Style
Coastal Chic: 5 Sea-Inspired Summer Looks
If you haven’t yet set sail with this summer’s nautical fashion trends, consider this your official call from the captain of style
Of all the trends surfacing this season, one thing is clear: the ocean doesn’t have to be a destination, but it’s definitely a vibe. Silhouettes are functionally more chic, textures are more tactile, and the colour palette evokes a postcard from Mediterranean shores. Whether it’s artisanal ensembles, maritime influences, aquatic objects or prints too fun to be ignored, this summer everyone’s closet is coastal-bound.
THE AESTHETIC: Fisherman
What began as niche utilitarian attire is now the trendiest way to look – and keep – cool. No longer a novelty or a seasonal quirk, the fisherman aesthetic has solidified its position as a defining visual language for summer 2025, blending heritage and function through a luxurious lens. Labels like Miu Miu, Dior and Saint Laurent, among many, many others, have dialled up the details: updated Breton stripes, oversized utility jackets, khaki cargo trousers, cable-knit tops, boat shoes, fisherman sandals and netted beach bags coalesce for a final outfit that’s as wearable and pragmatic as it is polished.
To own the aesthetic without veering into the cliché, balance reference with refinement by focusing on texture, proportion and subtle detail. Ground a striped tee with minimalist sandals and a tonal netted bag. Pair a utility jacket with tailored linen trousers instead of going all-in on cargo. Regarding accessories, make them feel intentional: a bucket hat in matte canvas, boat shoes in monochrome leather, or oversized maritime jewellery over a structured blazer. With the right balance, you look less like you’re dressing for the dock and more like you’re simply fashionably urban.
THE PRINT: Sea Creatures
This summer, prints have plunged headfirst into the deep blue. What began as a cheeky piece – Staud’s now-iconic beaded sardine bag – has swelled into a full-scale marine takeover. Bottega Veneta’s sculptural sardine-handle bags turned the trend into a high-design totem, and it has now reached new heights (or depths) in the fashion industry. But it’s not just sardines making an appearance; designers are embracing aquatic symbolism with prints that channel Mediterranean fish markets and coral gardens alike.
While Versace revived its ‘90s coral reef motifs with its baroque style, and Staud extended its sea affair into mini dresses and coordinated sets, more accessible options are surfacing. From Damson Madder’s shirt-and-shorts set to Clare V.’s graphic sweatshirt and even a fish-printed baseball cap, there’s something for every style swimmer. To master the look, treat the seafaring print as the main course balanced with linen whites, relaxed denim or neutral-toned layers.
THE COLOUR: Shades Of Blue
Forget butter yellow: this summer, it’s all about the blues. From sharp ultramarine to airy baby blue and moody teal, fashion houses have unanimously chosen this colour as an integral part of their collections. Loewe and Ralph Lauren showcased head-to-toe cobalt, Ganni and Carolina Herrera softened silhouettes with powder blue, and Stella McCartney introduced an eco-conscious serenity to the runway with a deep periwinkle. Even Bottega Veneta embraced saturated sea glass tones, making blue feel both structured and fluid.
And while blue is never truly out of style, this season, it arrives with more emotional range – refreshingly confident, but also uplifting and soothing. Cobalt makes a statement without shouting, while baby blue evokes calmness, and they all play well with whites, metallics and sun-kissed skin. For a polished update, pair a cerulean blazer with tailored ecru trousers, or lean into tonal dressing by layering teal and navy for subtle dimension.
THE TEXTURE: Crochet
Crochet is no longer just a beach holiday souvenir. This summer, it’s fashion’s most coveted texture, both subtly bohemian and entirely modern. With Isabel Marant, Gabriela Hearst and Acne Studios threading it throughout their collections, the craft has been reimagined in head-to-toe crochet maxi dresses, coordinated sets, handwoven belts and even crochet-trimmed sandals, all enhanced by thoughtful details, from floral flourishes to geometric patterns, oversized silhouettes and embedded fringes.
Airy and breathable, crochet may be an obvious ally for heat-drenched escapes, but it can also thrive in the city, if you know how to style it. The trick is in the blend of textures. Offset the softness with clean lines and crisp layers: a thick knit tank under a clean-cut blazer; an open-weave midi worn over a silky slip; a skirt-and-top set grounded by structured leather sandals. The idea is to keep the rest of the pieces sleek and minimalist, balancing the patchwork design to avoid beach cover-up vibes and make it more suitable for summer in the city.
THE ACCESSORY: Shell Jewellery
If you can’t make it to the coast this summer, consider your accessories your passport to a seaside state of mind. From Zimmerman’s delicate fish charm necklaces to Chloé’s statement seashell earrings, Balmain’s gilded clam clutch and Alex Monroe’s entire summer collection, this season’s aquatic accents offer a wearable escape, no ocean view required.
What makes the trend so appealing is its fluidity. You can dive in with layered scallop shell pendants, fish-form bags, pearl-studded belts and glistening marine charms for a mermaid-core effect. Or, if you’re after a subtler nod to the trend, dip a toe in with a starfish charm bracelet, sea snail earrings or a scallop-shaped clip in your bun to add playful (and still designer-approved) details that require absolutely no extra styling effort.
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