After seasons spent in the understated quiet luxury camp, the fashion world is heading into a much brighter, more upbeat space. These are the spring/summer 2026 fashion trends to note for your next warm-weather getaway.
Get ready to embrace vivid colour, print and embellishment again. These are clothes with main character energy, with standout pieces including the fringed skirt and the evening flip-flop – both ideal for sunny climes abroad or at home. It was also a season full of travel-friendly beauty inspiration (plane-proof hair anyone?), as detailed by our Beauty and Wellness Director.
Here, we break down the looks and trends that will shape what you pack for your summer 2026 holiday. Roll on that sunshine.
On The Fringes
Bringing movement and texture to your 2026 outfits is fringing. Matthieu Blazy’s critically-acclaimed Chanel debut starred a sweeping, vivid feathered skirt worn with a simple crew-neck, silk T-shirt (a look that will undoubtedly make it onto the red carpet come awards season), and Louise Trotter’s first collection for Bottega Veneta featured fibreglass jackets and tops that made instant impact. Alaïa’s fringed leg covers were among editors’ most-shared images – pieces that can be worn under existing dresses as a quick refresh. They came in more pared-back guises too – at Balenciaga, white cropped tops were embellished with ethereal strands, and at Calvin Klein, white maxi dresses were cut into slithery streams of fabric. Make it work for your 2026 travels and invest in a fringed skirt (these were everywhere), or lightly feathered top – an easy way of giving an outfit an evening-ready sheen.
Surfer Girl Cool
Fashion has long mined sports as a source of inspiration, and next sunny season the spotlight will fall on surf. The real world might be full of drama and turbulence, but underwater it’s peaceful, beautiful and freeing. A number of designers, including Rabanne, Loewe, Diotima, Gaultier and Chloé, invited us to dive straight into the ocean wearing scuba-inspired looks that feel sunny, fun and feminine – colourful trousers, flippy mini skirts and jackets in streamlined neoprene, rash guard vests and one-pieces that were born for riding waves. If you’re unsure about committing to the full look, consider swimwear in sportier silhouettes (Scandi brand Wallien does some of our favourites), or shield glasses.
Cocktail Colours
For too long, fashion has favoured muted tones associated with quiet luxury. While a neutral will always be a friend indeed, it’s cheering to see next summer will be full of vivid brights. We’re hailing it the season of ‘Cocktail Colours’, the poppy shades of your favourite holiday drinks. Lacoste and Staud gave us Aperol red-orange, Tod’s and Alaïa delivered Mai Tai yellow and Versace introduced an azure Blue Hawaii in trouser form. Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez’s debut for Loewe was splashed with sunny shades, from strawberry daiquiri red bell-shaped jackets to dresses the colour of a Mimosa. We’ll cheers to all of it.
Upgraded Flip-Flops
Ever since The Row’s cult minimalist leather version a few seasons ago, flip-flops have become a holiday favourite among the most stylish again. For spring/summer 2026, this low-key beach classic has entered its after-dark era. We saw velvet iterations at Balenciaga, a satin, pillowy take at Carven, and elegant, fuss-free interpretations at Khaite and Bottega. Flip-flops never looked so extra.
Apron Dressing
Here’s one we didn’t see coming – catwalk aprons. As with the best of fashion, there was more to it; at Miu Miu, Miuccia Prada explored the idea of women’s labour – the work we undertake in the domestic and professional space and the marrying of the two – while buzzy London designer Talia Byre unveiled a more utilitarian take – monochrome floor-length styles with deep front pockets. A striped version appeared with velvet heels at Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood. What this means for your summer 2026 holiday wardrobe is that sleeveless pinafore dresses are likely to become one of your most-worn items.
Summer In Print
As predicted in our January trend guide, minimalism might be finally edging towards the bench. In its place rises print – optimistic, smile-inducing patterns that spell good times. There are different ways you can go with this next summer; tropical botanicals as seen at Dries Van Noten and Christopher Esber (it’s time to dig out those palm prints), rainbow stripes via Zankov, Libertine and Versace, or eye-catching, noisy florals – see Chloé’ and Celine’s joyful, fresh dresses.
Belt Up
The fastest way of bringing your summer look into 2026? Dig out your belt. Wear it round your waist or hips, so long as its cinched. Celine, Toga, Isabel Marant, Hermès and Versace all brought out a mix of skinny and wide designs to create shape and silhouette to an outfit.
Khaki Crew
If next season’s bright cocktail colours aren’t for you, then join the khaki committee. Think of it as a palette rather than just one tone, ranging from military green to chocolate brown; either way it’s a touch warmer than the navy-black-grey fashion uniform we’ve seen so much of in previous seasons. Whether worn head-to-toe at Prada, as jackets at Wales Bonner or as deconstructed parkas at Balmain, expect to see a lot more of this earthy tone next summer. The great news is that it suits everyone and looks great with a tan.
Lead image: Celine spring/summer 2026
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