If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. These Are the 4 “Dated” Trends That Are Actually Making a Comeback in Summer 2026 What goes around comes around! By Kaitlin Clapinski Kaitlin Clapinski Kaitlin Clapinski is a Los Angeles-based News and Deals Commerce Writer at InStyle, covering everything from celebrity style to fashion and beauty news. She swears she has a sixth sense when it comes to spotting emerging trends and viral finds and now, she can put it to good use. InStyle's editorial guidelines Published on July 1, 2026 @ 02:00AM Harem Pants: Banana Republic Lightweight Cotton Balloon Pants, $44 (Originally $150) Wedge Sandals: Gap Vegan Leather Thong Wedge Sandals, $44 (Originally $70) Retro Graphics: Old Navy Short Sleeve Loose T-shirt, $8 (Originally $25) Capris: Open Edit Kick Flare Stretch Twill Pants, $80 2026 is sizing up to become the year of comeback fashion trends. Chunky Isabel Marant wedge sneakers of the 2010s were all over festival season, celebrities from Taylor Swift to Mariska Hargitay are embracing graphic tees, and I keep seeing chic, anti-trend fashion people embracing…wedge sandals. In short, if I see you wearing any one of these “dated” trends, I take it as a sign that you’re actually very stylish. If you’ve since donated some of those throwback trends, consider this your sign to give them another go this summer. Shop the chicest “dated” trends of 2026, below. Harem Pants These are not your dad’s hammer pants from the ‘80s. Drawstring, soft, pull-on pants are a major trend this summer, and the balloon shape adds volume and structure to outfits while keeping that soft, sweatpant-like feel. I see chic people all over Los Angeles styling them with simple tank tops and flip-flops for trips to Erewhon. If you enjoyed the barrel jean trend or love the feel of sweatpants but want something more sophisticated, I’d test drive the trend with one of the styles below. Gap Cotton Gauze Easy Joggers $80 $47 at Gap Zara Striped Balloon Pants $80 $48 at Zara.com Free People Stella Cotton Jersey Pant-Set $98 at Freepeople.com Banana Republic Lightweight Cotton Balloon Pants $150 $55 at Banana Republic Open Edit Tie Waist Balloon Pants $70 at Nordstrom Puwei Cropped Lace-Hem Pants $35 $31 at Amazon Wedge Sandals Comfort is key this summer! Like the soft pant trend, cool sandal-wearers are only opting into wedge styles that are actually wearable. Unlike sky-high stilettos, wedges give you a similar lift without that wobbly, unstable feeling. Skip the sore feet and style a pair of wedge sandals with your outfits this summer. Gap Vegan Leather Wedge Thong Sandals $70 $44 at Gap Coutgo Wedge Sandals $46 at Amazon J.Crew Espadrille Wedges $198 at J. Crew Dolce Vita Helan Wedges $160 at Dolcevita.com Reformation Amelia Wedge Sandals $278 at Nordstrom Seychelle Wedge Sandals $89 at Nordstrom Capris Chic people in Los Angeles and New York are swapping their going-out jeans with a pair of cool capris this summer. They’re so easy to style with heeled thong sandals and wedges with a pretty going-out halter or even a simple tank top. The knee-length pants paired with a heel make your legs look so long, but I think you can comfortably style them with ballet flats and a basic white tee for a casual, put-together look. Open Edit Kick Flare Stretch Twill Pants $80 at Nordstrom Lululemon Align High-Rise Crop 17” Leggings $88 at Lululemon Spanx Cropped Leggings $88 at Spanx Dissh Demi Black 7/8 Capri Pants $147 at Dissh.com Willit Tailored Capri Pants $35 at Amazon Walifrey Capri Leggings $6 at Amazon Retro Graphics Whenever I see someone rocking a quirky statement-making graphic tee, I know they have good taste. Olivia Rodrigo is among many It Girls embracing the trend, and I can see why it’s so popular. It’s the easiest way to infuse some personality back into the more pared-back silhouettes we’ve seen dominate the past few years. Even the minimalist dressers are into the sporty baseball tee. I just thrifted a new style that I can’t wait to wear with low-rise jeans and jelly flats this summer. Junkfood Strawberry Fields Tee $58 at Urban Outfitters Original Retro Brand St. Tropez Relax Tee $65 at Amazon Anthropologie Pilcro Graphic Tee $58 at Anthropologie Mother the Rowdy Graphic Tee $150 at Nordstrom Old Navy Hawaii Tee $25 $8 at Old Navy Damson Madder Daily Rituals Tee $85 $55 at Nordstrom Shop More InStyle-Approved Picks I Get Endless Compliments When I Use This Pore-Blurring Foundation That Stays in Place for 8+ Hours 4 People Asked My Sister How Her Face Is “So Glowy” After Using This $19 Serum *One* Time Martha Stewart Uses This Plumping Skin Tint That Gives Shoppers a “Flawless but Natural” Glow Read more: Shopping