The Very Best Hair Styles and Accessories of Summer 2026
Low-effort, high-impact hair is the name of the game this season.
When the heat hits, there’s nothing you want to do less than fuss with your hair. Whether you’re heading out for brunch or navigating a humid commute, effortless styles are essential during this time of year. Luckily, achieving that easy, polished look doesn’t have to be complicated.
From low-maintenance, heatless updos that work to repair your hair while you’re out, to chic clips, scarves, and more that add an extra layer of excitement to your look with minimal effort, these are the best hairstyles and hair accessories of Summer 2026.
The Treatment Bun
The low bun has a new reference point: Rose Byrne at the 2026 Oscars, courtesy of celebrity hairstylist Harry Josh. Worn at the nape and softly sculpted, it’s a nod to Old Hollywood without the rigidity of the ultra-slick clean girl bun that has dominated the past few seasons. Think sleek and not stiff with just enough movement to feel intentional rather than overdone. His trick? Use it as a treatment-day style. Smooth your leave-ins through, twist, pin and then let your hair quietly condition underneath while looking entirely put-together.
The New Twist
The French twist has had a rebirth. Forget the stiff, lacquered versions of the past. Today’s iteration is more textured and deliberately undone. “It’s more relaxed, and that’s exactly what makes it feel so wearable,” says Redken artist Deena Alawaid. The secret? Second-day hair, a little grit from dry shampoo and face-framing pieces left loose.
In Control
The slicked-back look isn’t going anywhere, and this summer, it’s the ultimate answer to heat and humidity. From the bone-straight mid-back lengths swept back at Courrèges to the perfectly poised buns at Alaïa, the Spring 2026 runways made one thing clear: Control is everything.
To get the look, start with a smoothing serum through mid-lengths to ends and brush back firmly with a boar-bristle brush until every trace of texture disappears. Tame fly-aways with a light gel or edge control, and then seal with a high-shine serum for that lacquered just-stepped-off-the-runway finish.
Play Up Accessories
Simon Cracker / Photography via launchmetrics/spotlight
The easiest hair upgrade this season doesn’t involve a single cut or colour appointment. From the sparkling headbands at Simone Rocha to the scarf-tied ponies at Toteme to the jaunty beret at Ralph Lauren, the Spring 2026 runways made one thing clear: The accessory is the look.
“Accessories are one trend that always comes back,” says Alawaid. “They’re such an easy way to personalize a look and give it character.” Right now, that means a perfectly placed chunky clip or a sculptural pillbox hat that feels almost ironic in its polish—the kind of detail that transforms second-(or third-or fourth-) day hair into something intentional. Better yet, a decorative clip or updated hair stick can take you from desk to dinner without so much as a touch-up.
Minimal effort, maximum payoff, one embellishment at a time.
This article first appeared in FASHION’s Summer 2026 issue. Read more stories from FASHION’s Summer 2026 issue here and subscribe to the print issue here.
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