High summer is officially the time to round up this year’s summer tribes, as informed by what they’re wearing and where they’re going on holiday. Generalisations rarely paint a full picture of ever-shifting wardrobes and identities — one could be a Euro summer girl one day and return to sleek minimalism the next. But it's fun to play eye spy all the same. Here are the five style moods dominating the season.
The Euro Summer Girl
Guess who sagely clung to that old Pucci sarong from years ago? The Euro summer girl, of course, and she’ll be only too happy to tell you how pieces from the Italian fashion house have shot up in value in the past year. While she’s at it, she’ll be scouring Vinted with hawk-like attention for the distinctive zigzag of Missoni kaftans and cover-ups. Other hallmarks of this tribe include sheer sequin skirts paired with Ganni tees and an ever-growing collection of shell-focused accessories. The poster girl is Dua Lipa, and Euro summer girls will likely be following the newlywed’s trail around the Amalfi coast and other Italian seaside destinations this year. On the check-in wishlist are any and every property in the Belmond or Pellicano hotels groups, but an Airbnb with a scenic terrace for Insta shots will suffice. Get the look: Pucci Tulle top, £295, net-a-porter.com; Lulu Guinness fan, £65, luluguinness.com.
The Devoted Minimalist
You’ll spot her slinking through the airport, wheeling along an aluminium suitcase — potentially Rimowa — topped with a Dragon Diffusion bag, bottle of Piz Buin and large Evian spilling out artfully. The devoted minimalist is going somewhere in France, possibly Capelongue in Provence, which she’ll tell you is “less sceney” than Les Roches Rouges on the Côte d’Azur (though she’d gladly head there next). What’s in the suitcase? A collection of Asceno basics collected over the years forms the basis of a neutral-toned holiday capsule wardrobe, with a few more recent gems from Australian labels Matteau and SIR. To tie it all together, there is a pair of toe-ring sandals (likely from Amanu) and the odd statement accessory. They’re from Cos years ago but are, like everything the devoted minimalist owns, in pristine condition. Get the look: Matteau Drop-waist midi-dress, £490, Matteau-store.com; Cos Straw shoulder bag, £65, Cos.com.
The Brat Revivalist
It may be 2026, but this summer can still be Brat (just don’t say it is). The Brat revivalists have just got back from Primavera and next up they’re heading to a festival you haven’t heard of yet, or maybe Sitges or Marseille, or maybe just sweating it out on the Central line in a heatwave — they’ll see how they feel. They’re still wearing tank tops and clutching lighters, but adding black capri denim and a shirt that may or may not show their bra. This camp has an advantage in that their spiritual leader Charli xcx is out and about on a press tour serving up a stream of hot looks, most recently at Saint Laurent’s spring/summer 2027 menswear show. A red lace and leather lingerie dress in the heat? But of course. Get the look: Le Specs Sunglasses, £56, Lespecs.co.uk; Debute Satin dress, £325, Debute.co.uk.
The Whimsical Wanderer
You might well sense the whimsical wanderer before you see her — she’ll be humming Lana Del Rey under her breath and possibly wafting along in a cloud of Vyrao’s Witchy Woo scent. Then there’s the wardrobe, which revolves around dreamy Dôen dresses, obviously, with a smattering of If Only If and vintage Dior nightgowns thrown in for good measure. She might do something unexpected, inspired by Sienna Miller’s mid-heatwave Conner Ives fur-trimmed coat moment at the Serpentine Summer Party. At the back of her mind, the whimsical wanderer is happy that after summer comes bonnet season. She might need one for this year’s summer trips to the Highlands, south Devon, or anywhere with an above average chance of unseasonable mist and haute farm stays. Get the look: Cotton poplin dress, £318, shopdoen.com; Vyrao Witchy Woo hand cream, £49, Cultbeauty.co.uk.
The Unashamed Maximalist
It’s summer, and the unashamed maximalist knows that the options are not go hard or go home — the only option is: go on holiday. She’s wearing standout pieces from Alémais, maybe a little Farm Rio, and lusting after some Dioriviera accessories while wearing heeled flip-flops from M&S (zero shame — they’re seriously comfortable). As for swimwear, this sartorial school of thought favours Heidi Klein and Melissa Odabash, though recently they’ve had their heads turned by Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s latest drop for ViX Paula Hermanny. This summer, they’re going Greek island hopping or to one of Bodrum’s glitziest new openings (OKU, Scorpios, The Edition), ready to shotgun a seafront lounger with their trusty Loewe basket bag. Get the look: Alémais Silk dress, £840, Alemais.com; Heidi Klein Bikini, £245, Heidiklein.com.
