It can be a hard task to come up with spring- and summer-friendly outfits, as the weather can get super hot. Trust me. NYC summers are the true test for fashionable people to put together chic looks. You want to stay cool but don't want to look sloppy or careless. That's why I'm wearing tube tops and strapless tops throughout spring and summer.
Tube tops gained popularity in the '90s and made their way into Y2K fashion as well. Shows like Sex and the City and Girlfriends showcased just how stylish this simple trend could be, and pop star Britney Spears and R&B singer Aaliyah put the trend on the map. Fashion people couldn't get enough of it, and now, they still can't. I wouldn't say they're particularly timeless, but styled the right way, they can be timely.
Tube tops are the perfect piece to sport while it's hot and can look chic and modern. I've been trying to figure out ways to style my own tube tops to look less '90s and more 2026, and I've cracked the code with these looks I discovered on Instagram. If you're curious about how to wear a tube top or strapless top this spring and summer, keep scrolling for the chicest outfits to re-create.
Chic Cargo Pants
I'm a proud outfit repeater, and if there's one look that I'll be wearing over and over again, it's a tube top and cargo pants. There's something so NYC cool girl about an outfit like that. It's the ultimate "model off duty" vibe that I'm trying to emulate. A tube top styled with cargo pants, a pair of chic sandals, and an east-west bag makes for the perfect spring and summer uniform in my book. Whether you're galavanting during the day or having a night out with friends, this is a look that won't fail you.
Get the Look
Denim Skirt
Denim skirts are a trend I have loved since childhood. It's piece that has undergone so much transformation over the last few years and is now back—so is the tube top. Two nostalgic pieces paired together may sound counterintuitive for a non-dated outfit, but it's actually so modern and chic. Take this look, for example. It's all about how you style these pieces. Instead of a solid-colored tube top, wear a printed one for a stylish twist, and slip on a pair of sleek flats or pumps.
Get the Look
Bolero Shrug
If there's one piece that will make a tube top look way chicer, it's a bolero shrug. I'm so glad that this trend is making its way back into the limelight because tube tops and bolero shrugs are a match made in fashion heaven. The combination is perfect for spring, especially on chilly days. If you don't want to throw on a full jacket, a bolero is the solution. I recommend styling your tube top and bolero shrug with a pair of trousers and pointed-toe shoes for a stylish and mature take on the trends. If you want to keep it light and fun, wear a pair of baggy jeans and sneakers.
Get the Look
Classic Shorts
Now, on days when I'm heading to the beach, I don't want to look sloppy, but I do want to stay cool. The best way to do that is by styling a no-fuss tube top with simple but sophisticated shorts. Try color blocking, like this outfit, with simple colors like black and white. If you're into wearing brighter colors, though, definitely try other fun color combinations like blue and green or red and purple. Slip on a pair of flip-flops and your look will be complete. To elevate your look a bit more, wear a pair of strappy sandals or ballet flats.
Get the Look
Straight-Leg Jeans
If you're not much of a tube-top person but still love the look of bare shoulders, wear a chic strapless top with a pair of classic straight-leg jeans, like the outfit below. Outfit pairings like that always have an air of chicness to them. Just add sandals to complete it. I'd wear this exact outfit to a dinner with friends or out on a day of exploring my Brooklyn neighborhood. This look is the dressiest out of the bunch, but I'm a big believer in the notion that there's no such thing as being overdressed. My selections to re-create this look are pretty close to the original if you want to sport it in the warm weather.
Get the Look
Miniskirt
While I love a '90s look, there is a way to nod at nostalgia and still look modern. For example, this outfit still has elements of past popular trends, like a denim miniskirt, but when styled with a camouflage baseball cap and a shoulder bag, it's fitting for spring and summer in 2026. I'd wear a pair of strappy sandals to keep the summery vibe going. If you want to make your look a bit edgier, wear a pair of knee-high black leather boots for an interesting contrast.
Get the Look
Long Shorts
On extra-hot days in NYC, I'm picturing myself wearing a tube like the outfit below: easy, effortless, and ever so chic. The key to accomplishing a look like this is sticking with one color palette, and while this is an all-white outfit, you could choose any spring color to experiment with. Wear your tube top with a piece just as casual, a pair of long shorts, and strappy sandals to dress it up. If you're having a beach day or a long day outside, trade those strappy sandals for a pair of flats and look just as chic.
Get the Look
