Off the Charts: The 9 Summer Micro-Trends That Are Going Absolutely Viral

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Here at Who What Wear, we focus a lot of our energy on the biggest trends of the season, and while we'll never stop covering the heavy hitters, there are several micro-trends worthy of honorary mentions. These aren't making major style moves yet, but we firmly believe that it's only a matter of time until they graduate from micro to macro or, in other words, from niche to mainstream.

After hours of studying the runways and, of course, online shopping (all in the name of research!), we're sharing the micro-trends on our radar at the moment. We've spotted these pieces on the feeds of the most influential women we know and stocked at several key retailers, which tells us that each is on the brink of becoming huge. Keep reading for fashion's most exciting micro-trends of summer 2023, from the cool takes on crochet that every It girl will be wearing on vacation to the simple but outfit-making cuff bracelets that have all our editors in a tizzy.

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(Image credit: @clairerose)

Whether you're jetting off to the beaches of Portugal or staying local this summer, the rise of cool crochet pieces will have you embracing vacation dressing without ever even unzipping your suitcase. Try an openwork knit dress as a beach cover-up or wear a crochet top with trousers.

Shop the trend:

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(Image credit: @sofiarichiegrainge)

Sofia Richie's timeless and chic wedding wardrobe is the leading inspiration behind this micro-trend, so if you're a fan of hers, you'll want to bump these linen vest tops to the top of your summer shopping list. 

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(Image credit: @himichelleli)

Calling all fans of the Adidas Sambas: We just found your next sneaker obsession, and it's just as affordable. With all things retro and soccer inspired bubbling up in the sneaker world, it should come as no surprise that pairs from Onitsuka Tiger, especially the bright-yellow Mexico 66 style, are on the rise.

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(Image credit: @venswifestyle)

Thanks to the rise in a new summer aesthetic the internet has dubbed mermaidcore, we're seeing a surge in accessories inspired by under-the-sea motifs like seashells and oysters.

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(Image credit: @_marisamartins_)

If you like pretty things, you'll love these drop-waist dresses. Fitted in the bodice and flared out with full skirts, it's a fresh silhouette that feels both retro and modern.

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(Image credit: @emilisindlev)

Just when we thought floral prints were "over," this micro-trend comes out of nowhere. Suddenly, we're seeing zoomed-in florals like the Loewe anthurium-printed dresses that are *actually* groundbreaking.

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(Image credit: @clairerose)

The '80s jewelry trend everyone and their mother is wearing right now is none other than big, bold cuff bracelets. Somewhere along the way, our daintier pieces gave way to these larger statement ones, and now, it's all about adding one or two of these cuffs into your outfit rotation for some instant polish.

Shop the trend:

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(Image credit: @jessie_loeffler_randall)

Ready or not, the latest controversial shoe trend has arrived. With ballet flats hitting peak trendiness, we're starting to see more iterations of them emerge, and delicate mesh is the newest one. The see-through style may be divisive, but there's no denying that these are about to be everywhere soon, as It pairs from Khaite, The Row, and Alaïa are already going viral.

Shop the trend:

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(Image credit: @vivian.yrl)

Shop the trend:

Up next, see the 7 major shoe trends of summer 2023.

Senior Editor

Anna is an editor on the fashion team at Who What Wear and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews with Who What Wear's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.