Summer has some really fun trends this year, and a lot of them are actually easy to wear!
Those of you who have been around PMT for a while know I’m not one to chase every trend, but I do love picking up a few that feel modern, versatile, and wearable beyond just one season.
So today I’m sharing the summer trends I think are worth incorporating — ones that can freshen up outfits you already love without requiring a whole new wardrobe. Pick one or two that feel fun to you and go from there!
And if you want help building a complete summer wardrobe that mixes current trends with timeless essentials so you can mix and match easily, my Summer 2026 Wardrobe & Outfit Guide walks you through exactly how to do that! These trends are woven into the Summer Guide outfits so that you can feel updated and current while barely having to think! Check it out HERE.
SIZING: I’m 5’6″ and usually S/M or 6 in clothes and 8.5 to 9 in shoes.
Summer Trends That Are Wearable and Freshen Up Outfits
Okay, let’s talk through each trend so you can decide what feels fun to try!
Tomato Red
Red is having a big moment this summer — specifically this bright tomato red shade. It’s bold enough to make an outfit feel intentional, but it works with so many basics you likely already own. Try it as a dress, a top, or even pants. And as always, feel free to use any red you love!
Shop the Outfits:
Dress: Lands End (wearing size S)
Tee: Target (wearing size M)
Top: J.Crew Factory (wearing size S)
Pants: J.Crew Factory (wearing size S)
Sandals: Crocs (wearing size 8)
Shoes: Naturalizer (wearing size 9)
Necklace: Electric Picks
Earrings: Amazon
Light Yellow / Butter Yellow
This soft, sunny shade has been carrying over from spring 2026 and fits right into summer. It’s warm and cheerful without being too much, and it pairs really easily with neutrals and other soft tones. You’ll spot it throughout the Summer Guide, but any color you prefer works just as well!
If you want styling ideas for this color, I have a whole post on what colors go with butter yellow — definitely worth a read!
Shop the Outfits:
Tank Top: Kohl’s (wearing size M)
Pants: LOFT
Jeans: Old Navy
Yellow Pants: Old Navy
Gauze Shirt: J.Crew Factory
Beaded Necklace: Amazon
Necklace: Electric Picks
Sandals: Crocs (wearing size 8)
Sandals: Crocs (wearing size 8)
Stripes (of All Sorts)
Stripes are everywhere this summer, but not in the classic, traditional way. Think vertical stripes and more color combinations that feel fresh and modern. There are several striped pieces in the Summer Guide, but you can swap in any print you like.
Shop the Outfits:
Top: similar
Top: J.Crew Factory
Shorts: Boden
Pants: Kohl’s (wearing size S)
Sandals: similar
Sandals: DSW
Sandals: Quince
Earrings: Amazon
Necklace: Electric Picks
Gingham
Gingham is having a full moment this season, and it’s such a great summery print. It reads casual and fun without being too trendy, so you’ll get plenty of wear out of it years to come. Wear it in tops, dresses, or even pants! Gingham adds a little personality to simple outfits without requiring much effort.
Shop the Outfits:
Dress: similar
Top: LOFT
Shorts: Boden
Sandals: DSW
Sandals: Crocs (wearing size 8)
Earrings: Amazon
Necklace: Electric Picks
Necklace: Electric Picks
Woven and Lattice Shoes
Woven textures carried over from spring and are still going strong for summer. Woven and lattice-style shoes add a light, airy feel to warm-weather outfits. They work with everything from casual shorts looks to dressier summer outfits. They’re one of those easy trend swaps that instantly makes an outfit feel more summery without trying too hard.
Colorful Bead Jewelry
Colorful beads have been trending for a few seasons now, and they’re a perfect summer accessory. They add a fun, easy pop of color to even the simplest outfits — and they’re one of the lowest-commitment ways to try a trend. Throw on a colorful bead necklace and your basic tee-and-shorts combo instantly looks more intentional.
Shop the Outfit:
Top: Kohl’s (wearing size S)
Pants: Old Navy (wearing size S)
Necklace: Amazon (wearing “colorful-06”)
Sandals: Amazon
Turquoise Jewelry
Turquoise is trending this summer, especially in jewelry. It’s an easy way to add a pop of color to simple outfits without changing much else, and it has that effortless, summery feel that makes it work for so many different styles. You’ll see a turquoise necklace mixed into the Summer Guide in some outfits, but you can certainly wear it in MORE!
You can find this necklace HERE.
Raffia or Straw Accessories
Raffia makes a comeback every warm-weather season, but this summer it’s showing up everywhere — totes, shoes, bags, jewelry, and even clothing. It adds a natural, textural element that instantly makes an outfit feel like summer, even when the rest of the look is simple. A straw tote is an easy addition that makes outfits look perfectly summery!
Linen and Gauze Sets
A matching linen or gauze top and bottom gives you an outfit with zero effort, and both linen and gauze keep things cool and comfortable when it’s warm out. Wear the set together for a pulled-together look, or mix the pieces separately with other things in your closet for even more versatility. Super practical! Find one HERE and HERE.
The pieces I’m wearing don’t come in a set — they aren’t even from the same store! — but work together because they’re both linen and match in color. (Black is easy to match!) My top is great at keeping you cool and comes in several colors HERE. I wear size S. My pants are from last year, but there’s a current pair from the same brand HERE — definitely size down as they will expand a bit through out the day. I wear XS.
You can also do gauze sets, which I honestly prefer over linen because they’re SO COMFORTABLE and not scratchy AT ALL. Ahhhh so good! I own THIS pair of pants, and they’re fantastic! They pair with THIS gauze top as well. LOVE! I wear size S in the pants.
Shop the Outfit:
Top: Amazon (wearing size S)
Pants: Gap Factory (this year’s version — I wear size XS, size down)
Sandals: similar (water-resistant, too!)
Necklace: Electric Picks (use TAKE20 for 20% off; also — lifetime guarantee!)
Long Shorts
If you love a longer inseam, this is a great season to find shorts you’ll actually reach for. Think 6″ or more — they’re popular this season, so there should be plenty of options! Long shorts are one of those trends that’s just as practical as it is current, which makes it an easy yes. Only one pair of longer shorts is featured in the Summer Guide, but you can easily swap in longer pairs for any of the bottoms.
Shop These Summer Trends for 2026
How to Try These Trends Without Buying a Whole New Wardrobe
One important thing to remember about trends is that you don’t need to overhaul your wardrobe to enjoy them. The easiest way to incorporate trends is simply by adding one or two pieces into outfits you already love!
For example:
- Add a colorful bead necklace to any simple summer outfit
- Swap in woven or raffia shoes with outfits you already wear
- Try a tomato red or butter yellow top with your favorite shorts or jeans
- Grab a linen set and wear the pieces separately throughout the week
- Look for longer shorts next time you’re shopping instead of shorter ones
Small updates like these can make outfits feel fresh without requiring you to rebuild your entire wardrobe. 👏
Want Help Turning These Trends Into Real Outfits?
Looking at trends is fun, but the real question is always: How do you actually wear them in everyday life?
That’s exactly what you’ll find inside the Summer Wardrobe & Outfit Guide!
Inside the guide, you’ll find a complete summer wardrobe built with a combo of timeless, versatile essentials and several of these trends mixed in to keep outfits feeling fresh.
The guide includes:
- Curated summer wardrobes for casual & work with versatile pieces that mix and match easily
- An outfit catalog with outfit combinations styled for real life
- Styling ideas that show how the pieces work together so you’re not guessing
Many PMTers tell me the guide makes getting dressed so much easier throughout the season, because you can put together fresh outfits without having to think too hard about it!
Is the Summer Wardrobe & Outfit Guide Right for You?
This guide is especially helpful if:
- You want a versatile wardrobe where everything mixes and matches
- You like classic style but still want outfits to feel fresh and current
- You want real outfit ideas, not just a list of clothes
- You want getting dressed in the morning to feel simple and easy
If that sounds like you, the guide walks you through exactly how to build a wardrobe that works together all summer long!
