What Kind of Summer Was 2026? A Fashion Recap Away From the Pop-culture-fluence.
Over the last few years, there have been defining pop culture moments that have named the summer, and ultimately set the aesthetic that most of us, or those of us who average more than 5 hours of daily screen time, aspire to. There was Hot Girl Summer, Brat Summer and Barbie Summer, to name a few, all of which came with colours and aesthetics that were synonymous with the ‘era’ they defined; and were an easy guide for what to wear to be the most on-trend and in-the-know with the internet’s latest hot topics. But what fashionably defined 2026?
Yet, the summer of 2026 saw a severe lack of cohesion in the internet girlies' obsessions. We were just coming out of a back-to-basics, and decidedly chic, Spring after the communal obsession with Ryan Murphy’s Love Story, revolving around fashion’s favourite muse, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy- so did that mean we were going to have a Chic Summer? In some ways, yes; for those of us, myself included, who have been CBK obsessed for years, classic staples and muted colours come instinctually. A well-fitted white tank, some tailored linen trousers and a comfy black flip-flop sometimes seems like less of a statement in alignment with what I have dubbed the ‘Chic Movement’ and more so an appreciation for the old faithfuls in my wardrobe that say less is more. Fashion discourse is a funny thing on the internet; something can be cast out just as easily as it was ushered in. And so, perhaps for those who align with a little more fun in their wardrobe, when the sun came out, chic was over. No longer used as a sign of social capital in the ‘quiet luxury’ that so many sought after, chic became dull and in need of a rebrand. So when the July heat hit the UK, I couldn’t help but wonder- how could I change up my summer basics without buying a whole new wardrobe?
I would like to throw my hat in the ring and suggest that we had a Ballet Flat Summer. This French classic has been a staple of wardrobes for decades. First designed in 1941 by Salvatore Capezio and popularised by iconic women such as Bridget Bardot or Audrey Hepburn, this simple shoe became a symbol of femininity redefined and the staple of classic French brands like Repetto. These days, the ballet flat has employed a new PR team and has had the revival it so deserves. No longer stuck as an icon of the 2010s quirky style à la Jess in New Girl, or something that you remember wearing with your school uniform as a child, the ballet flat has had a makeover. Retaining its iconic shape, we have seen it reimagined in different patterns, colours and fabrics, all of which position it as now being cool. A firm favourite of mine is a silver ballet flat. Investing in this one pair of shoes allowed for a whole lot of fun in what were once rather simple summer outfits. Styled with denim or a long floaty skirt throughout the day, and transformed with a mini skirt and some tailored jeans at night, silver ballet flats were a highlight of my summer wardrobe revival. And I think those on Pinterest also relate with searches in the UK and Ireland for Repetto shoes up 500%.
On a quick July trip to Paris, my outfit planning, admittedly, was not at the forefront of my mind. Before even reaching the departures lounge, I was harbouring insecurities about the lack of good outfits and trainers sitting in my suitcase and comparing them to the effortlessness of outfits observed on the popular Instagram account @parisiensinparis where there are ballet flats aplenty. The goal, at least for me, on a trip around such a fashionable city is always to blend in. Trainers and bumbags be gone- I never want to be perceived as a tourist. Armed with a pair of trusty Sambas and a few plain linen dresses, I reminded myself I was there to take in the sights; not to walk the runway. Despite imagining the women of Paris running around in their classic Repettos or Simple Rainbow ballet flats (which I know would give me blisters), lots of ladies opted for something a little more Spanish. Flabelus velvet Mary Janes were the shoe of the summer on the streets of Paris- and luckily I was already an owner of some. These flat velvet espadrille shoes are made and designed in Spain and aim to reinvent the classic flat espadrille. So, yes, they are not exactly a ballet flat, but they serve the same purpose for those summer outfits that need a revamp: choosing a bright colour that reflects your personality and injecting a bit of life into an outfit that perhaps felt a bit depleted.
So, needless to say, regardless of whatever the internet has dubbed the theme of the summer to be, there is not always a need to follow. Creating your own version of summer and finding what inspires your daily looks in August heat can bring a fun creative outlet, allowing you to make your own trend observations to revitalise a repetitive wardrobe. Apparently for me, that meant fun flats! Although I cannot imagine that they will follow me out of the summer heat and into the puddles upon returning to St Andrews.
Comments