6 Fun Print Trends Guaranteed to Make You Smile This Summer

Spring and summer's colour trends are a bit of a given, aren't they? Yellow, pink, green—these are shades that return in one way or another every warm-weather season. Don't get us wrong. There's nothing we love more than a joyful colour palette, but what we find even more interesting are the summer prints that come out to play this time of year.

Print trends are way more unpredictable than colour trends. Yes, you can always expect to see florals, but how they're going to be interpreted that season is anyone's guess. (Spoiler alert: This year is all about retro, '70s-style blooms.) Then, there are checks. After years spent favouring gingham, now everyone in the know has become borderline obsessed with checkerboard.

These are perhaps the two dominating print trends of the summer, but don't worry if they don't float your sartorial boat. There is a host of other print microtrends you can get on board with that'll give your wardrobe an instant 2022 refresh. Scroll below to see what we consider to be the top summer print trends right now.

1. RETRO FLORALS

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(Image credit: @IMANLEILA)

Style Notes: It’s expected for florals to make a comeback at this point in the year, but retro, ’70s-inspired florals? They feel incredibly fresh for 2022. 

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2. FRUIT FOR THE PICKING

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(Image credit: @MONIKH)

Style Notes: It seems that we’re not the only ones in holiday mode this year. Brands are serving up a cocktail of tropical fruity prints for 2022, which are making us want to book a getaway ASAP. 

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3. WATERCOLOUR

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(Image credit: @SONGOFSTYLE)

Style Notes: Although tie-dye is still very prevalent this season, a more delicate take on the motif is starting to sweep the new collections—beautiful watercolour brush strokes. 

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4. CHECKERBOARD

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(Image credit: @CHARLOTTEKUHRT)

Style Notes: Although they started out life as a micro-trend, checkerboard motifs have proven they have serious staying power and, by the look of it, are set to be just as popular for 2022. Instead of black and white combinations, I’m looking to bright clashes to instil some joy into my wardrobe. 

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5. PSYCHEDELIC SWIRLS

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(Image credit: @NNENNAECHEM)

Style Notes: This is another variation on the overarching tie-dye trend that’s been captivating fashion for the past few seasons. Now, we’re beginning to see more and more swirl and marble prints coming through. Personally, I might even prefer them to the OG. 

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6. RAINBOW STRIPES

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(Image credit: @BASMA_K)

Style Notes: Becoming just as integral to the spring/summer print scene as florals, rainbow stripes are also starting to shine through now that spring is here! 

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Maxine Eggenberger
Deputy Editor

Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over thirteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content specifically for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their SEO strategy and keyword planning, works closely with the beauty team on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media, including her own Who What Wear UK TikTok franchise, French Style Fridays. Previously, Maxine appeared on ITV's This Morning in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.

Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship at Look magazine, she was offered a position on the brand's fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. Her passion and natural talent for writing and styling meant she swiftly rose through the ranks to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion and beauty writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief, overseeing both print and digital, before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others.

Maxine is based remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh where she spends her downtime renovating her house, walking her dogs, hosting friends and trying to master the art of making Old Fashioned cocktails.