The "Fake Picnic" Is the Latest Instagram Trend to Blow Up This Summer
No beach? No problem. Fittingly, this summer’s most-liked pictures don’t involve a tropical vacation or set up on the sand, but rather center around something a little closer to home and a lot more accessible.
Spoiler alert: iI’s a patch of grass and, optionally, a blanket or even bedsheet if you so please. That’s right—it seems that more time to appreciate the simple things in life has led Instagram’s most stylish fashion people to reimagine (yet again) what a cool shot looks like. Luckily, at least for now, all it requires is stepping into your front or backyard (or even a local park granted you wear a mask and social distance) and snapping a pic in a picnic-like setup which can be real or—no judgment—staged for the ’gram.
As for what to wear, that’s entirely up to you. Some are going full-on cottagecore, donning breezy floral dresses, while others are opting to style the swimsuits they had previously stocked up on for summer which might not have otherwise seen the light of day. The good news is that no matter which way you go, you can’t go wrong, which is what makes the fake picnic trend so appealing, at least to me. To see it for yourself, and, of course, shop some of the most stylish snaps along the way, just keep scrolling.
Leave it to Aimee Song to nail it on the setup.
A sweet treat never hurts—especially when it matches your swimsuit.
Still looking for the perfect summer dress? I’ve got you covered.
Take cues from Elsa Hosk and throw on an of-the-moment halter.
Sometimes, a great bag is all you really need.
Further proof that everyone should have a classic black slip dress hanging in their closet.
Matching sets always make for great photo ops.
Open-back dresses and picnic baskets clearly go well together.
Go the extra mile by turning your sheet into a backdrop.
Of course, keeping it simple always works, too.
Next, seven random trends that are definitely a thing right now.
Since starting as an intern back in 2013, Nicole Akhtarzad Eshaghpour has held several roles here at Who What Wear, and she is currently Editor-at-Large. It was a less expected route, seeing as she was graduating from business school at USC when this all began, but it has turned out to be the best one for her. Fast-forward to 2024, and she's moved to NYC from her hometown of Beverly Hills and spends her workdays a little differently from when she was an intern starting out. Currently, she focuses on a weekly mélange of shopping content. As far as her personal style goes, she's largely drawn to classic pieces and neutral basics but will always make an exception for something colorful, printed, or bejeweled as long as it's deemed worthy enough. After all, the only thing she loves more than a good party is dressing up for one. On weekdays, she can usually be found at home eating something delicious for dinner and trying to force her husband to watch Summer House.
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