The It Items That Will Define Summer Style in 2026

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(Image credit: @devonleecarlson)

Summer hasn't even started yet, but vacation season has already kicked off. The shores of Marbella, Saint-Tropez, Bodrum, and Ravello are already seeing visitors who are in town for early summer holidays. For those who haven't hopped on a flight for vacation quite yet, we already have a running list of the It items that are worthy of adding to your suitcase.

The well-heeled travelers naturally have enviable wardrobes that are already setting the tone for vacation style this summer, including some of the hottest luxury It buys of the year. Some of the most coveted already include Burberry x Hunza G's swimsuits finished in tartan trim, Polo Ralph Lauren's sporty and colored sunglasses, Alaïa's mesh bucket bag, and Kallmeyer's canvas tote, just to name a few. We're also placing bets on more insider buys destined to land in the suitcases of fashion's coolest insiders. Ahead, see the luxury items set to define vacation style for summer 2026.

The Burberry x Hunza H Faye Swimsuit

The Polo Ralph Lauren Sport Sunglasses

The Alaïa Hip Bag

The Jimmy Choo Lova Flats

The Jacquemus Bateau Corde Scarf

The Kallmeyer Cottage Tote

The Eres Maharani Swimsuit

Kristen Nichols
Associate Director, Special Projects

Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear where she oversees luxury, runway content, and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, and Tiffany & Co., and her style has been featured in publications including The New York Times, Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.