9 Zara, H&M and COS Summer Staples Making Heatwave Dressing Chicer

June 23, 2026

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The summer solstice marked the arrival of the new season, and in response, the temperatures are about to skyrocket. Right now, many of us are booking rooftop restaurants for the weekend, planning picnics in the park and adding fans to our Amazon basket (with a discount thanks to the Amazon Prime Day sale). Now, it’s time to figure out what we’re going to wear for the scorching hot days. Personally, I’m looking to Zara, H&M and COS to bring their innate elegance to warm-weather dressing, and make the stifling days exceedingly chic.

Woman wears white COS dress, shell necklace, black bag and black shoes — *Anouk wears the* *COS Sculpted Pleated Linen Midi Dress (£169)*

This year, my goal is to take on the heat with a serious dose of sophistication. Of course, I have a few trusted outfits I go to, but this year I want to take them to a whole new level. Whilst a tank top and cut-off shorts can do the trick, there are plenty of elegant outfits that are just as breezy, but feel much more put-together. And that’s where great summer staples come in.

Looking to our trust high street heroes, Zara, H&M, and COS have bolstered their summer offerings with a series of refined summer staples which make elegant dressing so easy, even on the hottest days. Light fabrics of cotton and linen bring an airy edge to all aspects of our wardrobes, allowing us to play with silhouette and proportion to make the hottest days both breezy and polished. The best thing about stocking up on summer staples is that they can be depended upon every single year. The airy linen trousers you buy for 2026 will hold their place for many years to come, just like the pretty dress you pair with simple sandals and a basket bag. As high temperatures are rare in this country, we all want to make the most of them, so forget scrolling for hours through the new-in sections. Instead, I’ve curated a refined edit of mix-and-match summer staples from Zara, H&M and COS that stylish people rely on every year to take on the heat. Now, scroll on to shop, and enjoy the sunshine!