I Asked Gen Z What They’re Actually Wearing This Summer—Their Answers Surprised Me
By Sierra Mayhew
Published 26 May 2026
Here’s the thing about summer trend stories: most of them feel like they’re written in a vacuum. You know the type—roundups pulled from runway photos and influencer feeds that somehow end up recommending the same five overpriced items everyone else is talking about. So this time, I decided to skip the middleman and go straight to the source.
I reached out to a handful of Gen Z women whose style actually makes me stop mid-scroll. Not because they’re wearing anything outrageous, but because something about the way they put things together feels instinctive—buzzy, fresh, and genuinely worth paying attention to. Some are trouser loyalists. Some live in coastal linen. Others are fringe obsessives who’ve somehow made it feel timeless rather than trendy. Here’s what they told me.
The Distinct Point of View
London Boscamp (@lboscamp) is thinking about movement this summer—specifically, fringe and lace. “Both add so much motion to a look without feeling overdone,” she told me. “Fringe feels playful and perfect for summer events or vacations, and lace can be so romantic when it’s done in a modern way.” Her go-to outfit formula? A matching set. “You can wear it together for polish, then break it apart and remix everything separately.” The unexpected item in her closet? A simple workout set and sneakers. “It’s honestly what I wear most on my off days.”
The Unexpected Color Pop
Sophia Bounou (@sophiabounou) lives mostly in neutrals, which makes her answer about summer style genuinely surprising. “Color is reserved for big moments,” she admitted. Her formula is deceptively simple: start with a well-tailored pair of pants, then match your top to your shoes and your bag to your belt. She’s also excited about transparent fabrics, layering pretty bralettes underneath, and wearing flats with skirts—a combination that sounds obvious but somehow feels newly chic.
The Statement Layer
Olivia Hurst (@oliviamhurst) has an admirably split personality when it comes to summer dressing. Days are for ripped jeans, a linen tee, and Ray-Bans. Nights call for minishorts, vintage Tom Ford heels, and a loose blouse with a plunging neckline. She sees fringe as more timeless than trendy, and she’s fully on board with kaftans—”very Brigitte Bardot in Saint-Tropez.” The surprise? Color. “I usually wear all black,” she said, “but in summer I love aqua, green, and turquoise.”
The Off-Duty Formula
Hadley Greene (@hadleyhgreene) introduced me to a phrase I immediately want to steal: “aquatic-inspired dressing.” Think surf, sporty, slightly waterproof energy—even if you’re nowhere near an ocean. Her summer uniform revolves around Bermuda shorts, which she calls “flattering, breathable, and perfect from day to night.” Her unexpected closet staple? Sports jerseys. “I love pairing something masculine with something feminine—it creates tension.”
The Unexpected Add-On
Kate Yarbrough (@tsquaredofficial) is into crochet, but in a refined, minimal way—not the version your aunt made in the 1970s. Her outfit rule is simple: “Fitted somewhere, never nowhere.” She balances proportions to keep everything intentional. Her most unexpected possession? A 1968 Yves Saint Laurent safari dress. “It’s an exception to my usual aversion to khaki,” she admitted.
The Trouser Shift
Maddy G. (@maddygstyle) describes herself as “a trouser girl over dresses or skirts,” which presents an obvious challenge in summer heat. Her solution? Capri trousers. “They’re more breathable than full-length pants but still feel polished, plus they add a fun, summery twist.” As a men’s fashion stylist, her closet leans tailored—think loafers, quality tees, and great bombers—but summer pushes her toward statement pieces and unexpected color.
The Coastal Uniform
Corryn Timm (@corryntimm) lives in Florida, so she’s figured out summer dressing out of necessity. Her style is “coastal chic”—neutral linen outfits with one fun accessory. She loves fringe, especially as a way to incorporate Western pieces into otherwise basic looks. Zebra print is also in heavy rotation, mostly in accessory form. Her one regret? A big hat collection she doesn’t wear nearly enough.
The Takeaway
If there’s a through line here, it’s this: no one is chasing trends for the sake of chasing trends. These women are editing. They’re mixing masculine with feminine, neutrals with unexpected pops of color, investment pieces with vintage finds. Summer dressing, at its best, isn’t about buying everything new—it’s about knowing exactly what works for you and wearing it with total confidence.
And honestly? That’s a trend I can get behind.
