i do Very It’s all about discovering fashion treasures as fashion editor for Who What Wear UK, but there’s something about the new designer proposals for Spring/Summer 2026 that has me particularly excited for the coming season. I believe spring is the perfect time to invest in your wardrobe because taking stock and clearing things out at the beginning of the year feels like second nature, but I’m also interested in the newness that’s coming (blame my dedication to my art).
Especially after a long winter and a slow start to spring, we’re finally able to enjoy the blissful, warm weather we saw on the runways, but until summer actually starts, I’ve been thinking carefully about what to wear in between. Florals, sheer skirts, blouses and sandals may be surging in searches at the moment, but the reality is still a slightly cooler (read: temperamental) forecast. Still, confident that I could dress with all the optimism of summer but with a little more spring sensibility, I started looking for investment pieces that could do both, and naturally my search led to luxury brands.
The high street serves its purpose when it comes to affordable pieces that instantly catch on to buzzy, subtle trends, but if you’re looking for a piece you can buy now but wear for years to come, I always find designer shopping a great place to start. Spending a little more guarantees premium materials, quality craftsmanship, and an eye for design and detail that is often unmatched by cheaper pieces. Longevity and wearability are important when shopping any time of year, but especially in spring/summer when weather changes can be drastic overnight. So, determined to find a luxury purchase to meet my (and your) needs, I tried on as many designer pieces as possible in one morning and bring you a short edit of the pieces that really impressed me.
From the Totem co-ord that will be huge again this summer, to the classic Loewe bag, which has a new look for 2026, these are luxury buys that I think are worth your time (and hard-earned money). Happy scrolling.
JW Anderson Rugby Top and Kilt
Style Notes: Whether it’s limited to a return to collegiate preparation or simply Hailey Bieber effect, suddenly rugby shirts feel like ultra-cool territory. Having already bought one from Zara last year, what was once a crisp, bright shirt quickly turned into a wrinkled, faded tee after washing, so imagine my delight at seeing this fine knit on the rail in Selfridges.
It was the colors that first caught my eye, but the soft finish really piqued my interest, and cotton/wool blends like this really come into their own in a cool spring that requires protection from the cold, but also not too much sun. For me, it was perfect on its own, but in autumn you can layer over a t-shirt, and in winter it’s enough to wear under your wool coat, so how about year-round wear? Feeling like wearing it with Failsafe jeans, I also wore a wool lehenga from the brand, another piece that I believe is perfect for spring, with enough breathability without being flimsy. A strong start from JW.
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JW Anderson
Striped Rugby-Collar Knit Polo Top
Such a light and easy knitwear that you can wear with jeans, tailored trousers, mini, midi and maxi skirts, cargo trousers, capris…
JW Anderson
Raw-Edge Belted Wool Lehenga
In the winter I live in this skirt with chunky knits and knee-high boots, but right now it looks perfect with a tank top and flats.
Totem Monogram Cotton Shirt and Wide Leg Trouser
Style Notes: Regular readers of Who What Wear UK will know how popular this Totem monogram coordination has been around so much for the past few years that I was desperate to try it for myself. You may be more familiar with the silk version of PJ-style tops and trousers, but Totem are relying on the best-selling cotton version this year as it just arrived in white and powder blue.
A word of warning, yes, the cotton is fine and therefore a bit see-through (not transparent enough to show my entire underwear, but enough to let light in), so think carefully about what you wear underneath. However, when worn it feels like light, soft linen, something that would be ideal during a heatwave. Warm weather is based entirely on comfort, and it provides that to a great extent, in fact feeling as if wearing nothing at all. To keep the look from looking too pajama-like, I’ll add leather sandals, a large tote and a jumper tied around the waist. (You never know when you might need it).
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totem
Monogram Spread-Collar Cotton
Dress up with jeans and a trench coat and loafers for a cool start to the day.
totem
Monogram-Print Wide-Leg Cotton-Blend Pajama Bottoms
I would also wear a white tee and layered crew neck with these.
Victoria Beckham Satin Twist Dress
Style Notes: It may not be for everyday wear, but it’s a dress for a summer occasion if I’ve ever seen one. Weddings! Parties! Maybe even on a particularly lavish date night! This dress proves why VB is especially adept at costume design. interested and wrapped up Absolutely In the right places, it’s all about defining the female form, and I couldn’t be more comfortable with that. I said goodbye to clingy bodycon dresses a long time ago, and sometimes baggy styles don’t feel that special – it’s a happy middle ground, and there’s something about this color in particular that I’m sure will invite compliments. There’s no need to over-style an outfit like this as it already does all the talking, so just add a strappy heel and a simple bag and you’re ready to go for summer get-togethers.
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Victoria Beckham
Asymmetric Twist Satin Midi Dress
Very beautiful in bright indigo, but it also comes in a blooming, soft reddish pink.
sir fringe bodysuit
Style Notes: Having never owned any products from SIR yet, this was an impressive introduction to the brand. With all the pleasing thickness of a premium piece (something you don’t get on the high street), it immediately had me wandering through the rail, it was just too attractive to ignore. Minimalists will appreciate its closeness to a simple tank top, maximalists will love the exciting fringing, it’s one of those pieces that commands attention, and it feels surprisingly versatile. Wear under a blazer as part of a suit? Wear it with a printed skirt and heels? Keep it casual with baggy jeans and flats? It can really serve as a base layer in all your summer outfits, and the thick fabric has just the right amount of smoothness for ‘all day wear’ comfort.
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Sir.
Marceline Fringe Bodysuit
I’m convinced- there’s nothing this top can’t do.
Frankie Shop Drop Waist Maxi Dress
style notes: It’s becoming a regular occurrence that I fall in love with something I see at Frankie Shop, and this dress is no exception. The brand always manages to make simplicity effortlessly elegant, and this dress is exactly the kind of thing I’d wear straight out of bed during the summer. Slung waists, unexpected shades of green, contrasts in texture – this is how to achieve light-hearted minimalism without compromising the joy of dressing up. My only query? For me the skirt started a few inches below the navel, but on the models it’s more like mid-knicker grazing. Naturally this isn’t a problem, but you might want to try it out first to see where it falls on you.
Frankie’s Shop
Ilia Drop Waist Cotton Blend Maxi Dress
It’s also available in cream and an eye-catching burgundy color on the Frankie Shop site.
Loewe Featherlight Puzzle Bag
Style Notes: I have a thing for bags that’s almost as bad as my thing for shoes, so I’ve managed to amass a collection ranging from cheap and cute high street things to vintage designer finds that I’ve had to save up for. a contemporary However, the designer bag I have is a Loewe puzzle, and I’ve used it almost every day since getting it. Not only are the puzzles huge to look at, but they’re recognizable from a mile away (no quiet luxury here). If you’re debating whether or not to make the jump, the newest puzzles were recently re-editioned in celebration of the bag’s 10th anniversary, and now come in fun new colors and limited editions. However my money is on this brilliant shade of burnt red. Now this is a bag you can take to the airport, beach bar, boardroom, and birthday party. So this is your spring and summer season.
Loewe
Small Featherlight Puzzle Bag in Nappa Lambskin
There’s something about the petite size that makes it feel dressy and evening-ready.
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