It's officially summer! The best time of the year has finally begun, and we can't be more thrilled to usher in the season at Wrightsville Avenue! With each new season comes new styles, and keeping track of all of the trends--what's in, style do's and don't's, fashion faux-pas--can be pretty tough. Don't stress, love, because we did all the heavy lifting for you and curated this style guide for Summer 2026! Read ahead to discover which trends are coming, which styles we're ditching, and how to look (and feel!) amazing all summer long!
The Fabric Shift
What's in: Breezy cotton and airy linens
What's out: Stiff poplin and heavy synthetics
Summer is all about looking effortlessly chic while still beating the Carolina heat and humidity. If you've ever experienced one of our legendarily hot summers, you know exactly what I mean. Now, nobody's wardrobe will ever be 100% free of all synthetic fabrics, but when it comes to your summer styles, natural fibers are always the way to go.
That's because natural fibers are naturally moisture-wicking and are far more breathable than any kind of polyester. Synthetic weaves are tight and trap heat, while the natural fibers regulate your temperature, keep you from being a damp sweaty mess, and actually feel good to wear!
Moving on! Having a more "textured" look is also very in right now, so fabrics with a bit of a "crinkle," like linen, are flying off the shelves here at the boutique! High-quality clothing made with natural fibers like cotton and linen is supposed to look lived-in, it's supposed to look like you actually wear it. It's not supposed to look perfectly pressed, crisp, and streamlined all day long.
Once new piece at the boutique that has become an instant staff (and shopper) favorite is the Ophilia Open Back Jumpsuit. This deliciously chocolate-mousse brown look is made of a linen/cotton blend with a super soft 100% cotton lining, and it looks beautiful on! Our Elise Linen Set has a separate strapless linen top and matching wide leg linen pants in crisp, beautiful white and is another instant favorite at the boutique.
The Silhouette
What's In: Flowy Tiers and the Drop-Waist
What's Out: Restrictive Bodycon and Tight Croptops
Comfort is the ultimate luxury when it comes to your Carolina summer wardrobe. Crop tops and baby tees are uber cute, sure, but it's darn near impossible to find one that fits just right and can still beat the heat. The same goes for crop tops--your tummy showing doesn't cool you off at all if the rest of your top half is in a tight, restrictive shirt!
Voluminous, flowy skirts are everywhere right now, and for good reason! Fashion is really embracing romantic, relaxed silhouettes at the moment, so it is now, more than ever, the time to let loose! Our beautiful, flowy Rose Maxi Skirt in "ivory" is coastal elegance defined and looks fabulous from the bistro to the beach. Throw it on over your swimsuit after an afternoon of relaxing so you can walk to the car looking covered and cute, or dress the skirt up with a fabulous outfit for an evening out.
An even better bonus (for all the expecting mothers out there) about wearing more romantic, loose silhouettes is that these styles are naturally bump-friendly! Even if you're not expecting, these styles are still fabulous and very forgiving after a big seafood dinner at Wrightsville Beach!
I want you to take a step into your closet and look at every top, bottom, set, dress, and jumpsuit. If you've ever described the fit as tight, restrictive, uncomfortable, then it needs to stay in your closet until the cooler months come back. In the meantime, check out our selection of summer-friendly, stylish women's skirts, shorts, and pants and find your next favorite piece!
The Coastal Color Palette
What's In: Bold Blues and Buttery Yellow
What's Out: Neon Lights and Stage Blacks
As we predicted in our 2026 Fashion Forecast, blue (whether it's light-wash denim, deep cobalt, or bold azure) is one of the most popular colors this year. We're obsessing over this trend at Wrightsville Ave Boutique, and so are our shoppers--these pieces are flying off the shelves! We're loving how elevated and natural shades of blue look compared to the stark blacks we were wearing earlier this year in the cold months.
Our Sainte Button-Front Top is a fabulous denim top (with matching wide-leg denim pants) that lives on the intersection of coastal chic and comfort. Lightweight 100% cotton denim keeps you cool while still looking gorgeous, whether you're shopping at Mayfaire, strolling historic downtown Wilmington, or stopping at a beach bar for drinks with your crew!
Another gorgeous vision in blue is our Aria Top in Cobalt Blue. This piece is 100% cotton and uber breathable, so you run zero risk of overheating or drenched in sweat, whether you're enjoying brunch by the beach or a cup of Drift Coffee by the coast. This top combines a flattering cropped silhouette with radiant blue for effortless elegance, and does it flawlessly.
The second big color of summer 2026 is yellow! This is another trend that we're loving at the boutique, whether it's a soft, buttery shade or a stunning shade of citron, yellow absolutely is one of the "it" colors of the season. This was also a popular color choice for the spring season, but its bright, lively vibe transitions perfectly into summertime.
Yellow is way, way easier on the eyes than the bright neon pinks and highlighter yellows of summers past, and we're leaning into its less "in your face" vibes compared to the vibrant pinks and highlighter yellows of summers past.
Our Malea Dress in Citron Stripe is a beautiful, 100% cotton dress that brings the bright, vibrant vibes without blinding anyone who looks your way. It's loose and flowy, exceptionally comfortable, and can be worn on a Wrightsville Beach picnic, a coffee run with your girlfriends, or an afternoon of shopping--plus, it makes an amazing coverup for when you're heading home from a day by the shore. Want to update your kid's style with a pop of yellow? Our sunny ILM tee in yellow is the perfect addition to their wardrobe!
The Accessories
What's In: Artisanal and Woven Statement Pieces
What's Out: Micro-bags and plastic claw clips
We're going for a more relaxed, loose vibe with our summer wardrobe in 2026, so our outfit pieces are a little more simple and subdued. That means that accessories can do a lot of the heavy lifting for your looks!
This summer, we're ditching cumbersome, impractical mini-purses and clutches that you can't even store a single credit card in. Slickback, snatched hairstyles with vibrant plastic claw clips are out, too, in favor of less "high-and-tight" styles We're wearing intentionally chosen, handmade artisanal pieces, specifically made by our new favorite jewelers, Noonday Jewelry, this summer. We love this designer, and the brand's mission: empowering women, fighting unethical labor practices, and fairly paying their artisans, aligns perfectly with our Wrightsville Ave Boutique values.
Another brand that we're obsessing over is Sande Kids. Sande Kids beach bags are the ultimate summer essential for moms that are carrying things to and from the beach. These bags are more durable than any other that our boutique staff have experienced, and every time we do a restock, they sell out again. Their Beach Hauler bags have a capacity of over 100 liters, contain a mess-proof pocket for your phone, wallet, and keys, and they're made of a tough, high-quality mesh, so when it's time to head home, just give the bag a good shake and all the sand will fall out!
Check out our entire selection of women's jewelry and accessories to find your next favorite piece!
In short, summer is the season of softer styles. Anything in your wardrobe that can be qualified as "edgy," "sharp," or "intense," move it to the back of the closet--we're going for soft, gentle, and dreamy!
Do you feel prepared to step into summer 2026 in style? Check out our selection of women's apparel and accessories and find your next favorite fit!