Safari chic is back—and it’s the rare runway trend that won’t look ridiculous in real life
The Verdict (keep/return/hype/skip)
Keep: safari chic and coin belts. They’re the most “wear-now” Spring/Summer 26 runway trends because they build on basics you probably already own—utility jackets, tanks, cargo-ish pants, and one strong belt.
Hype (but be picky): balloon trousers and block color. Both can look expensive or look like you’re trying too hard, depending on cut and styling. If you’re under 5'4", balloon volume can swallow you fast.
Skip (for now): anything that requires perfect weather or perfect proportions. If your day includes commuting, sitting, and real life, you want trends that still function when it’s randomly six degrees outside.
What I’m Wearing / What’s New (specifics: brands, pieces, price tier)
The Who What Wear edit nails the idea: runway energy, wearable execution. Here are the pieces they highlighted that actually translate off the catwalk.
Trend 1: Safari Chic (utility, khaki, cargo)
Safari chic showed up at Balmain, Burberry, Isabel Marant, and Saint Laurent. The throughline is that undone, layered, “I threw this on” cool—except it’s very intentional.
Shop callouts from the article:
- Isabel Marant “Julissa Leather-Trimmed Organic Cotton Jacket” (investment vibe). The article calls out the detailing—buckles, pockets, rope ties, and rich color interplay. This is the kind of piece that makes a plain tank + pants look styled in one step.
- Free People “Citizens of Humanity Exclusive Flight Pants” (cargo lane). The article’s rule is basically “the more pockets, the better,” which I agree with… within reason. Pockets add interest, but too many can bulk your hips.
- The Frankie Shop “Tila Oversized Cotton Shirt in Green” (easy layering). A khaki/green shirt is the low-commitment way into the trend and works with white jeans, linen trousers, or a tone-matched skirt.
- M&S “Cotton Rich Premium Slim Fit Tank Top” (quiet workhorse). A good tank is the kind of “boring” buy you wear constantly.
- Mango “Cotton Jacket With Pockets” (minimal utility). Cinched waist, deep pockets—practical, clean, and very wearable.
This trend is especially good if your closet already leans LA “effortless” (oversized shirt, tank, relaxed pants) but you want it to look more intentional without going full costume.
Trend 2: Coin Belts (the outfit transformer)
The article calls coin belts “this season’s most in-demand accessory,” and honestly—this is one of those accessories that can make your existing jeans and dress rotation feel new without buying an entire outfit.
Runway references mentioned: Hermes (attached Kelly bags to waistbands), Louis Vuitton (rope direction), and Celine (extra-large medallions, oval metal clasps, heavy hardware).
Shop callouts from the article:
- Khaite “Keefe Suede Belt” (sleek, statement-but-polished). The article notes it’s already close to sold out in the black leather colorway, and the suede may follow.
- Rixo “Leyla Coin Belt in Gold” (jewelry energy). The article says it elevates dresses, jeans, and even a bare midriff.
- Polo Ralph Lauren “Metal-Accent Leather Belt” (coin-belt-meets-Western vibe). If you want something classic but still trend-forward, this is that lane.
How to Style It (stealable outfit formulas)
Here’s how I’d actually wear these in a real week—coffee run, laptop day, dinner, and one slightly more “seen” moment.
Safari chic, but city
1) Utility jacket + slim tank + relaxed pants
- Start with the Mango Cotton Jacket With Pockets or the Isabel Marant Julissa Leather-Trimmed Organic Cotton Jacket as the hero.
- Add the M&S Cotton Rich Premium Slim Fit Tank Top underneath.
- Finish with the Free People Citizens of Humanity Exclusive Flight Pants if you want that pocketed structure.
Why it works: the tank keeps it clean, the utility top adds shape, and the pants bring the trend without trying.
2) Oversized green shirt as a “third piece”
- Wear The Frankie Shop Tila Oversized Cotton Shirt in Green open over a tank like a light jacket.
- Pair with white jeans or linen trousers (the article explicitly calls these out as easy pairings).
Pro tip: half-tuck the front if you want waist definition without committing to a full tuck.
Coin belt = instant styling
3) Coin belt over a dress
- Add the Rixo Leyla Coin Belt in Gold to a simple dress to make it look styled, not just “I threw on a dress.”
This is my favorite kind of trend purchase: small, high-impact, and it changes the vibe of things you already own.
4) Coin belt with jeans
- Use the Polo Ralph Lauren Metal-Accent Leather Belt to add texture and hardware to a basic jeans-and-top day.
Keep the rest simple so the belt reads intentional, not noisy.
Sizing & Fit Notes (true-to-size/size up/common pitfalls)
The source doesn’t provide specific sizing guidance (true-to-size vs. runs small), so I’m not going to fake it. What I can say—based on the silhouettes described—is what usually trips people up:
- Utility jackets with pockets: pockets and cinched waists can add bulk. If you’re petite or short-waisted, try to keep the hem from hitting at your widest point.
- Oversized cotton shirts like The Frankie Shop Tila Oversized Cotton Shirt in Green: “oversized” is the point. If you want it to act like a jacket, oversized works. If you want it buttoned and tidy, you may prefer less volume.
- Cargo-style pants like Citizens of Humanity Exclusive Flight Pants: pocket placement matters. If the pockets sit right on the hip, they can visually widen. Balance with a cleaner top (tank, fitted tee) so you don’t go full boxy-on-boxy.
- Coin belts: heavy hardware is cute, but it can also feel heavy. If you’re sensitive to weight around your waist or you sit a lot during the day, consider wearing it for shorter outings first.
Bicultural sizing note (general reality check): US and UK/EU brands often feel more generous through the shoulder and torso than many East Asian brands, which can run narrower in the upper body. If you’re used to tighter, straighter cuts, safari chic’s relaxed proportion might feel “too big” at first—try styling it with one fitted element (like the slim tank) so it still feels precise.
Worth It? (price-to-wear ratio, who it’s for, what to skip)
Most worth it: a utility layer + a belt.
- A cotton tank and cotton jacket are repeat-wear items. Even if the trend cycle moves on, you’ll still use them.
- A coin belt is a high payoff accessory because it can upgrade dresses and denim without buying new outfits.
Worth it if you love the aesthetic: the Isabel Marant Julissa Leather-Trimmed Organic Cotton Jacket.
- This is the “investment find” category the article points to—more detail, more impact, more personality. If you buy one statement piece for safari chic, this is the type that does the heavy lifting.
Proceed with caution: going too literal.
- Safari chic can tip into costume if you stack every element at once (khaki jacket + cargo pants + heavy belt + rope ties). Pick one hero and keep the rest simple.
Keep it / Return it guideline:
- Keep if you can style it with three things you already own (white jeans, a tank, a simple dress).
- Return it if it only works as a full “trend outfit.” That’s how you end up with closet orphans.
