The Anti-Pretty Summer Trend Everyone From Bella to Kendall Wears Nonstop

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(Image credit: Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images; Gotham/GC Images)

Without fail, summer always manages to bring a few unexpected trends into the fold, and the most intriguing one of the moment (in my opinion) is summer suiting. Hear me out on this. Sure, there are a ton of noteworthy bikini, shoe, and dress trends that are defining the summer 2022 look, but none are as surprising and stylish as suiting. While suiting has become a staple part of runway collections and everyone's wardrobes for the past few seasons, one thing that makes this "trend" intriguing is its common association with colder months. It's not exactly the most tempting of thoughts to be trying to schlep through a hot summer day in a suit, yet the celeb and fashion set can't seem to stop doing just that. And it's not just the counterintuitive nature of wearing a suit during sweltering heat that makes this an exciting trend to watch. It's the styling itself that's noteworthy. 

These aren't the overly romantic, pastel-hued pantsuits of the past or even the starkly minimalist iterations. These feel intentionally genderless. They're less focused on sharp tailoring and lean into androgynous separates like waistcoats. Fashion people are opting for oversize silhouettes and finishing off the look with "ugly" accessories like chunky sandals and sporty sunglasses. The result is an anti-pretty relaxed-suiting look bound to turn some heads. But if you're unsure how exactly this is different from former suit trends, keep scrolling, as I've rounded up some examples of how celebrities and people in fashion are styling their suits this summer. Plus, I've shopped out the key pieces you'll need to create the look for yourself. 

Suiting on the Celeb Set

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Waistcoat + Relaxed Trousers + Chunky Slides
(Image credit: MEGA/GC Images)

On Kendall Jenner: DMY by DMY Valentina Sunglasses ($190); Daniele Alessandrini Homme vest; Fiona O'Neill Wool Suit Pants ($422); Stine Goya Idunn Bag; Alias Mae Paris Slides

So what exactly makes suiting summer ready? Just look to Kendall Jenner's 'fit above as the blueprint. It's about leaning into that relaxed vibe by pairing loose trousers with a contrasting menswear-inspired waistcoat and chunky slides.

Shop the key pieces:

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Layered Button-Downs + Tie + Bermuda Shorts + Rain Boots
(Image credit: Marc Piasecki/GC Images)

On Bella Hadid: Prada boots

You know a trend is about to pop off when you see the one-and-only Bella Hadid wearing it, but what makes her summer suit noteworthy goes back to the styling. Hadid took traditionally "masculine" pieces and paired them all together for a menswear-inspired look that all the fashion girlies will want to replicate.

Shop the key pieces:

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Oversize Blazer + Ruffled Dress + Moto Boots
(Image credit: Darren Gerrish/WireImage for ACNE Studios)

On Rosalía: ACNE Studios blazer, top, and boots

If a tie and Bermuda shorts aren't for you, then don't fret. There are other ways to embrace suiting this summer. Take Rosalía's outfit above for example. You can pair a prettier summer style (like a ruffled dress) with an oversize blazer and moto boots for a nontraditional take on suiting.

Shop the key pieces:

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Monochrome Gray Suit + Watch
(Image credit: Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)

On Zendaya: Fear of God suit 

Consider yourself a minimalist? Then you'll want to replicate this look from Zendaya. A head-to-toe gray suit with matching heels and a watch make for a sleek take on summer suiting.

Shop the key pieces:

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Leather Blazer + Waistcoat + Low-Rise Trousers + Loafers
(Image credit: Gotham/GC Images)

On Hailey Bieber: Balenciaga Oval Sunglasses ($170); Cherish Vintage leather jacket; Jacquemus Le Gilet De Costume Vest ($520); The Frankie Shop Tansy Pleated Trousers ($199); Proenza Schouler Buckle-Detail Chunky Leather Loafers ($1165) 

The key to wearing the suiting trend is embracing menswear staples. Don't be afraid to pair a vintage leather blazer with low-rise linen trousers, a waistcoat, statement sunglasses, and loafers.

Shop the key pieces:

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Layered Chain Necklaces + Three-Piece Suit + Heeled Sandals
(Image credit: Gotham/GC Images)

On Gabrielle Union: Bella Freud suit

You don't have to embrace rugged pieces if that's not your style. You can opt for a more polished take on suiting (like Gabrielle Union) by donning a three-piece monochrome suit with layered jewelry and heeled sandals.

Shop the key pieces:

Suiting on the Fashion Set

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Matching Shorts Suit + T-Shirt + Slide Sandals
(Image credit: @astyleedit)

On Lauren: Celine sunglasses; Warehouse suit; Flattered sandals

It's not just the celebrity set that's taken up suiting this summer—the fashion set has too. Case in point: the outfit above. Shorts suits have always divided people, but as content creator Lauren shows us, a matching shorts suit paired with slide sandals and a T-shirt is more stylish than ever.

Shop the key pieces:

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Oversize Blazer + Tank + Pleated Skirt + Cowboy Boots
(Image credit: @meganadelaide)

On Megan: Shevoke sunglasses; Beaufille tank; Maryam Nassir Zadeh skirt; Fendi bag; Rich Cast of Characters boots

If you've made it this far, hopefully, you're now realizing that summer suiting is not only about embracing androgynous pieces. It also means not being afraid to make unexpected pairings. And it doesn't get more out of the box than the outfit above from Megan. Pairing an interesting tank top and pleated skirt with an oversize blazer and cowboy boots is the summer outfit idea I didn't even know I needed until now.

Shop the key pieces:

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Scarf Top + Relaxed Trousers + Platform Sandals
(Image credit: @daniellejinadu)

On Danielle: BY FAR bag; Arket top; COS trousers; Vagabond Shoemakers sandals

Wondering how you can give your favorite pair of relaxed trousers more love during the summertime? Take a cue from Danielle and pair them with a scarf top and platform sandals. Suddenly, your suiting is as hot as a summer day.

Shop the key pieces:

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Tank + Waistcoat + Linen Trousers + Sandals
(Image credit: @deborabrosa)

On Débora: Loewe tank

Let me tell you a little secret: The key to perfecting this look is in the details. Yes, it helps to opt for androgynous pieces and to add some trend-forward items into your outfit, but really, it all comes down to the tailoring and fabric. Investing in relaxed suiting separates in linen fabrics (see Débora's outfit above as an example) is the surefire way to wear your suits stylishly this summer. 

Shop the key pieces:

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Sunglasses + Crop Button-Down + Shoulder Bag + Relaxed Trousers + Chunky Flip-Flops
(Image credit: @shhtephs)

On Stephanie: Vehla sunglasses; Capsool top; Ralph Lauren trousers 

In addition to opting for lightweight fabrics, you can make suits practical for the warm weather by styling your separates with other summer staples. Simply take note of how Stephanie has folded the waist of her trousers and then paired them with a crop top and chunky flip-flops. It's the easiest way to look and stay cool in your suiting this summer.

Shop the key pieces:

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Moto Jacket + Crop T-Shirt + Trousers + Sneakers
(Image credit: @greceghanem)

On Grece: My Essential Wardrobe moto jacket; The Frankie Shop trousers; Louis Vuitton bag; New Balance sneakers

Lastly, let this outfit be your final reminder that the styling possibilities are endless for summer suiting. Whether you choose to take an edgier approach or go in another direction, there are so many ways to embrace suiting in the summer. You just have to be willing to break a few rules and turn a few heads in the process.

Shop the key pieces:

Next: We All Think These 8 Trends Are Fleeting, But These 8 Will Last

Jasmine Fox-Suliaman
Editor

Jasmine Fox-Suliaman is a fashion editor living in New York City. What began as a hobby (blogging on Tumblr) transformed into a career dedicated to storytelling through various forms of digital media. She started her career at the print publication 303 Magazine, where she wrote stories, helped produce photo shoots, and planned Denver Fashion Week. After moving to Los Angeles, she worked as MyDomaine's social media editor until she was promoted to work across all of Clique's publications (MyDomaine, Byrdie, and Who What Wear) as the community manager. Over the past few years, Jasmine has worked on Who What Wear's editorial team, using her extensive background to champion rising BIPOC designers, weigh in on viral trends, and profile stars such as Janet Mock and Victoria Monét. She is especially interested in exploring how art, fashion, and pop culture intersect online and IRL.