The summer 2013 look was peplum, ruffles, florals and lace, plus mini dresses, and a decade later most of it has either returned in a new form or disappeared. This guide revisits each trend and says what became of it, so you can tell what is worth wearing now.
| 2013 trend | What happened next |
|---|---|
| Peplum | Faded by the mid-2010s, then reappeared in off-the-shoulder peplum dresses in the mid-2020s |
| Florals | Kept going through boho, cottagecore and garden-party looks |
| Black and white | Became a mid-2010s staple in monochrome dressing |
| Lace | Returned in lace maxi-dresses and later ballerina-inspired looks |
| Maxi dresses | Boosted again by 2021 to 2024 milkmaid and milkmaid styles |
| Cutouts and transparency | Came back in translucent pieces with cutouts |
| Retro and animal prints | Retro revivals never stopped; the references changed |
What defined summer fashion in 2013
Early 2010s fashion leaned on revivals and bold colour. Fast-fashion retailers copied 1950s and 1980s looks, neon pink and orange were common, and stripes and zebra or leopard patterns were paired with them. Between 2011 and 2013 galaxy prints and geometric graphics caught on, and high-waisted bottoms began replacing the low-rise cuts of the early decade.
The classic summer move was to throw a light dress over a swimsuit. That is still the cheapest outfit idea there is.
Peplum and ruffles
Peplum tops and dresses emphasised the waist with a flared ruffle and were worn everywhere, often with pencil skirts or skinny jeans. Ruffles added volume on sleeves and skirts, and lace gave a romantic, delicate look. By the mid-2010s the mood moved to clean lines and minimalism. Peplum returned later: the mid-2020s “Italian garden party” look included peach off-the-shoulder peplum dresses, and soft lace came back in ballerina-inspired fashion with tulle and wraparound silhouettes.
Florals and black and white
Floral prints on dresses and swimsuits were the summer 2013 look, and passionflowers and daisies were popular. Florals never really left. They came back in mid-2010s boho looks and again in early 2020s cottagecore.
Black and white is the one we would still wear. Monochrome dressing became prominent by the mid-2010s, and it is the easiest combination to get right. Animal prints, oriental prints and fringe also cycle back, because every few seasons someone rediscovers that wild is fun.
Cutouts and transparency
Cutouts on the chest, stomach, hips or back and transparent fabrics were hot in 2013. They returned in the mid-2020s, when big garments in translucent materials with cutouts exposing a shoulder, thigh or midriff were popular. Mini dresses and crop tops had been big the year before, and low-rise miniskirts and crop tops returned in the Y2K revival of the early 2020s.
Maxi dresses and retro
The maxi dress was already a summer staple in 2013. From 2021 to 2024 the Bridgerton influence popularised milkmaid dresses and maxis again. Retro style generally means a look at least fifteen to twenty years old, and in 2013 that meant the 1970s to 1990s. The 2020s retros reach to the late 1990s and 2000s.
How to wear it now
The lesson from a decade of revivals: pick one trend per outfit and let the rest stay plain. A floral maxi dress or a lace-trim top looks current. Peplum plus ruffles plus fringe plus animal print looks like a costume. We could not verify what stylists recommend for this exact season, so treat this as a pattern guide rather than a forecast.
Keep reading
- Top 10 best hair accessories: the finishing touch for a summer outfit
- Autumn fashion trends 2013: the follow-up to this trend report
FAQ
What were the summer fashion trends of 2013?
Peplum, ruffles, floral prints, retro looks, oriental prints, cutouts, black and white, crop tops, mini dresses, fringe, animal prints, bejewelled pieces, lace, maxi dresses and transparency.
Which 2013 trends came back?
Peplum came back in off-the-shoulder dresses in the mid-2020s, translucent pieces with cutouts returned, and lace returned in ballerina-inspired fashion.
Are floral prints still in style?
Yes. Florals appeared in mid-2010s boho looks and in early 2020s cottagecore, so they have been in rotation for a decade.
What is a retro look?
Retro generally means clothing that is at least fifteen or twenty years old, such as pieces from the 1970s, 1980s or 1990s.
What replaced the bright 2013 look?
By the mid-2010s, fashion moved toward muted pastels and earth tones, clean lines and minimalism.
How many trends should I wear at once?
We suggest one. Pair a single standout piece, such as a floral maxi dress, with plain basics.
Last updated: October 2026.
