From Gingham to Polka Dots—5 Print Trends the Coolest Fashion People Are Wearing This Summer


It's peak summer, and by now, we have a clear sense of the trends the fashion crowd is embracing this season so far. I love to look at the gorgeous prints dominating throughout the warmer months, and this summer's exciting and joyful lineup does not disappoint.
Timeless yet trend-forward, polka dots are unquestionably leading the charge—spotted in all shapes and sizes on dresses, skirts, and tops galore. Stripes are reigning supreme in bold, colorful iterations, especially on pants and shorts. I also can't resist the ocean-inspired prints that are having a major moment right now, leaning into the sardine girl summer aesthetic dominating this season.
If you love a bold pattern as much as I do, then keep scrolling. Below, I've narrowed down five print trends that feel especially relevant right now, each one transforming the way chic people dress in the warmer months.
Polka dots are the It print of summer 2025. The print is trend-forward yet timeless in nature, and the fashion set is embracing it via dresses, capri pants, tops, and swimsuits and mixing and matching polka-dot prints within an outfit. Whether you go for classic small dots or a bold color, you're guaranteed to look on-trend wearing a polka-dot piece this summer and into fall.
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Shop the matching Carla Skirt ($169).
Shop the matching Divine Bikini Bottoms ($95).
Sure, stripes are a year-round staple, but this season, I'm seeing bold and colorful iterations take center stage. Striped pants, in particular (think La Veste's and High Sport's statement designs), are everywhere right now, but I'm also seeing colorful and chic designs on everything from knit shorts to bandeau tops and dresses.
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TikTok has declared it a Pucci girl summer, and Hailey Bieber cemented the trend on a recent European vacation, sporting a stunning yellow three-piece Pucci outfit that included a bikini with a matching cropped jacket and a pair of capris. Whether you're able to get your hands on a designer piece (top tip: hit the secondhand sites, like The RealReal and Etsy, for discounted Pucci finds) or opt for similar psychedelic prints from other brands, it's safe to say the swirling prints and bright colors have captured the hearts of the fashion set this season.
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Nothing says summer quite like a charming gingham print. The cottagecore pattern has been spotted on a host of styles and silhouettes this season, from gorgeous bikinis to vintage-inspired capris and billowy blouses. Black-and-red gingham is incredibly popular, but I'm also seeing the print in fresh green, pink, and brown this season. It's an easy way to infuse color and pattern into your warm-weather wardrobe.
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Captivating ocean-inspired prints have become hugely popular this summer, leaning into the fisherman and mermaid aesthetics that have taken center stage in 2025. It's completely understandable why. From seashells to starfish and sardine motifs, the prints exude a sense of joy that inspires thoughts of tropical beach getaways and boat adventures.
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Judith Jones is the associate shopping director atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing and has worked in fashion for over a decade. She specializes in shopping content and trend stories with high-affiliate impact. She shares the coolest, most desirable fashion market finds and brands for every budget. Previous to working in fashion, Judith worked as a TV host on the PBS travel show Globe Trekker (airing on Netflix and Amazon Prime) sharing her passion for travel and culture.
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