The boho arrival is alive and well in spring/summer 2026, and along with tasselled trims and bandana scarf silhouette dresses, paisley print is the latest style anchored in the western-inspired aesthetic to enter the sartorial spotlight (again). With a long and storied history, the swirling, psychedelic pattern with its central teardrop motif – referred to as ‘boteh’ in Persian and said to symbolise life and eternity – earned its Western name from the Scottish town of Paisley, which began mass producing versions in the 19th century after British colonists returned home with the richly patterned Persian textile.
The 2026 take on the trend is a more elevated iteration of paisley, per Etro's SS26 collection. Since its founding in 1968, the Italian fashion house has cemented the print as one of its design signatures. Its latest offering is truly a maximalist's delight, with the design supersized and packed with personality, grounded in earthy hues including brown and green, broken up with pops of pink and blue.
While we're not suggesting you shelve your polka dots entirely, paisley provides an injection of colour and fun into any outfit that is perfectly suited to this time of year. Decorating sheer balloon sleeve blouses and all manner of beachwear, from wafting kaftans to form-fitting swimsuits, our favourite – and undoubtedly the easiest – way to wear the pattern is in summer dress form.
Whether you opt for a flowing maxi dress ideal for all manner of occasions or a more casual mini or mid-length style, the laid-back feel well-suited to weekends close to home and summer holidays alike, the key is to keep the rest of your outfit simple. Stick to accessories and footwear in neutral hues or coordinating colourways featured in the design so as not to compete with the busy print. Sling a denim jacket over the top and you're good to go!
Below, find our favourite paisley print summer dresses available to shop on the high street now:
Primark Paula Echevarría Paisley Column Midi Dress
Next Chocolate Brown Paisley Sleeveless Column A-Line Maxi Dress
M&S Printed Frill Detail Midi Column Dress
ASOS DESIGN Cami Chiffon Maxi Dress in Brown Paisley Print
Never Fully Dressed Paisley Ava Dress
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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!
