H&M has long been a part of my wardrobe, starting circa 2002, when I was six, and picked out a skirt with mini horses printed all over it. It sits in my current rotation, too, which I’d say is now slightly more refined. Not only do I shop there for reliably chic staples, but I also use it for research purposes. For example, H&M’s summer colour trends are a superb starting point for curating a solid capsule wardrobe. The fashion giant is always on top of trends and has a sharp knack for discovering them early. Not only that, but many of its pieces are expensive-looking without the price to match.

For summer 2026, H&M has leant into a trio of style archetypes, including minimalist pieces, maximalist, holiday-ready attire and soft styles that speak to the romantic and boho trends. The resulting colour trends seem to work seamlessly between all of these and look notably luxurious. Some shades are a continuation from H&M’s spring colour trends, such as pale pink. Others are look familiar but feature a summery twist (say hello to olive yellow), and the rest are fresh, as if they were chosen purely for summer styling.