Life-changing jeans and the ultimate holiday shoes

May is my favourite month. It looks great, for a start, with the best of the blossom and everyone wreathed in bank holiday smiles. If you’re in the market for a little treat to celebrate, look no further. I’ve got the just-loose-enough new-season jeans and the snap-up-now holiday shoes. Plus, a couple of bits I’ve snuck in just because I love them and I think you will, too. Happy best month of the year, my friends.

This shortlist of items is covered in a column for the Filter.

Lee Rider loose straight jeans

From £75 at Lee
£95 at Anthropologie

I’m not going to sugar-coat this any longer, people. Jeans that are at all clingy on your legs look dated now. This is not about trying to look younger; it’s about not looking as if you’re stuck in the past. If you make one change to your wardrobe in 2025, switching to a loose jean shape should be it. I have found the holy grail of jeans for grownups, which look cool but not ridiculous. Lee, which at 136 years old has almost as much heritage as that other denim brand beginning with L, has a Rider loose straight jean in quality rigid denim and a generous but not floppy silhouette. Gamechanger.

Cherry bead earrings
£17.99 at Zara

A few weeks back, I wrote about how the era of the plain hoop and simple chain is over, and it’s time to start wearing fun, colourful jewellery again. Lots of you were quite cross with me about this because gold-hoops-with-everything was a helpful style shortcut that took one decision off your morning to-do list. Sorry, but also not sorry, because I’m right, and also because, look at these! Adorable! Even if these aren’t your bag, I recommend a whiz through Zara jewellery at some point. It is always at the outsize and eccentric end of the spectrum, which felt wrong until recently, and now suddenly feels right.

Ikesia sandals
£215 at Ancient Greek Sandals

I’m going to Greece on holiday next month, and a Greek holiday calls for the perfect Greek sandals, which I believe to be these. They’re an investment buy – £215 – but just the right balance of chic and practicality. Ancient Greek Sandals are traditionally made in Greece in beautiful soft leather. I like a slingback – they stay on better – and I hate a toe hoop, which is a blister waiting to happen; but the brand has various shapes to suit what works for you. The Ikesias are available in black, tan and ivory.

Sparkly knitted cape
£108 at John Lewis
£108 at Jigsaw

Those of you old enough to remember the pashmina will understand the solid-gold usefulness of a piece that you can wear over a fancy outfit to keep a chill off, without killing the vibe. This cape has the spirit of the pashmina, crossed with 2025’s passion for knitwear that drapes around your shoulders. It could be the top half of a look all by itself, over a T-shirt and jeans. It can also be draped around your shoulders, like a shimmering stole, to take your party dress outside or after dark.

Embroidered fringed dress
£79.99 at Zara

I try so hard to be practical and useful for you wonderful people, I really do. To recommend Sensible Buys. Sometimes, though, there are pieces I want and desire and crave even if I can’t pretend for a moment that I need them. I’m not going to make a logical case for this dress; I’m just putting it here because it’s gorgeous and unusual and affordable and maybe now and again, that’s enough.

What’s hot – and what’s most definitely not – this week

Going up

Fake tan | Sales of self-tan products are up 14% at John Lewis. There’s a mini heatwave on the way. Brace yourself for malfunctions, such as Blake Lively’s smeared dress.

Bananas | Is the elongated fruit gearing up to be what the heritage tomato was to summer 2024? See Jon Gries (Gary/Greg from The White Lotus) in Jacquemus’s new banana-obsessed campaign.

Plant nannies | For $50 an hour, a plant minder will come to your house when you’re on holiday to care for your “botanical babies”. Think we’ll stick to asking a neighbour in return for a large Toblerone from the duty-free shop.

Going down

Souvenir keyrings | Bye-bye Eiffel Tower keyring, hello fluffy Nordic elf with a distinctive snaggletooth. Everyone from Dua Lipa and Rihanna to Gemma Collins has been spotted with a Labubu swinging from their handbag.

Massaged kale | Sorghum, a starchy grain with twice the protein of quinoa is becoming a homegrown “it” crop in the US due to the trade wars. Stand by for Gwyneth and the Goop set to co-sign the staple.

Punch bowls | First came the mini martini. Now a shot-sized daiquiri (AKA a snaquiri) and almost-negligible negronis are joining one-sip cocktail lists.