How to Wear Crochet This Summer, According to Stylish Women
4 min readYou might not think of crochet as a “must-have summer piece” when linen pants or strappy sandals are perennial guarantees. Crochet, on the other hand, feels less obvious—instead, strictly relegated to beach cover-ups or a summer cardigan if you run a little cold. But this textured material could just be the key to unlocking your summer wardrobe.
Crochet pieces present the ideal solution to our collective hot-weather sartorial dilemma, offering an airy knit that’s breathable in higher temperatures and adds visual intrigue to your outfit. That texture allows it to take center stage or fall back as an eye-catching supporting character. And the breathability means it also functions as the perfect layering piece beyond the winter months as well. Whether it’s a dress, shirt, cardigan, skirt, or hat, these crochet outfits prove the knit material is just the sort of versatile and distinct piece you need in your closet.
A Coordinated Set
Fully embrace crochet by using it for the whole outfit. You can purchase a whole coordinating crochet set, or mix and match complementary pieces. A short set works best for vacations, while a pant set lends more versatility for everyday occasions. Approach it like styling a dress or jumpsuit, treating the top and bottom as one uniform piece and accessorizing around it. Add a fringe bag that threads together the textural theme, and ground the look with a pair of black chunky boots.
A Halter Layered With a Vest and Linen Shorts
Embrace the easy, breezy summer style by opting for a cream crochet bralette top paired with linen Bermuda shorts. You can even add a bit of structure with a vest. The crisp cut will polish an otherwise relaxed look without feeling too stuffy.
A Sculptural Top and Textured Skirt
Use the textural flair of crochet to reinvent classically simple silhouettes and styles. It doesn’t need to be the loudest piece in the look, and in fact it shouldn’t be. Simply surround it with restrained colors and timeless pieces—a sophisticated black peplum top here, chic leather flip-flops there—to take the piece from poolside to everyday. It’ll subvert expectations and elevate an already stylish ensemble.
A Crochet Beanie
A crochet beanie is perhaps one of the easiest (and trendiest) ways to integrate crochet into your outfit. The boho piece first rose to prominence in the ’60s and ’70s, experienced a resurgence sometime in the early 2000s, and continues to garner plenty of nostalgia-fueled popularity today. Now, it’s the sort of retro accessory thrown on to add a pinch of panache to even the most neutral oufit, making it the easiest point of entry for anyone just starting to experiment with crochet. Pair it with a pair of sleek capris for the ultimate trendy look.
A Bold, Monochromatic Look
Take a page out of Gigi Hadid’s book when styling your crochet by diving into color. Whether it’s a bold hue, like this yellow shirt, or an understated neutral, use a bold hue as the central thread of the ensemble. And opt for an understated shoe to balance everything out. Pro tip: Throw on a chunky necklace for an extra touch.
A Statement Cardigan and Wardrobe Basics
Lean into the playful kitsch of crochet to create a statement-making outfit, starting with a bold crochet cardigan and and then building around it with basics—a white tank top, a neutral trouser, and a simple clutch. Layer on a few extra pinches of playfulness with accessories, like funky sunglasses or a colorful necklace.
An Airy Crochet Dress
You can never go wrong with a crochet dress. Some might come with a slip, but for those that don’t, take a cue from Dakota Johnson’s 2023 Telluride Film Festival look, which demonstrates how you can transform the outfit from a beach cover-up into a timeless boho-inspired ensemble by simply layering shorts and a tank (or even a slip of your own) underneath. Accessorize with silver jewelry and hardware, and top it all off with sturdy black boots that contrast the gauzy material.
A Statement Shirt With Jeans
Sometimes you don’t need to reinvent the wheel at all. Instead, just stick to the classics for grounding a distinct piece. They’re timeless for a reason after all. Take the tried-and-true outfit combination of a shirt, jeans, and boots. Swap out the classic tee or blouse for a statement-making crochet option in a bold color, then fall back on the effortless appeal of a well-fitting pair of jeans and a classic boot to round it all out.
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