Summer has officially arrived, and our wardrobes are shifting gears. Higher temps mean a total fabric reset: think breezy linen, crisp poplin, and other breathable fabrics. It also may be time for a lighter color palette, but is this the case for summer 2026? Keep reading to learn what we’re actually wearing this season, and it might include a color you don’t normally associate with summer!
Poplin Pull-On Pants:
These are all the rage this season, and we’ve both jumped on this trend. The poplin fabric gives the pants a crisp, structured look, making them look fresher than linen. There are slight differences between retailers: some offer a more utilitarian look with topstitched panels on the legs, some have one or two back pockets, but all have an elasticized drawstring waist (so easy to put on!) and side pockets.
LESET Kyoto Carpenter Pant: I (Jo) tried these on in NYC and loved them. The cut is more elevated than the less expensive options, with topstitched utility panels on the front, an adjustable waistband, and patch pockets at the back. The array of colors is vast – there are 6 classic colors and 12 seasonal colors, and I especially like the Chocolate. They fit true to size. They have tons of color options (some of which are sold out, so for those, be sure to sign up for early access when they restock).
J.Crew Luna Pant: Another great option! They currently have the white and the teak in many sizes, and these are two of our favorites! These have an adjustable drawstring, a roomy fit all the way down to the ankle, and a 24.5″ inseam that hits right above the ankle. This pair has the panel detailing down the legs for that utilitarian-inspired look.
Gap Poplin Easy Barrel Pants: Available in black, navy, and brown, these are a simpler version of the poplin pull-on pants, without the topstitched utility panels. They have a slight barrel fit, slant pockets, and one back patch pocket. Both of us bought these in brown and LOVE them.
Summer Chocolate:
You may think the color chocolate is for fall, but it’s featured prominently this summer, and I (Jo) have loved the chocolate pieces I’ve purchased. I recommend either wearing the column of color (brown top and bottom) or combining it with white or khaki to keep the feel a little more summery.
Ann Mashburn Weekender Shirt: A button-up brown blouse is so chic. The Weekender shirt is made from Italian poplin and can be worn tucked in or left untucked, with a curved hem and side gussets for a finished, untucked look. It has a relaxed, easy fit with dropped shoulders, French seams, and a chest pocket. Perfection. Chrissie has the Dark Chocolate Jo shirt from Alex Mill, and loves it.
LESET Kyoto Carpenter Pant: Mentioned above, these in chocolate brown are a perfect summer pant. I’d pair with a chocolate, cream, or white LESET Margot tee (see below).
LESET Margot Tee: A perfect tee with a boxy fit and wider sleeves.
Quince Lightweight Cotton Cashmere Crew Sweater: Wear this alone with white pants, or tie it around your waist or shoulders to add a touch of summer chocolate to an outfit.
White Pants:
Linen, denim, poplin—white is always a good choice for summer, and it pairs with virtually everything!
Ruti Slouchy Jean: I (Jo) have worn these on repeat this summer. Similar to the Nili Lotan Shon pant, but less expensive, they are made from a soft denim and have boxy patch pockets on the front and back. The relaxed fit hits above the ankle, so they work well with sneakers or sandals.
White Poplin Pull-On Pants: Here we go again with the poplin pull-on pants! FabLister Kirsten G. bought the J.Crew Luna Poplin pants in white—the perfect summer pant! Another great choice, LESET, has white in stock now, so don’t delay!!
J.Crew Cosmo Linen Pants: Summer isn’t complete without a pair of white linen pants. Designed with a slim elastic waistband (so you can wear it higher or lower on your waist), a roomy, relaxed fit all the way through, and a 29″ inseam that hits at the ankle, these can be dressed up or down.
White Blouses:
Chrissie used to wear white tees multiple times a week, but this summer has switched to wearing a lot of white blouses. Favorites include:
Xirena makes so many beautiful white cotton shirts! They are not cheap, but the cuts and the cotton are beautiful, and they will last for years to come. This basic white one is a really fine, thin cotton that’s great for summer. This isn’t a white shirt, but we wanted to point out the beautiful blue of this short-sleeved “Blue Surf Dutch Shirt” by Xirena. Be sure to check out their sale section —they have great deals there!
For a more affordable option, this Gap shirt, which also comes in blue, is a good, lightweight summer option with nice detailing.
Jo has this Quince linen popover shirt that pairs with tons of things!
Straw Accessories:
The minute summer hits, we pull out our straw bags. These don’t have to be just for the beach or the farmers market—there are options for evening wear, and fun sandals, belts, and hats that add texture to any outfit. Read our blog on straw bags here.
Madewell Wristlet Bag: This is cool! This is a shoulder bag OR you can button it up and slip it over your wrist for hands-free use! Made from a combo of raffia and suede.
J.Crew Oval buckle belt in faux raffia: Take your outfit up a notch with this custom-developed oval buckle made from a stretchy faux-raffia woven fabric, so you can secure it wherever you want. P.S. Once you create a hole with the prong, just stretch your belt out to return to normal.
Loeffler Randall Nico Raffia Slides: FabList favorite Loeffler Randall has an array of raffia shoes. We especially like these two-band platform sandals in natural chunky woven cotton fabric with tonal whipstitch detailing. They are super comfy with a padded leather footbed, an open toe, and Velcro fastenings at the straps. We have lots of recs for additional summer sandals here.
Solbari Provence Wide Brim Sun Hat UPF 50+: If you’re looking for sun protection, this is the perfect combo of raffia and SPF.
Dressed Up Casual Sandals:
We recently did a blog on Everyday Sandals Fancier Than Birkenstocks, as we were in the market for these shoes to elevate our everyday summer looks. Chrissie got two new pairs and has been wearing them daily. Two of our top choices are:
Sleek Leather Flip Flops: We really like sleek flip flops that you can easily slip into and wear with just about anything from shorts to dresses or jeans, but they have a clean, streamlined look to them. Margaux has tons of terrific options we love, like the Deia . We also love Loeffler Randall’s Lina option.
Sandals with a little embellishment: Larroude sandals, in flat or with a heel, are so comfortable and make any outfit look nicer. Chrissie got the heeled Milan version in Caramel and has worn them out to dinner with sundresses multiple times in recent weeks, and this week we spotted FabLister Carolyn B. looking great wearing the flat version in black.
