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

summer suiting trend

Photo:

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

Waistcoat + Relaxed Trousers + Chunky Slides
summer suiting trend

Photo:

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.

Layered Button-Downs + Tie + Bermuda Shorts + Rain Boots
summer suiting trend

Photo:

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.

Oversize Blazer + Ruffled Dress + Moto Boots
summer suiting trend

Photo:

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.

Monochrome Gray Suit + Watch
summer suiting trend

Photo:

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.

Leather Blazer + Waistcoat + Low-Rise Trousers + Loafers
summer suiting trend

Photo:

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.

Layered Chain Necklaces + Three-Piece Suit + Heeled Sandals
summer suiting trend

Photo:

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.

Suiting on the Fashion Set

Matching Shorts Suit + T-Shirt + Slide Sandals
summer suiting trend

Photo:

@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.

Oversize Blazer + Tank + Pleated Skirt + Cowboy Boots
summer suiting trend

Photo:

@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.

Scarf Top + Relaxed Trousers + Platform Sandals
summer suiting trend

Photo:

@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.

Tank + Waistcoat + Linen Trousers + Sandals
summer suiting trend

Photo:

@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. 

Sunglasses + Crop Button-Down + Shoulder Bag + Relaxed Trousers + Chunky Flip-Flops
summer suiting trend

Photo:

@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.

Moto Jacket + Crop T-Shirt + Trousers + Sneakers
summer suiting trend

Photo:

@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.