Summer 2025 trends and activities to watch out for as temps soar and school vacations kick off, summer 2025 is shaping up to be the most colorful and adventurous one yet. With everybody raring to hit the great outdoors and travel after a long, routine stretch, the season promises an array of fabulous and exciting activities that are all about fun, relaxation, and self-expression. No matter what you get up to this summer whether it’s stippling a mural on the side of a van or just going for a swim here’s a look at some of the things that are trending this season.
Fashion Trends
Comfort meets color this summer, the fashion scene is overtly expressing joy. It is about comfort, too. While I’m not mad about spending a long, lazy summer day at home in one of my always-fabulous loungewear sets, I am occasionally stepping outside and embracing flowy maxi dresses, bright co-ord sets, and oversized shades that are once again making a big comeback. The boldest prints are being paired with the simplest footwear think sandals or even platform sneakers (I went with sneakers, of course).
Fashion that is friendly to the environment is also gathering speed. The sustainable brands that count the former Jean Paul Gaultier among their ranks are now part of a $6.3 billion global industry. And in an era when seeming or actually being nice to Mother Earth can go straight to your bottom line, thrift stores are the new high-fashion runways. Eco-consciousness is now so pervasive in pop culture that it barely raises an eyebrow, which has led to a recent, dramatic uptick in shopping from sustainable brands.
Outdoor Adventures and Travel
Summer is all about people outdoors, driving up to the shore, hiking, you name it. People are also pursuing forms of staycation that bear all the hallmarks of a traditional vacation, and they seem more inclined than ever to reimagine our private and public spaces as their very own nature retreats. Glamping, or “glamorous camping,” is a beautiful blend of the unforgettable experience of experiences (staying) overnight in a tent or in a cabin, or if you are a Troop Leader or scout you might have made it a family camping trip with the family camping (what a mix).
This year some of the most popular water sports are Paddleboarding, snorkeling, and kayaking. Families do not even have to go to the ocean for the regattas; they can rent a cabin or a lake house in the Jefferson National Forest and enjoy some soft/some (lots) of adventures (just add water!). If you are an arts and entertainment person, it seems like a lot of events are coming back, particularly music festivals and arts fairs. If you have never experienced them, I will tell you. They are a good mix of good vibes and creativity. I am looking forward to it.
At-Home Fun and Hobbies
Not everyone is on the road this summer and that’s perfectly fine. Many people are choosing to start their season from home and re-engaging with old hobbies or starting new ones. They are cooking, baking, making things, and otherwise expressing their creativity in the kitchen or home workshops. And they are doing it a lot, especially due to the “show and tell” quality of social media.
We asked people staffers and our favorite at-home practitioners for a few smart, appetizing, or otherwise satisfying ways to pass the time this summer. Here are some of their finds. Projects that you do yourself are also getting attention. Homes that are DIY projects—complete with paint, journals, baking, and candle-making can be just as thrilling as any public space. And “outdoor movie nights in the backyard (complete with popcorn and fairy lights) can create the most magical summer evenings with friends and family.”
Food and Drink
Fresh and flavorful summer cooking and drinks emphasizes fresh, tasty, and light fare. Recipes that put fruit front and center like salads that star watermelon, acai bowls, or tropical smoothies are not only delicious but also visually stunning in that Instagrammable way that, let’s face it, all recipes aspire to these days. Meanwhile, cold brew coffee and mocktails are all the rage, with combinations like lavender lemonade and cucumber-mint spritzer adding a cool twist.
Food trucks and local farmers’ markets are also summer eat hotspots, serving up a dizzying array of dishes from around the world, from the damn good tacos at the Santa Monica Farmers Market to the gourmet ice cream in Venice Beach. Picnic culture is thriving. People are stopping on the way to their next adventure to pack up sandwiches, fresh fruit, and cold drinks and are heading to parks and beaches for euphoric outdoor meals. A picnic is a good excuse to eat something delicious. These are some of my top ensemble advice.
Health and Wellness
This season, prioritizing self-care is essential. Taking morning strolls, practicing yoga in the park, and having days free from screens are how some individuals are hitting the reset button and recharging. The push for better mental health hauls on our awareness continues to swell. It seems a good number of us have or are taking a breather from the virtual space to re-root ourselves in the analog and practice better mental hygiene.
As the world experiences extended daylight, humans are able to spend more time outdoors, prioritizing activities in nature. Be it a day spent biking solo or a sun-filled hike with friends, it is this ‘movement in nature’ that really has people feeling good, both inside and out. Final Thoughts Enjoying the little things, and to an even greater extent, the vibrant colors and quirky creativity of the world around us, has never felt so necessary.
Conclusion
Fortunately, there are opportunities aplenty to express your true self and the season’s warm embrace makes you feel all the more at ease. This summer trend collection is your chance to find the right amount of fun at the intersection of wellness and creativity.
