Sweet style: The grown-up way to nail the fruit trend this summer
This season’s hottest style is fruity, fresh and utterly fabulous
All products are chosen independently by our editors. Luxury London may earn commission on items purchased.
It turns out sweet cherry prints and bitter citrus motifs aren’t just for the kids or tablecloths. This summer, the fruit trend has grown up and is becoming something less tacky and far more sophisticated. A print practically coined by Italian fashion houses such as Dolce & Gabbana and Moschino, designers across the fashion world have caught on to the joy, colour and vibrancy of the fruit and injected them into their summer capsule styles.
Whether you’re looking to get a flavour of the sweet trend or go full tutti-frutti, we’ve put together an edit of some of our favourite fruit-inspired fashion finds. From sun dresses to graphic tees to the ultimate zesty accessories, shop our freshly picked pieces on the market and upgrade your warm-weather wardrobe now.
Summer dresses
If summer had a uniform, a fruit print dress would be it. An easy way to dip your toes into the trend, and a fail-safe warm-weather option, a patterned dress is feminine, fun and something that will never go out of style. And the options are endless, whether you choose a bold style that will drench your figure in bright colours and vibrant fruits, like Farm Rio’s vintage mini iteration, or something a little more simple and subtle, like Stella McCartney’s cherry-print flared hem dress.
For longer silhouettes, make Khaite and Pink City Prints your go-to designers – the former has you covered for formal summer events with its gorgeous slip style rendered in pretty raspberries, while the latter’s breezy cotton fabrication featuring scalloped edges and a stunning playful cherry print is perfect for holiday dressing, from beachside strolling to evening sundowners.
Tops and tees
There’s no escaping fruit-inspired fashion when it comes to tops and T-shirts. A low-effort but high-impact way to tap into the fruit trend, pick between vintage-style graphic tees or lightweight fruit-emblazoned blouses to add an instant splash of colour and fruity flair to your everyday looks. Make Burberry, Mother and Ganni part of your five-a-day with their strawberry and cherry printed T-shirts – simply pair with your favourite denim for laidback summer dressing that is anything but sour. Or for something a little more girly and glam, choose a top like Adriana Degreas’ cherry-printed bandeau for some elegant retro charm.
Skirts and trousers
Looking to mix things up? Another way to flaunt the fruit bowl is with trousers and skirts. Whether that’s going all out in a wide-leg silhouetted pair like Rosie Assoulin’s trousers that will instantly inject joy into your outfit, or ditching your plain monochrome skirt for a cute cherry iteration instead, like Adriana Degreas’. Wear with a crisp white T-shirt or double up with a matching top for a bold, summery take on the trend.
Swimwear
Take the fruit trend on holiday with you and be beach ready in your tutti-frutti swimwear, whether it’s in a bright one-piece like this lemon adorned swimsuit from Dolce & Gabbana, which will transport you straight to the Amalfi, or a colourfully embroidered bikini à la Leslie Amon. Prefer something more subtle? Choose Donde Esteban’s banana printed two-piece or dip your toes into the vegetable patch instead with Staud’s crisp white swimsuit featuring sparkling beadwork of fresh crudités… almost good enough to eat.
Accessories
Not ready to go full head-to-toe fruit print crazy? Accessories are the perfect compromise to nailing the grown-up take on the trend, adding juicy twists to any outfit. Take Valentino’s raffia-effect bag for instance, perfect for flinging over your shoulder for a sweet summer upgrade to your everyday outfit. Or let Staud’s beaded bag do all the talking, adorned in bright and vibrant lemon motifs for an Italian-inspired, refreshing seasonal look. And of course, Anya Hindmarch’s pineapple raffia bag is sure to make a statement in the most wonderful way long after the trend has waned. Alternatively, you could always pop on a cute crochet hat embroidered with fruit – we can’t get enough of Leslie Amon's and you best believe we will be wearing ours from beach to brunch.
Jewellery
In our opinion, no outfit is complete without a little bit of bling, and the fruit trend is, perhaps unsurprisingly, all over the jewellery scene too. Adorn your neckline, wrists and ears with some subtle tutti-frutti designs – or some not-so-subtle, big and bold pieces – for a fresh and joyful look. Whether a simple pair of micro cherry-studded earrings or an apple-shaped pendant on a sophisticated yellow gold chain from the likes of Enamel Copenhagen and Aliita, opt for a pared-back, minimal style that nods to the trend quietly.
For something a little more colourful and exotic, a beaded necklace like Pura Utz’s fruit salad one will give the farmers market a run for their money, and is ideal for both everyday and special occasions. Meanwhile, Cece Jewellery’s beautiful fruit necklace is more of an investment piece, but with its elegant hand-painted enamelled fruits on a fine 18-karat yellow gold chain, this sweet design is guaranteed to stay in style forever.
Read more: Flip flops: The summer shoe that never goes out of style
