With summer on the horizon, I’ve been looking around to see what spring styes are sticking around and if there are any new summer trends I want to incorporate into my working wardrobe.
We don’t usually see anything dramatically new in the fashion world as we roll into summer, but the mainstream retailers invariably introduce some new colors and micro-trends that we might want to be aware of.
When I’m sharing seasonal trends, I’m looking at stores like Evereve, LOFT, J.Crew, Nordstrom, etc. are carrying. We may hear rumblings of skinny jeans returning, for example, but that’s a few years out for the average suburban mom that is reading this blog.
I also focus on trends that are wearable for women in their 40s and 50s, because let’s face it. Some styles just don’t look that great on older bodies, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still look modern and stylish at any age, so here are some of the most wearable summer trends I’m seeing for 2023!
7 Wearable Summer Trends to Try
#1. Shades of Orange // As far as color trends go, I’m seeing tons of apricot and tangerine orange in both solids and mixed palettes. I love the combinations with orange and pink and orange and blue.
If you’re not a fan of orange, shades of blue are still very much on trend, as is pink and olive, and also black is being mentioned a lot. Especially all black outfits for summer.
#2. Maxi Dresses and Shifts // I’m including these in one category, although they’re basically two different styles of dresses that sometimes overlap. Maxi lengths are starting to take over the midi lengths that have been popular for a while, but both are still relevant, so wear what you like best, or some of each.
And then as far as dress silhouettes are concerned, stores like Evereve and LOFT still show a lot of ruffles at the arm and hem, but stores like J.Crew that cater to a more minimalistic, preppy styles are starting to show sleek shifts and slip dresses. I read somewhere that this is the silhouette that’s ahead for us, to which I say HOORAY!!! Those streamlined silhouettes are much more my style.
#3. Slides & Platform Sandals // As for summer footwear, it’s all about slides and platform sandals! Also, bold colors are very much on trend, but there are still plenty of neutrals to be had. Fashion sneakers are still relevant, but I personally cannot WAIT to start wearing sandals. We have such a short sandal season here in Philadelphia, so I plan to make the most of it.
#4. Wide Leg Jeans & Pants // The wide leg silhouettes are still going strong into summer, and I while I’ve already covered them quite extensively, I felt like I couldn’t leave them out of this list. I feel like they’re going to be a lot easier to style for summer because they look great with flat slides and platform sandals of all heel heights. Also, the more flowy silhouette looks more cool and summery than straight and skinny styles.
#5. Utility/Cargo Details // Shorts, pants, and skirts with utility details and/or cargo pockets are very popular this summer. Also, the front patch pockets on wide-leg pants are a micro-trend that’s huge right now. These tend to look best with tops tucked in to showcase these features. And yes, we are seeing some lower rises emerging… Don’t shoot the messenger!
#6. Clean Hems // I’m seeing a mix of raw and clean hems on denim, but shorts styles are definitely veering back towards clean hems, sleek silhouettes, and structured fits. All lengths are trending, and I hear rumblings that Bermuda Shorts are making a comeback. I would tread lightly with that trend, though, and make sure they work for your body type.
#7. Denim Skirts // I mentioned in Friday’s Try-On Haul that denim skirts are trending this summer, and the reactions were mixed. For a modern look, the A-line styles that hit right at the knee or midi and maxi lengths are most relevant for women of a certain age, but mini styles are trending as well. These do have to be styled “just right” or they can read frumpy and dated. I’m still experimenting with them, so stay tuned for more on that in future posts!
Other micro trends for summer 2023 that I want to mention are woven totes and crochet bags, raffia, graphic tees and tanks, lace-up sandals and wedges, gingham, statement earrings, and cropped button-up tops (for pairing with high rise, wide leg pants & jeans).
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18 Responses
ahhhh, summer 🌸I am ready for skirts, short sleeves and sandals. I love the slide shoe trend right now, it’s right up my alley (easy). How do you get your healthy glow on your legs and arms? If it’s self tanner, do you have any tricks? and what brand/s do you like best?
It’s a spray tan, but I’ve had good results with self tanners too. This is my favorite – https://shopstyle.it/l/bV3el
Mostly in the summer I am in workout-gardening attire, but otherwise shorts. I am always on the lookout for dresses, for a change, but it is hard to find summer dresses that are bra friendly (just had to send back a Quince dress for that reason) and that fit well since I am so short waisted. I am still looking.
Hmmm. Orange is not my color, but as a winter, the saturated orange of the Michael Stars tank I thought would work for me, so I did purchase that. Blue is my favorite color, and I have plenty of that. I am only 5’1”, so maxi skirts and dresses are iffy for me, but I might be open to try. I purchased the Old Navy wide leg cropped in blue, and the Wit and Wisdom cropped, so I am covered there. Sandals are my jam, and I am covered there. I have shorts with clean and raw hems, in short and bermuda style, so I think I am good to go. Summer and fall dressing are the easiest for me. I just wish Indiana weather would cooperate!
The oranges aren’t great on me either. I prefer the bolder hues.
Noooo! Don’t tell me low rise and skinny are coming back in the near future. I just got use to high rise straight. The look feels fresh and new, plus it’s more comfortable than tight and low waisted.
I’m here for all the orange, midi/maxi dresses without all the frills, and colourful footwear. How fun for summer.
Ha, well, I don’t think they’ll be back in the mainstream “mom stores” for a few years. The nice thing about living in this era of fashion is, you can find almost every style of pant, every rise, every silhouette. That’s why knowing the measurements you like best is so important. It helps you narrow down your choices.
Always enjoy being in the know of what’s coming! Our temperatures are finally going back up this week.. so feeling like spring.
Are you seeing the lilac color still trending? I tend to see that everywhere this season and it’s one of my favorite colors!
I’m still seeing some lilac and purples, but more oranges, pinks, and blues. That isn’t to say lilac isn’t in style, though. Colors don’t really go out of style. I’m just not seeing quite as much of it as I was.
I just ordered a demin skirt yesterday that I hope works for me as I start the hunt for one. I know the midi length A-line looks terrible on me and I’m prefectly ok with that. I found one that hopefully hits an inch or 2 above me knee, always hard to tell from length of a skirt because until I try it on I don’t know here it’ll sit on my waist. I have an entire collection of brewery Tshirts that should pair nicely with a demin skirt in place of my usual denim shorts.
When it comes to graphic tees, what style is trending? Big pictures with words? Or without words? Are the tees with only phrases (no pic) dated? Thanks!
I don’t really know that any are in or out, it’s more a matter of what you like. The “concert tee” look is big, but so are the sweeter styles as well, like the Choose Joy. Evereve has lots to choose from.
I have wide leg jeans and pants and utility pants. I have denim skirts. Some of the midi skirts with flats or sneakers in the photos look frumpy to me. I bought a lot this spring so I am kind of shopped out. I still enjoy your blog to get styling ideas.
LOL! I am shopped out too, my friend! Now I just want to WEAR all the clothes I bought this spring! Finally, our weather is cooperating.
Busy day so I missed this post. As a redhead, I have never worn orange. Ever. Yesterday I ran to Talbots because I was attending my daughter-in-law’s R.N. pinning and when I tried on the white pants I intended to wear, they were way too big. (Thank you, clean fast!) I HATE trying on clothes in a store and only do it 2-3x a year so I tried on half the store. And came home with not one but 2 tops with orange in them. One was blue and orange and the other was orange and white. The orange is more of a peach. I wore my new white crops and the blue and orange ss sweater and got several compliments. So glad I tried the tops on. I ended up buying the petite — I’m 5’7″– in both tops so they weren’t so darned long with the higher waist pants.
I bought a pair of Agolde Low Slung Baggy jeans last month. I sized down so they aren’t really low slung on me – more like a mid rise. They’re fun!
They sound like a great find!
Thankyou so much. Great to see wearable everyday fashion with panache. Being in Australia we are opposite seasons to many fashion stores. Difficult to work out whether last seasons fashion or this one. Many thanks for being so helpful.