What NYC It-Girls Are Wearing to Dinner in Summer 2026

New York summer has officially arrived, and the city has been buzzing with energy. With the summer spirit in the air, our social calendar has become more jam-packed than ever. If you thought you were bad at time management during the year, June through August take it to the next level. The summer calendar is a beautiful chaos: two events per night, four birthday parties per weekend, and an excuse to book a dinner reservation every single night of the week.

If you are trying to figure out what to wear to dinner in NYC, take it from a girl who is notoriously bad at saying no to plans. Between my severe FOMO and my habit of juggling three different plans in one evening, I am constantly scanning the city for outfit inspiration.

Case in point: a couple of nights ago, we hosted a dinner with Olaplex, Glamsquad, and a room full of the city’s coolest girls. Before showing up, everyone got their hair done by Glamsquad—the perfect way to look flawless for a night out and save major time when you’re forced to multitask. The style in the room was too good not to share. Whether you’re heading to a candlelit dinner party or planning to pivot mid-evening to a sports bar to watch the Knicks game, this is your ultimate local style guide.

If there is one formula that guarantees you’ll look put-together in under five minutes, it’s a coordinating set.

• Sage Thomas leaned into the sunny weather with a gorgeous pink paisley matching set from Ruby and Jenna, which she elevated with a standout chunky necklace.

• Emma Oyomba opted for a classic denim-on-denim look from Fashion Nova, proving the Canadian Tuxedo can feel incredibly chic when done right. She accessorized like a pro, pairing the set with Toteme heeled flip-flops, oversized H&M sunnies, and a classic Dooney & Bourke handbag—truly the ultimate summer accessory lineup.

Forget the juvenile ruffles of your childhood; this season, the detail is getting a majorly sophisticated upgrade.

• Melisse Martineau wore the Julia mini dress from Centre Piece Clothing—a piece I have been seeing absolutely everywhere lately. She styled it with classic black heels from Boden and the ultimate conversation starter: a tasseled handbag from her own line, Melisse New York, which is officially at the very top of my summer wishlist.

• Sarah Johnson created a faux-dress moment by pairing a structured corset top from Bayse Brand with a perfectly matching ruffled skirt from Buci. She added a sharp edge with black Louboutin stilettos and a beaded fringe Reformation mini bag. Both of these looks prove that ruffles can be just as elegant as they are fun and nostalgic.

If monochromatic minimalism isn't your vibe, we're currently begging you to have a little more fun and make a statement.

• Jenna Litner completely stole the show in a fresh color-blocked look. She paired a vibrant amethyst spiral top from Bec + Bridge with thrifted capri pants and turquoise tassel shoes from Awake Mode (I am so obsessed with these). The pièce de résistance? A vintage turquoise Chanel bag that tied the whole bold, eclectic look together.

Whether you’re opting for heeled ballet flats or strappy sandals for drinks in NoHo, the easiest way to make a simple outfit pop right now is with a flash of cherry red.

• Sierra Mayhew finished her look with the red heeled Gia sandals from Inez. She didn't shy away from color elsewhere, either, styling them with a buttery yellow set from 525 America (see? sets are trending), and an insane shell-shaped bag from Emm Kuo.

• Vivian Li took a sultry approach, pairing a sleek black mini dress from Coucou Intimates with standout red ballerina shoes and her trusty Prada bag. 

"Chic" is the definitive buzzword of the season, but the girls who are doing it best are those nailing the precise balance of classic refinement and scandal. Pro-tip: some of the best dresses on the market right now are actually hiding in the lingerie section—perfect for a late-night reservation at Swan Room.

• Hope Williams wore L’Academie, which absolutely needs to be on your radar if you’re aiming for that effortless Parisian-girl-in-New-York vibe. She dominated the pavement in a pair of towering Sam Edelman platform sandals.

• Sophia Fujimaki fooled me completely in a Theory top and a flowy Anthropologie maxi skirt. I genuinely thought it was a seamless dress until I asked for details. Separates that look like a cohesive gown are a major trend right now. She finished the look with Sam Edelman heels (some of the most comfortable heels you can buy).

• Micaela Ryan wore the Frankie lace slip dress in white from Fleur du Mal’s stunning new line. Going the lingerie-as-eveningwear route is the ultimate power move. She finished the look with a white Jacquemus Medium Chiquito bag sourced from Vivrelle.