"I'm at Loose Ends..."

Here are answers to some of your most pressing questions about 2026 summer fashion: 

"I'm at loose ends...should I wear those barrel jeans?"
—Loose Ends

Dear Loose Ends,
You will be happy to know that barrel jeans are only an option, one of way too many I'm afraid, as the fashion industry churns out ever more variations on jeans to coerce you into buying another pair. In fact, in some corners, barrel jeans are considered dead. So my AllWays advice is to wear what flatters you and is at the same time most comfortable. Those last two seem to go hand-in-hand.

Over a barrel?

"Everything this year is so boxy. How do I work around that?
—Square Root

Dear Square Root,
You can still be fashion forward (should that be your desire) by incorporating a shorter, boxy jacket over a longer top. This will lengthen the look and take care of any qualms you may have about a skimpy silhouette.

Not boxed in

"I'm dreading putting on a swimsuit. What to do?"
—Waterlogged
 
Dear Waterlogged,
Fear the beach no more! Swim tees and shorts prove you need not fear the seaside and are smart enough to realize too much sun is not your friend. You can even adopt a surfboard look and emulate Gidget (who would be 84 this year). 

Surf's up!

 
"I hate the ways my legs look, but sometimes I get so tired of wearing pants."
—Leg to Stand On

Dear Leg, 
Don't be discouraged. Take advantage of the season where midi or longer length skirts are still in fashion. Keep in mind proportion is everything. Stick to a form-fitting top or tuck in a shirt lest you turn out (much as we love her) looking like Frida Kahlo in her native garb. Sandals or flats will avoid the clodhopper effect.

Si...

...Non

"Linen looks like a wrinkled mess in about 15 minutes. Should I care?"
—Pressed for an Answer

Dear Pressed, 
Linen wrinkles no matter what you do to it, yet it says 'Summer' like no other fabric. It always makes me think of mad dogs and Englishmen in the noonday sun. When you choose to wear linen you make the decision to embrace the wrinkles. There are linen blends that throw in a mixture of rayon and Spandex, but don't expect to be 100% wrinkle-free.

The way the cookie crumbles...

 
"When are wearing Birkenstocks not appropriate?"
—Twinkletoes 

Dear Twinkletoes,
At a funeral. At a wedding. In bed.