10 Cute Summer Runway Outfits With Real-Life Appeal

Emma Childs

April 24, 2024 at 12:58 AM·7 min read

A model walks the runway at the Gucci fashion show during the Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2024 on September 22, 2023 in Milan, Italy.

As much as the runways lean into fashion fantasies, they can also provide some real-life outfit inspiration. Spring 2024 had plenty of looks with a "Hey, I can wear that! "appeal, particularly the cute summer outfits designers sent out in droves. These warm-weather looks are equal parts approachable and aspirational—a mood board full of outfits to wear on a picture-perfect day in June.

In Sabato de Sarno's Gucci debut, the creative director embellished on the standard jeans-and-a-tank combo, sending out front-pleat denim trousers and a sleeveless top piped with colorful gemstones. Mathieu Blazy for Bottega Veneta offered a solution for the calendar conundrum of having a workout class at 11 a.m. and lunch at 12:30 p.m.: a stretchy singlet styled with a leather tote bag and a statement necklace. Other summer outfit standouts included Saint Laurent's utility jumpsuit teamed with an arsenal of golden accessories and Dries Van Noten layering a bikini top under relaxed summer suiting.

Familiar yet fresh, these summer stylings aren't huge leaps out of your usual sartorial comfort zone. They're summer staples—just a little more dressed up. Keep scrolling to see and shop 10 outfits from the runways that work for various warm-weather occasions, from the office to the beach to al fresco dining.

Hot on the Commute, Cold in the Cubicle

Model on the runway at Gabriela Hearst Spring 2024 Ready To Wear Runway Show at the Agger Fish Building on September 12, 2023 in Brooklyn, New York.

As much as central air is one of the greatest inventions of the 20th century, it can make the summer office look a challenge in layering. You may leave the house in a sleeveless blouse, dressed for a blisteringly hot July day, but when you arrive at work, the AC is set to near-Arctic temps. As a workaround, per Gabriela Hearst, you can still keep cool in a sleeveless tailored waistcoat and trousers, but keep a luxurious shawl on hand—in a fabric like cashmere or mohair— just in case.

Banana Republic Siena Italian Wool Vest

Banana Republic Siena Wide-Leg Italian Wool Pant

Tory Burch Diamond Dot Jacquard Wool & Silk Traveler Scarf

A.Emery Lyon Leather Sandals

Carefree on a Coastal Vacation

Model wearing a crochet tank top and track pants by Diotima

Allow Diotima to introduce you to your new easy, breezy vacation outfit: a hand-crafted, beaded tank top, loose-fitting trousers, and a floppy bucket hat. A sculptural cuff bracelet and a Mai Tai in hand make for the perfect finishing touches. Now, all you need is a destination.

Diotima Net Tank Top

Tibi Shell Wide-Leg Pants

Lack of Color Holiday Canvas Bucket Hat

David Yurman Cable Flex Bracelet in 18k Yellow Gold, 4mm

Aperitivo Hour

A model in Proenza Schouler Spring 2024 wearing a sheer skirt and white top.

Proenza Schouler's sheer skirt, covered in crystalized and broken-glass paillettes, is a piece so good that it commands a cocktail. Text the group chat to make happy hour plans, and then style a similar sequined style—like J. Crew's lavender number—with an everyday white long-sleeve and strappy sandals.

Leset Kelly Long-Sleeve Slim-Fit T-Shirt

J. Crew Collection Layered Sequin Slip Skirt

Stuart Weitzman Oasis Leather Kitten-Heel Slingback Sandals

éliou Benjie Earrings

Casual Fridays

A model wears a white shirt, pencil skirt, red baseball hat, mary jane shoes, and a red bag in Bally Spring 2024.

Bally offered a breezy, relaxed, yet put-together outfit to add to your summer workwear rotation. This white button-down shirt, pencil skirt, and sporty baseball cap combo is one to try on a day when dress codes are lax. A handbag with coordinating or complimentary hues and sweet Mary Jane flats adds enough polish to keep human resources off your back.

Our Legacy Borrowed Oversized Cotton-Blend Poplin Shirt

Staud Smith Maxi Pencil Skirt

Polo Ralph Lauren Chino Cap

Aeyde Black Uma Ballerina Flats

Party-Ready at Any Time

A model walks the runway during the Gucci Ready to Wear Spring/Summer 2024 show as part of the Milan Fashion Week on September 22, 2023 in Milan, Italy.

Even your ubiquitous tank top and jeans uniform deserve some flash and fun. Take point from Gucci and style your favorite pair of relaxed denim with a crystal-studded tank. The touch of sparkle adds exciting pizzazz to a menial, everyday task like a quick pick-up at the pharmacy.

Des Phemmes Crystal-Embellished Cotton Tank Top

Alex Mill The Carla High-Rise Straight

Toteme Slim Leather Belt

Sam Edelman Bri Mary Jane Pointed Toe Flat

Beach First, Then Business

A model walks the runway during the Dries Van Noten Ready to Wear Spring/Summer 2024 fashion show as part of the Paris Fashion Week on September 27, 2023

When you're heading into work but have the beach on the brain, mix a playful spirit with professionalism (though you'll probably want to button up before you walk into the office). Do as Dries Van Noten does: Layer a swimsuit, like a one-piece subbed in for a bodysuit, underneath a super baggy blazer for a quirky styling that encapsulates the spirit of summer.

Johanna Ortiz Healing Tools Knotted Bandeau Bikini Top

Theory Tapered Long Sleeve Crop Linen Button-Up Shirt

Everlane The Linen Oversized Blazer

Everlane The Linen Way-High? Drape Short

Farmer's Market Fun Run

Model wearing a white dress, white pants, tote bag by The Row

Of course, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, a design duo known for their quiet luxury Midas touch, can turn a farmer's market trip into an occasion that calls for elegance. Instead of a canvas tote bag and earthy-crunchy overalls, The Row designers encourage styling a supersized leather shopper with summery whites. Recreate the look with a crisp bubble-hem midi dress (styled as a tunic), matching trousers, and loafers. Just be careful around the garden-fresh tomatoes and berries—they might stain.

Matteau Voluminous Flared Minidress

Eileen Fisher Pleated Organic Linen Lantern Pants

The Row Canal Leather Loafers

Bembien Gabrielle Woven Leather Tote Bag

Last-Minute, Late-Night Dinner

A model walks the runway during the Saint Laurent Womenswear Spring/Summer 2024 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on September 26, 2023 in Paris, France.

With its warm weather and inherent laissez-faire spirit, summer encourages spontaneity. So, the next time a friend invites you to last-minute dinner plans, say yes and look to Saint Laurent's runway for some inspiration to master that chic, nonchalant aesthetic. You'll need a black jumpsuit and a few add-on accessories, like a leather belt, mixed-metallic earrings, and a statement bangle.

Max Mara Nice Halterneck Jersey Jumpsuit

Saint Laurent Cassandre Thin Belt With Square Buckle in Grained Leather

Demarson Veronica Earrings

Ettika Abstract Cuff Bracelet

Thursday Date Night

Model on the runway at Valentino Ready To Wear Spring 2024 held at école des Beaux Arts on October 1, 2023 in Paris, France.

When the scheduling gods grant both you and your significant other a night off, even if it's a two-hour window on a weeknight, it's worth stepping out for a date night. Valentino's Spring 2024 runway offers easy-to-recreate outfit inspiration: a ruby red maxi dress, a matching handbag, laidback slip-on slides, and a golden pendant necklace.

Leset James Maxi Dress

Brinker + Eliza Here's Your Sign 24k Gold-Plated Necklace

Valentino Garavani Vlogo Moon Mini Hobo Bag

Isabel Marant Red Lennyo Buckle Sandals

Post-Pilates Lunch

A model walks the runway at the Bottega Veneta fashion show during the Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2024 on September 23, 2023 in Milan, Italy.

Call it the Blazy at Bottega effect—with a few strategic accessories, a workout onesie becomes suitable for lunch at the buzzy downtown cafe. Styling-wise, you'll need a large leather tote bag, a crafty-chic choker necklace, and shiny patent leather mules.