What's hot for summer? Chunky slides, wide pants and white shirts reinvented.

The season, it seems, isn't cluttered with neons and bright prints in apparel, said Dana Avidan-Cohn, a senior editor at InStyle magazine. Florals and gingham popped up on runways , but she's feeling more classic touches in solids made modern for summer's easy living.

Check out these essentials:

The ‘ugly sandal'

The chunky “ugly sandal” with the comfortable sole and wide straps has enjoyed a higher fashion profile, helped along by women pairing them with more sophisticated pieces.

“They're like a throwback to the original Birkenstocks with the double-thick strap,” Avidan-Cohn said. “There are a zillion copycats now, but the actual original Birkenstock in a solid black or white, or even a black patent, is trendy again.”

Good for all ages, and for all-day walking, this slide worn with a lightweight white cotton shirtdress, for example, is displacing delicate strappy sandals of seasons past, she said.

A lot of the styles are adjustable. Black is a popular color that Avidan-Cohn likes with a white pedicure.

Wide, cropped pants

This spring look is floating into summer, hitting at the mid-calf.

“A lot of women say, ‘Oh I have short legs. I can't wear cropped pants.' But it's just a matter of hemming the pant to your mid-leg,” Avidan-Cohn said.

And by wide, she means culottes wide.

“They require a more substantial shoe, a chunky shoe whether it's flat or with a heel,” she said. “I like to see the waist on these pants, so I like a shirt that hits where your natural waist is at the top of the pant, not showing any skin.”

In shorts, the high-waisted style paired with cropped tops that also aren't belly-baring — hitting just below the waistband — is holding for summer.

Midiskirts and dresses

Avidan-Cohn suggests these staples as less sundress and more polished, 1940s-inspired silhouette.

The look isn't particularly structured, but can be feminine and airy, hitting at the mid-calf. Pleats fancy things up and offer a nearly universal shape.

“It makes almost every woman's waist look thinner. If you wear it with a heel, a longer silhouette makes you look taller. And you can find them with all types of strap details so it's easy to pair a bra with,” she said.

Jewelry

Try some delicate, stackable rings, but don't feel honor-bound to stack.

Split them across fingers or wear one above the knuckle with another on the thumb, Avidan-Cohn said.

You can personalize with your initials or buy plated metal to save a few bucks. Avidan-Cohn suggests sticking to one color metal.

The white shirt

This staple has been made new again.

“There are all of these different variations now on a classic, cotton-white shirt, which is the most comfortable thing to wear during summer,” Avidan-Cohn said.

Forget your basic fitted button-down. Some have asymmetric hems, so the back is longer. Others are without collars or sleeves.

Ways to wear them are many: layer over a structured skirt, leave the shirttails out in the back or roll up the sleeves.

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