Hannah Montana Is Summer’s Biggest Style Muse

Key Takeaways

• So many current summer trends can be linked to the Hannah Montana aesthetic.
• Party girl makeup, layered tank tops, western denim, boho hairstyles, and sequin handbags are all inspired by the fictional pop star.

When we called out Party Girl Makeup as one of this year’s biggest beauty trends, we were right on the money. Everyone is shimmering and looking to add some fun to their routines these days. Or rather, these nights.

You see, there’s an aspect to the trend that I didn’t fully grasp before. Today, those who grew up hearing about the concept of a “day-to-night” transformation are finally able to practice the art themselves. Party girl looks are certainly having their moment, but during the day we’re still reaching for more casual, model-off-duty looks. Or should I say pop star off duty?

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After squeezing every bit of juice from the early aughts’ aesthetic landscape, we’ve landed in a place of post-Y2K styling that still bleeds nostalgia while allowing us to pick and choose the trends we want to participate in. Instead of choosing one kind of girl to be or summer to have, we’re allowing ourselves to embrace a mishmash of styles and personalities. Supermodels can be cowgirls and bandage dress trendsetters can also spearhead the dolphin girl movement.

It’s the best of both worlds, baby! It’s Hannah Montana-core.

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This shift toward mid-2000s style still features touches of McBling, but makes room for new fashion icons and layering combinations. We’re in a place of color that’s not just pink or baby blue. We’re finding ways to rewear our old pieces and, sure, it’s a little bit recession-core… but it’s breeding creativity! And if Disney Channel taught us anything, it’s that ordinary girls can be divas, too.

Ahead, discover a few of the ways we’re embracing both our Miley (Stewart) and Hannah sides this summer, not including our renewed love of capri pants. Yeah, whoa, whoa, ooh.

Sequins and Rhinestones Everywhere

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Let’s start with one of the core components of Hannah’s style: glitz. From dusters knit with sparkly thread to full sequin minidresses, you could always tell you were watching the pop star instead of the ordinary girl based on how much light her outfit reflected. That, and she had the blonde hair.

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Recently, we’ve seen glitter leave its impossible-to-clean-up mark in both the fashion and beauty realms. Olivia Rodrigo loves a sequin mini skirt while Gracie Abrams wore a maxi version and corresponding plunging tank for a recent concert. Outdoor Voices’ new collection features rhinestones, as did Dua Lipa’s recent blingy French manicure. Body glitter has also made its return, and Miley Cyrus herself is a fan.

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And if you’re feeling a little more Miley Stewart and want to stick with a non-bedazzled floaty blouse? You can always accessorize with a sparkly bag. (Cue another transition sound, because there’s more on that in a minute.) Above all else, Hannah Montana-core isn’t a “just pick one” aesthetic.

No Waistcoat Wasted

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Remember Hannah’s gigantic electric rotating closet? I do. I’ll never forget!! And I’m sure that palace had a whole normal-sized closet within it for all of her vests and waistcoats. It’s a style perfect for chilling out and taking it slow or rocking out the show.

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The sleeveless piece has been everywhere this summer, worn solo or layered a la Anne Hathaway on the set of The Devil Wears Prada 2. We’ve seen denim vests, reimagined crochet pieces, and pinstripes. Think about it: if one of Aligne’s signature cinched waistcoats was covered in sequins, you’d be 1) trendy and 2) one skinny scarf away from a sold out arena look.

Novel Layering Ideas

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Have you heard of double dipping? It’s not when someone (…Jesse) has a crush on you and your secret alter ego. It’s a layering technique that involves wearing two of the same pieces! Think tank top over a baby tee or (we’re not quite here yet, but it’s bound to happen again soon) a dress over jeans.

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While camis are the easiest thing to double dip, we’ve seen It Girls give it a go with bikinis, boxers, and even cardigans. Miss Montana, who was known to wear one thing over another quite often with varying levels of success, would approve.

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You can streamline your Hannah Montana-core layered look by simply adding a mismatched bra to your favorite dress. Devon Lee Carlson, who proclaimed she’s having a “Miley Stewart summer” back in May, did it so well with the lime green strapped lingerie and blue strapless dress combo pictured above.

There’s also the Pink Pantheress approach. The singer encapsulates Hannah energy in so many ways (look at that haircut!!), including her ability to layer and maximize patterns. If these two plaids matched any better, they wouldn’t look as cool together.

Boho Hair

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Malibu darling Miley Stewart always knew how to rock a beach wave, but Hannah’s wig situation was pretty sleek and straight for the first couple of seasons before the world famous superstar’s glam team finally caught on.

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This summer, we’ve been seeing plenty of long, boho-inspired hairstyles out in the world. Think Katie Holmes and her tousled strands or Lindsay Lohan’s lengthy (and Hannah blonde!) middle-parted locks. Even Cyrus has returned to her Disney days with a soft brunette hair color and natural wavy texture.

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It’s an easy style to make happen if you’re already rocking long locks—just grab a sea salt spray if you have natural texture, a hot tool if you don’t, and a fruity, sugary hair mist (preferably in a purple bottle) to finish things up with some Disney-era pizzazz.

Oh, and if your hair is short? There’s always a wig.

Western Denim

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You’ll always find our way back home… to bootcut jeans, baby. This summer, “Western denim”—aka any piece of denim you find with some Western flair—is trending big time. Brands have also been adding a little sparkle thanks to the influence of Cowboy Carter.

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Also, just in case you forgot, Miley’s horse in Hannah Montana: The Movie was literally named Blue Jeans. According to his Wiki, she got him when she was just four years old and he was “a scrawny fowl.” You don’t have to have as longstanding a relationship with your denim pants… but if you have some old flare pieces in the back of your closet now is the time to dig them (and your bedazzler) out.

‘Hannah Montana’-Core Accessories

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Both Hannah and Miley were skilled in the art of accessorizing, whether it was adding a skinny scarf to an outfit or layering on a statement belt that didn’t actually hold up anything at all. With their rosette pins, claw clips, and bag charms, today’s fashionistas are just the same. I should also mention our rediscovered love for sparkly handbags.

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Here are some Hannah Montana-core accessories for you, because we all know the best way to take a look from day to night—also known as pumping up the party—is with a little something extra.