11 Classic and Easy-to-Wear Outfits for Summer 2026 | Who What Wear
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The older I've gotten, the more my style has become. This, however, isn't something I view as a bad thing. Instead, I find it empowering. Gone are the days of feeling the need to hide myself behind more statement . Now, at the ripe age of 34 and feeling more comfortable in my own skin than I ever have, I've found there's beauty to be had in outfits that I never fully appreciated before.
Of course, I still want my to look classic and chic, but these attributes aren't tethered to high heels and fanciful dresses. On the contrary, I'd argue the most are those that rely on more refined, uncontrived items which, depending on the styling, can work casually or formally. It's something you understand more acutely with trial and error—styling ensembles without worrying about whether they "work" or not and getting a feel for what you like in the process. However, if time is short, I've got you.
I went on the hunt for some classic casual outfits to inspire my own looks this —below are 11 I immediately wanted to copy, and I have a feeling you'll want to, too. Utilising what many of us would call wardrobe "staples" such as blazers, jeans, Oxford shirts, T-shirts and simple skirts, scroll on to see them.
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11 CLASSIC CASUAL OUTFITS TO TRY THIS SEASON:
1. STRIPED TOP + WIDE-LEG JEANS + BOOTS
Style Notes: Ultra-wide denim burst back onto the scene a few seasons ago and are sticking around for 2026, too. Opt for a simple top to keep things understated and complete the look with a pair of red leather , like Marianne.
Shop the Look:
COS Clean Cut Regular T-Shirt £30
Exactly what I want to wear right now.
Reformation Cary High Rise Slouchy Wide Leg Jeans £178
Reformation denim is a fashion editor favourite.
CARVELA Strut Heeled Patent-Faux Leather Ankle Boots £159
An easy way to add a pop of colour.
2. TRENCH COAT + TEE + WHITE SKIRT
Style Notes: Skirts are enjoying a peak in popularity right now, featuring regularly in the casual outfits of my favourite social media dressers. This outfit is centred on my current go-to skirt, the white midi, which is made all the more low-key with the addition of a jersey tee and trench coat.
Shop the Look:
Burberry Gabardine Waterloo Long Trench Coat £1890
Everyone should have a camel trench in their wardrobe.
ARKET Ice Crêpe T-Shirtt £27
A true wardrobe staple.
ZARA Asymmetric Midi Skirt £36
A tonal fit is so elegant.
3. DENIM SHIRT + JEANS
Style Notes: Double denim isn't a new trend but, after appearing on the runways of the likes of , and Chloé, this is a look we're going to see a whole lot more of this season. Handily, it just so happens to be classic and casual, meaning the combination works for a variety of occasions.
Shop the Look:
H&M Feather Soft Oversized Denim Shirt £38
The perfect wash.
AGOLDE '90s High-Rise Straight-Leg Jeans £320
Just the right amount of slouch.
& Other Stories Almond-Toe Ballerina Flats £125
Such a great high-street find!
4. OXFORD SHIRT + PLEATED SHORTS + MULES
Style Notes: Longer shorts are a great choice for warm summer days, especially since they're so easy to dress up. A crisp blouse, structured handbag and pair of kitten-heel can completely elevate this look, just like Sylvie has done.
Shop the Look:
With Nothing Underneath The Classic: Weave, White £110
You'll get so much wear out of this.
Abercrombie & Fitch Mid Rise Bermuda Short £60
Don't underestimate the power of Bermuda shorts.
MANGO Pointed Heel Sandals £36
So chic.
5. CARDIGAN + WHITE JEANS + SLINGBACKS
Style Notes: Denim goes beyond blue jeans—ecru pairs can work just as well in casual outfits and, dare I say, might even look more elegant. I love this relaxed combination featuring a roomy beige cardigan and basket bag.
Shop the Look:
Soft Goat Brushed cashmere cardigan £500
The wrap closure makes this cardigan feel special.
Sézane Slim Parfait Ecru Organic Cotton Jeans £95
The colour and fit are 10/10.
ASOS DESIGN Sienna Mid Block Heel Shoes in Taupe Suedette £28
A chic summer day shoe.
Loewe Basket Bag in Palm Leaf and Calfskin £450
This will never go out of style.
6. POLKA DOT DRESS + MARY-JANE FLATS
Style Notes: I feel like I become more time-poor by the day, so I'm always on the lookout for easy yet elegant outfits I can assemble in a couple of minutes. This look definitely falls into that category. Let a printed midi do the hard work for you; all you need to consider is what shoe to wear it with.
Shop the Look:
RIXO Eleanor Dress £275
This print is so 2026 coded.
LE MONDE BERYL Stella Leather Mary Jane Ballet Flats £425
These flats are going nowhere for 2026.
7. TWEED JACKET + CUFF HEM JEANS + MARY JANES
Style Notes: Jeans are at the heart of many a great casual outfit. Lately my favourite way to style them has been with classy pieces—namely a tweed jacket and mary jane shoes, much like Tia's ensemble above.
Shop the Look:
M&S Collection Textured Jacket With Wool £69
Honestly, this could be designer.
Free People We the Free Isabelle Slim Cuffed Jeans £108
Cuff-hem jeans are winning out this season.
BALLY Banya Leather Mary Jane Ballet Flats £450
Trés chic, non?
8. KNITTED VEST + WIDE-LEG TROUSERS + CLOGS
Style Notes: The beauty of wide-leg trousers is that they can be dressed up or down on a whim, the latter of which is perfectly demonstrated here with the addition of a knitted vest and suede . Comfortable and cool? Sign me up.
Shop the Look:
Sportscraft Wool Blend Ribbed Open Side Knitted Vest £129
So cute.
H&M Belted Linen-Blend Trousers £43
Simple? Yes. But so very effective.
UGG Goldenstar Clog £125
How cosy do these look?
9. LEATHER JACKET + TEE + MAXI SKIRT
Style Notes: When it comes to casual outfits, no jacket style is quite as iconic nor can loan itself to as broad a variety of looks as the leather biker. Personally I think black styles look their best paired with more of just that—black. Try a fluid maxi skirt for a pairing that's so current-looking.
Shop the Look:
Whistles Black Agnes Pocket Leather Jacket £299
A good biker never goes out of style.
CDLP + Net Sustain Tencel Lyocell and Cotton-Blend T-Shirt £79
A much cooler silhouette than bodycon.
Reformation Bella Satin Skirt £218
I'd wear this for evenings too.
10. CROPPED JACKET + JEANS + TRAINERS
Style Notes: Leave it to a structured, cropped jacket to give a little extra sophistication to a jeans-and-trainer combo. With brown still standing strong as a core colour trend this season—try wearing like Jessica has here. Add a sleek suede or leather jacket, then offset with jeans and chunky for the ultimate high/low balance.
Shop the Look:
Massimo Dutti Suede Leather Jacket With Lined Buttons £299
A very modern cut.
MOTHER + Net Sustain the Tomcat Hover High-Rise Straight Leg Jeans £270
The perfect length for showcasing your shoes.
NEW BALANCE Made in Usa 990v6 Suede, Leather and Mesh Sneakers £220
Still a firm favourite.
11. RELAXED SUITING + WHITE TEE
Style Notes: I tend to steer clear from suits on casual days, but I've found that wearing a T-shirt with your tailoring is an easy way to dress it down. Add a pair of sleek boots and a roomy tote and you're ready for a day of shopping and coffee dates.
Shop the Look:
The Frankie Shop Gelso Oversized Blazer £350
The dream blazer situ.
H&M Cotton T-Shirt £7
A minimalist must-have.
The Frankie Shop Gelso High-Rise Wide-Leg Pants £165
The Frankie Shop makes some of the best suits on the market.
This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.
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Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s Deputy Editor and has over fourteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and authoritative content for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, talent interviews self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their search and keyword planning, works closely with the fashion and beauty team on strategy and continues to pen many of her own articles. Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine's contributed to publications including Grazia, InStyle Marie Claire, Elle and Look, amongst others.
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