9 Style Writers Told Us Their Summer Faves And We Want Everything

Summer style is challenging but conquerable.

Summer is officially here, y'all! And while fall is the most fashionable season (Don't @ me, fam), we love us a good summer dress or shorts situation. BuzzFeed's As/Is talked to nine style and beauty writers about their favorite summer staples, and we may or may not be buying every single thing they mention (Hint: I'm buying it all).

Rajni Jacques, Fashion Director, Teen Vogue & Allure

@rajni_jacques / Via instagram.com

My summer go-to look is:

Denim, denim, and more denim. But slip and prairie dresses also make a showing for summer.

I'm most looking forward to:

Low-platform sandals, slip dresses, and not wearing concealer. In the summer, the sun (while wearing SPF) evens out my skin.

An affordable must-have(s) for every fashionista is:

A worn-in denim jacket.

The best style advice I ever received was:

Do you. Everyone can tell if you are rocking a trend just to be part of a pack.

Kara McGrath, Deputy Fashion & Beauty Editor, Bustle

@diosmioitskara / Via instagram.com

My summer go-to look is:

Either a dress and sneakers, or jeans and a loose t-shirt. I like wearing clothes that don't really touch my body.

I'm most looking forward to:

The "ugly dad sneaker" trend is one of my favorite things to happen in a while, so I'm definitely excited to wear a ton of those. I also love monochromatic outfits in springy colors like lavender and mint. And I'm always excited for crop top weather!

An affordable must-have(s) for every fashionista is:

A loose t-shirt that goes well with everything! Having a bunch of them acts as the base of an outfit and makes getting dressed so much easier.

The best style advice I ever received was:

Ignore every single "rule" you've ever learned about dressing for your body type. It makes buying clothes so much more fun when you aren't stressed about which pieces "aren't for" your big boobs or small butt or curvy tummy.

Jamé Jackson, Style & Beauty Writer, BuzzFeed's As/Is

@theblondemisfit / Via instagram.com

My summer go-to look is:

I love to wear biker shorts, muscle tanks, and super androgynous/sexy looks. I'm the type to grab a mens oversized tee and wear just that, my biggest beauty supply store hoops, and my chucks for barbecues and nights out with my girls. When it gets warm, my style gets extremely minimalist.

I'm most looking forward to:

Sandals, going braless, and outfits that let you have freedom to move.

An affordable must-have(s) for every fashionista is:

One item in your closet that you can throw on no matter what and feel confident in (for me, that's an off-the-shoulder loose tee). But the coolest thing about style is that it can't be taught, so it's not even about all the trends or latest finds, it's about how you put your own swag on it.

The best style advice I ever received was:

Do whatever the heck you want. Personal style looks different for everyone, so just embrace what you've got and strut all day long.

Connie Wang, Senior Features Writer, Refinery29

@conconwang / Via instagram.com

My summer go-to look is:

Weird pants, a white tee, and a bag I can hold in my hand (I'm becoming less tolerant of bag-against-torso sweat!)

I'm most looking forward to:

Calf-length hemlines, '70s colorways, and cool teens trying to make micro sunglasses look good (and oftentimes succeeding.)

An affordable must-have(s) for every fashionista is:

A well-cut white t-shirt, a novelty bag, and ridiculous sunglasses you'll love wearing for a week but won't feel bad about if they get squashed in your bag.

The best style advice I ever received was:

Don't buy it — you think you'll get it tailored, but it'll never happen.

Daniela Cadena, Style Writer, BuzzFeed's As/Is

@danichain / Via instagram.com

My summer go-to look is:

Right now I'm super into graphic tees, polka dots, dad caps, and clear sunglasses. Clear sunglasses serve no purpose, and you'll still be blinded by the sun, but they look so cool!

I'm most looking forward to:

Cute fanny packs, sneakers, and espadrilles. I also feel like glitter is having a moment, and I'm all for that.

An affordable must-have(s) for every fashionista is:

I think a white t-shirt is a must year-round. Also, anything in a primary color (red, blue, or yellow) is always fun to play with. I have this pair of high-waisted red pants that I love for spring and summer. Every single time I wear them I feel effortlessly stylish, which is my brand AF.

The best style advice I ever received was:

Two things: 1) Never buy something that isn't your size because you're planning on losing weight. I did this for such a long time and I don't think that's a healthy way to motivate yourself. 2) Use wig tape as boob tape to keep the girls in place.

Lindsay Peoples Wagner, Fashion Editor, The Cut

@lpeopleswagner / Via instagram.com

My summer go-to look is:

Anything bright! Red is my color, but I also love mustards and limes on my skin tone.

I'm most looking forward to:

For sure mixing up my bag routine first — during the winter I feel like I have a much smaller rotation of bags because I don’t want to get a lot of them messed up from the snow and rain. I love adding interesting hoops or earrings in colors I normally wouldn't gravitate to when it gets hot out. They just add an element of fun to whatever I’m wearing. And also more skirts. I feel like when it’s cold I just go into hibernation mode and wear as many sweaters and jeans as possible. My legs haven’t seen the sun in months!

An affordable must-have(s) for every fashionista is:

Honestly a bunch of cute sandals. There’s no need to spend thousands of dollars on sandals (unless you got it like that) because they get so dirty and run down from walking in the city. Some of my best sandal purchases have come from Amazon!

The best style advice I ever received was:

Don’t listen to other people.

Alison Caporimo, Deputy Digital Editor, Seventeen

@alisoncaporimo / Via instagram.com

My summer go-to look is:

Last year, I decided that I was finally ready to start wearing white to work like an IRL adult — now it's my go-to spring look. (I used to never wear white because I'm that girl who eats every meal like tomorrow is a rumor, resulting in clothes that look more like a crime scene than anything else.) My white denim fringe skirt from Zara and a white Topshop tee with white sneakers are my jam. Not only does it keep me cool when I'm sweating like a beast on the subway, but it also lets me feel dressy in what is really just denim and cotton.

I'm most looking forward to:

I cannot wait for mules (I have them in every color of the rainbow — I even have a denim pair), monochromatic sets (being matchy-matchy can look so cute) and so many top knots to survive the NYC heat.

An affordable must-have(s) for every fashionista is:

A pair of fresh white sneakers are crucial. To make them last long AF, wipe them off with a Magic Eraser sponge and they'll look brand new in five minutes. Also, throw your shoe laces in an intimates bag and wash them with your whites if you want your sneakers to look super fresh.

The best style advice I ever received was:

Style is about translating and arranging what you look like on the inside so that people can see it on the outside. Let it change as you change. Take chances. Never look back.

Danielle James, Style & Beauty Editor, Hello Beautiful and Madame Noire

@theislandiva / Via instagram.com

My summer go-to look is:

I’m an island girl, so I love a free-flowing dress in the spring. I’ve also been obsessed with wearing sexy one-piece swimsuits as bodysuits and pairing them with jeans or a cute skirt.

I'm most looking forward to:

White shoes: My white mules are currently one of my favorite things in my closet.

Bright, bold, colors: green is my color at the moment. Bright, deep green. Marigold is also another color I’m loving. Anything jewel-toned or saturated, like a bold pink or cerulean…I’ll be rocking this spring and straight into summer.

Fashion by the decades: the '70s and '90s have been really heavy on the runway. I’m feeling fringe all over and clear plastic on accessories. I’ve been eyeing that clear Chanel hat.

An affordable must-have(s) for every fashionista is:

A jewel tone dress. These colors look good on every skin tone. A casual white t-shirt that you can replace every couple of months so it remains bright and white. I love anything with sequins, like a purple lamè skirt. A pair of jeans that really fit you in all the right places will always be in style. Oh, and fishnet socks if you want to get fancy.

The best style advice I ever received was:

1) Think of your clothing and your wardrobe differently. Find unique sources so you're not constantly wearing the same thing as everyone else. You can rent or thrift clothes to add unique pieces to your wardrobe, or even score a designer piece for less than the original coset. 2) Wear what makes you feel comfortable and confident, there is nothing worse (or obvious) than when you are uncomfortable in what you are wearing. 3) Invest in your accessories. Not only do they have a higher resale value, but it can instantly elevate any outfit.

Rachel Adler, Director of Branded Content, Fashionista

@rachel_adler / Via instagram.com

My summer go-to look is:

High-waisted white jeans or cropped jeans with shirts I can tuck in – I'll rotate through a variety of t-shirts or tanks, and loose crop tops with intricate detailing. It gives me a good base of an outfit to layer with jackets (I love a good light bomber, leather jacket or patterned faux fur) to instantly make an outfit more fun.

I'm most looking forward to:

Like half of the fashion industry right now, I'm on the hunt for a wicker bag that suits me. Nothing too big or bulky, just small and not so picnic-basket like. If you find one, let me know. I'm also looking forward to the many, many mules I'll be able to rotate in my wardrobe. And lastly, I'm a big vintage jewelry person (thanks nana for the collection!) and now that larger pieces and earrings are such a thing, I'm having fun playing around with them a bit more.

An affordable must-have(s) for every fashionista is:

You can create so many different styles with plain white, black, or even gray tanks and t-shirts. I find ones I like at Old Navy or Target (because who doesn't love a good Target run) and then find interesting ways to style them with more intricate pieces of my wardrobe – like layered under a "loud" slip dress.

What is the best style advice you've ever been given?
Wear what makes you comfortable, because you'll always look your best in it!

Do you have a favorite style item for the summer? Let us know down below!