It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for. Leave the coats at home and let your outfit have the full spotlight, because summer is here.
Fashion student Hanan is back for the final part of her year-long series. After guiding you through the fashion trends that shaped autumn, winter and spring dressing, she’s ending on how to style for summer.
Guest blog: Hanan Ahmed
Hanan, who grew up in Middlesbrough and is currently studying fashion at Teesside University, posts daily content to her fashion Instagram account @hautehanan.
1) Butter yellow
Make way for the colour of the season – butter yellow. This soft, creamy shade is popping up everywhere from runways to street style.
It’s fresh, flattering and easy to wear. And it gives an instantly elegant touch to any outfit.
Girls – pair with a flowy blouse and a white skirt for a chic look. For a more masculine take, why not try a T-shirt with dark washed denim jean shorts and white trainers to pull the entire look together?
2) Minimalism
Minimalism is all about keeping things clean and classic. A minimalist wardrobe saves time, money and space, making it easier to get dressed every day.
It focuses on a few well-made pieces in neutral colours like black, white, beige, brown and grey. Think plain T-shirts, tailored pants, simple dresses and sleek jackets.
Some people say the simplicity of minimalism is boring. I say it’s timeless.
A great example of it done right is the above pretty black dress paired with sandals and a white scarf. My male model sports a grey T-shirt along with some brown shorts accessorised with beige trainers.
3) Paisley print
Paisley is back for 2025 – bringing a bold, boho vibe with it. This swirling pattern is showing up on dresses, shirts and scarves in fresh colours and modern cuts.
Whether you go big or small with paisley, it adds personality to any outfit. It’s the perfect way to stand out with a classic touch.
Above, I styled a sky blue and green scarf with a white, flowy shirt and blue jeans. But nothing screams summer like wearing a silk or cotton matching set, so there’s also a pink co-ord look for inspiration.
4) Bangles
Accessories are often overlooked and forgotten when we’re putting together the perfect outfit. But they complete a look. That’s why I love, love, love this bracelets trend.
Being South Asian-born and raised in Britain, wearing bangles with my English garments is something I loved to do while growing up. When I heard that bangles were back, the little girl inside me screamed with excitement.
I styled a black top, blue jeans and some silver khussa (shoes). Of course, I accessorised with my silver jhumka earrings and – the finishing touch – some black and silver bangles. I also paired a stunning purple maxi dress with black ballerina pumps and some showstopping silver bangles.
5) Ruffles
Feminine ruffles are back too – proving once again that this timeless detail never truly goes out of style.
From delicate trims to voluminous layers, ruffles are adding movement, romance and a touch of drama to everything from dresses and blouses to skirts and accessories.
Let’s not shy away from this fashion trend. Ruffles can be expressive and playful.
Above, we have a chic, ruffled maxi dress paired with a black cardigan and some sandals. Next, a beige blouse with a teal ruffle skirt and some black studded ballet pumps.
6) Cardigans and denim
Light cardigans and denim is the easy-going duo you’ll need this summer.
These pieces offer a perfect balance between comfort and style. Whether it’s layering over a top or even pairing with a denim dress, thin cardigans add a touch of class to any outfit.
I put together two looks. One centres around a dark denim maxi skirt and a white bodysuit top with a blue cardigan over it. I accessorised with black ballet pumps and brown sunglasses. The other look pairs a white top with a pink bow cardigan and light grey jeans and is finished with pink accessories.
7) Statement stripes
This season, stripes are not just about the traditional navy and white. They’re appearing in a range of colours, widths and directions.
The key is to mix and match different stripe styles to create unique, eye-catching outfits.
Whether you’re dressing up or keeping it casual, incorporating statement stripes into your daily looks is one way to stand out this summer.
For a masculine look, I paired a T-shirt with primary colours and vertical stripes with some dark washed denim jean shorts. My girly take includes a baby blue and white striped shirt and a black maxi dress topped off with black trainers and a matching scarf.
My main piece of advice this season? Embrace bold patterns and colour. Strut into summer and enjoy the freedom that the warm months bring.
I would love to see how you all style this year’s summer trends. Feel free to share and tag me on Instagram @hautehanan and follow along for more fashion inspiration!