Dua Lipa’s recent UK nuptials—an exclusive registry-office ceremony ahead of the couple’s three-day reception in Sicily—have automatically added “bridal influencer” to her already-diversified CV. And her first look not only qualifies this claim, but has most likely created a whole new category of bridalwear: the two-piece suit. Custom-made by Schiaparelli, it was the opposite of a bridal meringue: a sculptural masterpiece with a cinched-waisted jacket, the hemline of which was ever-so-slightly raised and gently curved, mimicking the silhouette of the elongated pencil skirt.
She’s not the only celebrity who has recently embraced shape, channelling a “blown out of proportion” mood to create something novel with clothing. When Cynthia Erivo received her MBE, she wore a black wool-mohair jacket from Givenchy by Sarah Burton that pinched the waist, then unfurled into a petal-like peplum over an ankle-length tulle skirt. Givenchy, this time a 1998 archival piece by Alexander McQueen, was also responsible for a spectacular “wiggle” dress worn by Paloma Elsesser. Emerging post-Met Gala, the look was almost an optical illusion, its top half crystal-embellished mesh that met corseted leather just underneath the chest, creating a spill-then-snatch effect that didn’t just win her many a “best-dressed” accolade on the after-party circuit, but not-so-subtly hinted at one of this summer’s biggest trends: throwing shapes.
Cynthia Erivo, Ruth Wilson, Cindy Bruna, Paloma Elsesser
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Hot weather might usually be associated with altogether slinkier proportions. This summer, however, marks a turning point. An interesting silhouette—whether a ballooning trouser leg or cummerbund-sized belt—is emerging as the way to get noticed. The spring/summer 2026 runways naturally generated plenty of talking points when it came to proportion. At Balenciaga, Pierpaolo Piccioli took a cropped T-shirt with a hemline that soared above the solar plexus and paired it with culottes that gathered around the knees, creating a puffball effect.
Jacquemus, meanwhile, ignored the “rule” about balance, teaming a tent-like shirt with a skirt that jutted out from the waist into a dramatic A-line. Loewe‘s version of a skirt suit—a moulded jacket with prominent shoulders and a waspish middle—resembled a sculpture by Alexander Calder, thanks in part to its colour palette: primary red. Paired with a mullet-themed skirt in a utility shade, which hung rigidly like cardboard, the look’s finishing touch was optic-white aqua booties; chisel-toed and, again, sculptural. JW Anderson’s S/S 26 campaign, starring Little Simz, spotlighted a velvet frock, the skirt of which was constructed from a back-to-front tailored blazer, its shoulders becoming contoured hip points (Ruth Wilson rocked said dress at the Cannes Film Festival).
If this sounds almost sci-fi and not suited to everyday life, check Instagram, where tastemakers are putting a wearable spin on sculpture. For stylist Karen Blanchard, silhouette is something that’s always on her mind, and she’s got a current go-to. “I tend to do fuller on the bottom; huge balloon trousers or a full but flowy skirt,” she says. Her favourite brands for these kinds of pieces include Cecilie Bahnsen, whose frothy dresses made of matelassé or cotton smock have an airy structure, and Issey Miyake, a label whose mastery of construction and fabrication means it doesn’t require an introduction.
It can also help to mine a favourite decade for inspiration. “I’ve always loved mid-’60s shift-cut dresses. That plus ’70s flares are forever [pieces] to me,” says Blanchard. You can see how incorporating an ’80s power shoulder, or equally, a ’50s cinched waist, can suddenly transform an outfit’s angles.
Jacquemus, Alaïa, Balenciaga, Loewe Spring/Summer 2026.
(Image credit: Jacquemus, Alaïa, Balenciaga, Loewe Spring/Summer 2026 – Launchmetrics Spotlight)
Some garments do the hard work for you. Retailers have embraced these new silhouettes, with pieces that are often minimal in mood but maximal in proportion. Arket’s khaki cocoon skirt, with an easy drawstring waist and curvaceous shape, is a game substitute for good old cargo pants, with a similar utilitarian energy. Studio Nicholson’s Asti shirt is an excellent option for summer workwear; a cotton button-down that cinches from the back, courtesy of a well-placed dart, and comes with a set of crisply rounded sleeves.
Róhe‘s Dazu dress—tomato red and terrific for heatwave city days or holidays—has a hint of linen to provide structure, giving its skirt a bud-like silhouette that’s balanced out by a longer silhouette. Don’t forget sunglasses; such an easy way to edge your look towards something more sculpturally interesting. The No Problemo x Le Specs Lyra frames borrow from the former’s “alien-eye” motif, with an oval-like shield that’s sporty-cool, with curved metal points at the temple tips.
Finally, make a sculptural bucket hat your finishing touch, but choose one that’s slightly more glam than Glasto. (& Other Stories’ latest holiday capsule includes one with an elongated silhouette and a gently sloping brim, an elegant grid pattern interrupting its weave). Sun protection and an interesting shadow? That’s the name of the game this summer.
Shop Trending Summer 2026 Silhouettes
440ME
Silk Viscose Peplum Top
Massimo Dutti
Linen Sarouel Trousers
Studio Nicholson
Asti Top
Jacquemus
Cabana Midi Skirt
No Problemo X Le Specs
Lyra Sunglasses
