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There’s about a month of summer left, so make sure you’re getting every last wear out of your nylon shorts and perfecting that sandal tan.
We couldn’t let the season pass without a women’s-only edition of What the Homies Are Wearing, especially since the spring edition did numbers.
Folks on socials have been asking for more women’s content, and here at HQ, we try to be people of the people.
As always, the ladies came correct, serving up some serious fits and plenty of recommendations worth stealing.
Fire away!
P.S.
Part two on the way next Monday.
Jen Olson — Los Angeles, California
LA-based Creative
What’s the one item you’re most excited to wear this summer?
I found an awesome pair of Dickies at the Rose Bowl Flea Market last month that I haven’t stopped wearing. I’d been on the hunt since seeing my friend Laurel in a pair of Auralee fatigue-style pants that I loved (here and here), and happened to find a dealer with an incredible array of workwear pants in a similar vibe. I sized way up and had them tailored.
How would you describe your go-to warm-weather look?
This summer, I’m working remotely from Minnesota near the lakes, so my go-to has been an Eres bikini, a pair of shorts, and a vintage long-sleeve button-up or pullover to throw on when the sun goes down.
What does your footwear rotation look like for the season?
I usually live in a pair of Vans, but this summer, I’m taking a break from them and loving SeaVees’ reissue of their Yacht Shoe. I also finally caved on the Miu Miu Deck Shoes, an easy slip-on that elevates a casual look. For a little summer dress (most likely Dôen), I’m pairing the perfect white shoe from Maryam Nassir Zadeh. I might need the metallic version for fall.
Any must-have lightweight jackets you recommend for layering in the summer?
I recently went down an eBay rabbit hole looking for a Lee Storm Rider jacket for cooler evenings and ended up snagging both a 1970s white western one and a navy moleskin, both of which I’m looking forward to wearing when it’s not 100 degrees. I’ve also been rocking the Alex Mill Painter’s Jacket in the Cobalt colorway.
Are there any new pieces or trends catching your eye this season?
Do I need a balloon pant, or will I look insane? I love the Aflalo Lolana Pant, and Dôen has a pair coming out with Pre-Fall that I want to try. I’m also into the taffeta trend; I just got the Chan Luu Techno Taffeta Long Shorts and can’t wait to wear them with a tank for an easy, put-together look.
Do you follow any personal style do’s or don’ts for summer dressing?
Find a uniform, dress for comfort, and remember that a tailor is your best friend.
Sophie Robyn Watson — London, England
Fashion editor, writer and stylist
What’s the one item you’re most excited to wear this summer?
I am a real shirt kind of gal, and love to drape them over tanks or tees, normally paired with jeans, long shorts or skirts. This applies whether I’m in London or travelling further afield.
I’ve got some great summer-weight shirts I’ve been keeping hostage in my wardrobe until the weather heated up (and man oh man, it has done in London). So, not necessarily one item, but a handful! I’m reaching for a camp collar organza Róhe shirt I got in the Bessette sample sale (the IYKYK off-season curated store and pop-up), a Deiji Studios long-sleeve panelled and pinstriped cotton-poplin number (and matching boxers) I snapped up in the Net-a-Porter sale, and an Open YY frilly asymmetric white shirt I was kindly gifted this year.
I adore a classic, schoolboy-esque white cotton button-down, but also a freaky, off-kilter one, too. I also rotate a selection of vintage and thrifted styles, mainly Armani, Miu Miu men’s, GAP and Burberry. Here’s my edit of faves on the market now.
How would you describe your go-to warm-weather look?
Big shirt (aforementioned), white tank top, something resembling parachute trousers and a luxe flip-flop. Finished with a leather woven tote and OTT sunglasses. It’s a look that can take me from day to night in the city, feels smart yet summery and super comfortable on the skin.
What does your footwear rotation look like for the season?
A real mix of city, smart and walkable styles, chiefly mesh ballet flats, leather flip-flops and an ergonomic sneaker.
I adore my Dear Frances chocolate-toned Balla flats, so much so that they are in the cobbler’s as we speak getting fresh treads put on them. My St Agni leather flip-flops haven’t aged a day since I bought them.
I have been road-testing a pair of ECCO Biom720 Mary Jane trainers, which are designed in collaboration with Natacha Ramsay-Levi. They accompanied me on a recent trip to Tbilisi, Georgia, and kept up with my many thousands of steps and cobbled streets.
Any must-have lightweight jackets you recommend for layering in the summer?
Funnel-neck jackets are still having a real moment, but for summer, I would suggest investing in a windbreaker version. Nothing too heavy or stifling; it’s got to be a paperweight nylon, cotton, viscose, or satin fabrication.
This kind of jacket works well thrown over tees and skirts for the pub, or more gorped-out for hikes and trail walking in the Great British Countryside. I’m a sucker for natural, earthy tones so I’m bookmarking pieces from Norba, Damson Madder, ARKET and AGOLDE.
Are there any new pieces or trends catching your eye this season?
I think shorts are having a real moment again, especially dressier pyjama-looking styles for women. I’m talking long-line, Bermuda-like shorts that hit just to the knee, in breezy cotton, twill or satin.
Skirts are great, but shorts like this just have a little more wearability, comfort and all-day appeal, and can be teamed so easily with tank tops, summer jewellery and sandals. The “city short” had such a moment some years ago, but this is the 2026 update of that.
It also sits firmly at the intersection of the “Desert Aunt” and “Surfer Nephew” vibes which Allison Bornstein coined and has been purveying for a few years now (citing any of JLaw’s off-duty fit pics of late). I’m looking to Reformation, Donni and LESET to fulfill this need this season.
Do you follow any personal style do’s or don’ts for summer dressing?
Not exactly. Wear what you like. Stay cool. Do what makes you happy. Check the forecast. Get outside. Experiment, but also ignore the “trends”. Add beads, fringing, mesh and silly sunglasses where you see fit.
Louise Hegelund — Aarhus, Denmark
Freelance Footwear CMF Designer
What’s the one item you’re most excited to wear this summer?
Honestly, color. Summer is the one season when I naturally reach for brighter tones. Acid greens, aqua blues, washed blues, and sun-faded yellows. Whether it’s a tee, a cap, or a pair of sneakers, I love when one piece adds a bit of energy to an otherwise simple outfit.
Every summer, I somehow end up wearing different shades of green—acid, olive, moss, or lime. It’s become the color I naturally gravitate toward, especially paired with washed denim, neutral basics, and bright sneakers. I think it’s a color that can feel both technical and natural, which is probably why I keep coming back to it. It feels fresh, optimistic, and somehow always works.
How would you describe your go-to warm-weather look?
Relaxed sportswear with a design mindset. I like mixing technical pieces with vintage basics, keeping the silhouettes easy, and letting color and materials do most of the talking.
I spend as much time outdoors as I can during the summer. Running, walk, or just exploring, so comfort is always part of the equation. Living in Denmark also means dressing for unpredictable weather. I’m very much a shorts-and-T-shirt person when the weather allows it, but I almost always bring a denim jacket, just in case.
I also have a weakness for collecting things. Besides collecting and archiving sneakers, my collection of old and new Carhartt jackets is slowly getting a little out of control.
What does your footwear rotation look like for the season?
Working in footwear and living with what looks like a sneaker archive at home makes it hard to narrow down my rotation.
During the summer, I rotate between vintage Adidas runners, trail shoes, and lightweight performance sneakers. I don’t mind if they get dusty; they almost always look better after a few adventures.
I also have a few favorites that I keep coming back to, like my Nike General Purpose shoes and my aqua Adidas Terrex Shandals with a collapsible heel. This summer, I’ve been wearing my new boat shoes from BOTO almost nonstop. They’re without a doubt the most comfortable and versatile boat shoes I’ve owned. I have a pair in taupe and, of course, the green suede version. For me, you can never go wrong with adding a touch of green to an outfit.
Designing footwear has definitely changed the way I buy shoes. I find myself paying more attention to materials, proportions, and color stories than hype.
Any must-have lightweight jackets you recommend for layering in the summer?
A lightweight windbreaker is probably my most-used layer. Right now, I’d recommend the GNORDA Dyneema Breaker Wind Shirt in Kangaroo. The color is beautiful, the design is simple, and it’s the kind of jacket that works with almost everything.
Scandinavian weather changes by the hour, so it’s the perfect layer to keep on hand. Otherwise, I’ll always reach for a washed denim jacket when I want to add a bit more texture.
Are there any new pieces or trends catching your eye this season?
I’m really enjoying the shift toward more expressive color again. Bright greens, aquatic blues, and sun-washed tones feel optimistic without being loud. I’m also loving the return of slimmer, running-inspired sneakers and more thoughtful material combinations.
Do you follow any personal style do’s or don’ts for summer dressing?
I try to keep things playful. If an outfit feels too “finished,” I’ll usually swap something for a brighter color or a more worn-in piece. I think clothes should feel lived-in rather than overly styled.
Siena Stern — Brooklyn, New York
PR & Community at Exposure America
What’s the one item you’re most excited to wear this summer?
I always have a bandana on my head during the summer. I wear one at least once a week—my favorite brand is from Front General Store in DUMBO. I have red, brown, and blue, and they go with every outfit. I wear them a bit in the fall, but I feel like they’re just perfect for the summer season, so I’m always itching to get them out again.
I find a lot of inspiration from menswear and the California outdoor community, especially in terms of how they play with color, silhouettes, and accessories—such as sun-bleached T-shirts that look like your dad hiked in them for 30 years, maybe with a puka shell necklace. Then I’ll give it a city twist with my white culottes and Tabis, an elevated flip-flop, some gold jewelry, and a sequin bag.
How would you describe your go-to warm-weather look?
I live in white during the summer. If you know me, you know that 90% of my closet in the summer is all shades of white, and as boring as it sounds, I probably wear a version of all-white 5-7 days a week. I love white vintage cotton pieces that can be mixed and matched. I have the best white culotte shirts from MIST in Paris that are my pride and joy, and this cream long bubble skirt that I can pair with everything. I look forward to wearing those pieces, too.
What does your footwear rotation look like for the season?
Ballet flats and leather flip-flops!! I live in ballet flats all summer long. Like accessories, I use shoes to spice up my outfits, and my favorite pair right now is a beautiful bright red satin pair from Simple Rainbow in Paris. They remind me of these ruby-red slippers I had when I was a little girl and add a feminine and playful touch to everything. I also have these silver ballet flats from JW Pei that have lasted me a few seasons. I think red and silver can match every outfit, so they’re easy throw-ons.
I have brown leather flip-flops from an Italian leather maker that I also live in. They’re the perfect hybrid between elevated and casual, so I can wear them day to night.
Any must-have lightweight jackets you recommend for layering in the summer?
A button-down has been my go-to summer layering piece for years. A white one is a staple, but you can get fun with them and have bright colors, stripes, etc. This year, I haven’t taken off a thin blue-and-white striped one from Ralph Lauren.
The best part of it is that the creative comms agency I work for, Exposure America, silk-screened the back with some text, so it looks super dynamic and is a fun standout piece while still being chic and tasteful. I think adding a minimal detail to basics like that makes them so much more eye-catching and intentional.
Are there any new pieces or trends catching your eye this season?
Not sure if this is an actual trend, but I’m loving the integration of watersport wear and accessories into fashion. Specifically, I have been seeing a ton of water-shoe-inspired footwear trends this year. Pharrell just did one with Adidas, and New Balance has a cool pair, too.
I’ve also been seeing lots of rash-guard- and board-short-inspired clothing pieces. Offe Market has these board shorts and pants that everyone has probably seen by now, and Depop has such good options for pieces. People probably literally wore them to summer camp, but that’s what makes them even better.
I haven’t adopted this trend into my wardrobe yet, but I want to!
Do you follow any personal style do’s or don’ts for summer dressing?
No rules! Be and wear what you want :)
Thanks for having me! 🗒️
Jen hive! Queen of tomboy chic :)))