The summer just started, making it prime time to update your poolside and warm-weather essentials. Lucky for you, Zara’s sale, now live online and IRL, never disappoints with its affordable selection of the season’s top trends.
Whether you’re embracing the Y2K throwback or gearing up for a return to the office, the Spanish retailer’s inventory is here to provide. Think: mini skirts, platform sandals, low-rise jeans, and out-of-the-box tailoring. Of course, there are also items left from the retailer’s winter and spring lineups, offering a chance to prepare for the colder days ahead after a summer in the sun.
Ahead, take a look at some of the biggest trends to add to your summer wardrobe, available at Zara.
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Corsets
Whether you’re going out or heading to brunch, a corset is a go-to, Bridgerton-approved top to wear this summer.
Low-Rise Jeans
If you’re in the mood for a Y2K throwback, a pair of low-rise jeans can cure the nostalgia blues.
Cut-Outs
The era of odd cut-outs continues, with bodysuits, pants, dresses, and tops featuring the skin-baring trend.
Mini Skirts
As the season heats up, the hemlines get shorter. Luckily, mini skirts are a top trend this season, bringing a feminine flair to any summer activity.
Platform Heels
Bratz-inspired platform heels are the ankle-twisting, go-to trend of the season, made for a night of partying or hanging out poolside.
Dopamine Tailoring
As more offices open back up, it’s time to find a summer-appropriate work wardrobe. Thanks to this season’s color trends, you can do so with joyful tailoring.
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We’re all about bringing you the latest and greatest innovations in the green shoe world. From Sylven’s vegan, apple-leather creations to Reformation’s fully recyclable sneakers, our environmentally conscious shoe coverage really runs the gamut. Another one of our favorites is the popular sustainable sneaker brand Cariuma. Its OCA Low even won Best White Canvas Sneaker in our 2020Most Valuable Product (MVP) awards. So if you’ve been impressed with the brand’s offerings in the past, you’re in for a treat! After many requests, Cariuma has officially launched a slip-on sneaker to help you fill in any gaps in your shoe collection.
The Slip-On Skate Pro is a lace-less style crafted with skateboarders in mind; however, it is totally perfect for casual wear. Rubber reinforces the front of the shoe, creating a unique rip-resistant toe area to protect the foot, while the style is versatile enough to be worn with anything from vibrant, colorful dresses to your go-to pair of blue jeans. Comfort and longevity of wear were clearly priorities, as these kicks were designed with a snug arch fit and 360 cushioning in the sole for extra support.
Cariuma’s rise to popularity over the last few years has a lot to do with the brand’s viral OCA Low sneakers, which have over 15,000 reviews raving about their otherworldly comfort and unmatchable versatility. Now with the release of the Slip-on style skate sneaker, Cariuma further secures a foothold in the sustainable shoe market.
While it’s nice to have a well-made, sustainable shoe, Cariuma has made a conscious effort to give back to the planet by helping to revive ecosystems by planting trees. The brand pledges to plant two trees for every pair of shoes sold. While this type of offering isn’t completely new in the retail landscape, Cariuma intentionally created its own in-house reforestation program that works with locals and indigenous folks in Brazil.
Whether you want a new pair of sneaks to coast down a seaside boardwalk or just something easy, simple, and stylish for year-round wear, the Slip-on Skate Pro is worth checking out. You can now choose from five go-with-everything colorways in sizes 5 to 13 on the Cariuma site.
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There’s an episode in season 4 of Gossip Girl, in which the show’s resident “evil dictator of taste,” Blair Waldorf, is unraveling as she tries to balance a full-time job at W Magazine and a hefty course load at Columbia University. So much so that she shows up at a birthday party wearing two different Roger Vivier shoes, a sign for everyone around her that she’s about to implode her life if she doesn’t take a break. But what if Waldorf was making, dare I say, a statement?
While I’ve always been against the idea of mismatched shoes, Gucci’s Resort 2023 collection made me reconsider Waldorf’s mishap. Creative director Alessandro Michele unveiled a look that not only put mismatched shoes on the runway, but celebrated the controversial styling, by way of a two-tone black-and-white blouse-and-pants combo, paired with non-matching shoes.
Michele might be doing this on the runway, but the deliberate mismatching took me back to Sex and the City’s season 3, when Carrie and her crew fly to Los Angeles to escape the monotony of their New York lives. So much so that Carrie forgoes all styling rules and dons different color shoes in metallic hues for their first night out. The statement — probably concocted by the show’s costume designer Patricia Field — signaled that one of the best ways to spice up your life is to break all the rules, even if you look like you rushed out of the house without looking in a mirror.
After Gucci’s show, I set out to try the trick on my own. While fashion brands like Sarah Jessica Parker’s SJP Collection and Charlotte Stone have offered different color shoes for some time now, I figured the best (and frankly most affordable) way to try it for myself was to literally wear two mismatched shoes in one outfit. I first analyzed the references in front of me: I could go all out with contrasting, metallic colors à la Bradshaw, or I could take a tip from Waldorf’s mishap and wear two different shoes that were quite similar to one another.
As a fan of neutral dressing, I went with the latter because, well, baby steps. I also made sure to choose two pairs of shoes that were the same height because this experiment could not end up with me limping, or worse, a broken hip. I figured a white slip-on sandal with zigzag strings in front could go well with a beige sandal that featured wavy straps. As long as we were going for mismatched, I figured the asymmetry between the two pairs was justified.
Then, came the styling, which was easier than I imagined. I paired a white tank top — one of the season’s top trends — with a denim jacket and high-waisted shorts, a relatively blank canvas for the weirdness going on with my feet. I added a beige shoulder bag and white sunglasses. If you follow the colors there, you can see the formula: Pair each of your shoes to something in your outfit to make them fit in with the look, just like at Gucci. And it worked: no one — not even my boyfriend, who I went out with wearing the outfit — noticed I was wearing two different shoes (or at least, they were polite enough not to stare).
While this may be a quirky styling tool, much like with Bradshaw, it works wonders when your closet — or even your life — is feeling stagnant. And even when you’re feeling in shambles, accidentally wearing two different shoes by mistake, go with it. It’s a statement.
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The sun’s out to play, and the carousel of one-and-done outfits is in motion. Dresses are likely the choice, and we’re on board with that. Who doesn’t love a cheerful frock or the airiness of a loose house dress? R29 editors adore the flexible piece so much that they’ve come to share their favorite summer dresses of 2022 with you lovely people. The silky LBD of your dreams or vibrant party dress could be around the corner.
For their chosen frocks, we’ve tapped into some of the buzziest summer fashion trends of 2022. Think itty-bitty mini dresses and bodycons in playful colors, such as hot pink and bright green. There are sleek black styles for the minimalist shoppers, too. Plus, the airflow and breathability of these variations are top-notch, making them a desirable summer staples.
So if you’re on the market for a new piece or two to add to your summer roundup, look no further. Finding your new designated go-to for busy errands, outings, and even hangover brunches has never been this easy. It’s simply within the five dresses R29 editors declare they’d wear all season long.
“While this might not *actually* be the dress I would choose for a desert island, it IS my go-to for summer. Running errands, black T-shirt dress. Airport outfit for vacation, black T-shirt dress. Hungover brunch with the girls, black T-shirt dress. Walking the dog and haven’t decided what I want to wear today? You guessed it, black T-shirt dress! It has been a staple in my closet for years, and this one is my favorite since it’s not too short or too long.” —Sam Baker, Vice President Commerce and Partnerships
“Aside from being the most perfect shade of pink to complement summer sunsets, the Zena Mini Dress in pink from Princess Polly has the most flattering fit. The ruching fabric allows you to look and feel snatched right around the waist without feeling tight. Additionally, the breathable fabric allows you to enjoy those summer outings without breaking a sweat.” —Jasmine Cubillán, Affiliate Intern
“I just got this dress recently, but I can already tell I’ll be living in it this summer. First of all, the airy cotton fabric is super lightweight and breezy, making it perfect for staying cool (and looking cute) in scorching weather. Second, I’m a total sucker for a back detail, and the crisscross straps are so pretty on. I don’t typically go for baby-doll styles, but this one looks modern and flirty instead of overgrown-child vibes. I copped it in a truly stunning shade of emerald green that appears to be sold out (*cries*), but there’s still many colorways available that I also love!” —Karina Hoshikawa, Beauty & Wellness Market Writer
“For someone who rarely wears dresses, a simple slip is a must-have for the humid NYC summer heat. It works with for my personal taste as I prefer to wear things that aren’t super “feminine” or form fitting. You can also literally pair a slip dress with anything (sneakers, boots, sandals, mules) and it can easily transition from day to night. A no-brainer!” —Kate Spencer, Affiliate Strategist
“Even in the summer, there is no item more versatile than a little black dress. I bought this style earlier in the spring after seeing my friend try it on at the Cuyana store in Manhattan (she also bought it that day) and have worn it on repeat ever since. Thanks to the Pima Cotton and the sleeveless silhouette, it’s extremely breathable. Meanwhile, the back drape detail and the slits add a touch of unexpected to what is otherwise a T-shirt dress. I love that I can dress it up or down with accessories and wear it everywhere from work to a summer event.” —Irina Grechko, Fashion Director
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
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