Every year, the first few days of summer feel eternal and unfamiliar. There’s a sense that the season will never end but also that it’s never existed—as if none of us have ever felt the humid air sticking to our freckled, sunburnt skin. That sense of newness seems to apply to our wardrobes, too. The perfect summer outfit is more of a feeling than a trend, and it’s one we want to capture before the season is really in full swing.
But there will always be trends as well. And this year, the pieces everyone wants fit into a very specific mood, at least according to Diego Abba, CEO of online Italian fashion boutique Italist. “The mood right now is hopeful but nostalgic, looking back into fashion’s archives,” he says. “There’s also a focus on quality perhaps more than quantity, comfort more than razor-sharp statement pieces.”
When I think about what I want to wear for summer, I do find myself referencing the past—in particular, a photo of Carrie Bradshaw in ’90s New York wearing a sweet, sheer white puff-sleeve top with navy Adidas shorts and a red pair of peep-toe mules. It’s nostalgic and slightly nonsensical. It shouldn’t make sense, but it does. It’s practical and a little bit sexy, with all of the makings of an outfit that won’t make you sweat but still makes you want to walk everywhere, so everyone can see it.
When Abba gave me a rundown of the biggest trends for the months ahead, and what’s been leading the edit at Italist, I noticed plenty of them fit into this look that I love. There’s an obsession with ’90s minimalism that hasn’t faded, as well a newfound unapologetic love of sheer garments. But there are also lots of other things people seem to be shopping, like metallic footwear, moto-inspired leather separates, and bright, colorful dresses. Ahead, shop the top six summer trends of 2023.
2023 Summer Fashion Trend: Standout Sunglasses
A model at Marni’s spring 2023 show in New York wearing oversize statement sunglasses
While Miu Miu’s most recent runway show made nerdy frames trend, the summer’s most popular look is chunkier frames that make more of a statement.
“For sure, special specs,” says Abba, trying to decide on the very first summer 2023 trend that comes to mind. “In the eyewear space, brands like Chrome Hearts, Jacques Marie Mage, Chanel Eyewear, and Cartier Eyewear are hugely popular right now, because they’re hard to find, classically styled, and less common.” The most popular sunglasses are oversize enough for a Jackie O look or bling-y enough to feel like they were picked straight out of a ’90s pap shot. And clearly, they’ll stand the test of time.
Prada Square Sunglasses
Loewe Flower Sunglasses
Cartier Signature C de Cartier Sunglasses
Realisation Par The Mulholland Sunglasses
Givenchy Cat-Eye Nylon Sunglasses
Miu Miu Gradient Sunglasses
2023 Summer Fashion Trend: Metallic Footwear
A model at Wales Bonner’s men’s spring 2023 show wearing the Adidas x Wales Bonner silver samba sneakers
When Wales Bonner released a lookbook of models wearing a metallic samba—its three classic stripes reimagined in a delicate doily-esque lace—the internet declared it the shoe of the summer. And the internet was right. When it came time for the sneakers to launch, they sold out instantly. On TikTok, unboxings of the shoe have racked up hundreds of thousands of views, with commenters willing to risk it all to get their hands on a pair.
But it isn’t just the samba that shoppers are drawn to. It’s silver in general. “Everyone is leaning into strappy metallic sandals,” Abba says. “Tom Ford, Jimmy Choo, and Christian Louboutin are the hottest right now.” And when it gets really hot, and you only want to wear a slipdress (or a sheer top with Adidas shorts), a metallic shoe will add an unexpected element to an otherwise predictable look.
2023 Summer Fashion Trend: ’90s Simplicity
A model at Prada’s spring 2023 show wearing a simple slipdress, intentionally crinkled for a particularly effortless air
“Evidence of minimalism appeared in the runway trends for spring-summer and fall-winter ’23, like early-’90s simplicity and sheer styles, and in the items that are trending now on Italist, with subtler logo visibility and an emphasis on classical shapes and colors,” says Abba. Examples include Prada’s 1995 bag and “stealth-wealth” brand Loro Piana, made famous for a new generation by HBO’s Succession.
The current generation’s obsession with the ’90s is no secret; it’s been a constant driver of trends for the past couple of seasons. And it isn’t hard to see why. The era’s minimal looks reflect a simplicity that feels almost entirely out of reach in a far more complex world of constantly “unprecedented times.” Dressing like a sleek Angelina Jolie in a slinky slipdress won’t help us get back there, but it at least makes us feel like part of something less anxiety-producing.
Prada Re-Edition 1995 Carolyn Nappa Leather Bag
Saint Laurent Silk Slip Dress
Miu Miu Miu Miu Kitten Heel Slingback Pump in Nero at Nordstrom, Size 9Us
2023 Summer Fashion Trend: Bold Dresses
While new summer trends are bound to emerge every year, there are also tried-and-true classics that are tried and true for a reason. Colorful dresses will never not be a vacation staple, because they are, essentially, the joyfulness of a vacation translated into fabric.
“Zimmermann, Max Mara, and Solace London’s bright dresses are definitely the ones to have this summertime. They’re ultra-feminine, flowy, and perfect for any festival, party, or vacation getaway,” Abba says.
Zimmermann Devi Floral Print Mini
Now 30% Off
Jean Paul Gaultier Floral Body Print Crop Dress
Alaïa Archetypes Ribbed Pointelle Mini
House of Aama Open-Back Mesh Maxi Dress
2023 Summer Fashion Trend: Moto Chic
A model at Rick Owen’s spring 2023 show
When I spoke to Dion Lee about Rosalía’s concert looks for Motomami, which he designed, he said the motorcycle look had a grip on the entire world. It appears that, indeed, motomamis are everywhere, including the runway.
“The other trend I love this year is biker-chic ready-to-wear, which appeared in collections from Dion Lee, Raf Simons, and Versace,” Abba says. “Not only is it a timeless style rooted in Americana, it lends any wearer a little more high-fashion attitude.”
He adds: “It’s been reimagined this season by the likes of Dsquared2 into denim, Rick Owens and Balmain into brightly colored leather, and Goosetech into a padded technical style. Pair with Moschino’s biker heart clutch or MISBHV’s monogram biker shorts, and keep it all on hand for years to come.”
Rick Owens Black Shield Sunglasses
Dion Lee Dion Lee Tool Belt Leather Miniskirt in Black at Nordstrom, Size 0 Us
Now 70% Off
Alaïa Leather bustier
Chopova Lowena Pleated Checked Mini Skirt
Paco Rabanne Chain choker
2023 Summer Fashion Trend: Semi-Sheer
A model at Tory Burch’s spring 2023 runway, wearing semi-sheer layers
“This season’s transparent and semi-sheer ready-to-wear appeared all over the runways, from Bottega Veneta to Rick Owens for spring ’23. We believe it’s a theme worth investing in, because the style is more timeless than trendy,” Abba says.
While the look is obviously sexy because it’s sheer, the most appealing thing about it is how easy it is. “Think of semi-sheer as a good way to look polished and ethereal, light and breezy but still put together, most appropriate when the climatic conditions are right—meaning not too hot and not too cold,” says Abba. His favorite semi-sheer pieces available now? “Prada’s Spring ’23 sheer dresses are silky perfection (and $2,000 less on Italist), as are Herno’s kelly-green trench coat and Rotate’s Sianna crystalline trousers.”
Prada Sheer Minidress
Rick Owens Sheer Dress
Ganni Embellished Mesh Maxi Dress
Tara Gonzalez
Tara Gonzalez is the Senior Fashion Editor at Harper’s Bazaar. Previously, she was the style writer at InStyle, founding commerce editor at Glamour, and fashion editor at Coveteur.
