These Summer Trends Feel Past Their Prime, so We're Wearing These 5 Instead

It's been a long time coming, but summer is finally here! Now it's time to talk about our favorite topic: trends. This summer feels a little special. After months of cycling through a familiar formula of sweatshirts and lounge pants, the time has finally arrived to show off our best reemergence 'fits. (That includes all the cute dresses, tops, and heels your heart desires.)

To get you in the proper sartorial mood, we're counting down the trends we're putting on the back burner and the (affordable) ones that we're eager to dive into this season. From the IG-popular cottagecore revival to billowy maxi dresses, the trends we're gravitating toward right now capture a relaxed, easygoing approach that favors loose shapes in place of ultra-fitted, tight styles. There are a few more summer trends to get through, so get comfortable and keep scrolling to shop them all.

Fading: Ultra-Structured Pieces

Rising: Romantic Details

Tailored suiting will always and forever be a fashion constant, but this summer, the hype for ultra-structured pieces has given way to loose silhouettes with soft, romantic details like ruffles and Victorian collars. Take those airy milkmaid dresses we've been seeing everywhere: They have that throw-it-on-and-go appeal that takes the guesswork out of styling.

Shop Romantic Details

Fading: Biker Shorts

Rising: Loose Shorts

Shorts are a controversial topic for me, so count me thrilled that tight biker shorts are just about reaching the end of their life span. They never worked that well for my thicker thighs, so I'm all for adopting wide-leg shorts that let my lower half breathe. Pair them with a racerback tank and a loose button-down shirt for fashion-forward styling.

Shop Loose Shorts

Fading: Clingy Tops

Rising: Cottagecore Blouses

As we explained before, soft, romantic details are having a moment, and you can thank the cottagecore craze for that. It's all about looking like you've stepped out of a country garden getaway complete with lightweight fabrics, sweet collars, and big billowy sleeves.

Shop Cottagecore Blouses

Fading: Boilersuits

Rising: Relaxed Jumpsuits

Chances are you own a boilersuit or two, but this season, consider putting them on pause in favor of a less structured alternative. The latter was a big trend a few years ago, but it's been gradually cooling off among the fashion set. We're keen on a more laid-back silhouette that feels appropriate for an easygoing summer.

Shop Relaxed Jumpsuits

Fading: Slip Dresses

Rising: Airy Dresses

Also in the mix of pieces that are on the back burner this season are slip dresses. I admittedly own a whole collection of them, to the point where I have slip-dress fatigue. Sure, the style is a closet staple, but recently, fewer clingy styles are catching my eye. This one-shoulder dress and buckle-belt dress are on point for the billowy dress trend that's been popping up lately, and better yet, they're both under $40.

Shop Loose Dresses

Up next: It's Been Years Since I've Worn Shorts, But I'm Giving These Stylish Ones a Shot