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Ever wondered what your friendly neighborhood shopping editors are wearing to schlep around their cities in this heat? Wonder no longer.
The top and shorts combo that’s ideal for hot days…
“On the days when it’s at least 95 degrees in Atlanta, I’ve been going for a duo from Uniqlo. The tank top is made of a ribbed knit that’s soft and stretchy, and it has a built-in bra (which means one less extra layer). I love to pair it with these Cotton Easy Shorts, which I’ve talked about extensively. They have a boxer silhouette, spacious pockets, and a stretchy waistband.” —Margo Ghertner
The Gap trousers that look designer…
“I’ve been on the hunt for a pair of cotton pants similar to Donni’s and Leset’s, but I didn’t want to spend a ton. I recently found these new pants from Gap and I can’t stop wearing them. They’re the perfect summer soft pants because of their stylish silhouette, and most importantly, I don’t overheat in them. They come in tall and petite lengths, too.” —Margo Ghertner
A necklace that makes every outfit feel more summery…
“Every summer, I buy a new statement necklace to add to my stack, and this one from Lacey Ryan is my 2026 pick. It makes even the most basic outfits feel extra cool, and I know it’ll transition well into fall. That under $100 price point is great, too. I always pair it with my everyday sunnies.” —Margo Ghertner
Easy-to-style capri pants…
“These were my entrypoint to the capri trend, and I’ve been wearing them weekly. They’re much easier to style than you might fear, chic with flip-flops, ballet flats, and sneakers alike. They also happen to be the most comfortable leggings I own, length notwithstanding. The material is ridiculously soft and has some substance to it (so you can get away with wearing them as real pants), and they offer the gentlest compression that doesn’t feel restrictive on hot days.” —Caroline Goldstein
The perfect little tee…
“I can pretty confidently say this is the best cotton T-shirt I’ve ever worn. It really does skim your body perfectly — not too tight, not too baggy — and is ever so slightly cropped, so it shows just a sliver of skin with my usual low- or mid-rise bottoms. The material isn’t flimsy, so I can get away with wearing this without a bra on days I can’t be bothered. Which, in this heat, is most days.” —Caroline Goldstein
A cool girl sneaker alternative…
“These are what I reach for when I’m sick of wearing sneakers but the vibes aren’t right for sandals. They’re just as comfortable as you’d expect of Adidas, and the lace-up style feels more secure than your typical flat — ideal for walking around the city. They instantly make a pair of jorts and a tee look like an intentional outfit.” —Caroline Goldstein
A pair of linen pants that hold up in the wash…
“When it comes to pants in the summertime, all I want to wear is something loose that won’t cause chafing. Shorts for me can become uncomfortable — longer shorts ride up between my thighs while walking and short-shorts have never been my thing. I always turn to wide-leg pants that won’t weigh me down. These linen-blend ones from Old Navy are affordable, come in a variety of colors, and wash well. I restock them every year.” —Alexandra Napoli
A tee we don’t mind splurging on…
“Light tees are my go-to, and this one from Buck Mason has a boxy cut, so it doesn’t cling to my body. If I start sweating, I don’t get that immediate underboob sweat line. I love the neutral colors because you can pair one with any bottom (linen or denim) and you’ve got a really simple, yet chic outfit. Yes, Buck Mason shirts tend to be on the more expensive side, but I invested in four and I wear them on repeat all summer long.” —Alexandra Napoli
A pair of Birkenstocks we wish we bought sooner…
“I bought my first pair of Birkenstocks this summer, and boy, I am never turning back. After an initial break-in period that was admittedly rough (pro tip: wear them with socks your first week), these sandals are now perfectly molded to my feet. They are stupidly comfortable, so I slip them on for just about everything. I brought them on my most recent vacation to Canada and wore them daily. They’re an iconic summer staple and I’m so glad I finally bit the bullet and got them.” —Alexandra Napoli
A tank top with some substance…
“Finding cute summery tops can be hard when you have a larger bust. We simply cannot go braless. That’s why every summer I turn to this seamless muscle tank from Athleta. It has the comfort and stretch of a workout tank, but the classic cut makes it versatile. I have one in black, navy, and white and pair them all with just about everything in my closet. I love the fact that it has full coverage but is thin and light enough to use as a base layer. PS: If this one is sold out in your size, I love this alternate version.” —Alessandra Rey
A pair of non-restricting denim shorts…
“My rule for wearing denim in the summer is that it must have an elastic waistband. It’s simply too hot for rigid materials without any stretch. I love these paperbag denim shorts because they literally feel like gym shorts. I like the light wash because I tend to wear these with darker tops (no pit stains here) and love the contrast. The tie belt makes an ordinary shorts-and-tee look chic and elevated.” —Alessandra Rey
A pair of sneakers that never give us blisters…
“Whether I’m traveling around Peru or Europe, or bopping around my own neighborhood in Brooklyn, I almost always reach for my Adidas Grand Court sneakers. They not only feel broken-in straight from the box, but they cause zero blisters and go with pretty much everything. They’re my favorite sneaks to throw on when I need to dress down a summer maxi or midi, or to pair with leggings and an oversized button-down for a long flight. You simply cannot go wrong with these.” —Alessandra Rey
A graphic tee made of 100% cotton…
“Hands down, my favorite thing to wear when it’s hot is a cropped graphic tee, since it looks cool with any bottom and is usually made of soft, breathable cotton. This one is especially cool with its graphic design-eque Japan logo and bright colors. Plus, it’s cropped but not to the point where you feel exposed. That little hint of midriff you’re showing is a lifesaver for humid days, trust me.” —Martha Upton
A shorts trend we can get behind…
“I’m psyched by the return of the athletic short. Track short, gym short, whatever you want to call it, I love that it’s become acceptable to wear them even if you’re not working out. They’re always breezy, sweat-wicking, and most have a liner, so you don’t have to wear underwear. These are my favorite pairs I keep in rotation: a classic Nike pair that goes with anything, a pair of lacrosse shorts that come in so many fun colors, and an Abercrombie pair that look like old school Soffe shorts. —Martha Upton
A pair of comfy slim sneakers…
“If I am out and about, I’m going to be wearing sneakers. But I absolutely hate when my feet get hot. I’ve trekked around Europe in these and never had that problem. I love a slim sneaker because it pairs so well with casual outfits but looks great with a summer dress, too. The new yellow version is calling my name.” —Martha Upton