6 Easy Outfit Ideas I'll Be Wearing on Rotation This Month
With the seasonal shift comes plenty of sartorial confusion, and by the time May rolls around, we're all feeling pretty impatient. After months of sub-10-degree temperatures, haven't we earned the luxury of stepping out in breezy cotton dresses and strappy sandals? May is a tantalising time because we're almost in summer, but the weather remains unpredictable (in the UK that is—if you're living it up somewhere along the Amalfi Coast or on a balmy Greek isle, please don't rub it in).
But rather than lamenting the lingering clouds overhead, choose to celebrate that we're one step closer to sunshine. In wardrobe terms, this means adding warm-weather items into your day-to-day roster. It might just involve a minor adjustment here or there; a T-shirt instead of a long-sleeve top, a basket bag instead of a leather cross-body. Little by little, we can start slipping into a summer state of mind, and hopefully, the blue skies will follow. Who's with me?
To help you out, I've rounded up six stylish outfits from Instagram that I think are just right for May. And I've made them all shopable so the looks are even easier for you to recreate. Check them out now, thank me later.
1. Cropped Cardigan + Wide-Leg Jeans + Mary Janes
Style Notes: The Parisian style set is our most-trusted source of elegant and easy-to-copy outfits, like Emmanuelle's. Throw a light trench coat on top if the temperature drops; I promise it will still look just as chic.
SHOP THE LOOK
I love the idea of wearing this as a top, but you can also unbutton it and style it over a tank.
No summer closet is complete without *at least* one basket bag.
Yep, the Mary Jane trend is sticking around, and we couldn't be happier about it.
2. White Midi Dress + Loafers
Style Notes: It's still too early for strapless cotton dresses, but a long-sleeved option like this one will add a lightness to your wardrobe (and mood). Pair with loafers over sandals to keep it from feeling too high-summer.
SHOP THE LOOK
The dream dress for picnics in the park and garden parties.
I always turn to & Other Stories for affordable and on-trend sunglasses.
I think everyone who owns these classic loafers would agree they're worth the investment.
3. Crop Top + Cargo Trousers + Mules
Style Notes: So long turtlenecks, hello crop tops. It's the season to show some skin, so team your favourite trousers with a midriff-bearing tee and some open-toe mules.
SHOP THE LOOK
You don't need to spend a fortune on gold-toned jewellery; the high street has heaps to offer.
The kind of relaxed silhouette I'll be living in all summer long.
4. Floral Blouse + Slip Skirt + Plimsolls
Style Notes: A slip skirt works whatever the season, but I'll be taking my cues from Franny and styling mine with a pretty floral blouse as we move into summer.
SHOP THE LOOK
Pick out any of the colours to match your accessories to.
This would be a great wedding guest accessory.
5. Double Denim + Fisherman Sandals
Style Notes: Whether or not double denim is to your taste, you've got to admit the combo looks pretty cool with fisherman sandals—which, incidentally, are a huge trend for SS23.
SHOP THE LOOK
6. Knitted Tank + Linen Trousers + Trainers
Style Notes: By now your bulkiest knitwear is probably safely stored away, but we recommend carrying lighter styles like ribbed tank tops into the warmer season.
SHOP THE LOOK
Next, The Best High-Street Buys We've Seen on Instagram This Week
Bébhinn Campbell is an Edinburgh-based fashion and lifestyle writer and editor. She started her first blog at age 14 and went on to intern at print and digital publications in Berlin and London, including Dazed & Confused and Indie magazine.
A job at a fashion startup took Bébhinn from Ireland to Scotland in 2019, where she now works as a freelance journalist and copywriter covering everything from travel and interiors to styling advice. As a contributor to Who What Wear, Bébhinn always keeps her eyes peeled for emerging trends and looks worth writing about. She prides herself on her ability to cut through the noise and identify solid investment buys, exciting new brands and fresh takes on classic design.
In her spare time, Bébhinn enjoys perusing Edinburgh’s best vintage shops, working through her out-of-control book collection and watching dog reels on Instagram.
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