From fresh takes on classic styles to aughts-era resurgences (that will either make millennials cringe or feel incredibly geriatric), there’s a dizzying amount of summer 2026 fashion trends to dig into. But one thing is for certain — much like the summer’s biggest home decor trends, we’re seeing bold personality, maximalism, vivid colors and visually interesting textures dominating the fashion world, too. We’re saying goodbye to the ultra-neutral “quiet luxury” looks of the past and embracing more styles that allow for far more freedom to show off our unique personalities.
What’s Trending in Fashion for Summer 2026?
We’ll dig into more specific trends below, but the overarching themes we’re seeing include lots of texture in the form of embroidery, crochet, lace, ruffles and ruching, alongside voguish green and blue colors. We’re seeing saturated green hues take the stage — like chartreuse, mint, olive and grass green — as well as powder blue and cerulean. (The latter being a sneaky nod to “The Devil Wears Prada 2” — at least that’s what we like to believe!) These green and blue hues — also heavily trending amongst the top mani/pedi colors of the summer — are being complemented with chocolate brown, caramel and tan shades. Those warm neutrals are a stylish holdover from previous seasons’ trends, making it easy to transition with the weather and refresh your wardrobe for this summer.
Speaking of which, if it feels too soon for these summer-y styles, just know that you can still get a head start on hotter temperatures simply by adding a light layer on warm spring days — like throwing a blazer or cardigan over a tank dress. Read on for more of the summer’s most fashionable trends and how to style them.
Table of Contents:
- Short and to the (Needle)Point
- Tanks a Bunch
- Embrace the Lace
- Caught Red-Footed
- Crochet, You Stay
- Shirts and Skirts Askew
Short and to the (Needle)Point
There are a few emerging trends in the realm of shorts for summer 2026, but embroidered shorts are by far the most fun! The eye-catching trend is popping up on different shorts styles, from sleek and tailored to high-fashion bloomers (yes, that’s another trend). The detailing is typically some sort of pretty floral, but can range from delicate and elegant to bold and whimsical — so you can easily find a pair to suit your vibe.
BDG Georgie Embroidered Denim Cutoff Shorts
How to style it: You can never go wrong with a pair of denim cutoffs, and the detailing here is subtle enough that you can pair it with a fun blouse — maybe something lacy or ruffled — and trendy raffia hat for a pretty, yet laidback vibe.
Price: $79 at Urban Outfitters
Friends Like These x Lucy Mecklenburgh Embroidered Tailored Shorts
How to style it: These tailored shorts are perfect for a more polished look. Pair them with a silk cami or a breezy button-down for a seaside chic style.
Price: $75 at Next US
Farm Rio Stitched Garden Embroidered Shorts
How to style it: Pair ‘em with the matching blouse for a bold look, or a simple white tee for a more approachable, everyday style.
Price: $148 at Saks Fifth Avenue
ASOS DESIGN Bloomer Shorts with Floral Embroidery
How to style it: There’s a whole underwear-as-outerwear thing going on in fashion right now (think: fully visible bras), but these adorable embroidered bloomers actually feel approachable for everyday wear with a simple tank or cropped, ruffle-hem blouse.
Price: $19.34 (orig. $42.99) at ASOS
Tanks a Bunch
Another recent style trend teleported straight from the ’90s, the minimalist yet super-chic tank dress was seen all over this year’s fashion runways from Prada to Calvin Klein. But we’re not complaining! The style is incredibly easy to slip on and look sophisticated (even on the laziest of summer days), especially when you tap into the summer’s trendiest colors.
Vitamin A West Rib Tank Dress
How to style it: Camel- and caramel-colored dresses are a major summer 2026 fashion trend in their own right, but they look especially chic in the form of a tank dress — and paired with another super-hot trend: red kitten heels.
Price: $79.97 (orig. $138) at Nordstrom Rack
Signature Rib Maxi Dress
How to style it: Body-skimming and stretchy (but ever on-trend in this cerulean blue), feel free to play into the sporty vibe with a stylish pair of slimline or ballet sneakers.
Price: $74.99 (orig. $99) at Athleta
Tank Midi Dress
How to style it: A bit more structured and office-ready, pair this trendy green tank dress with pumps — and a lightweight blazer because you know the office AC is always set to Antarctic temps!
Price: $78 (orig. $130) at Banana Republic Factory
Embrace the Lace
There’s something about lace that’s so enduring, whether it’s in the ever-present bohemian aesthetic or the flirty romanticism of cottagecore (and all the little “core”-lets it has birthed in the past few years). But this summer, a certain one-time staple is back. Yes, my fellow elder millennials: lace-trimmed layering camis are, in fact, back in style — and I can smell the pungency of the Hollister stores of my youth just by looking at them.
Fortunately, you don’t need to lean on that aughts throwback to jump on this lacy trend. The pretty look is flourishing across all types of garments and in every color, so it’s super easy to incorporate into your summer 2026 wardrobe.
All You Need Is Lace Midi Dress in Green Eyes
How to style it: Stunning in this on-trend, saturated green, all this dress needs is a cute brown sandal to complete the look.
Price: $128 at Free People
Kimchi Blue Juniper Lace Trim Tie-Front Crop Tank Top
How to style it: Flirty ruffles and teensy lace trim lend to a boho vibe, but this versatile crop can be paired with a simple maxi skirt or dark denim and a platform sandal for a range of looks.
Price: $39 at Urban Outfitters
Fiona Mini Slip Dress in Dusk Blue
How to style it: Go full millennial and team up this trendy blue mini dress (aka extra-long tank, or “tunic” in the olden days) with a pair of pants or jeans — the aughts-era style is back and arguably better than ever.
Price: $68 at Free People
LyreBird Heirloom Lace-Trim Satin Shorts in Malachite Green
How to style it: Silk shorts — especially in this loose-fitting, lacy style — are their own major fashion trend for summer 2026, often elevated with something a little more structured on top, like a blazer. The key is to not go too casual or matchy-matchy, as you risk looking like you ventured outside in your pajamas!
Price: $68 at Anthropologie
Caught Red-Footed
Pops of red have been spotted everywhere this season, but the most fun way to add the look to your summer 2026 wardrobe is with a pair of red shoes. We’re seeing the vibrant hue on sandals, slingbacks and even jelly shoes. Yes, you read that correctly. It’s yet another nostalgic fashion trend to make my fellow millennials weep — this time from the stinging memory of physical pain. Fortunately, today’s jelly shoes have been perfected so they’re actually comfortable this time around!
Matisse Vicky Mary Jane Jelly Flats
How to style it: Mary Janes are one of the hottest forms that jellies are taking this season, making them fun to pair with everything from jeans to flowy dresses. You can even team them up with white ankle socks and a tennis skirt for a sporty-meets-flirty look.
Price: $42 at Anthropologie
LifeStride Navine Sandal
How to style it: This kitten heel would be perfect with a maxi skirt or long camel-colored dress, offering a hint of high-fashion rouge to a trendy yet otherwise neutral ensemble.
Price: $49.99 at DSW
Red Faux-Suede Gold-Trim Toe-Thong Sandals
How to style it: These simple yet elevated sandals will pair well with any neutral pieces you have this summer: black, white, denim and anything in the beige and brown family.
Price: $18 (orig. $36) at PrettyLittleThing
Crochet, You Stay
Crochet and “crochet-like” dresses are a major trend spotted across Spring/Summer 2026 fashion runways, including the likes of Ulla Johnson, Gabriella Hearst and Simkhai. But these aren’t the flowy boho looks of the past. Instead, this season features the knit in more structured styles, like fitted silhouettes, and with intentional hems and embellishments that are right on trend, like scalloped edges and fringe trims.
Out by the Water Chevron Cover-Up Maxi Dress
How to style it: While designed to be a swimwear cover-up, you can easily turn this cerulean dream into streetwear with a simple nude-colored slip or bodysuit when you’re not headed to the beach.
Price: $34 at Cupshe
Marama Shiny Coral Crochet Sleeveless Fringe Midi Dress
How to style it: The very en vogue beaded fringe hemline adds fun movement and texture, so you’ll want to go sleek and minimal with your footwear — maybe a simple strappy sandal or heel in a nude hue.
Price: $79 at Lulus
Women’s Sequin Embellished Crochet Mini Dress
How to style it: If you’re afraid the crochet dress trend will have you looking like you came straight from the beach, trust that this sequin-dotted number is clearly made to party. The beachy-glam upgrade to the little white dress can be elevated with a heel or ankle boot, or dressed down with a sleek white sneaker.
Price: $55.65 (orig. $79.50) at Macy’s
Shirts and Skirts Askew
Asymmetry is everywhere this season, from hanky-hem dresses and skirts (revived straight from the ’70s and then the ’90s) to one-shoulder tops and high-low shirt hems. Ranging from bohemian to bold maximalism, we’re also seeing the styles crafted with another micro-trend built right in: ruffles and ruched textures. And to give you the ultimate triple-trendy threat, we rounded up a few picks in some of the season’s most stylish green hues.
FP One Kaia Solid Asymmetrical Skirt in Teal
How to style it: This hanky-hem skirt is flowy and bohemian, but you can pair it with anything, like a little heel for a dainty vibe or a biker boot to give the look a little more kick. Up top, pair with a fitted tee or something cropped above the waistline for balance.
Price: $88 at Free People
Voile One-Shoulder Smocked Top in Nile Green
How to style it: For a solid-color top, there’s a lot of interest here — texture, ruffles, asymmetry and a peplum silhouette carried over from previous season’s trends. So keep it simple on the bottom with dark denim or neutral, structured shorts.
Price: $37.50 (orig. $75) at Banana Republic Factory
Pink Sands Smocked Top in Acacia
How to style it: Same as above, we’d stick to more slimline shorts or pants in dark denim or neutral tones to allow the maximalist ruffle texture and super-hot chartreuse hue to properly shine as the biggest fashion stars of the season.
Price: $78 at Free People
The post How to Make Summer’s Biggest and Boldest Fashion Trends Your Own appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.
