In our better summer fantasies, we’ve booked into a cliffside coastal villa. We’re chilling by the private pool. We’ve slathered on the expensive sunscreen. We’re actually reading the book we kept saying we would. It’s a scene out of Call Me By Your Name. Reality, however, is harsher than the April sun.
Record heatwaves are already here. The economy is tanking, again. There’s a fuel shortage, a cooking gas shortage, the stock market needs a confidence coach. International tourism has stalled as the threat of war looms. So, how to dress for an uncertain future? By doing more with less, picking natural fabrics, dressing for domestic vacations, and extending the summer wardrobe to the later months (in the hope that the planet calms down). “The priority is hard-working classics you can reimagine and re-wear,” says stylist Divyak D’souza. “Something that is comfortable, but also multi-purpose,” says Akash Sinha, co-founder and creative director of the clothing label, October.
Sure, sure. But what does that actually look like? Here we go.
The summer my clothing turned sensible
The smartest choice for a 2026 wardrobe: Step away from clothes that won’t survive more than two laundry cycles. No tight-tight polyester, no flimsy single-sewn fabrics, no trending styles that will look dated by the monsoon. Reach for cotton and linen. They let the body stay cool, they’re washable and they’ll survive the summer style cycle.
“Fabric choices show on our skin, and how we feel,” says Shivangini Padhiyar, one half of the duo leading The Summer House, a sustainable clothing brand. “Thankfully, consumers and brands are realising the impact they have on the planet as well.” It costs more than a synthetic blend, but with care, cotton (poplin too) can last up to five years, linen can last three years to a whole decade. Sinha recommends approaching summer shopping with your head, not your heart. Stay practical with simple linen pants. “Get two pairs, one light and one dark, and you’re set with multiple looks.”
Cool down with tradition
Hot girls don’t limit themselves to a summer dress or swanky shorts. They wear light, airy kurtis when the sun is out. Oversized tunics, barrel pants and kurtas with halter necks and cute collars are the fun update to classic styles. “No one is just doing a simple long kurta anymore,” Padhiyar says. There’s always an unexpected twist: An unusual colour palette or wilder embroidery. And while everyone’s probably buying a long summer dress, Rekha Datla, co-founder of The Summer House, advises adding a solid white kurta into your rotation.
Pay attention to prints. D’souza says block-prints are back. “Almost every Indian designer is experimenting with it. And it was a highlight of Rahul Mishra’s collection at fashion week,” he says. “India is all about colour, unlike the West, which has a more muted colour palette. Bandhani and ikat (handcrafted, not the machine-made slop at flea markets) show bright colours off well.” The accessory of the season (apart from your ancient much-washed canvas tote) is the braided-leather bag. Don’t fall for trending colours – pick neutrals so they stay chic for the next few fashion cycles. As for jewellery, bring on the early 2000s. “You can never go wrong with hoop earrings,” says Eka Lakhani, stylist and wardrobe consultant.
Don’t forget your lines
Geometrics rule summer style. Checks come in soft gingham and bold blocks. The stripes are in soft, simple bands, but pin-stripes hit the sweet spot between boring and too much. For those willing to go one step further, D’souza recommends the statement skirt: A checked midi, or even a floral wrap skirt with a striped or checked top.
Of course, summer’s favourite, florals, are around. This time, they’re big, and abstract. A dress that’s half calla lily? Count us in. Floral prints can be layered and brought out for the winter too. Why let flowers wilt in the cold? If you’re looking for prints, the vibe is dreamy Riviera – think of watercolour renditions of the Italian and French countryside, fresh produce included.
Saaksha Bhat, co-founder of Saaksha & Kinni knows that big bold prints can be quite a leap. “Stick to one statement patterned piece, and keep the other pieces fairly simple,” she recommends.
Girl’s got range
“Summer dressing used to be, ‘What can I pack for my vacation?’ Now, it’s more ‘How can I wear this on holiday and also brunch in the city?’” says Bhat. Look for garments that can mix and match to create multiple looks – a wrap skirt that is also a beachside coverup, a little dress that can also be worn with jeans, a flowy shirtdress that can be wrapped up tightly as a kimono.
Lakhani believes that “one shouldn’t underestimate the power of a good co-ord set”. Break the top-and-bottom ensemble so what seems casual can be dressed up and vice versa. And use the right accessories to create a full look: Linen pants with sneakers for walking around town; with open-toe kitten heels for a casual party.
Some styles remain summer classics. The flowy silhouette goes hard. “There’s also a bit of a return to femininity with women’s wear,” says D’souza. “There was a big push towards androgyny for a while, but draped soft looks are back and they work really well for the Indian body type.” Bring on the ruffles, the gathered waists, the flowy sleeves and the flared hems. Don’t forget to check for clean edges and finished seams at the back.
Another favourite, crochet, stays a summer fav; the open weave is on everything, from tops and skirts to even our bags. You know you’re picking a good one if it has reinforced stitching, and the yarn isn’t scratchy. And we stand by the cardinal law of summer clothing, if it isn’t laid back and breathable, toss it out.
From HT Brunch, April 11, 2026
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