Move Over Polka Dots: The Summer Print I’m Sticking To Instead

Stripes are my evergreen alternative.

POSTED 03.08.26 13:02 BY MAE AUCKLAND

While polka dots continue to plaster themselves all over my feed this summer, I’ll be sticking to a trend that comes back year after year: stripes. Always stylish, always classy, this classic pattern has once again returned in countless variations. From colorful separates to bold striped denim, this season’s versions feel more playful than ever.

Zara’s low-rise striped wide-leg jeans have been getting plenty of attention on social media, and honestly, I can see why.

Go For Color

Last year, we saw stripe-mania on the Spring/Summer 2025 runways, with designers from Prada to Marc Jacobs embracing the definitive print. Meanwhile, the popularity of the European summer aesthetic helped propel the revival of the Breton stripe, with many of us (myself included) trying to channel our inner French chic.

This year, however, I’ve noticed stripes taking on a new form, with color held front and center and playfulness becoming the key theme. As someone who loves vibrant fashion and truly believes colorful prints can have an impact on your mood, this feels like the perfect time to start building a summer wardrobe that feels both stylish and fun.

My story with stripes

Since my first pair of pink striped jeans at just three years old, my favorite way to wear stripes has always been in pants form. Stripes have the fantastic ability to change the body's proportions, so a pair of vertically striped jeans or pants can make me feel about a foot taller (talk about a confidence boost).

Throughout my many years of fashion trial and error—and several accidental moments of looking a little too much like Where’s Wally—I’ve learned that the thickness of the stripes can completely change the feeling of an outfit.

To maximize the print’s versatility (and avoid any more cartoonish mishaps), I follow a simple rule. For more formal occasions, like interviews or dinners, I reach for thinner pinstriped pants or blouses. For casual days, I prefer pieces featuring bolder, thicker stripes, like a colorful horizontal stripe polo shirt.

Stripes are a trend that pops up every Spring/Summer season without fail, so if you want to invest in a print that’s classy, wearable, and evergreen—choose stripes.

Here are some of my favorite striped Fizzypicks, sure to brighten up your warm-weather wardrobe.

Striped pants set with sarong-style overlay and hidden zipper closure, paired with a blue top.

ZARA
Striped Pareo Pants
$19.98

Move Over Polka Dots: The Summer Print I’m Sticking To Instead

Go For Color

My story with stripes

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