It’s official: These are the 6 cool-girl trends dominating summer 2026, and they start at $12

Shop comfy-chic pants, nightgown dresses, and more outfit-elevating staples.

Shop Cool-Girl Summer Trends

• Comfy-Chic Pants: Mooslover Linen Barrel Pants, $29 (Originally $40)
• Breezy White Dresses: Gap Linen-Blend Crochet Yoke Dress, $100
• Strappy Sandals: Crocs Miami Toe Loop Sandals, $45
• Oversized Sunglasses: &Other Stories Oversized Curved Sunglasses, $67

I’m really enjoying all of the summer trends this season, way more than I usually do. Mostly  because they feel so seamless and are actually practical. Unlike micro trends of the past, I’m seeing people across Los Angeles and New York effortlessly adopting these silhouettes into their daily uniforms and making them their own. 

For example, white “nightgown” dresses are everywhere because they look so cute and dressed-up when it’s too hot to wear anything else. Strappy sandals with cool toe-ring details, are rivaling flip-flops as the shoe of summer. And even though it’s hot, fashion people have come to the consensus that denim shorts are officially out and lightweight, comfy-chic pants are in. Scroll on to shop the effortless, cool-girl summer trends that will functionally and aesthetically upgrade your wardrobe this season (and beyond). 

Comfy, Cool Pants

Everyone is wearing fun pants: Jennifer Lawrence, Anne Hathaway, my co-workers, cool girls on Instagram, my editor friends—I could go on. Everything but denim is essentially the vibe this summer. Think: drawstring linen pants, harem pants, lace-detailed silk pants, cabana-striped trousers, and truly, any comfy style that makes getting dressed easier. They’re so versatile to style, too (casually or dressed-up), and while the trend is simple, no two outfits anchored by soft pants ever look the same. 

Gap Mid-Rise Twill Easy Barrel Utility Pants $90 at Gap	Open Edit Tie-Waist Balloon Pants $70 at Nordstrom
J.Crew Luna Pant $98 at Jcrew.com	Mooslover Linen Barrel Pants $40 $29 at Amazon

Nightgown Dresses

Everywhere I turn, I see embroidered, lace, detail-driven breezy white dresses (see: Kaia Gerber and Bella Hadid in the style). My co-worker and Senior Writer, Kaelin Dodge, wore the cutest Posse number to an event last week with a bandana and flip-flops, and it immediately influenced me. (Psst: She told me it’s double-lined too!). The “nightgown” descriptor comes from the dainty details, and that they admittedly look like they could’ve been your grandma’s really chic nightgown. But, they’re breathable, easy, and don’t cling to skin on scorching hot days, which is why they’re so popular. 

Gap Linen-Blend Crochet Yoke Dress $100 at Gap	J.Crew Ondine Mini Dress $188 $76 at Jcrew.com
Posse Ezra Shift Mini Dress $360 at Fwrd.com	Bimba y Lola Washed Linen Lace Midi Dress $285 at Nordstrom

Strappy Sandals

Jennifer Lawrence and Michelle Obama’s strappy flat sandals prove the trend is not bound by a specific aesthetic or age group. Flip-flops are a summer no-brainer, but strappy sandals feel a touch more intentional and dressier. And with the help from podiatrist-approved brands, they’re actually comfortable and capable of lasting you through thousand-step days through the city, at an event, while sightseeing, and so on. 

Crocs Miami Toe Loop Sandals $45 at Nordstrom	Sam Edelman Ellina Sandals $100 $79 at Amazon
Naturalizer Fame Ankle Strap Sandals $90 $80 at Nordstrom	Free People Corsica Ankle Strap Sandals $98 $65 at Nordstrom

Touch of Teal

Addison Rae’s “Aquamarine” did more for the culture than just inspire the pop music space. Just kidding (but, not really). Trend forecasting platform, WGSN, named it color of the year, and after seeing Matthieu Blazy’s use of the blue-green hue in his Chanel shows, everyone is incorporating a touch of teal into their wardrobes this summer. I have a pair of teal jellies that I get endless compliments on, and I found it easy to adopt the shade in my outfit rotation, even as a bonafide neutrals-only gal. 

Banana Republic Factory Silky Camisole $50 $20 at Banana Republic Factory	J.Crew Soleil Pants $98 $69 at Jcrew.com
Ancient Greek Sandals Iro Ballet Flats $140 at Net-a-Porter	Free People Mabel Tank $48 at Freepeople.com

Oversized Sunglasses

Is it too morbid to say that the oversized sunglass trend might be fashion’s way of coping with the relentless heat and sunshine this summer? They do take up more surface area than the tiny sunglass styles that took over in the early 2020’s. IMO, wearing them is so much fun. A bitchy, large pair is a total confidence booster, and I continue to see celebrities and It Girls alike embrace the trend. And, I even think we’ll continue to see more retro influences like these as we continue to progress through the decade.

Miiya Bug Eye Oversized Polarized Sunglasses $12 at Amazon	Quay On Brand Sunglasses $85 at Nordstrom
&Other Stories Oversized Curved Sunglasses $67 at Stories.com	Side Eye NYC 1225 Madison Ave $290 at Sideeye.com

Sporty Influence

Track pants and soccer shorts have been a major hit in summer’s past, and with The World Cup taking place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico this summer, it only makes sense that our style is influenced by sporty, soccer silhouettes. I’m even seeing cool girls pair jerseys with midiskirts and Bermuda shorts and heels out to the bars. Best of all? Wearing a swishy pair of pants or a flowy, sweat-wicking jersey is so ideal in the warm summer months.

Reformation Theo Jersey Top $168 at Reformation	Gap Factory Linen-Blend Stripe Wide-Leg Pants $70 $35 at Gapfactory.com
Free People Mid Field Pants $128 at Freepeople.com	Adidas Tokyo Low Top Sneakers $90 at Nordstrom

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