The Best Summer Staples of April 2025, According to ELLE Editors

Who said you need to wait for the Fourth of July to start dressing like summer is in full swing? As April showers hopefully bring May flowers, you might as well get a jump start on the aspirational warm weather wardrobe. Whether you like to plan ahead or are jumping straight in, the spring/summer 2025 runways provided the perfect inspiration. Bally, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Coach, and more labels breathed new life into timeless American sportswear separates. Mid-wash straight leg jeans, button-down shirts, low-profile sneakers, and shrunken jackets appeared across collections. These silhouettes are nostalgic yet timeless staples, calling to mind beach cookouts and sandy toes of years past.

Even if you don’t know where to begin revamping a classic capsule wardrobe, there’s no need to fret—the outfit formula is unbelievably simple. Once you cover all the bases, each combination will naturally fall into place. A Ruadh jean jacket here, a high-waisted Prada denim short there, and the summer Canadian tuxedo is already good to go. In terms of tops, keep it light with a Dany Del Mar cropped tank. Meanwhile, accessories like the iconic Ray-Ban Wayfarers and a chocolate brown Khaite belt add hints of depth to the palette. For a pop of color, opt for red sneakers or a leather Toteme flip-flop—both perfectly blend polish with casual flair. Now all that’s left to find is a warm-weather retreat to let the spring breeze pass you by.

Ruadh Exclusive The Raasey Rigid High-Rise Gaucho Jeans

Tropic of C The C bralette in Hibiscus

Ruadh Exclusive The Remi Denim Jacket

Skechers Hotshot – Varsity Crew

Khaite Lina Crossbody Bag

Re/Done High-Rise Ripped-Knee Loose Jeans

Khaite Scarlet Cashmere Cardigan

Toteme Leather Heeled Flip Flop

Lie Studio The Vera Earrings

Coach Heritage C Snap Front Shrunken Jacket

Dandy Del Mar The Seine RibTank – Shell

Prada Denim Shorts

Khaite Benny Belt

Ray-Ban Original Wayfarer Classic

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Rado Coupole Automatic

A version of this story appears in the April 2025 issue of ELLE.