Last week, I found myself once again rummaging through the endless rails of vintage treasures at the Frock Me! Vintage fair in Kensington. While I’m usually drawn to a peach silk slip, a ruffled bed jacket or beaded 1920s evening bag, my eye kept wandering back to the bountiful vintage tees up for grabs.
Ever since, I haven’t been able to shake the feeling that I need more retro tees in my life. Which is not true whatsoever, considering I already own plenty. Yet, there’s something about the sun-faded finish, dopamine-inducing hues and vibrant graphics of the classic piece that never fail to spark sartorial joy.
Granted, they aren’t the easiest silhouette to come by. True vintage pieces, while the most authentic option, come in varying shapes and sizes, with legit band tees often boasting sizeable price tags due to their rarity. While I may have time to spare to sift through London’s vintage stores in search of the perfect preloved tee, I understand that isn’t the case for many.
Enter: the retro-inspired alternative. Thankfully, vintage T-shirt designs have captivated brands this season, especially now nostalgia-maxxing is having a moment. The piece proved to be especially popular across both womenswear and menswear for spring/summer 2026, with brands including Burberry and Margiela debuting Seventies-coded throw-ons that looked like they'd been plucked from the set of Almost Famous.
© Imaxtree
© Imaxtree
© Imaxtree
© ImaxtreeA season later, Amiri paid homage to the enduring lore of Los Angeles' Laurel Canyon, the birthplace of the late 1960s California Sound orchestrated by legends including Joni Mitchell, Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills & Nash, The Byrds, The Beach Boys and many more. The brand deepened its fascination with retro-inspired tops for spring/summer 2027 - reinforcing the seasonless appeal of the iconic style.
© Once Upon A Time In HollywoodWith cool-girl labels such as Made Some, Bode, Mother, Re/Done and Nude Project tapping into the trend, retro tees are firmly topping my wish list this summer. Shop my favourites below.
Retro tees to shop this summer:
Logo T-Shirt
Versace
A playful nod to vintage sportswear, Versace’s striped cotton-jersey T-shirt marries collegiate colour-blocking with the house’s unmistakable Italian glamour.
Classic Tee Hamptons Mermaid
Re/Done
Who doesn't dream of an East Coast summer? Head to The Hamptons with Re/Done's vintage-inspired tee, complete with sweet mermaid graphics and playful text.
The Better Half Insert Embossed Cotton T-shirt
Mother
Another mer-mazing piece hailing from cool-girl brand Mother, this striking apple green option will pair effortlessly with blue jeans for a nostalgic Americana aesthetic.
Summertime Stripe Tee
Bode
A joyful ode to vintage summer camp nostalgia, Bode's striped cotton tee is finished with playful felt 'Long Lake' appliqués and red fish patches.
+ Da Adolfo Weekender Top
Staud
Inject your weekend wardrobe with some Italian flair thanks to Staud's striped tee featuring chamring beaded detailing. A vibrant addition to the summer suitcase.
Greece Sportswear Tee
Made Some
Introducing Made Some, the sun-soaked sportswear brand to keep firmly on your 2026 radar. Founded by Los Angeles-based creative director Madelyn Somers, the brand is filled with retro tees to invest in this summer.
Sport Graphic Boxy Tee
Topshop
An affordable option to wear all summer long, Topshop's boxy tee in olive green is a no-brainer for casual, out-of-office frolicking.
Mol T-Shirt
La Ligne
This season, we're all about stripemaxxing. Classic yet playful, striped tees are a shortcut to achieving effortless girl-next-door style - and the Mol T-Shirt would be our pick.
Tropical Top
Nude Project
Fruit has long flirted with the fashion imagination and it seems that this relationship isn’t simmering down anytime soon. Cue Nude Project's 'Juicy' tee, the sweetest summer staple to shop ASAP.
Tour T-Shirt
Represent x Beach Boys
Represent’s washed-ecru Beach Boys tour tee channels vintage Americana, pairing distressed cotton-hemp jersey with surf-era graphics that celebrate the legendary California band whose 1960s harmonies helped define the myth of endless summer. One for long-standing Beach Boys fans (myself included.)
HELLO!'s selection is editorial and independently chosen – we only feature items our editors love and approve of. HELLO! may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. To find out more visit our FAQ page.
