Whenever the word “roommate” enters the chat, it becomes abundantly clear that the conversation will either end in a complete horror story or an absolute dream. I’m fortunate enough to say that I’m one of the lucky ones who shocks everyone with high praises about my roommate. (Shh, don’t tell her.) The chances of us meeting on Facebook Marketplace, having two FaceTime calls, and deciding to move into an NYC apartment a month later were pretty slim. But we beat the odds and now share an air fryer, one too many TikTok videos, and a packed shoe rack. I often find myself standing in her doorway ready to tell her about my workday, the latest celebrity gossip, and most importantly, my favorite fashion finds. And while my roommate and I have a shocking amount of common interests, when it comes to fashion, we’re on entirely different ends of the spectrum. Having the same style would’ve just been too good to be true, but instead of mourning the fact that we can’t share wardrobes, we decided to see where (if anywhere) our fashion interests intersected and search for summer trends we both can’t get enough of. After several thrown hangers, a few fashion articles, and multiple product links, we finally agreed on five trends.
But before we delve into some of the looks we created, allow me to introduce you to my roommate, Eeraj Junaid. She’s a 25-year-old lover of iced coffee, modest fashion, and historic NYC buildings. I’d describe her style as relaxed, classic, yet unexpected. I can never truly predict what she’ll be wearing when I hear her keys jingling in our door, but I always know that she’ll stay true to her personal style regardless of what’s on the market. But I digress. If you want to see how we styled these five summer trends and get to know our styles a little bit better, just keep scrolling.
“Crochet is one of those trends that comes around every summer, but this year, it’s really having a moment, and I’m so here for it. While I love a colorful crochet moment, I’m wearing neutrals to make this trend feel a bit more minimalistic. I paired this black midi skirt with a simple white tank for a more subdued take and used my accessories to play with color.” — Aniyah Morinia, associate editor, Who What Wear. “I don’t know about you, but the comeback of the cardigan has probably been one of my favorite trends to make it back on the scene. Make it crochet, and it’s a perfect summer cover-up or top. I paired this cropped white one with a soft-green midi skirt for an ultra-feminine vibe. — Eeraj Junaid, consultant
“I love the fact that maxi and miniskirts are trending simultaneously this summer. I get the opportunity to switch between the two based on my moods, but recently, I’ve been really gravitating toward maxi skirts. The yellow one I’m sporting has a beautiful floral pattern that’s subtle but still makes a statement. I paired the look with white accessories to really make the yellow pop.” — Morinia. “New York summers are infamously muggy, and maxi skirts are the perfect article of clothing to throw on when you want maximum comfort and minimum fuss. I love this beige maxi skirt because it allows me to dress modestly while its flow ensures my ability to keep cool while wearing it.” — Junaid
“It’s no secret that NYC summers are brutal, so I’m always on the hunt for chic, breathable, and easy pieces. This white linen set checks every box and earned me more compliments than any other look I’ve worn this summer. It’s a major yes from me.” — Morinia. “I’m currently obsessed with everything matching and everything linen, so this set is my dream. This two-piece is marketed as a matching pajama set, but given that it’s linen, it’s a totally passable look out in the real world (whereas that might not be the case with silk or satin). I opted to match all-black accessories with this ‘fit for something reminiscent of what an Olsen twin might wear.” — Junaid
“I’ll be honest: At first, the ‘coastal grandma’ look was not a trend I felt drawn to. But after 72 hours in Montauk and a quick scroll on TikTok, I’ve converted. This trend is all about mixing the basics that you already wear on repeat, so it’s such an easy trend to pull off. I added my own flare to a rather basic look by incorporating a bright bag and interesting shoes.” — Morinia. “This trend speaks to the relaxed, modest girl in me, and I’m here for it. The typical ‘coastal grandma’ look consists of lots of neutrals, which I love and wear on repeat, but this pink hat adds the right amount of color to this otherwise muted look. I throw on my current tote bag in rotation, and I’m ready to hit the farmers’ market or run errands around the city.” — Junaid
“I’ve been dopamine dressing for a couple of years now, and the idea of using clothes as a mood booster has really transformed my wardrobe. Mixing two colors that have been trending hard among the fashion set (Kelly green and orange) felt like a major power move. My confidence skyrocketed when I merged these two hues to create this color-block look. It also plays into that relaxed and baggy look that’s on the rise.” — Morinia”Incorporating color into my earth-toned wardrobe can be a challenge, but summer isn’t summer without a pop of color. I love this blue tiered dress because it incorporates the color I need without feeling too intimidating or out of the box for me. I added this orange bag for a more whimsical touch, and I love how these colors look together.” — Junaid
