I’m Skipping These Summer Trends and Buying These 10 Anti-Trend Alts Instead

Ask anyone who sits near me in the Who What Wear office, and they will, without hesitation, tell you that I’m not a safe person to ask about buying into trends. I don’t have an ounce of self-control when it comes to clothes, shoes, and accessories, and I want those around me to act accordingly. But even a certified trend maniac like me sometimes grows tired of them. When that happens, I know I can count on chic anti-trend staples to get me through.

First, I want to clarify that being classified as anti-trend doesn’t mean something is boring. In fact, I’d argue that for a piece to be considered anti-trend, it must be good enough to have outlived the trend cycle and entered into the very exclusive “timeless” category. Think cat-eye sunglasses, trenches, button-down shirts, and a stellar pair of black strappy sandals. They’ll be cool forever—no matter what’s trending—making them the best investments. 

Below, see which summer trends I’m passing on in favor of some more classic anti-trend items that I can count on no matter what.