Forget Basic Summer Tops—Scarf-Inspired Dressing Is The Season’s New Staple

There are several summer trends we’re loving this season: capris, woven bags, silky matching sets, and, of course, scarves. And while the scarf itself isn’t necessarily “new,” it’s trending in a new way. The beloved accessory-turned-garment can be worn in a plethora of ways, from the traditional hair bandana or that added bit of flair to your favorite handbag to the Kylie Jenner-loved scarf belt, worn around your waist over a dress, skirt, or pair of pants. Still, it’s the scarf top that reigns supreme as summer’s most popular staple. If you’re not familiar, the scarf top is exactly what you think it is: a scarf tied in different ways around your neck and chest to create the illusion of a silky print top. And while wearing a brightly printed scarf as a top might work for some, it’s not for everyone. (The maintenance of trying to make sure your top stays up all day can also be a struggle, and dare I say, not chic). 

But believe it or not, you don’t need a literal scarf to rock the fan-favorite trend this summer, thanks to a bevy of designers who have created unique garments inspired by the scarf silhouette with the same effortless allure. Ahead, you’ll find a stylish selection of the best scarf-inspired looks to add to your summer wardrobe. From intricately tied tops from brands like Alémais and Etro to a range of festive frocks from favorites like J.Crew, Diane von Furstenberg, and Versace. Wherever you’re off to this season, you’re sure to make a stunning statement in any of these summer scarf-inspired staples. 

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

Like the idea of a scarf top, but prefer an actual top? This ethereal paisley-print Dôen top might be exactly what you’re looking for. The cotton-voile design has a box-style silhouette with a bateau neckline framed by scarf-inspired shoulder ties. The relaxed fit top also features a bandana-style trim and subtle side-seam slits for breezy ventilation.

Dôen Amalia Top, $, available at Net-A-Porter

Leave it to Alemais to have one of the most creative takes on the scarf top. Part of a collaboration with artist Karlee Mackie (MLAK), the ornately designed silk top gives the illusion of four scarves in one, with each scarf featuring a different artistic imagery in both the front and the back. The V-neck, cami-style top also has intricate twist-tie straps with a scarf-like asymmetrical hem.

Alemais Mlak Top, $, available at Moda Operandi

If you’re a fan of the previous Dôen top but like the idea of a dress version, this silky J.Crew dress might be exactly what you need. The scarf-inspired lilac-patterned dress features two ties at the shoulders with an airy, boxy-style slip dress silhouette. An easy throw-on dress option to add to your summer wardrobe for morning and evening alfresco moments.

J.Crew Sadie Mini Dress, $, available at J.Crew

SIR’s Rioja baby blue halterneck top is the essence of a summer pool day. The fluid top is crafted from silk crêpe that creates a loose, draped silhouette defined by contrast chocolate brown stripes, evoking the movement of reflecting pool water or light ocean waves. Wear the top on its own or as a cover-up for the brand’s matching bikini, which also comes with a matching wrap skirt.

Sir Rioja Top, $, available at mytheresa

For a more traditional take on the scarf top, look no further than this ornate Etro design. The scarf-style halterneck is made of elegantly draped silk with Etro’s bright bohemian print and features a scarf-tie closure in the back. The easy-to-style top can pair well with anything, form blue jeans to neutral linen shorts.

Etro Silk Top, $, available at Net-A-Porter

This Simon Miller design is a unique take on the scarf belt look and draws inspiration, not from a scarf’s typical silk material, but from its triangle shape. The contrasting stripe dress, which also comes in a multi-colored gingham print, features a one-shoulder silhouette with an adjustable side tie designed to look like a scarf that is styled around the waist. In addition to the side-swept tie, which cinches the waist, the dress also has a slit, cleverly placed along the design’s vertical stripes.

Simon Miller Belem Poplin Midi Dress, $, available at Simon Miller

Christopher Esber can’t get enough of scarf-inspired apparel this season, and neither can we! Like the designer’s previous scarf top, this lightweight, silk twill dress takes inspiration from a bandana scarf with an elasticated strapless top and a side zip closure. The silk design also features a lightly ruched hip and a pointed handkerchief hem with a patterned trim.

Christopher Esber La Isla Bandana-Print Silk-Twill Scarf Mini Dress, $, available at Moda Operandi

Inspired by the slouchy styling of silk scarves, the sleeveless Versace mini dress, made of the brand’s iconic “Brown Jewels” print, features a draped neckline with knotted, scarf-tie shoulders and flouncy skirt. Style the look with some gladiator sandals for daytime activities and a strappy pair of heels for a night on the town.

Versace Printed Silk Twill Mini Dress, $, available at Net-A-Porter

This is probably one of the most fun dresses available to shop right now. If you’re a fan of color, make a statement in this multi-colored DVF scarf dress featuring a bold geometric pattern that is a true treat for the eyes. The easy, halter neck dress features a ribbon tie closure and an asymmetrical handkerchief hem that makes for a whimsical pinwheel-like display.

Diane von Furstenberg Harley Striped Silk Scarf Handkerchief Midi Dress, $, available at Bergdorf Goodman

A traditional scarf top with a twist! Literally. This sculptural bandana motif top features a unique one-shoulder neckline tied to a necklace-like detail, embellished with drop charms. The scarf-like top ties around the thin collar necklace and drapes across the body, falling to a pointed hem that sits just below the waist, and ties at the back for an adjustable finish.

Christopher Esber One-Shoulder Top, $, available at Net-A-Porter

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These 5 Engagement Ring Trends Are Making Traditional Solitaires Feel Dated

The decision to get married is deeply personal, and so is the ring you choose to wear for a lifetime. It’s more than a simple piece of jewelry. It’s a symbol of commitment, identity, and even style. And while the relationship with your significant other is what matters most, you want to be just as in love with your forever ring.

Because of this, engagement rings are feeling more expressive in 2026. Lovebirds are still prioritizing romance and longevity, but the design conversation is shifting towards unique cuts, bold silhouettes, and unexpected details that speak to the couple itself. These modern engagement rings serve as a looking glass into the relationship, highlighting personality and values, while serving as wearable art. 

Celebrity engagements continue to influence this dialogue, whether it’s a vintage-cut stone that sparkles under candlelight or a framed setting that adds dimension. Often created alongside star designers, these headline-making styles set the tone for what feels current.

More importantly, engagement ring trends are a starting point, not a rulebook. Whether couples opt for a natural or lab-grown diamond, a yellow or white-gold band, or a champagne-hued stone is entirely up to them. Today’s engagement rings are about interpretation and not formula, making it easier than ever to choose a piece that’s both current and intimate. 

Whether you’re saying yes beneath the cliffs of Positano or on the couch eating takeout, discover the five engagement ring trends that lean less traditional and more expressive for 2026.

East-West Stones

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 05: Zendaya attends the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 05, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/WireImage)

Elongated diamonds are being set in an east-west orientation, horizontally sitting across the finger for an architectural look. This design choice takes a classic shape—marquis, oval, emerald—and turns it into something quietly distinctive. Set the stone in a thin bezel for a finishing flourish.

Vintage Romance

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 26: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) (L-R) Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift attend the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for iHeartRadio)

Vintage-inspired rings are romantic, emotional, and perfectly imperfect. The antique-inspired diamonds boast softer facets and a candlelit glow, making for an idyllic choice. Pair it with yellow gold to enhance its warmth, or add hidden engraving for a personal touch. 

Full Volume Bands

PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 27: Dua Lipa attends Chanel Haute Couture Week Spring/Summer 2026 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 27, 2026 in Paris, France. (Photo by JB Lacroix/Getty Images)

Bold minimalism and statement simplicity come together to create weighty designs. This heavier appearance prioritizes presence over delicacy, sometimes encasing the stone in its entirety. It’s a bold statement approach, often found in yellow gold.

Warm Honey Diamonds

CANNES, FRANCE – MAY 20: Scarlett Johansson attends the “Vie Privée” (A Private Life) red carpet at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 20, 2025 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Lionel Hahn/Getty Images)

Honeyed brown, champagne-colored, and sunlit ocher diamonds tap into organic warmth, mimicking liquid gold. These warmer tones move away from bright, icy white diamonds, pairing beautifully with yellow- and rose-gold settings

High-Impact Cluster Rings

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – JUNE 06: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Lainey Wilson performs during the 2026 CMA Fest on June 06, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic)

Single stones are being swapped for groups of diamonds set in bold, dimensional designs. This maximalist take adds texture and dimension to a vintage-style ring with a modern flair.

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What’s In Megan Thee Stallion’s Beach Bag: Hot Girl Swim, Unreleased Perfume & More

We’ve officially entered hot girl summer and that’s all thanks to the one and only Megan Thee Stallion. The ultimate It girl turned her song into a whole vibey lifestyle that we’re excited to embrace every time the weather gets warm. So, as we prepare to celebrate at pool parties and long beach days, we’re looking to Megan for her best tips and must-haves to stay hot (and keep cool) all summer long.

Timed to her campaign for NYX Professional Makeup’s Caramelt Mami Body Oil and her Hot Girl Summer swim runway during Miami Swim Week, Megan is spilling what she keeps in her beach bag to stay prepared for anything. From sleek Gucci sunglasses and her go-to SPF to a Nintendo Switch and an unreleased perfume she teased to Refinery29 (we’re keeping our eyes peeled!), the singer bares all. Plus, we get to see the mogul proudly show off her many brands and collaborations that we can support beyond her music.

Ahead, watch Megan Thee Stallion’s full Spill It video and shop everything in her beach bag now.

Meg’s Fashion Beach Bag Must-Haves

Right off the bat, Megan shows out with a timeless summer bag from Saint Laurent. “She’s a little see-through. That’s how you know she’s specifically for the beach, ’cause you ain’t supposed to be bringing no big old serious bag to the beach,” Megan tells Refinery29 about her raffia tote.

While you’re likely to see her wearing her own Hot Girl Summer swimwear out on a yacht, she’s also packing an extra swimsuit in her bag “because you just never know when you’ll need to make an outfit change,” opting for a pink tie-dye bikini. (Likewise, she packs an extra thong, explaining: “I have a fresh pair of panties ‘cause you just never know when you’ll need one of those” with a cheeky laugh.)

“Are you on your way to the pool party right now? You might not like your swimsuit, but guess what? You’re gonna like mine and you can run right up to Walmart and go grab it,” she adds. While many styles have either sold out or are only available to pre-order online, there are more options at physical Walmart stores to quickly refresh your swimwear drawer.

The cherry on top of her beach look is her Gucci sunglasses. On close inspection, they seem to be these sleek black rectangular frames.

Meg’s Beauty Beach Bag Must-Haves

Highlighting her new NYX Caramelt Mami Body Oil as a must-have, Megan says: “I am wearing this all summer. I’m smelling good. I’m smelling like a bakery. I’m shimmering. I’m shining. I’m golden. I’m ‘caramelt.’ You need this. I got this on right now.” And from the look of Megan and her Miami Swim Week models doused in the oil on the runway under the spotlights, we’ve been convinced that we need a bottle (or two) to glow in the summer sun.

She’s also putting sun protection first, plucking out Neutrogena’s ultra-sheer sunscreen in SPF 70 from her bag (a similar product made it into our 2026 SPF Awards too).

The singer revealed her trusty lip combo… because her beauty is always going to be on point, even at the beach. Also from NYX, she opts for a brown cream lip liner and complementary lip gloss, exclaiming: “It’s butter gloss! That’s why it smells good!”

But one thing she’s not quite revealing yet? Her summer scent. Holding up a tester bottle, Megan explains: “Everybody that comes across me is always like: ‘Oh my gosh, you smell so good. What is that smell?’ Girl, I have curated the smell. Okay? This is the smell. Coming soon!” Through some internet sleuthing across TikTok and Reddit, the singer has been linked to wearing Miss Dior, Revlon’s Reign On, Byredo’s La Tulipe, and Xerjoff’s Erba Pura, so we expect a bright, floral, citrusy scent. 

Meg’s Food, Drink & Entertainment Beach Bag Must-Haves  

Perhaps it’s not the most practical (aka delicate) item in her beach bag, but Megan claims that she totes around her tequila brand Chicas Divertidas. “This is the tequila of the summer and it’s definitely about to get the girls turnt,” she says. But she also carries a water bottle to stay hydrated. Megan also revealed two literal body shot glasses that have yet to launch, but that she thinks pair perfectly with her liquor.

As for food, Megan says: “A snack because I’m gonna keep a snack on deck. This is my collab with Cheetos. My Flamin’ Hot Dill Pickle Cheetos.” While her limited-edition bag may be hard to get your hands on, Megan ensured that the limited-edition flavor became a fixture after she proclaimed her love for it.

And for perhaps the most surprising item in her beach bag, Megan pulled out her Nintendo Switch console, saying: “My Switch because I be playing games” with a wink to the camera. Because hot girls play video games too, duh.

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