My Goal Is to Look Expensive This Summer—6 Elegant Trends I’ve Been Wearing on Repeat
From striped dresses to Broderie blouses, here are the trends to know if you want to look expensive this summer.
This summer, I made one resolution: looking as polished as possible. As a pared-back dresser who is only ever inclined to embrace playful prints or vibrant colours once the weather warms, this season, I’ve taken a slightly different approach. For the first time ever, I built a true summer capsule wardrobe.—think pretty broderie dresses, airy linen co-ords and enough satin to last until August, and I'm pleased to say that, for the last few months they’re all been worn on rotation.
Lately though, even my most reliable staples have felt a little too predictable. Having survived many a warm day both home and away, I’m in desperate need of a fresh update that feels fashionable as well as functional. Not a complete overhaul exactly, just a trend-led injection to finish out the rest of the season with a bang.
Having combed through Who What Wear UK’s comprehensive guide of runway trends and dissected the styles, shapes, and prints actually actually being worn by the best dressed this summer, some particularly elevated trends stood out from the crowd. Think classic dresses made anew with refreshed cuts, and nostalgic patterns (Pucci! Paisley! And even statement stripes!) livening up minimalist silhouettes. To look expensive this season, it's clear that the devil is in the details (and not just in the price tag).
While I may dream of a wardrobe that features Toteme's silky set in every colour, or The Row's Canal flip-flops as my everyday shoe, my wallet simply won't stretch that far at this point in the year. So, having collated my finds, I’ve wittled down six expensive-looking summer trends that it would be rather selfish of me not to share with you. Scroll down to read about the trends, and of course you can shop them too.
The 7 Most Expensive-Looking Fashion Trends of Summer 2026:
1. Statement Stripes
Style Notes: This summer, stripes have quickly become one of the season's biggest fashion trends. Moving away from last year's preppy, rugby player connotations, this year, they are reworked in skinny, rainbow stripes with an air of retro nostalgia that has the full attention of the fashion set. Be it Realisation Par’s viral Cora dress or Zara’s statement striped jeans, if it's multicoloured, stripy and buzzing with vintage energy, it's about to be huge in 2026.
Shop the Trend:
From Devon Lee Carlson to Sophia and Cinzia, this dress has stolen the hearts of the fashion set this summer.
Style with a strappy sandal and raffia bag this summer.
If you missed out on these jeans when they first dropped, you'll be happy to know that they're back!
Statement making.
2. See-Through Layers
Style Notes: We’ve been loving sheer layers since 2024 ( Susamusa’s Meadow skirt anyone?), but this summer organza, linen and mesh have been cemented as the fabrics of the season. With slightly sultry allure, these lightweight pieces are an easy way to lean into layering with a warm-weather-approved twist. Coming both with a built-in layers or completely sheer, it's the fashion editor approved way to nod to the underwear-as-outerwear trend (albeit in a slightly more discreet way).
Shop the Trend:
The mini skirt will cover your dignity whilst the sheer lets you have some fun.
No one does sheer summer dresses quite like Rat & Boa.
This is exactly how I'll be dressing come the next heatwave.
I've lived in this top this summer.
Another viral style.
Perfect for a Tuscan vineyard or day date with girlfriends.
3. Tactile Tassels
Style Notes: Deep into the throes of a maximalist summer, it makes sense that tassel trims and fringed edging have become all the rage this year. Whilst the trend itself is definitely anti-quiet luxury, what I love most about these trims is how easy they are to style to expensive effect. Whether you lean into bold, contrasting hues a la Sara Walker [pictured above], or opt for a playful pop of fringe via a necklace, this vivacious trend is packed with energy and a bit of drama, in the very best way.
Shop the Trend:
Tassel necklaces are everywhere right now.
Style with a white shirt and pointed-toe kitten heels this summer.
Not a want, but a need!
This top would also look chic with a Bermuda short.
This also comes in classic black.
4. Extravagant Specs
Style Notes: As I’ve said before, extravagant, "more is more" dressing is all the rage this summer, and you need to only look to the sunglasses trends defining the season to see so (pardon the pun). With ludicrously outrageous specs setting the mood, these oversized styles feel a stone's throw from the ones beloved by Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy Onassis in the ‘60s.
Shop the Trend:
Whilst the tortoiseshell is sold out, Celine's viral sunnies are still available in black.
Chimi is the sunglass brand of the stars.
Elsa Hosk was recently spotted in a pair not too dissimilar.
Simple yet oh so stylish.
A new classic.
5. Prints Charming
Style Notes: Stripes undoubtedly continue to reign supreme this season, but prints of every shape and size dominated the runways' summer collections. Think hippie-coded paisley, playful Pucci swirls and, of course, the vibrant animal prints all over street style right now. With boho, '60s nostalgia and Y2K influences all trending, this kaleidoscope of patterns is the easiest way to inject a fresh, of-the-moment feel into your wardrobe. Whether it's a pair of zebra-print wedges styled with a pretty prairie dress or a colourful printed skirt teamed with a simple tank top and flip-flops, the right statement print will instantly elevate your go-to summer outfit.
Shop the Trend:
I've seen so many fashion people wear these with knee-length skirts this summer.
Farm Rio is a one stop shop of all things paisley.
The T-shirt overlay creates the illusion of separates.
A style with a linen co-ord and slouch shoulder bag for a day exploring the city.
Kate Moss eat your heart out.
6. Elegant Embroidery
Style Notes: Not every trend this summer is all about maximalism; many have proved refreshingly timeless too, a case in point: Broderie Anglaise. Lightweight, breathable and imbued with a romantic charm, Broderie Anglaise pieces are as synonymous with summer dressing as florals are with spring. Whether in the form of an airy white dress, a delicate blouse or an easy co-ord, the intricate embroidery brings just the right amount effortless elegance every year without fail.
Shop the Trend:
If you like this dress I'd e quick as its selling out fast.
No one does vintage-inspired broderie quite like Rixo.
If it was up to me, my whole summer wardrobe would be from Doen.
Exactly how I'll be dressing in the next heatwave.
Can you ever go wrong with a white dress in summer.
