Move over, stripes and leopard print: the latest popular pattern is food, and it’s bringing a new flavor to our summer style palette. While strawberries, cherries, lemons, and other fruits are frequently featured on fabrics throughout the summer, we’ve also witnessed an increase in major courses such as spaghetti, oysters, pizza, and our favorite charcuterie platters. Our present love of food-themed fashion, sometimes known as foodcore, falls into the light, campy category among other popular fads such as tomato girl summer and Palm Beach chic, but it also provides some commentary on our contemporary situation. Learn all about the food-themed fashion trend, including expert views, styling advice, and 17 new pieces to liven up your wardrobe.
About the Trend
While food-focused fashion has undoubtedly reached a new high on our feeds in recent months, the trend began in 2020 with the viral Lirika Matoshi strawberry dress, which became one of the most buzz-worthy products of the quarantine period. At a period when many people felt lonely and scared, fashion provided a source of pleasure and escape. “It fulfilled our craving for color, whimsy, and fun during an otherwise bleak and terrifying time,” says Bella Gerard, a fashion editor, content producer, and Rakuten purchasing and trend expert.
From there, the foodcore trend expanded beyond fruits to include other major food groups and small pleasures. Food-inspired fashion’s popularity can be attributed in part to its relationship with other niche trends from recent fashion cycles. “From sweet, pink strawberry girl makeup to sun-kissed tomato girl blush, produce hues have been all the rage for beauty creators on TikTok and Instagram,” Gerard tells me. “It was only a matter of time before fashion caught up.” This makes sense, as if you enjoy similar quirky styles, you’ll be pulled to foodcore’s upbeat spirit. Amanda Jane Valentine, the founder of AJ Valentine Consulting, also recognizes the influence of other specialties.
“The #tomatogirl is a growing niche with artfully drawn vegetables and a nod to 1950s style,” according to her. “It encompasses the joy of living so many of us aspire to have.”
Summer weather may also contribute to the emergence of foodcore, which focuses on fruits, vegetables, seafood, Americana mainstays like hot dogs and popcorn, as well as Italian cuisine. Gerard also believes the trend could be a response to winter’s calm luxury aesthetic: “Dabbling in minimalism was fun for a bit, but we’re ready to experiment with fun, kitschy details and prints,” she jokes. “Summer is the right season for this trend to develop, and with Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Espresso’ music video mimicking the 1950s look, it’s reached the early height
While this tendency appears to be light and breezy, it represents an increased preference for food-related experiences and social gatherings. According to recent data, millennials and Generation Z spend more money on groceries than on everything else. “The reason we’re seeing so much food in fashion in my opinion, is that the younger generation, specifically Gen Z, have been romanticizing everyday life post-pandemic in their depiction of food,” Afi Maita, a clothing consultant and stylist, explains. She observes that since more social media content focuses on everyday duties, an increasing number of individuals have opted “to not take things like food for granted, which, in turn, has become popular in fashion.”
Valentine also observes that the growth in food-themed fashion corresponds with other “recessioncore” trends, such as ballerina flats. “These prints are commonly optimistic, cheeky, saturated in color, and reflecting the simple joys of life,” she informs me. “With overall budgets being tight, a trip to the farmer’s market feels indulgent.”
How To Style Food-Inspired Fashion
While vibrant fruit patterns, macaroni jewelry, and clothes featuring your favorite food are fun and inviting, they can be difficult to style, especially if you’re trying the trend for the first time. Our stylists’ major recommendation is to avoid wearing too many food-themed accessories in one outfit. “I recommend wearing one food-related item at a time to execute this trend,” Maita says. “A simple graphic tee with an avocado print tucked into jeans with a blazer will suffice.” She also suggests incorporating Food-Inspired Fashion items like shoes, jewelry, and handbags to subtly incorporate the trend into your wardrobe.
Another tip for dressing a gourmet outfit: “Consider the setting,” Gerard advises. “You might not want to wear an oyster-printed dress to a wedding or other formal event; instead, choose more timeless designs for special occasions. But for a summer party, a casual day out, a dating night, or any other warm-weather occasion, I recommend committing.”
If you want to try your hand at the Food-Inspired Fashion trend but want to do so in a sustainable or cost-effective way, consider thrifting. While culinary fashion may appear new, it has been in and out of popularity for decades. Valentine recommends eBay, Depop, The RealReal, and other secondhand retailers: “Use language to identify trends: Try using ‘fruit graphic,’ or a specific element like ‘watermelon,’ or “tomato”. Fashion is quite cyclical, so simply being able to search with keywords can broaden your options for discovering ethical consumption and keeping on style.”
The Best Food-Themed Fashion Pieces to Shop
Italian Feast: Lisa Says Gah Sofia Slip Dress
If your summer plans include Italian happiness (or simply a lot of pasta dinners), express your joy with this unique spin on a black slip dress.
Just Desserts: H&M Donut Socks
A quirky pair of socks is the perfect way to add a touch of Food-Inspired Fashion flare to your outfit. This design celebrates one of our favorite desserts, complete with pink frosting and sprinkles.
Avocado Chic: Homage Ova Manifestation Bag
Looking for a subtle twist on the food-themed fashion trend? This colorful handbag resembles the outside of an avocado and will go great with all of your Brat summer ensembles.
Pop Art Vibes: Loft Can Print Bias Midi Skirt
Calling all Warhol fans: Channel your inner artist with this vibrant midi skirt featuring a variety of summertime cans, including oysters, tomatoes, and olive oil.
Spread the Joy: Rachel Antonoff Bread and Butter Tank
This tank allows you to express your passion for the moment the bread arrives at the table while remaining fashionable. The cotton cashmere knit feels like a summery twist on the resurgence of kitschy, “ugly” sweaters, and the design allows you to take the butter yellow trend in a more literal direction.
Berry Fresh: Don’t Let Disco Special Edition Ripe Wonder Necklace
Berries and fruits are still playing a key role in Food-Inspired Fashion, and this deep cherry red necklace featuring a berry charm feels incredibly on-trend.
Hot to Go: Kate Spade Slice 3D Pizza Box Top Handle Bag
If you’ve ever appreciated the atmosphere of carrying a pizza box home, this Kate Spade design lets you to do it anytime—grease-free. The spice charms are a nice touch.
Garden Party: Farm Rio Pink Orange Tassel Crochet Blouse
Crochet lends itself to fun, so lean into this with carrot tassels that turn your ensemble into a fashionable garden.
Sweet Treat: Lisou Jess Caramel Banana Print Cotton Dungarees
Bananas are one of the most popular foods for a reason, so everyone will grin when you walk up in these bright yellow patterned dungarees.
Feeling Spicy: Reformation Prescott Linen Dress
A chili pepper dress is a unique way to add spice to an evening out, a summer date, or a fun party. The white background hue and classic red pepper motif give this surprising item a sense of familiarity.
Ready to Serve: Baublebar Char-Cute-Erie Earrings
A delicious charcuterie spread is a social gathering favorite—and while nothing compares to the real thing, wearing a jewelry Food-Inspired Fashion version of the board will make you happy all day.
Vacation Menu: Eloquii Relaxed Button Down
The design on this button-down resembles a Hawaiian shirt, but the numerous bright dishes add a Food-Inspired Fashion twist to the vacation favorite.
Midnight Snack: Parade Luxe Dreams Easy Sleep Short
If you’re not sure how you feel about wearing Food-Inspired Fashion apparel out and about, pajamas are an excellent opportunity to test the trend. The pasta, tomatoes, and wine here make for a truly dreamy meal.
Strawberry Steps: Betsey Johnson Cheyne Berry Multi
Berries and sandals are synonymous with summer, so combine the two in a beautiful pink and red color scheme with 3D appliqués.
Tasty Toile: Abercrombie & Fitch Linen-Blend Wide Strap Mini Dress
Toile is a timeless style, and this Food-Inspired Fashion version is both whimsical and extremely wearable for breakfast, picnics, and other occasions.
Tropical Energy: Samantha Pleet Vortex Bikini
Going on vacation or just want to experience the most refreshing vibes for your next pool day? You can’t go wrong with a citrus printed bikini that combines interesting twisted accents with adequate coverage.
