Looking to update your ‘jeans and a nice top’ outfit for the warm weather? That's easy, you need a smocked top in your wardrobe rotation! The distinct design detail repeatedly features on the summer style agenda – and it's not hard to see why.
Characterised by gathered fabric with a scrunchy appearance that has plenty of stretch, it's commonly spotted on cotton or linen summer dress bodices that effortlessly tap into the cottagecore aesthetic. Smocked tops, meanwhile, are a little more versatile, offering the chance to break up the feminine vibe by pairing with contrasting bottoms, like structured tailored trousers or jeans. Yep, subbing a plain white tee for a smocked top that has a little more visual interest is the easiest style switch to make, with the results creating a big impact on your overall ensemble.
While there's no denying the Y2K connotations – smocking was a mainstay in Lizzie McGuire's wardrobe, after all – the 2026 offering feels distinctly modern with silhouettes, colourways, and add-ons all especially considered.
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Conner Ives is one designer leading the charge for the smocking revival, taking vintage t-shirts, football tops, basketball jerseys and more, and reconstituting them as one-of-a-kind shrunken, fitted designs with a shirred texture. Smocking has become a throughline in the designer's ready-to-wear collections too, featuring across everything from cardigans to capris, proving we're in for a crinkled summer.
Contemporary brand, Damson Madder, has similarly become synonymous with smocking at a more accessible level. The stretchy nature of shirring makes smocked tops well-suited to fluctuating sizes, with some designs able to be easily pulled on over the head without the need for zippers or fastenings. This adaptability taps into the brand's commitment to sustainability, with founder Emma Hill previously telling Cosmopolitan UK, “garments [are designed to be] as functional as possible, including multiway and reversible options to increase longevity.”
This season, the look has officially extended to the high street, with brands like Next, M&S, H&M, and more all offering smocked tops for a feminine and comfortable look. Below, find a round-up of our favourites to shop now:
Next Red/Blue Stripe Smocked Tie Front V-Neck Top
M&S Pure Cotton Smocked Detail Top
Damson Madder Becca Multi-Way Blouse
Nobody's Child Red and Pink Gingham Shirred Top
& Other Stories Smocked Boatneck Top
Conner Ives The Reconstituted Shirred T-shirt
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Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there’s nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she’s passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!
