Summer footwear and accessory trends, and how long they are likely to last.
Summer trends move fastest in footwear and accessories, where a shape can arrive and date inside one season.
10 articles
Trend Watch
The leather cage has moved well beyond niche labels. Before paying more, check whether the sole can be repaired and whether a cobbler can reach the buckle.
Iris Mbeki · August 11, 2026 · 8 min
Footwear
Rubber, EVA, and leather handle hot sidewalks differently, but thickness and layering matter more than the material name alone. Here is what to inspect before buying.
Dez Ferraro · 8 min read
Trend Watch
Low-profile deck shoes have returned, but many pairs retain the signals rather than the function. Start with the outsole, then judge construction, fit and price.
Iris Mbeki · 8 min read
Trend Watch
The newest long shorts sit close to the knee without behaving like office Bermudas. Rise, hem placement and leg width determine whether the proportion works with tops you already own.
Iris Mbeki · 8 min read
Footwear
A full day in open mesh confirmed some airflow, plus a less charming delivery of pavement grit. The deciding issues were the toe seam and flimsy side support.
Dez Ferraro · 8 min read
Style Notes
A ribbed cotton tank, fine-gauge cardigan, and light overshirt handled humid sidewalks and cold offices. The useful part is how their armholes and hems fit together.
June Park · 8 min read
Trend Watch
Pale yellow is moving from seasonal accent to useful near-neutral, but bags and belts expose its weak point: dark dye transfer. Material and hardware decide whether it remains easy to wear.
Iris Mbeki · 7 min read
Trend Watch
The credible shift is toward flexible belts, relaxed bags and lower-profile jewelry. The louder versions photograph well, but the useful ones earn space in a summer wardrobe.
Iris Mbeki · 7 min read
Footwear
Waterproof, cheap and genuinely fun. They also sweat, and the strap edge is the thing to watch.
Dez Ferraro · 4 min read
Trend Watch
The squared shape made flip flops look dressed. Whether it still looks current next summer is a different question.
Iris Mbeki · 5 min read
Other impacts
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