IRL Summer is Here

Domestic travel, hot village summer, world cup fandom whimsy. Today’s biggest tastemakers predict the trends of the summer.

Like clockwork every June, predictions about what will become the trend of the summer come flooding in.

I have thoughts about what will be in and out for the next few months: longer lines, packed outdoor concerts, more block parties and a growing desire to “be where the people are.”

But after asking tastemakers across tech, media, politics, fashion, sports, dating, and culture what they think will define the next few months, one thing stood out. The most interesting trend wasn’t any single prediction — it was how many people arrived at the same conclusion from entirely different directions.

Whether they were talking about domestic travel, World Cup watch parties, women’s sports, dating, fashion, or politics, many described some version of the same shift. After years of living online, people are looking for each other again.

Here’s what they have to say about a summer that will be defined by connection.

‘IRL energy’

ANU Lingala, trend forecaster and author of WHAT'S ANU: IRL Energy. We kicked off the year with the “analog life” microtrend on Tiktok, but in reality, most people haven’t logged off. Still, I’m sensing a summer of communal joy, at least in New York. We had a rough winter this year, and people are eager to get outside. Over the past month, when going out to bars and parties, I’ve sensed people actively mingling with strangers again in a way that I haven’t seen since before the pandemic. Plus, the Knicks are energizing the city in a way I’ve honestly never seen before. It feels somewhat similar to joyful vibes in Brooklyn in the days after Zohran won, but sports inherently has a much more unifying spirit than politics. I think this all bodes well for a summer of love in the city.

Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL), first Gen Z member of Congress: This summer I’ll be listening to a lot of salsa music and spending as much time as I can playing music with friends. There’s a lot happening in the world right now that feels heavy between the war in Iran, ICE terrorizing our communities and so much more. But for me, salsa music has been a source of joy and grounding through all of it. Which is why a few months ago, I started a salsa band with some of my friends from high school called “La Orquesta Yeya,” named after my late grandmother.

If anyone in Central Florida is looking for a salsa band for an event, DM me at @maxwellfrostfl.

Arvia Few, dating coach and matchmaker: We’re watching a real cultural shift happen in real time, from hot girl summer to village summer. People are exhausted by the isolation of modern dating and they’re turning back to community as the answer. This summer is about getting off the apps and leaning into the people already around you to find love, or to help someone else find it. Dating is becoming a team sport again.

Amanda Litman, co-founder of Run For Something: Touching grass. This summer people are going to literally and metaphorically be outside. Between the rise of Bricking and other screentime locks, the increased distaste for AI, and the deeper desire for local community, the hot new (old) trend will be anything that gets people together IRL and off the internet.

Laurence Milstein, co-founder of creative agency PRZM: Line culture is going to pop. From Dot Cakes in NYC to Community Goods in LA, the endless line for viral products has become the content itself (and the comments section has strong opinions). This summer, waiting hours just to post “you got it” is starting to feel less aspirational among younger consumers. For Gen Z and Gen Alpha, effortless access and rejecting the overhyped may become the new cultural capital.

Casey Lewis, youth culture expert and author of After School by Casey Lewis: I think young people are going to be seeking out joy and fun at every possible moment. “Whimsymaxxing” first started showing up at the start of the year, but I think it’s going to really take hold over summer — just look at dotcakes! The world has felt so heavy and dark for Gen Z for too long, and they’re ready for a change.

It’s a party in the U.S.A.

Dylan Abruscato, president at TBPN: This is the summer of domestic travel. For the last decade, it’s felt like summer was synonymous with Europe (my feeds are always filled with photos of Mallorca, the South of France, and Copenhagen). But after years of putting international travel on a pedestal, I think people are rediscovering the appeal (and nostalgia) of the American summer. Maybe it’s just me getting older, but between crowded airports, expensive flights, and families now traveling with young kids, there’s luxury in simplicity. I’m personally much more excited about the idea of going to places like Maine, the Hamptons, or Wyoming and avoiding the red-eyes, customs lines, and week of jet lag that can make the juice not worth the squeeze.

Kahlil Greene, Gen Z historian and author of History Can't Hide from Kahlil Greene: More domestic travel because of the increased price of planes and America 250 fervor. An anti-euro summer if you will.

Teen vibecoding

Andrew Zucker, contributing editor at Town and Country: My summer trend prediction is that a growing number of teenagers will launch vibecoded apps and won’t re-enroll in high school in the fall.

Live sports to socialize

Ed Elson, co-host of Prof G Markets: The World Cup sparks a relationship boom. Few cultural events bring people together like the World Cup. I know several couples who were brought together by the beautiful game. Expect a romantic boom as young people get together in bars and parks to watch the world cup.

Sara Falkson, founder of Robyn Athletic: Women’s sports fandom isn’t just growing, it’s becoming part of Gen Z’s identity. The 2026 WNBA Draft drew 1.5 million viewers, up 20% year over year, while emerging leagues like LOVB and the PWHL are creating entirely new communities of fans and athletes. We’re seeing a shift from aspirational beauty to aspirational strength, with athletes becoming role models for a generation that values performance, confidence, and authenticity.

John Antonelli, co-founder of Real Sports: The 2026 World Cup will accelerate the trend of live sports becoming a bigger part of social life. From house watch parties to packed sports bars for the World Cup, Wimbledon, the NBA Finals, and the Stanley Cup, live sports will be the anchor of the summer.

Easy breezy style

Laney Crowell, founder/CEO of Saie: Glowy bronzed skin thanks to Glowy Super Gel! 90’s inspired fashion with floral dresses and loafers.

Aja Win, content creator: I think being content at home during the summer is extremely under appreciated. You don’t need to chance the high of being where everyone else is. Not smoking cigarettes, I don’t understand how this became a trend. Packing in outfits is always the way to go so you’re always put together even if dressed casually. The French 75 should be the next it drink.

Brittany Hugoboom, Founder of Evie Magazine: When it comes to the U.S., I think we’re going to be seeing more Nantucket Americana vibes. And we all want to be Dua Lipa this summer: white lace dresses, gold hoops, oversized sunglasses, and falling in love in Sicily. Glamorous but effortless.

Trust, transparency, and consequences

Astead Herndon, host of ‘America, Actually’ and editorial director at Vox News: My summer prediction is Trump hits his lowest ever approval rating. It was about 34% after Jan. 6 and I think he’ll [head] into fall and midterms near the same number. My non politics opinion is Drake’s Shabang is the closest we’ll get to a song of the summer from that album, not Janice STFU 😂

Kyle Tharp, author of Chaotic Era: As the midterm elections heat up this summer, undisclosed influencer marketing campaigns will keep sparking drama across the political landscape. Expect a wave of stories exposing social media creators (on both sides of the aisle) quietly pocketing checks from campaigns, PACs, nonprofits, and lobbying firms to push pre-packaged talking points. Will something be done about it? I’m highly skeptical.

Ahmed Baba, founder of Ahmed Baba News: Hot expert summer. After years of anti-intellectualism being marketed as authenticity, I think expertise is making a cultural comeback. The Trump administration’s blend of incompetence and incuriosity is reminding Americans that people who actually know what they’re talking about are underrated. Whether it’s among creators, podcasters, or politicians, ignorance is becoming less cool when it’s ravaging the economy.

Lakshya Jain, political data at The Argument and founder of Split Ticket: I think an emerging political flashpoint will be the job crunch that young people are seeing. We’re increasingly looking at job markets that are eliminating or seriously slashing entry-level roles for professions that used to pay a lot of money with abundant opportunities. How politicians respond could shape the alignment of an entire generation in a way we haven’t seen since 2008.

‘Real’-life reckoning

Ella Katz, host of Taller Toddlers: I feel like we are going to see the fall of the traditional influencer. A disinterest in unrealistic content. And an appetite for people as people. People getting the opportunity to build brands if they are authentic. Less value on “having followers” or being “put together…” Another prediction is brain health being all the rage.

Aaron Parnas, founder of The Parnas Perspective: Posting more *real* content — historically social media hasn’t been real life, but I think people are tired of perfection online. I think this summer you see more people showing their true and authentic selves online.

Peter Rothpletz, columnist & political pundit: If last month’s viral graduation speeches were any indication, I predict using AI as anything much beyond an enhanced Google will go the way of jeggings, QR code menus, and pterodactyls — at least for those of us outside Palo Alto and FiDi. It’ll increasingly become viewed as perhaps not a scarlet letter, but a Silicon (Valley) one, serving as an embarrassing social stain on those who carry it.

We’ll check back in with them in August to see how they fared…

Noteworthy Reads

• Will Gen Z be the generation to revive moviegoing?, Sarah Witten for CNBC

• Fake it ’til you make out: Gen Z New Yorkers are going on ‘practice dates’ — with people they don’t even like, Marissa Matozzo for The New York Post

• Gen Z rewrites how Americans work, juggling multiple jobs and side hustles, Josyana Joshua for The Los Angeles Times

• ‘I can’t afford to stay’: Gen Z is moving out of Miami, Sophia Hernandez for NBC Miami

• Can California Convince Teens to Work in Construction?, Mimi Dwyer, Yasu Tsuji and Karl Mollohan for The New York Times

---

Interested in working with The Up and Up? Email hello@theupandup.us

---