Red Mary-Janes and other unlikely fashion buys to shake up your summer wardrobe

The word “trend” has become a bit of a dirty word in fashion. It represents the kind of clothes that become irrelevant after just a season, that are of little value to the second-hand market, and ultimately end up in landfill sooner than most.

At the same time, it’s hard to reject them entirely. While timeless shirts, blazers and jeans are still the foundations of a good wardrobe, they’d be boring without the opportunity to inject a little newness every so often. 

A well-chosen seasonal addition has the potential to shake you out of a style rut, whether it’s a fresh injection of colour, or a new silhouette, it offers the chance to be creative, boost confidence and bring you joy. And unlike buying a whole wardrobe of trend-led pieces, adding just a single “It” item adds cool without looking like you’ve tried too hard. 

The good news is that the trend cycle moves slower than it used to, so you can buy any of the below items with the confidence that you might wear it for the next two or three years at least. That’s a good innings for a high-street buy.

The best bit though? Finding that hero piece. These are the five purchases that will shake up any summer 2024 look.

Mary-Jane flats