If You're Building Your Closet From Scratch, These Summer Basics From H&M, Zara, and Mango Will Help


I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to embrace summer and soak in the sun. Lounging beachside, outdoor dinners, and movies on a lush grassy field are just a few of the activities that make me wish summer were here even sooner. While I’ve been prepping for the season ahead by auditing my wardrobe, it’s become very clear that I have some major wardrobe gaps. These missing pieces can easily be filled by adding a handful of essentials, so I’m officially on the hunt for some new summer basics to round out my closet. I’ve decided to take you all along for the journey in case you share similar sartorial problems. I’m digging through H&M, Zara, and Mango to find the perfect set of pieces to make my summer fashion favorites shine.
If you’re like me, finding elevated basic staples that you can wear repeatedly is of the utmost importance. Luckily, I’ve found some seriously good summer clothing contenders during my H&M, Zara, and Mango deep dive. Keep scrolling to shop my favorite pieces from my hunt. From light and airy blouses, dresses, and pants to the most beautiful everyday shoes, there’s truly such a great mix containing the best summer basics from these top retailers. Get ready to complete your fun summer outfit combinations with a few key buys ahead.
H&M
Zara
Mango

Chinazor "Chichi" Offor is a Georgia-born, Los Angeles–based associate editor who relocated from Brooklyn, New York, and joined Who What Wear's West Coast office in 2022. At WWW, she utilizes over 10 years of editorial experience to dish out shopping advice to the masses and analyze key pop-cultural moments. Chichi previously worked at Refinery29, where she helped revolutionize the brand’s plus-size and inclusive fashion coverage. In her spare time, she’s keeping up with the latest movie releases, enjoying a relaxing day at the spa, or obsessing over her latest ADHD-fueled hyperfixation (e.g., Jesse McCartney's underrated career, the negative effects of bicoastal intellectual elitism, and Gen Z’s loneliness epidemic). You can find her online @thechichio on Instagram.
-
Olivia Rodrigo Just Wordlessly Informed Everyone That This T-Shirt Trend Is *the* Basic to Buy
It's elevated and '90s-inspired.
-
27 Crochet Pieces From Zara, H&M, J.Crew, and More That Scream Cool Girl
You'll wear these on heavy rotation.
-
The Best Elevated Basics to Shop If You Love The Row, According to a Stylist
So chic.
-
My Most Fashionable Friends Live in NYC—They'll Love These 30 Wildly Chic Zara Finds
Cool new staples.
-
I Just Removed Everything From My Sister's Zara Cart—Here's What I Added Instead
Your summer wardrobe, sorted.
-
I Spend a Month in Greece Every Summer—31 Chic Zara Vacation Essentials I'm Eyeing for My Next Trip
Now, let's just hope it all fits in my luggage.
-
From Denim to White T-Shirts—These Are the Specific Brands I Source My Basics From
When you've tried them all, you know what's good.
-
Don't Say You Never Knew—These 32 Elevated Nordstrom Basics Are a Steal During the Half-Yearly Sale
Don't mind if I do.