The Coolest Outfits of Summer 2025 Are Actually the Laziest—Let Me Explain

Summer and layering aren't exactly a match made in heaven. On one hand, layered outfits can quickly feel restricting and hot, and in the heat of mid-July, I want to wear less clothing, not more. Alas, the coolest outfits of summer 2025 all feature some kind of layering technique, and once you see the looks below, you'll know what I mean. I'm not talking about layering in the sense of wearing a jacket over your tee. Instead, it's a mindset of ease, effortlessness, and—dare I say—laziness that's permeating the style space right now.

"Lazy" sounds like a derogatory word, but I promise it's a good thing here. To me and the tastemakers setting the tone for cool style, lazy means wearing an oversize tee over your slip skirt instead of pairing it with something soft or traditionally feminine, but it can also mean letting a long tank or tunic flow over your jeans instead of tucking it in or simply wearing flip-flops with anything and everything. Starting to get the gist? Good. Below, I'm outlining the ultimate guide to summer's lazy layering trend and showing the key outfit combinations that exemplify this laid-back, 'couldn't care less' type of vibe. Once you see these looks, I have a feeling you'll be dialing things back and getting into the fuss-free energy for yourself.

One key element to getting the lazy look is tying a long-sleeve sweater, tee, or button-down shirt around your waist. It visually breaks up a monochrome outfit and adds some dimension to something simple like this jeans-and-tee combo. Most importantly, it gives off the energy that you just threw it on without overthinking.

Don't be afraid to double up on your tops—wearing a short-sleeve T-shirt over a long-sleeve T-shirt in different colors is a low-key way to add a cool vibe to your basics this summer. Plus, it's very "The Row summer 2025" coded.

Feeling really lazy? Look no further than the one-and-done outfit—the T-shirt dress. A maxi style becomes a minimalist outfit in and of itself. Just add flip-flops or simple sandals and a summery accessory like a raffia bag or bucket hat.

Wearing a dress over pants is suddenly a very 2025 move thanks to a number of cool outfits like this one that Monikh styled with a sheer tunic dress and relaxed black pants. It's comfortable and effortless but somehow so directional.

While your first instinct might be to dress up a slip skirt with something equally as soft and delicate, like a satin tank, go against the grain and pair it with a boxy tee for a cool tough-meets-pretty contrast.

At first thought, lots of volume should be offset by something fitted, but witnessing the genius that is Josefine's's pairing of genie pants with a flowy cape top should make you realize that sometimes conventional fashion advice is best ignored.

If you take one thing away from this story, it should be to wear your flat flip-flops with anything and everything. An elegant dress? Denim shorts? Linen pants and a tee? The sandals make anything feel casual and undone, which works especially well when you want to tame serious pieces like tailored trousers.

The easy, relaxed look comes across as especially chic when done in an all-satin ensemble, like a scoop-neck tank and bias-cut pants.

There's just something about a plaid shirt that will always feel über-casual to me, and I love how Johanna played into that here, using a scarf belt to lend just a bit more "fashion" to the otherwise utilitarian shirt.