I Don't Live in Capri, but I Dress Like I Do—The Runways Predict a Dolce Vita Summer for 2026
We might be in spring, but I'm looking forward to a seriously chic summer inspired by Europe's most stylish.
Even though I am writing this on a grey, spring day in West London, my mind is firmly focused on a summer in the Mediterranean. No, I haven't booked a holiday (quite yet), but all signs are pointing to the fact that this year is gearing up to be all about the Riviera summer. Allow me to set the scene: turquoise seas, salty air, cobbled streets and waterfront cafés, the picturesque stretch between southeast France and northwest Italy is undeniably aesthetically pleasing, but it's also setting the tone for a burgeoning fashion trend.
Drawing straight from the 1950s' and 1960s' slow, European lifestyle, designers and street-style stars are leaning into the romanticism of a Riviera summer. Think print, colour, slimline silhouettes, swimsuits and sarongs in place of string bikinis—and, dare I say, kitten heels over flip-flops. In short, if it looks like it could be sat on the back of a Vespa or draped on a yacht with a pair of cat-eye sunnies, it's exactly the right mood.
Take, for example, the spring/summer 2026 runways. At Jacquemus, models wore their hair back in headscarves, pairing leggings with ankle-tied shoes, and over at Pucci, white shirts with upturned collars were tucked into pencil skirts, the iconic kaleidoscopic prints worn head-to-toe and finished with matching mini bags. After last summer's pyjama pants and boyfriend shirt energy, 2026 is bringing back the art of dressing up with aplomb.
Riviera Summer on the Runway
Models wore cotton headscarves and a simple, fresh palette on the Jacquemus S/S 26 runway.
Chemena Kamali paired vibrant retro florals with sleek leggings and white shoes for the Chloé spring/summer collection.
Pucci staged its S/S 26 show against a Sicilian backdrop, perfect for showcasing a typically ladylike collection of crisp shirts, midi skirts and fluid silk.
The look has slightly evolved since kaftans and turbans ruled supreme, but playing up the kitchy factor plays into the trend's impact. Statement accessories and exaggerated shapes are key to achieving the look, and there are only eight key buys required to transform your wardrobe from muted to Riviera-ready.
How to Shop the Trend
1. Silk Scarves
Style Notes: It is impossible not to have noticed the recent rebranding of silk scarves in the public consciousness. Once considered "dated" and "old-fashioned", they are now a nostalgic nod to old glamour, now seen styled in every way from wrapped around bag handles to classic neckerchiefs. You know a trend has got legs when it has multi-generational appeal, and as soon as I saw Gen Z buying vintage scarves to tie around baseball caps, I was convinced—silk scarves will be going strong for another year (at least).
Shop Silk Scarves:
A luxe injection into your outfit.
I love this understated colour palette.
Wear as a headscarf on the days you don't feel like doing your hair.
If this doesn't make you want to go on holiday, nothing will.
2. Capri Trousers
Style Notes: A summer favourite of Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn, fitted, 3/4-length trousers have moved away from the '90s "pedal pusher" and are reclaiming their roots as a chic warm-weather option that pairs perfectly with sandals and ballet flats. Last summer, Brits caught onto the black cropped trousers, but this year, switch out monochrome basics for joyful prints that come alive in the sun.
Shop Capri Trousers:
This whole look just gets it.
Deep cocoa is a softer alternative to black.
So good with white heels.
Black capri trousers have become a wardrobe staple.
3. Stripes
Style Notes: Stripes are synonymous with holiday, whether it's chunky, candy-striped sun loungers and towels, or pinstripe linen trousers and tablecloths. An easier print to style than busy florals, stripes always look effortlessly elegant and are undeniably chic styled alongside other prints too. If your summer vision includes boating around Lake Como or sitting seaside for lunch, nautical stripes are the perfect print for breezy cotton and linen pieces designed to throw on with sandals.
Shop Stripes:
Cute on it's own or over capris.
Such an easy everyday dress.
Just add sandals and a basket bag.
Dôen knows how to do dreamy, romantic pieces to a tee.
4. Heeled Sandals
Style Notes: A trend likely best suited to the city than the sand anyway, kitten-heel sandals and mules are overtaking flip-flops and flatforms in the battle for summer-shoe supremacy. If you want to style up anything from shorts to simple dresses, adding a refined (but wearable) heel will help take your look to new heights. Think less Emily in Paris, more Audrey Hepburn.
Shop Sandals:
As soon as I spotted these on the site, I shared them with everyone.
If you're into pretty, statement sandals, you're going to need to take a look at Jimmy Choo's spring offering.
Believe me: these prioritise comfort over everything else.
Black, cherry or cobra brown: take your pick.
Cute polka dots! (But more on those later).
5. Retro Swimsuits
Style Notes: Sorry, micro bikinis, the ultimate Riviera swim look comprises a monochrome one-piece, sunnies and a silk headscarf (good news for those who aren't jetting away this season and are swimming locally instead). Keep an eye out for vintage-inspired details like belts, defined cups, corsages and black-and-white colour blocking; these are swimsuits good enough to wear as tops with linen trousers as soon as the weather is warm enough.
Shop Swimsuits:
Away That Day is my go-to for elegant styles that never date.
You had me at gingham.
You could wear this with jeans for summer in the city.
Scarf prints are starting to emerge as a micro-trend this season, too.
6. Polka Dots
Style Notes: I've said it before, and I'll say it again: polka dots are an underrated print, but this spring/summer is their moment in the spotlight (pun very much intended). They may not be the first trend you expected to make a comeback in 2026, but after getting the stamp of approval from Altuzarra, Khaite, Dries Van Noten and king of Rivera style, Jacquemus, it's clear that the cute spots will be a key focus in the warmer months, and they just so happen to go very well with the rest of the pieces on this list.
Shop Polka Dots:
The halterneck and polka dots are peak retro styling.
If this doesn't say "Roman Holiday" I don't know what does.
Perfect with flared jeans and a heel.
BRB, just re-creating this entire look.
7. Retro Sunnies
Style Notes: Sunglasses will always be a key buy for spring/summer, but this season swaps 2025's sporty shapes, aviators and kooky colours for timeless classics that stand outside of trends. Cat-eye, rectangular and oval sunnies are European favourites, and you'll see them everywhere this year with the ubiquitous silk scarf and capris.
Shop Sunglasses:
Honestly, the perfect cat-eye if ever I've seen them.
Vara Optical always gets frame and lens pairings right, and these would look so good on sunkissed skin.
Tortoiseshell oval frames feel like a signifier of style.
Linda Farrow stays one step ahead of the curve when it comes to design.
8. Statement Jewellery
Style Notes: Lastly, you're going to need some ostentatious jewellery to pull your look together, and bigger really is better when it comes to this aesthetic. Gold costume earrings, stacks of resin bangles and rows of colourful beads aren't just reserved for special occasions. It's dressing up for the joy of it, and jewellery is one of the easiest ways to make a look feel entirely yours.
As soon as I saw this beautiful shade of blue, I fell in love.
Such a cute way to clash with prints.
This colour pairing is perfection.
A nod to the warm waters of the Med.
