John Lewis experts predict it’s the summer of sleeved swimsuits and sensible sandals

• John Lewis experts predict top trends for Summer 2023
• Boujee BBQ, Mermaidcore and Cowboy Boots all predicted to be big hits
• Survey reveals top 50 moments Brits are looking forward to this Summer and suggests it’s the best time of year to ask someone a favour and ‘sensible sandals’ are to be in everyone's wardrobe

The Summer of 2023, spirits are high as we look forward to sunshine, Glastonbury, the Ashes, women's football and the Summer holidays. As we begin to settle in, our John Lewis experts have pulled together their predictions for the months ahead and in addition, we’ve asked 2,000 adults via OnePoll about their favourite Summer moments. 

John Lewis Buyer Predictions for Summer 2023
The Boujee Balcony BBQ - 2023 is set to be the Summer of boujee barbecues - the aesthetically pleasing outdoor dining setup. There has been a surge in customers looking for balcony-safe BBQ’s, which are run using electric power, meaning no charcoal, gas or flames, making it safe to use in gardens, patios, campsites, balconies and other small outdoor spaces. Searches for Electric BBQ’s have risen +267% and our customers are also investing in the added extras that will add style to their al fresco diningwith sales of accessories including aprons, tools and sauce sets rising +116%.

Mermaidcore - Following on from the release of the Little Mermaid remake and the Mer People documentary on Netflix, we have seen a trend for customers embracing the aquatic theme within clothing, makeup and hair. We predict Long Sleeved Swimsuits and Tankinis to be this season’s popular pool-beach look,  with trending styles from Sweaty Betty and Whistles and the John Lewis Nassau Tankini. 

Sensible Sandals - Customer data shows style and comfort is the best foot forward this Summer with Lisbon Fisherman Sandals +200%, Birkenstock Sandals +63% and Espadrilles +45% versus this time last year.  They’re comfy, cool and keep your feet in place to help you rack up steps. 

Metallic Renaissance - Following the UK leg of Beyonce's Renaissance Worldwide tour, we’ve seen a trend for metallic fashion with silver tones leading the way across fashion, accessories and shoes. The tour also triggered a resurgence of the cowboy boot with searches +128% on johnlewis.com.

Summer Throwback - Customer searches for ‘retro’ on johnlewis.com have surged by +72%, specifically we are seeing increasing sales of naughties nostalgic favourites, Lacoste is +84% and crocs +14% versus last year. Bucket hats, checks, vans and oversized shirts are all key pieces this season that play into this trend.

You Do Like Pina Colada - Fruit and tropical themed products are set to soar this Summer. Pineapple searches on johnlewis.com are already +129% compared to this time last month. Fruit print products, palm bedding’ and ‘desert palm’ are up +200% compared to this time last month as it looks like customers plan to brighten up their homes this Summer. Customer favourites include the Desert Palm Cushion and fruit print placemats.

The Outdoor Living Room - With the weather on our side, we’ve seen customers bring the indoors outside, with many creating ‘living room style’ spaces to rest and relax in gardens, patios and balconies. We’ve seen sales of outdoor sofas increase +42% versus last year with platform sofas up +210% versus last year.  

Skin HIIT - Resilience and strength training for the skin and scalp continue to be high on the agenda. Morning multi-step skin care regimes are being replaced by simple, hero products that protect, moisturise and build our skin barrier. SPF is key for this, with suncare sales + 71% versus last year, facial sun cream +23% versus last year and Ultrasun proving the most popular. Scalp and hair care are also on our minds with leave in conditioners +30% with many looking to hydrate and replenish. 

Data from our One Poll survey tells us eating outside, the smell of freshly mown grass, sleeping with the windows open - and the aroma of a neighbour's BBQ wafting-over are all amongst the top moments the nation is looking forward to this Summer with 49 per cent of those asked saying they count down the days until winter is over.

The survey also revealed we love the ease of life-admin tasks in the Summer months as top highlights include; warmer weather means we are ‘able to get endless loads of washing done’ and the roads are clear of school time traffic.. 57 per cent of those asked said they are also ‘genuinely in better spirits’ in the Summer - so, some may say, Summer is the perfect time for asking a favour. 

60 per cent revealed they felt more impelled to be more sociable in the Summer with Brits favouring it not being dark when the morning alarm goes off, al fresco dining and justifying ice-cream three times a day. 

Many respondents revealed their love for the Summer of Sports returning to their screens this year – with 24 per cent looking forward to taking in the Wimbledon action, 19 per cent eagerly awaiting England taking on Australia in the Ashes, and 18 per cent can’t wait to see the action unfold at the women’s World Cup.

TOP 50 MOMENTS BRITS LOVE MOST ABOUT SUMMER:

1. Longer days/sunny evenings

2. Never having to turn the heating on

3. Not having to wear a coat

4. Being able to use your garden

5. The smell of freshly cut grass

6. It not being dark when the morning alarm goes off

7. Eating outside

8. Not having to layer up

9. Seeing wildflowers

10. Being able to get loads of washing done

11. Reading in the garden

12. Looking healthier from getting vitamin D

13. The sound of bees and insects doing their pollinating

14. Sleeping with the windows open

15. Pub gardens

16. Going to BBQs

17. Problems just seem that little bit smaller when the sun shines

18. Spending time in the sun

19. People seem more friendly

20. Drinking wine in the garden

21. The smell of people barbequing in their gardens when on a leisurely stroll

22. Wearing shorts every day

23. Finally growing some tomatoes or other produce in the garden

24. That first sip of a cold pint on a warm day

25. Having the windows/roof down in the car

26. Occasionally actually wanting it to rain

27. More likely to be spontaneous

28. Exercising outside

29. Hosting BBQs

30. Never wearing socks

31. You can pack lighter when travelling

32. Food tastes better al fresco

33. Roads being clear of schooltime traffic

34. Watching Wimbledon

35. Seasonal sport to watch e.g., Olympics, Euros, etc

36. Being able to walk the dog in the evenings

37. Music sounds better

38. Wearing sunglasses as hair accessory

39. The first time you hear the jingle of the ice cream van

40. Prepping the garden for entertaining

41. It feels like cocktail season

42. Justifying eating ice cream three times a day

43. Drinking Pimm’s

44. The domestic football season is over

45. Peak festival/gig season

46. Whipping your top off straight after a day of working-from-home finishes

47. Working from Home in the Garden

48. Outdoor cinemas

49. Watching Love Island

50. Camping in the garden with the kids