For years, white dresses have been the undisputed hero of summer dressing. They’re timeless, effortless, and always look chic, but this season, stylish dressers are gravitating toward something that feels a bit more directional. Instead of reaching for another crisp white silhouette, fashion people are embracing striped summer dresses—a trend that delivers the same easy elegance while adding just enough visual interest to feel fresh for 2026.
There’s something inherently elevated about stripes during the warmer months. Whether they’re delicate pinstripes, bold nautical-inspired lines, or softly faded vintage motifs, they instantly give a dress more personality without sacrificing versatility. The print feels polished yet relaxed, making it an easy choice for everything from long lunches and weekend markets to vacations and everyday city wear. It’s the kind of trend that doesn’t rely on loud colors or dramatic details to make an impact—it simply looks expensive.
As we move deeper into summer and begin thinking ahead to early fall, striped dresses continue to prove their staying power. They pair effortlessly with everything from minimal sandals and woven accessories to sleek ballet flats and lightweight knits once temperatures begin to cool. If your closet already has its fair share of white dresses, consider this the season to branch out. A striped summer dress delivers the same effortless appeal while giving your wardrobe a subtle update that feels undeniably current.
I'll admit, I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to the best perfumes. Thanks to my job, I've been lucky enough to try some of the world's most luxurious fragrances, and they definitely don't come cheap. It means I've developed quite an expensive taste in scents, and I can't see that changing anytime soon. So, when I met my friend for brunch and immediately got a waft of one of the most elegant perfumes I've come across, I asked her what it was and was shocked to hear it was from Zara.
I've written about Zara perfumes in the past and definitely consider them some of the best affordable fragrances on the market. However, I didn't know that they could be this good. The minute I found out the name of the scent my friend was wearing (Zara Golden Decade, FYI), I went on the brand's website and was delighted to see that it was only £23. Honestly, it's giving my £230 perfumes a run for their money.
The only downside? This fragrance sells out a lot. It's finally back in stock, so I thought it was the perfect time to write about it, but if you want to smell it for yourself, you'd better act fast...
If you've considered buying this perfume yourself, you might have noticed that there are quite a few iterations available. Yes, it seems that the scent is so popular that Zara has expanded on the Golden Decade range, and I'm certainly not mad about it. However, let's talk about the original. This luminous, sensual scent is a true head-turner, with notes of mandarin, orange blossom, lavender and vanilla. Whilst it opens with an uplifting, citrusy aroma, the warm, sweet undertones soon unfurl onto the skin, creating this captivating blend that feels sophisticated yet modern. It's a true desk-to-date-night perfume that envelops the senses in this fruity, floral, heady cloud.
As mentioned, there are now different variations of the perfume available, and I have to say, they are just as captivating as the original. Whilst some of my favourites have already sold out, you can currently shop Golden Decade Elixir, an intense, concentrated version of the popular scent, alongside Golden Decade Sweet, a gourmand fragrance with heightened notes of vanilla. Honestly? I'm yet to come across a version I don't love.
You're probably thinking, for £23, the perfume can't last long, right? Wrong. Thanks to the warm, heady base, this actually lingers on the skin way longer than you'd expect from a high-street scent. Plus, thanks to the affordable price tag, I don't mind throwing a smaller bottle in my bag to top up throughout the day. I usually have some reservations with trending perfumes, but I know Golden Decade will be a firm favourite in my collection for years to come.
Sparkling, citrusy notes of grapefruit make this perfume a summer delight.
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We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
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I've been writing about celebrity style as a Who What Wear editor for a very long time (12 years to be exact), and I can say with confidence that the number of times Dakota Johnson has not looked cool over the years is zero. If you see her wearing a trend, she styled it in the coolest way possible—trust me. The latest example of this came a few days ago when Johnson was photographed in Los Angeles. The trend she chose to wear that day was a big one: silky pants. And the way she chose to style them felt completely fresh and modern, even though the trend has been around for a minute.
Whether in a taffeta-like material or more of a fluid satin one, such as the pair Johnson opted for, at least one pair of silky pants is in seemingly every fashion person's closet these days. While they have an inherently dressy look, Johnson found a very simple outfit formula that's about as low-key as it gets—in a good way. She wore her long black satin pull-on pants with high-vamp ballet flats and an oversized vintage T-shirt. To get the look, you could follow her formula to a T or simply wear any type of ballet flats and oversized T-shirt. To complete the cool satin-pants look, you'd also be wise to follow Johnson's lead and carry a suede tote.
Scroll on to find out how to recreate the Dakota Johnson-approved silky-pants outfit and shop a handful of the coolest versions of the trend on the internet right now.
I'll be honest, I'm not really a foundation lover. When I was a teenager, foundation formulas were thick, heavy and breakout-inducing, constantly settling into patches of dry skin and somehow making my skin look worse, rather than better. Instead, I reached for tinted moisturisers and skin tints, pairing them with my favourite concealers when I needed a little extra coverage.
However, formulas have come a long way in recent years, and brands have been creating sheer foundations that deliver everything I've ever wanted in a base product. Light-to-medium coverage, a lightweight feel, and a glowy finish that makes it look as if I spend my days getting weekly facials. What more could you want?
Since discovering these sheer foundation formulas, I've made it my mission to test some of the best on the market, and I've whittled it down to a concise edit of products that I know will be in my makeup bag for years to come. I've never had more compliments on my skin since swapping out my usual base products for these sheer formulas, so I highly suggest you keep on scrolling...
This is the OG of sheer foundations, and for good reason. The lightweight formula feels undetectable on the skin, and whilst a small amount offers a sheer, naturally radiant finish, the coverage is buildable, so you can create a slightly heavier base if desired. I love wearing this when I want to smooth and even out my skin, without feeling like I'm actually wearing a lot of makeup. My only complaint? I wish the bottle came with a pump, as I find it can be quite messy to apply.
2. Victoria Beckham Beauty The Foundation Drops With TFC8
I know, I know, this Victoria Beckham Beauty foundation is so expensive. But I wouldn't recommend it if it wasn't one of the best lightweight, sheer formulas on the market. It takes a skincare-first approach, powered by Augustinus Bader’s TFC8, but it's the finish that I can't get enough of. The product glides on like butter, creating this "your skin but better" effect that has everyone asking me what my current makeup routine is. I will say, a little goes a surprisingly long way, and if I apply too much, it can sometimes settle into dry skin or fine lines, so start with a small amount for the best results.
3. No7 Pro Artist Weightless Silk Sheer Foundation
I was really impressed when testing this No7 foundation. It has a lightweight, almost serum-like texture that melts into the skin, creating a beautiful, natural, second-skin finish. It definitely helps even out your skin tone; however, if you have any blemishes that you want to cover, you might want to go in with a concealer, too. It's packed with hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and vitamin E, so there are lots of added skincare benefits, but for me, the best thing about it is how quick and easy it is to apply. If you like a "no makeup" makeup look, you will love this.
If you prefer a foundation stick, this one from Merit is one of the best natural-looking options I've tried. It somehow seamlessly blends a lightweight, sheer finish with impressive coverage, essentially replacing both foundation and concealer in your makeup bag. You can either apply it to areas where you want more coverage, or all over for a blurring effect. My complexion can't get enough, but if you do have very dry skin, you might want to prep with a hydrating moisturiser or primer.
I really, really love this complexion product from Chanel. So much so that I've worn it every single day since getting my hands on it. The unique, gel-like formula is actually made up of around 60% water, which means it hydrates the skin whilst creating the most gorgeous, glowy finish. Micro-droplet pigments burst onto the skin for impressive coverage, whilst remaining incredibly lightweight. Similar to the Victoria Beckham Beauty foundation, a little goes a long way. In fact, just one or two pumps gives an even, illuminated finish that has everyone commenting on how good my skin looks.
I know it seems a bit counterintuitive to say that a sheer foundation has good coverage, but what I love about this formula is that a light layer gives a gorgeously glowy, sheer finish, but when you build it up, you can achieve a little more coverage if desired. It's a great middle ground packed with skin-loving ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and peptides. Fair play, Dior, fair play.
7. Estée Lauder Double Wear Sheer Long-Wear Foundation
It seems strange to have the words "Estée Lauder Double Wear" and "sheer" in the same sentence, but here we are. Whilst the original Double Wear formula is incredibly high coverage, this sheer iteration is ideal if you prefer a lightweight, second-skin base. It's so sheer that when I wear it, I feel like I'm wearing nothing at all. It doesn't cover blemishes, but it does even out your skin tone and add a natural radiance to your complexion, which both get big ticks from me.
I know this is technically a skin tint, but it's so impressive that it felt wrong not to include it in this roundup. Lightweight? Yes. Skin-loving ingredients? Yes. A blurring effect? Yes. A radiant finish? Yes! It's everything I want in a sheer foundation and more, wrapped up in Hourglass' chic packaging. If you feel like a sheer foundation is still a little bit too much for your "no makeup" makeup look, I urge you to try this.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
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