Key Takeaways
- Crochet is a summer knitwear staple, and this year’s pieces champion refined neutral hues and intricate patterns for an aesthetic that leans more luxury resort than DIY.
- Style a textural piece with a minimal ensemble for an understated summer office outfit, or elevate your poolside look with a floral kerchief or crochet handbag.
Texture upon texture is everywhere this summer. If minimalist luxury was inescapable last year, a traditional mismatch of elevated neutral hues and eye-catching fabrics is defining this year’s warm-weather trends. After all, it’s easier to dip your toe into the fabulously maximalist waters with a few open-knit crochet and tassel pieces, either of which will instantly add an air of summer to your look.
As easy-breezy boho designs fill our carts and Pinterest boards, we’re falling for new ways to rediscover summer knits—and while you might initially associate crochet with your grandmother’s handmade quilts, this year is full of fresh takes that lean both elevated and playful. Ahead, we explore the crochet trend then and now, complete with styling tips and standout summer knit pieces to shop.
The Trend History
Crochet has stuck around for centuries, with each generation placing its own spin on the needlepoint. Classically, this knitwear was featured on anything from table linens to thick, colorful bedspreads, and over the years, it slowly crossed over into contemporary fashion.
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As if we could forget the free-spirited crochet caps of the ‘90s, particularly the floral piece Dionne wore in Clueless. Kitschy scarves and beanies remained strong throughout the early 2000s, offering an offbeat, alternative look that gradually gave way to the early aughts’ glamour. When fashion folks picked up their crochet projects again in 2020, the trend received the authentically DIY treatment, which soon caught on in ready-made items as well. Through the early days of the pandemic and beyond, colorful crochet was seemingly inescapable.
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Crochet vs. Other Knits
What’s the key difference between crochet and other knitwear? The latter is a needlework technique that involves two needles, while crochet utilizes a single hook to create rows of stitches.
Knits often drape with a softer texture, while crochet fabrics lean more structured. Many fiber experts and hobbyists debate whether it’s possible to authentically replicate the crochet technique by machine, so some brands may advertise pieces as “crochet-style” knitwear. (Recent developments in fiber manufacturing, though, point toward new ways of fully recreating the stitch.)
The Crochet Trend Today
This summer’s knits are dainty and delicate, with the slightest whisper of free-spirited energy. Think: Miu Miu’s opulent spin on the humble kerchief, reminiscent of last summer’s milkmaid aesthetic.
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Several trends converge here: Last summer’s Brat-inspired distressed knits are back, alongside sheer fabrics and the overarching bohemian aesthetic. You’re most likely to spot lightweight knits with thin, tightly spun yarn and open needlework. Resort wear is particularly adept at capturing this quietly luxurious design, with labels like Isabel Marant and Chloé adding their refined, sultry, sheer interpretations to the fashion zeitgeist.
Crochet bags are also on the rise, thanks in part to the opulent looks from The White Lotus’ recent season in Thailand. (Other materials like mesh and raffia, a perennial vacation favorite, blend right into this trend.) Other accessories, like kerchiefs and swimsuit cover-ups, have graced our social feeds since the first warm months, continuing to spice up our poolside looks alongside the likes of swim shorts and double-dipping.
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As for what’s next for crochet? As maximalism quietly swings back en vogue, we’re keeping tabs on extravagant needlework details and unexpected color combinations. Turkish designer Bora Aksu fulfills our mood boards in this department, pulling in elements of this summer’s whimsigoth trend with trademark crochet details. As further evidence, Taylor Swift donned a kitschy, ’70s-inspired knit dress on a recent outing in London. One thing’s for sure: The bohemian spirit is alive and well.
How to Style
Thanks to this season’s creamy neutral palettes, this year’s crochet trend is nearly effortless to style. Highly textural pieces play well in a monochrome set, with light layers of contrasting fabrics. Exhibit A: Try donning a fitted white button-down under an ivory corset, then balancing those two structured pieces with a loose, intricately knit skirt. Intentional, high-contrast layers go a long way.
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Seeing double? Coordinating crochet sets are also on the agenda, especially when it comes to our vacation packing lists. With some thoughtful layering, this mix-and-match knitwear can easily transform into office-appropriate. (A sacred blessing when corporate offices blast the air-conditioning all summer.)
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To top it all off, the final pièce de résistance is a good crochet accessory or two. If you’re aiming to reduce your online purchases by exploring new styling opportunities, consider an effortless upgrade by way of a crochet belt or a wide, fine-knit headband. Picking and choosing the pieces that authentically work best for your closet is arguably the most satisfying part of any trend, and modern takes on crochet include options to fit every taste.
The Best Crochet Pieces to Shop in 2025
Ready to discover crochet’s elevated, nuanced new identity? Ahead, we’ve rounded up a selection of our favorite modern pieces in this summer-ready knit, balancing a sophisticated profile with just the right amount of playfulness.
