What Will Be the Print of the Summer?

Every season, without fail, there’s a breakout print that takes over our wardrobes. Last summer, it was all about tie-dye—in sweats, dresses, and more. During the summer of 2020, at-home tie-dye kits sold like hotcakes as people looked to busy themselves during lockdown. Groovy tie-dyes persisted in the recent spring 2021 collections too. Sportmax, Dior, Proenza Schouler, and more sent them down the runway.

This spring, meanwhile, checkerboard knits also took over, a graphic alternative to the hippie tie-dye. Brands like Tyler McGillivary, Erika Maish, and Paloma Wool all applied checkers onto knitted sweaters, dresses, and more. “It’s a very approachable pattern to learn with, and it’s obviously very pleasing to look at and wear,” Halima Mbwana, designer and founder of Lilliez, told Vogue.

Indeed, the breakout prints of this past year have embodied a joyful and maximalist spirit. And now that we’re entering an opened-up summer, this celebratory mood is persisting in fashion. It’s about time for a new exuberant print to dominate. Below, Vogue editors cast their votes and predict what the new breakout print of summer will be.

Picnic-ready ginghams.

“I am long on gingham as the print of summer. Picnic plaids have never been more appealing as I (we) look to embrace the sweeter and softer side of summer. I also think it’s going to be popular as it really takes inspiration from homewares and nightgowns—both of which we’ve been surrounded by over the last year and a half. Perhaps it’s now spilled into our ready-to-wear and accessories too, thanks to Rodarte, Larroudé, and Altuzarra.” — Rickie De Sole, executive fashion director.

As seen in Vogue.