Summer Outfits We’ll Shamelessly Be Copying in 2021
With summer right around the corner, there’s no better time to start daydreaming about the summer outfits you’ll wear in 2021.
There’s also no better time than now to start shopping for your summer 2021 wardrobe. As your favorite brands begin releasing their summer collections, you’ll want to be sure you can snatch their must-have pieces before they sell out (cough, cough Telfar). There are even advantages to shopping early for your vintage summer staples too. By the time June rolls around, the denim section will be thoroughly picked over and won’t have the vintage Levi’s shorts you’re looking for.
Though the number of vaccinated Americans rises every day, it’s clear that life won’t be back to normal this summer. And with nowhere to go and no one to impress, chances are that summer outfits will remain pretty casual in 2021. Expect to see lots of basic tees, bike shorts, baggy denim, and white Nike Air Force 1s. But as these celebrity street style looks prove, staying casual doesn’t require sacrificing one bit of style.
While the coming months are looking like they’ll be filled with casual clothing and socially distanced bottomless brunches, copying these celebrity summer outfits is guaranteed to make it a Hot Girl Summer too. 🔥
With another Hot Girl Summer right around the corner, it’s time to start planning your summer outfits for 2021. These celebrity street style looks should help you get started.
Rihanna
Hawaiian shirt + jean skirt
Celine x Tyson Reeder shirt, Random Identities skirt, Amina Muaddi heels, vintage Versace sunglasses
Rihanna’s summer outfit is proof that it is in fact possible to wear a Hawaiian shirt without looking like a Trader Joe’s employee. Worn open over a bikini and a distressed denim skirt, it’s the ideal cover-up for a day at the beach. Accessorize liberally and don’t be afraid to mix colors and prints.
Another reason we love this look: Ri-Ri’s lime green face mask. This summer, swap your boring surgical blue mask for a trendy bright color or print that coordinates with your ‘fit.
Dua Lipa
Corset top + baggy jeans
Coperni bag, Nike Air Force 1 sneakers
Much to the delight of Bridgerton fans and cottagecore Tik-Tokers, corset tops and romantic Victorian blouses are some of the biggest fashion trends of 2021. One of celebrities like Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian, and Hailey Bieber’s favorite ways to style sexy bustiers is with baggy jeans and sneakers. The super-casual bottoms make the dressed-up top feel casual enough for everyday wear but sexy enough for a summer date night.
Selena Gomez
Maxi dress + sneakers
Three Graces London dress, Vince sneakers
In preparation for post-pandemic vacations, we’ve been spending a lot of time here at Zeitgeist HQ researching celebrity summer vacation outfits. And by researching, I mean meticulously cataloging paparazzi pics for future reference and scouring the Internet to find the exact items they’re wearing. One of the vacays we’ve creepily style stalked the most is Selena Gomez’s birthday trip to Italy in 2019. Her colorful maxi dresses and summery accessories are a textbook example of what to wear on a European vacation.
Take a cue from Selena and try pairing your flowy maxi dress with white sneakers instead of sandals or heels. Along with sleek styling choices like Selena’s slicked bun and gold hoops, the sneakers bring balance to the otherwise boho look. And trust us, your feet will be grateful for your practical footwear choice.
Kendall Jenner
White tank + light-wash jeans + sneakers
Meshki top, YEEZY jeans, SKIMS face mask, Nike Low Dunk Syracuse sneakers
Kendall Jenner’s summer style is simple but impactful. She often draws inspiration from 90s supermodels with her baggy jeans, exposed abs, and skinny sunglasses. When it comes to recreating Kendall’s looks, less is always more.
A basic white tank top and straight-leg denim make the perfect combo for showcasing statement sneakers. Kendall’s simple white tube top and loose light-wash jeans have a timeless tomboyish vibe that pairs well with classic streetwear sneakers like Kendall’s bright orange Nike Low Dunks. Finish the simple summer outfit with 90s-inspired rectangle sunglasses and a low bun.
Demi Lovato
Summer dress + headscarf
Bassike dress, BY FAR bag, vintage Hermes scarf
Demi Lovato’s white summer dress and headscarf pairing feels like a modern take on Jackie O’s vacation style during the late 60s and early 70s. And while Demi’s date may have only lasted 15 Minutes, her chic look will certainly stand the test of time.
If you don’t already have a white poplin dress in your closet, now’s the time to get one. At the end of spring and summer, peruse Farfetch, SSENSE, or Net-A-Porter’s end-of-season sales for steep discounts on a splurge-worthy style (or a few) that you know you’ll keep forever.
Camila Mendes
Monochrome shorts + crop top
Adidas tank and sneakers, Holiday the Label shorts, BY FAR bag
Monochrome outfits are a no-brainer for summer. While in the winter it can be a challenge to find enough color-coordinated pieces for a layered look, Camila Mendes’ shorts and crop top pairing only requires two pieces. Classic white sneakers are just the cherry on top.
When it comes to monochrome dressing, neutral colors like grey, black, and denim blue are a great place to start. If you’re struggling to find coordinating pieces, try pairing a solid item with something that has a print that incorporates the same color.
Bella Hadid
Bikini + baggy jeans
Melissa Simone bikini, Off-White x Levi’s jeans, Mango scarf, Roc-a-Fella x Air Force 1 sneakers
Baggy 90s-inspired jeans will undoubtedly be one of the biggest denim trends of 2021. And one of the most comfortable too. To recreate the vibe of Bella Hadid’s Off-White jeans, head to the men’s section of your favorite vintage shop. You’ll want to go up at least two to three sizes from your regular jean size to get the baggy effect. And don’t worry, everyone’s butt looks that flat in them. Even Bella’s.
Sport your 90s baggy jeans with Bella’s y2k Jean-Paul Gaultier flair by styling them with a silky headscarf and exposed thong straps. Per usual, complete the look with your trusty white Nike Air Force 1s.
Vanessa Hudgens
Slip dress + bucket hat
Resa dress and face mask, Jacquie Aiche bra, Poppy Lissiman bag
If you miss wearing your favorite dresses from the Before Times, you’re certainly not alone. Don’t get us wrong, sweatpants are great, but there’s nothing quite like a silky slip dress in the summer. And according to Pantone, Vanessa Hudgen’s bright yellow midi is a perfect choice for the coming season.
To wear your work and GNO dresses during summer 2021, dress them down with laid-back summer accessories like a bucket hat and leather belt bag slung over your shoulder. Pair with Vanessa’s platform wedges or swap them for a comfortable kitten heel or strappy sandal.
Kaia Gerber
Tennis skirt + cropped tank
Brandy Melville tank and skirt, Dmy by Dmy sunglasses, Celine Ava bag, New Balance 624 sneakers
We’re hereby declaring that Kaia Gerber’s post-tennis lesson aesthetic shall now and forever be called après tennis (… though we’re like 99% certain someone else has come up with this term already 🤷🏻♀️). Similar to après ski outfits in the winter, tennis-inspired summer outfits somehow always feel chic.
A tennis skirt (or even better, tennis skort) is key to nailing Kaia Gerber’s street style look. Stick to basic black or white for maximum versatility. Paired with a cardigan-inspired knit tank and a pair of retro tennis shoes, a sporty skirt instantly elevates all your summer athleisure outfits.
Emily Ratajkowski
Midi dress + white sneakers
Wolford dress, Veja sneakers, Dmy by Dmy sunglasses, Hunting Season bag
It’s no secret that Emily Ratajkowski is one of our favorite street style stars here at Zeitgeist HQ. Her minimalist style always feels laid-back, effortless, and incredibly chic. Needless to say, we’re expecting her post-baby casual style to be exceptionally good this summer.
Let Emily Ratajkowski’s simple black midi dress and caramel brown leather handbag be proof that— despite what our mothers may have burned into our brains as kids— black and brown pair exceptionally well together. It’s time to definitively ditch the outdated idea that you can’t wear brown accessories with a black outfit. All it takes is the right bag. Finished with white sneakers and rectangle sunglasses, this versatile look is perfect for summer brunch or happy hour with friends.
