The definition of popularity is constantly changing; in other words, what’s popular today isn’t guaranteed to maintain its status tomorrow. This phenomenon is especially present in summer fashion trends, where over the course of two months, hyper-specific fashion trends take the world by storm. These trends are predetermined in the months leading up to summer, but are quickly disposed of come fall.
With this in mind, it’s important to consider whether these trends are truly fashionable and timeless. While some summer trends have certainly left their mark on the fashion world, others have fallen short.
Below are a few of this summer’s biggest trends that, in my opinion, were not worth the hype.
Photo by Artem Podrez from Pexels
Sea Shells and Lobsters
This summer, I’ve had one too many bedazzled cans of sardines shoved in my face. Shells, lobsters, and other crustaceans have been no strangers to this year’s summer wardrobe. Whether gilded onto the handles of Bottega bags or embroidered onto the polyester shirts at Target’s storefront, the fashion world’s fascination with nautical life has evidently wandered off its plates.
We can assume that part of the appeal comes from pre-existing coastal town aesthetics. However, the trend, in my opinion, is anything but original. Fashion designers have been well-versed in ocean-inspired looks for years.
Think Jean Paul Gaultier sailor men. But what we’re seeing now is nothing more than a cheap, concentrated version of these looks. Fashion companies are taking the nuance out of fashion and lazily slapping on mass-produced motifs to an article of clothing. These images are gaudy interpretations of sea creatures that make outfits seem more like costumes than couture. Repackaging marine life as a new luxury isn’t an inspired revelation at all.
Yes, summer is all about beach and coastal vibes, but there’s no need to be so literal with its messaging. I mean, how would you feel if a perfectly good winter skirt was embossed by a giant glittery snowman?
Photo by Markus Spiske from Pexels
Butter Yellow
From Instagram feeds to red carpets, this pastel color has been spotted everywhere this summer. However, its rise to fame has been on the come-up for a while now. Take, for example, the 2025 Oscars, where Timothée Chalamet was spotted wearing a solid butter yellow suit that had several critics foaming at the mouth. While I can’t guarantee it was his chiseled jawline that caused the color to spike in Google Search popularity that month, I’m sure it was a significant contributing factor.
But what is so special about this color specifically?
Generally, pastel shades are considered calming and approachable. Butter yellow in particular borders a thin line between cheeriness and subtlety, making it all the more appealing.
In an interview for Forbes magazine, personal stylist Dacy Gillespie, not liking the color herself, admitted: “It’s a soft and soothing color, it’s almost a baby color—like a nursery color—maybe that’s what those of us in the United States are craving right now.”
It’s clearly a nostalgic color that manages to bring out the soft side of a person, and consequently, sends others the message that they are just as warm and welcoming on the inside.
However, despite its charm, the color can easily feel “immature”. I guess I automatically associate the color with baby blankets, nurseries, and the Easter Bunny, which makes it hard for me to appreciate the color outside of such contexts. Even if this problem is something only I experience, there are more general issues with the color as well.
Layering the color or relying on it for statement pieces can also come off as unoriginal, since it’s a color bandwagon that so many people are jumping on. Even more so, butter yellow is a color heavily tied to spring and summer aesthetics, which limits its versatility. As opposed to jewel tones or neutrals, I think it’ll struggle to transition into fall or winter wardrobes, making it a color that feels obsolete and seasonal rather than “timeless”.
Photo by Artem Podrez from Pexels
Silk
Perhaps the most romantic and timeless trend of the year has been the resurgence of silk. But you may be asking, “If silk is such a coveted fabric, why are you putting it on your worst trends list?” Well, to that, I say it’s a fabric that definitely deserves a time and place in a person’s wardrobe, but maybe not for the summer.
Most of the silk clothes circulating in stores this summer objectively look beautiful, but aren’t practical in most day-to-day situations. Silk doesn’t breathe well when layered with certain materials and tends to trap heat against the skin. It can even perform worse in more humid conditions, where the moisture from your skin sits on top of the fabric instead of evaporating.
On top of that, what most people think is silk tends to be satin or silk blends, which fare even worse under hot conditions. These synthetic fibers don’t last long-term in closets and are more prone to damage after just a few washes.
Silk has an undeniable reputation in the fashion industry and can certainly elevate an outfit—just maybe not in our 80-90° summers.
Final Thoughts
In general, take my advice with a complete grain of salt because, FYI, most of these judgments were made in sweats and chocolate-stained sleep shirts. I’m not here to tell anyone what they should or shouldn’t wear, because ultimately, the choice is completely yours! Fashion is a personal journey, and what feels right for one person might feel completely wrong for another. Trends exist to inspire, entertain, and even challenge our styles, but they should never make us feel like we need to conform.
Even if a thousand and one people are sporting a trend, that doesn’t automatically make it overrated. Part of the joy of fashion is being able to share it with others. At the same time, fashion is about self-expression, not following the crowd.
If you choose to participate in a trend, you should do it because you genuinely love it, not because the hive mind does. After all, the best outfits are the ones that feel authentic, honest, and make you feel most like yourself.
