7 Best Summer Fashion Trends for Travelers

Summer is right around the corner, and the trends this season couldn’t be more exciting. As a fashion fanatic and travel writer living in New York City, I love perusing the streets of Soho and Williamsburg, drawing inspiration from fellow New Yorkers for my next outfit. I’ve used this insight to share the current trends for Travel + Leisure readers for the fall, winter, and spring, and now I’m back with a summer iteration to share styles that’ll supplement any wardrobe for my other fashionable travelers. 

This upcoming season’s latest trends include everything from hiking gear going couture to fashion-forward matching sets. These pieces are inherently travel-friendly, so I’m especially looking forward to embracing these styles for my next vacation — they are comfortable and versatile. Whether you use this list for inspiration for your next outfit or shop some of my favorite styles directly, keep scrolling to find your new favorite pieces. Prices start at just $20. 

Hiking and Outdoor Gear 

My friend (and T+L contributor) Alice has been wearing hiking gear beyond the trail for years now, and call her a genius or a trendsetter, but I’ve been seeing people embracing hiking pants at the farmer’s market and even wearing sporty trail shoes out to lunch. Style aside, hiking and outdoor clothing are made to withstand the test of time and are inherently durable, making them an excellent choice to wear on and off the trail. This trend inspired me to take the Merrell Women’s Moab 3 Hiking Shoes as my only pair of shoes for my recent vacation in Sweden, and I definitely thanked myself for the plush comfort I felt throughout the entire trip. 

This style also includes the resurgence of durable pants like the Abercrombie Women’s Relaxed Cargo Pants that feature plenty of spacious pockets, and breathable shirts — like this 100 percent merino wool T-shirt from Ice Breaker — that are comfortable, moisture-wicking, and odor-repelling. 

Abercrombie Women’s Relaxed Cargo Pants

Country Club and Tennis Couture 

Unsure if it’s the allure of the cinematic world of the “Challengers,” the rise of pickleball, or appreciation for classic silhouettes, but preppy style is at an all-time high. This trend embraces a casual yet refined attitude toward fashion, opting for garments with a generally tailored, put-together look. These options of course include trousers and button-down shirts but also include tennis skorts, dresses, and more. 

Brands like Vineyard Vines and J. McLaughlin have always excelled in these categories — I highly recommend adding the Vineyard Vines Cotton Cable Crew Cardigan and J. McLaughlin Stripe Britt Linen Shirt to your wardrobe ASAP —  but I’m also loving the Alo Yoga Match Point Tennis Skirt and Athleta Vital Dress. Oh, and this style is also so fun to embrace with a pair of tennis shoes, and my personal go-to pair is the Gola Women’s Tennis Mark Cox Sneakers (that are under $100). 

J. McLaughlin Stripe Britt Linen Shirt

White Sneakers

We’ve embraced colorful kicks for the past year now, but this season is reminding us of the ever-classic power of a pair of white sneakers. They’re a travel staple for a reason, and if you don’t already have a go-to pair, you should check out The 10 Best Comfortable White Sneakers Our Editors Have Walked All Over the World in — but also keep scrolling to look through some of my go-to favorites. I’m currently packing the newly-released Deckers X Lab X-SCAPE 3D sneaker that’s designed with extra cushioning for wear both as a performance shoe and stylish white sneaker that goes with everything. I also am a New Balance girl at heart, and will never stop wearing my New Balance 550s. The podiatrist-approved Dr. Scholl’s Time-off Sneakers are another excellent choice for travel, and they’re on sale for $70 at Amazon right now. 

White sneakers never go out of style, and they’re exactly what your travel wardrobe needs for your European vacation or any other walking-heavy trip you have planned this season. 

Dr. Scholl’s Time-off Sneakers

Flowy Dresses and Tanks

With the weather hitting triple digits over the next few weeks, it’s time to embrace breathable, lightweight pieces. I’m seeing plenty of flowy tanks and loose-fitting dresses across town, and this trend is excellent news for travelers because it’s a guaranteed way to ensure you look fashionable and feel comfortable throughout your entire trip. Right now, one of my go-to destinations for pieces of this nature is Aritzia, and I am absolutely loving the 100 percent Babaton Encourage Poplin Dress and Sunday Best Cannoli Top.

These draping pieces give travelers tons of wiggle room to experiment with various lightweight materials like crochet and sheer garments. For example, I love the Z Supply Crochet Kasia Sweater to wear over a tank or bathing suit and the Bmjl Women’s Chiffon Blouse from Amazon to keep me cool while looking cool. 

Bmjl Women’s Chiffon Blouse

Colorful Fun 

Incorporating statement pieces is a tried-and-true travel hack for seamlessly pulling together fashionable outfits. Bright and bold colors and prints are an eye-catching way to elevate any look, and it’s my latest favorite travel trick for fashionable fits on the go. Whether vibrant prints like this breathable Jumpsuit and boxy top from Rujuta Sheth (that my affinity for this trend this season may be entirely based around) or bright monochrome colors like this orange Soowalaoo Women’s Satin Skirt or the Amour Vert Asmet Paris Rib Tank in a stunning mulberry, these statement pieces can be found in a variety of clothing items such as dresses, shirts, pants, and more. There’s really something for everyone to opt into this season. 

This is a fun, easy trend to opt into, so if you’ve been waiting for an opportunity to refresh your travel wardrobe, these pieces are begging for a spot in your closet:

Soowalaoo Women’s Satin Skirt

Matching Sets

If there’s one thing about our editors at Travel + Leisure, it is that we love a good matching set. And this trend isn’t by any means new, but retailers have been dropping more and more fashionable two-piece sets, and travelers are wearing them now more than ever. They’re an excellent choice for travel because they’re a surefire way to always look put together while seamlessly expanding your wardrobe styling capabilities (by mixing and matching each piece). Right now, one of my favorite matching sets is from Gap: the Linen-blend Button Back Cropped Tank and matching 365 Linen-blend High-rise Shorts. I love linen for the summer, and I’ve been so impressed with the set in red that I’m eyeing it in a few more colors for upcoming vacations. 

I also love the Anrabess Women’s Two-Piece Shorts Sweater Set with a breezy short-sleeved sweater and knit shorts that can be worn together or apart. It’s also just $35 — as if you needed another reason to snag a set. 

Automet Women’s Two-Piece Set

Denim 

It could be the revival of Western style or shoppers simply wanting to return to classic styles, but denim is everywhere. Retailers are putting denim jackets, tops, and of course, jeans, at the forefront of their summer catalogs and I’m completely here for it. And while you may be a bit hesitant to add denim to your comfort-forward travel wardrobe, brands have taken those concerns into account and are releasing pieces that are comfortable and flexible. For example, I’ll be living in the Aritzia Sunday Best Demo Jean Shorts this season for their effortlessly stylish and comfortable look, and I am loving everything I’ve tried from the Oprah-adored brand NYDJ (especially the Teresa Wide Leg Jeans). 

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