We Ranked the Top 11 Trends That'll Make You Look Cooler This Summer

With summer just around the corner, we’re already prepping our warm-weather wardrobes with this season’s must-have pieces—from cool swimsuits to trendy dresses. While the summer season calls for a more relaxed, laid-back approach to dressing that doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice on style. In fact, today we’re honing in on just how to up the "cool” factor of our wardrobes this summer. Below, we’ve listed the summer trends that will do just that. From the simplest addition of free-spirited shell jewelry to striking asymmetrical swimsuits that will easily take you from beach-to-bar, and Insta-worthy statement sleeves guaranteed to incite compliments, scroll below for our picks to look insanely cool this summer. Moreover, we’ve done the favor of ranking these trends from subtly cool (Level1) to intensely cool (Level 12) for your shopping pleasure.

Cool Level 1: Iced Tea

Shrunken Cardigan

While we may have put away our heavy knits for the season, fashion girls are favoring the shrunken, thin, fitted cardigan for the warmer summer evenings. In fact, the lightweight basic is ramping up to be the cool alternative to a standard blouse for the season.

Cool Level 2: Office AC

Long Shorts

Love them or hate them, long shorts are dominating this season. Whether you go for Bermuda shorts, a short suit (we personally love this look), or longer denim shorts, you're sure to look perfectly on trend for the summer. 

Cool Level 3: Frozen Margarita

Tie-Dye

Channel your inner Cali-cool spirit with this summer's must-have tie-dye trend. Whether you opt for a multicolor T-shirt to pair with your shorts or a tie-dye midi skirt, you'll certainly up the coolness factor a couple notches with this one.

Cool Level 4: Frozen-Food Aisle

Shell Jewelry

What's the biggest accessory trend of summer? Seashell jewelry, of course. Add a laid-back bohemian vibe to your look and pair a shell choker necklace with a contrasting polished blazer, or simply add a few shell-embellished necklaces to your pendant stack. A shell anklet looks über-cool as well. 

Cool Level 5: Icicles

Asymmetric One-Piece

There are plenty of chic swimsuit styles that are trending for summer, but an asymmetric silhouette is strikingly cool. Plus, you can wear it with pants or a skirt to take you from beach to bar in style.

Cool level 6: Blizzard

Sporty Sandals

The easiest way to up the cool factor of your outfit this season is with a pair of trendy sporty sandals. Pair with a midi or maxi dress for an of-the-moment summer look.

Cool Level 7: January in New York

Smocking

Call it smocked; call it shirred; call it crinkly. The textured fabric is extremely comfortable and chic—and all over our Instagram feeds right now. Wear a smocked top or dress to nail the trend. 

Cool Level 8: Siberia

Zebra Print

The coolest print of the season is undoubtedly animal print. Opt for a trendy zebra-print midi dress to take you from day-to-night in style.

Cool Level 9: Igloo

Statement Sleeves

If you want to be super on trend this summer, a statement sleeve is the way to go. From puff shoulders to billowy numbers, these dresses are sure to turn heads. 

Cool Level 10: Winterfell

Jumpsuit

Whether you go for a utility boilersuit, a floral jumpsuit, or linen number, a jumpsuit is the coolest (and easiest) summer outfit you'll want to live in this season.

Cool Level 11: Antarctica

Shield Sunglasses

The absolute easiest and chicest way to look cooler this summer is with a pair of oversize shield-style sunglasses. Swap those tiny frames of the past for the fashion-girl sunnies of choice. The perfect finishing touch to any summer outfit. 

Up next, I'm a shopping specialist, and these are the under-$100 items I'm buying in June.