summer '26 style edit

Here we are again at the beginning of another season - where chilly winds turn to warm breezes and comfy layers transition to floaty fabrics. I’ve compiled a similar iteration to last seasons spring style guide - no “here’s what the cool girls are wearing this summer” - just a lighthearted overview of what I’m vibing with, eyeing and styling this summer. It’s a long one. Lots of thoughts here for a woman thats going to be covered in milk, spit up and probably wont be leaving the house much this season - but if anyone else may benefit from these musings I will be pleased!

Ok this one may seem like a knee jerk reaction to giving birth at the end of spring, but postpartum body aside, this is a way of dressing that I’ve been leaning more and more into over the years that I’m realizing just rings true to me.

I feel most myself and most confident practically swimming in my clothes. Which feels ironic because I spent so much of my life wearing the tightest, most revealing clothes a gal could find. Maybe it’s finding my personal style, maybe its growing up, maybe it’s conviction from the Holy Spirit. Most likely a healthy combination of all three!

So this summer, I’m feeling XXL linen button downs, bermuda drawstring shorts, floaty linen balloon pants, poplin cotton dresses - to name a few.

Long mid-thigh to knee-length shorts are high on my wishlist - will be styling them with intentional accessories like linen scarves and chunky jewelry pieces to feel more chic and less adam sandler, if you know what I mean.

I’m excited to really give these kinds of looks a go this year - in humid Minnesota summers it can be tempting to bare it all but I’m hoping the extra-loose silhouettes make it comfortable regardless of temp. Stay tuned!

Last summer flip flops reigned supreme, and while I don’t see them going anywhere this year (seeing some cool leather, print and studded variations), already in the warm days of spring I’m catching myself gravitate towards open-weave flats.

I think since my wardrobe leans more casual - pairing looks with a flip flop tend to leave the look flat or even drag it down (see spring style edit for more thoughts on the unexpected piece!), but slipping on a ballet flat makes me feel a little more polished and put together.

The woven material is still breathable and does some style heavy lifting. (Bonus points for not exposing full foot and hiding a slightly chipped pedicure!) I’m opting for natural looking fibers or even leather - and skipping the “jelly” versions - as I have a hunch they’ll be a trend that I wont reach for past this season.

I snagged two pairs to test out at a very palatable price from H&M and am shocked at how comfortable they both are. I went with cream and espresso brown - but a pop of color would be really fun here too.

Every summer theres a new “it” pair or style of sunnies that all the girlies are wearing.

As someone who has had quite the sunglasses collection in my adult life, I more often than not participate in these trends. And the sunnies of the moment either make it into heavy rotation, or fall to the back of my sunglass drawer.

But every year, the same pair of Celine sunglasses I scored second hand on ebay six years ago, remain my most reached for and most worn. They are very 2018 and beat to all belief but something about them just works for my face shape and style. I’d venture to call them my signature pair.

Yes, I still dabble in skinny sunnies, oversized aviators, cat eyes and the like. I love sunglasses. Especially a thick-framed, acetate pair. But having a tried and true that isn’t tied to a trending moment feels good. Something you’d immediately replace upon losing or breaking.

So I recommend taking a pause before pulling the trigger on the bulky oversized aviators of this season and assess, what’s your signature sunny style? What makes you look and feel most you?

Next up: cotton poplin. Linen for summer is, well, obvious - it’s always been my go-to and I have a silly amount of linen button downs because they carry my summer wardrobe styling.

Not sure if you’ll be cold in the AC where you’re going? Linen button down. Outfit need an extra something? Tie linen button down around your waist or throw it over your shoulders. Want to make a kitten heel and mini skirt feel chic and casual? Linen button down. It’s the perfect answer to so many dilemmas.

HOWEVER - I’m starting to incorporate, and dare I say favor, a crisp cotton poplin button down instead. And just cotton poplin in general as a sub or addition to linen in summer.

It adds more structure, more volume, and cleaner lines to a look (all visual style elements I’m leaning into these days), while still maintaining a light and airy summer feel. Also a great option to style with your linen pieces to balance them out. I’m picturing a crisp cotton button down, oversized linen shorts paired with the nylon keote for the perfect mix of structured, relaxed and sporty vibes.

A cotton poplin short, dress and/or blouse are all on my wishlist this year.

And last up: funky rings. Now this I know is a longing deep from my pregnant heart - since only two of my many rings fit on these puffy fingers - but I’ve been admiring more than ever a thoughtfully curated ring stack. One that has been collected over time, pieces that mix and maybe don’t even match, but somehow all work together effortlessly.

A combination of fine and costume jewelry, new and vintage - thin stackable rings and chunky oversized pieces. Pinky rings stacked to the moon. Mixed metals. I’m even obsessing over pops of color (who is she!!) with fun gemstones.

A ring stack like this paired with a tan, bare nails and an oversized fit - as mentioned above - all reads very cool, very summer to me. So while I probably won’t be splurging on any fine pieces this summer (thank you founder budget for keeping me in line!), I’m going to be pulling out my fun, clunky rings to stack and mix and match.

P.S. a lot of my favorite ring stacks I’ve seen have been on women 60+, so if this is speaking to you, go to the grandmas and great-grandmas in your life for inspo and maybe (if you’re blessed!!) some hand-me-downs!

I’ll wrap this before I write a small novel. As always, I hope this got your style brains stirring and excited to authentically style yourself this summer! Thank you for being here!

- rachael

Shop the keote →