Summer trends are notoriously hard to keep track of—especially when your life is a chaotic Venn diagram of humid New York subways, South of France beaches, and the occasional reset back in the suburbs. Here are the summer trends taking over the city and all the best ways to style them.
If there is one thing I’ve learned over my four summers living in New York, it’s that you need to have your summer pieces ready for whatever the day may bring.
Personally? I’m terrible at choosing an outfit for the correct weather. I either over-index on layers or end up in a tiny mini dress freezing under the office AC. I’ll never forget when I wore wool slacks and a button-up to work during a NYFW heatwave and had three shows pop up on my calendar that day. By sunset, I had fully sweated through my button-up and as a Brooklyn girl who can’t just "pop home" between events, I spent the rest of the night dreaming of a tank top and a mini skirt.
Lesson learned: There is now always an emergency change of clothes stashed at the office.
This summer, I’m taking full advantage of the sun and reminding myself that less is truly more. After the never-ending winter we just survived, I’m ready for a total reset. Sitting outside at Bar Valentina last week in the blazing sun was the perfect reminder that I needed to stock my summer closet for more days like it. Here is an editor-approved list of my favorite summer trends.
Ava is a Creative Editor at OOTD. She graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology and now covers your favorite fashion figures, events, and trends.
This has been the definitive silhouette of 2026. All winter, I was styling mine over baggy jeans, but I’m finally ready to let the pieces shine on their own. We’ve done the "skirt over pants" trend to death (which I love!) but now it’s time to actually show some skin. These are the ones I’m currently obsessed with:
Patterned skirts: Fun prints that have everyone asking where you got your skirt!
The Sparkly sheer skirt: Perfect for catching the light at an outdoor dinner (I recently bought one from Eckhaus Latta and I’m obsessed).
Layered with another skirt: You can still have a fun layering moment by wearing an asymmetrical skirt over (or under!) another skirt.
Where to shop: Mode Mischief for fun patterns, Intimissimi for a cute lace moment, or Revolve for every option.
Sportswear has officially taken over the fashion scene. As someone who used to refuse to wear activewear unless I had pilates, I’m now happily spending my Saturdays in a sports bra and track shorts. With the World Cup approaching, it’s all about:
Baggy track shorts: For that effortless, "borrowed from my boyfriend" oversized silhouette.
Mini track shorts: The perfect way to show some leg while staying comfortable.
Bold colors: Skip the boring black, go for hot pink or electric blue to make the look pop.
Where to shop: Adidas (duh!) or scour thrift stores and eBay for cool Y2K pieces. I also loved Dairy Boy’s recent sportswear drop (I shopped their pop-up in Miami and couldn’t leave without a few things).
If you aren't in the mood for micro-shorts and find Capris a little too suffocating for the humidity, bloomer pants are the new summer staple. It’s an airy, lightweight pant that works from morning coffee meetings to after-work drinks in SoHo. Effortless and breathable, it’s the ultimate "editor-on-the-go" uniform that carries you through the day without feeling under or over-dressed.
White with lace: The classic "coquette" base that feels airy and vintage.
Patterned bloomers: Think stripes, florals, or gingham to make the shorts the main character.
Textured pairs: Look for eyelet or puckered fabrics to add dimension; perfect with a simple baby tee.
Where to shop: Free People, ASOS, or Depop for a vintage pair!
Your summer basics are nothing without their accessories. This season, it’s all about the small details (or big accessories) doing the heavy lifting. From Paris to New York these are the biggest trends we have been spotting:
Bug-eyed sunnies: The bigger and more "insect-like," the better.
Multi-use scarves: Styled in the hair, knotted on the bag, or cinched at the waist.
Colored socks or tights: Pair them with heels to immediately elevate a simple look.
Where to shop: The RealReal for big designer sunnies, Etsy for vintage patterned scarves, and honestly, just search “colored socks” online and you’ll find an abundance of options.
Last but not least is matching sets! Duh! This is a summer staple—for those days that you can’t put together a full look after a night of Hugo Spritzes. A matching set is the perfect Sunday Scaries uniform, allowing you to look effortlessly put-together while you hunt for an iced coffee and a bagel. Here are all the sets you need to get you through a New York summer:
The Party Set: Barely-there fabric that takes you from brunch to dancing at Joyface until 2 AM.
The Linen Set: The essential "Office to Out of Office" transition piece.
The All-White Look: Whether it's an actual matching set or just two white pieces, it's the easiest way to live out your cottage-core dreams, hopefully prancing around in Europe.
Where to shop: Reformation for your summer travel sets, NET-A-PORTER for those simple yet elevated summer sets, and COS for your chic work uniform.
At the end of the day, summer fashion is about finally shedding the layers and letting the city be your oyster. Pick the pieces that make you feel like your most confident self, grab a spritz, stay classy, and don't forget that emergency outfit. We pay way too much rent to stay inside—your New York summer is waiting, and it’s an energy you can’t feel anywhere else.
