokyo, a favorite of Jennifer Lawrence and Marie Claire's very own senior news editor, Halie LeSavage.
Bolstered by the overwhelming return of boho chic, flare jeans are back as a major denim trend of the moment. I'm partial to this pair from Frame, which isn't overly exaggerated with its bell-bottoms.
I don't have the budget for plane tickets, so I'm going to pretend I'm sipping an aperol spritz on the Amalfi Coast in this dolce vita silk dress from Banana Republic.
After doing my due diligence investigating the best Coach bags, I can't get this neutral, soft leather version of its cult-classic Tabby bag out of my mind.
Powder pink was a major spring 2025 color trend, and it will stay the course this summer—trust me. This J.Crew button-down is a smart way to try the soft pastel.
Longline tailored shorts are the secret weapon of my summer work outfits. They provide the polish of pleated pants, but offer the ventilation of a midi skirt—a win-win.
Up there with my paycheck hitting my bank account and a cat's meow, the hefty clomp of wooden clogs is one of my favorite sounds. It's extra special when it's a pair designed by the architect of the modern boho revival, Chloé's Chemena Kamali.
There are few brands I trust as implicitly as I do Alex Mill. Founded by a team of fashion veterans, including Mickey Drexler, the founder of Old Navy and Madewell, and former CEO of The Gap and J. Crew, the brand zeroes in on high-quality, timeless staples that are in it for the long haul. These linen pants are a perfect example.
Oh, how I love a funky little top. This asymmetrical tank from Reiss embodies meaningful minimalism, an aesthetic all about strategic simplicity that I discovered while analyzing the most influential 2025 fashion trends.
Like Hailey Bieber, I've also converted to become a Big Fan of the black capri leggings trend. At $45, these pedal pushers from Open Edit are a safe first step in trying the, admittedly, polarizing pant.
If you don't believe me, take it from editor-in-chief Nikki Ogunnaike: in a recent Self-Checkout newsletter, she raved about the ballet sneaker trend and agrees it will continue to relevé, plié, and jeté in the coming months.
Fashion is very big on belt buckles lately. They're on bags, shoes, and, as to be expected, waistlines. I like this one from Helsa because of its chunkier, can't-miss gold hardware.
A round of applause for the peep-toe shoe trend, please—the controversial shoe has made its comeback for spring and summer, pedicure first. I'm so impressed that I'm going to give this sensible Staud mule a slot in my open-toe shoe arsenal.
My fashion editor instincts were right on the money with Juju Vera's Petra shell necklace. Given the proliferation of fashion's fisherman aesthetic, this turquoise-dotted, sterling silver fish pendant piece is my next big bet for an It accessory.
The best Levi's jeans are always on trend—and the same goes for its shorts, especially its signature, high-wasited 501s.
I didn't see it coming either, but the flannel shirt has officially become fashion-ified (TL;DR: The Row worked their magic). Checks and tartans were also sprinkled throughout the summer collections, so I'm adding this short-sleeved Lioness top to my cart.
Dries Van Noten sees your mesh flats and raises you mesh sneakers instead as a sporty twist on the netted trend.
No garment better represents summer's easy living than an A-line, tented top made of breezy linen. Case in point: This relaxed J.Crew style that is the fashion equivalent of an "I'll be back Monday!" Summer Fridays bounce-back email.
Have I mentioned that I'm really into clogs this season? This open-toe sandal style from Miu Miu (first shown on its Spring 2025 runway) is also at the tip-top of my shopping list.
