Why Broderie Anglaise Is Escaping The Wardrobe This Summer
The prettiest summer trend isn't really a trend at all—it's simply finding new places to call home.
Every summer, without fail, broderie anglaise returns.
It reappears in the dresses we throw over swimwear, the white skirts we live in on holiday and the embroidered blouses that somehow make even denim shorts feel a little more polished. It's one of those rare fabrics that never really goes out of style. Instead, it quietly waits for the first warm day before reminding us why we loved it in the first place.
This year, though, we've noticed something different. The delicate embroidery that has long belonged in our wardrobes is quietly making its way into our homes too. It's appearing on table linens laid for long lunches in the garden, on crisp bedding that makes climbing into bed feel like checking into a boutique hotel, on café curtains filtering the morning light and even on the smallest decorative details that make a room feel softer and more considered.
“The prettiest summer trend isn’t disappearing from our wardrobes—it’s quietly making itself at home.”
Perhaps it's because we're all craving homes that feel a little lighter after months spent indoors. Or maybe it's simply that broderie anglaise captures everything we love about summer. It feels fresh without trying too hard, romantic without being overly traditional and nostalgic without feeling old-fashioned. It has that relaxed elegance we so often associate with slow European summers—windows thrown open, linen dresses drying in the sun and tables that stay set long after dessert has disappeared.
The beauty is that you don't need to embrace it everywhere. One embroidered dress, a scalloped pillowcase or a beautifully detailed tablecloth is often enough to change the mood of a room—or an outfit. Like fresh flowers on the kitchen table or a bowl of lemons left on the worktop, it's less about decorating and more about creating a feeling.
If you're tempted to bring a little of that effortless summer charm home, these are the pieces we'd start with.
Wear It Well
Broderie anglaise has always earned its place in a summer wardrobe because it manages to feel both timeless and effortless. It never shouts for attention, yet somehow always looks considered. Whether you're packing for a holiday, dressing for a garden party or simply trying to survive another warm commute, it's the piece you'll reach for time and time again.
Whether you favour timeless white cotton or something a little more playful, the beautifully cut Faithfull Milana Broderie Anglaise Midi Dress (£340 at Net-A-Porter), Farm Rio's Off-White Flowers Richelieu Blouse (£200) and Sézane's Nala Skirt (£130) all capture the mood perfectly,, while Louise Misha's Mia Dress (£110)and Esia Blouse (£72) prove the look works just as beautifully for little wardrobes too.
Bring It To The Table
The easiest way to make everyday dining feel a little more special is often the simplest. Swap plain table linen for embroidered cotton and suddenly breakfast on the patio feels like something worth lingering over. Broderie anglaise brings softness and texture without looking overly formal, making it just as suited to weekend brunch as long summer dinners outdoors.
We're especially drawn to Maison Flâneur's Antique Broderie Anglaise Tablecloth (£138), Pottery Barn's LoveShackFancy Lace Cotton Table Throw (£99), and Cabana’s Emilia Scalloped Embroidered Linen Placemats and Napkins (£430 for a set of 2), each bringing its own relaxed interpretation of the look.
The Bedroom
Summer isn't only about what you wear—it's also about how your home feels. Crisp white bedding, embroidered details and soft ruffled edges have a way of making even an ordinary bedroom feel lighter, calmer and somehow cooler during warmer nights.
Whether you're investing in luxury linen or refreshing your bedroom on the high street, Tekla's Broderie Anglaise Bedlinen (from £60) , Marks & Spencer’s Pure Cotton Broderie Anglaise Bedding Set (from £69) and H&M Home's White Broderie Anglaise Bedding Set (£79), prove the look translates just as naturally to the bedroom, adding subtle texture while preserving that crisp, minimalist feel.
The Unexpected Places
Perhaps the biggest surprise this summer isn't that broderie anglaise is back, but where it's beginning to appear. Once reserved almost exclusively for dresses and blouses, the same delicate cutwork is now making its way into our homes, proving this is no longer simply a fashion story.
The secret is using it selectively. Rather than filling every room with embroidery, choose one or two pieces that soften a space without overwhelming it. Like broderie anglaise itself, the effect is at its best when it feels effortless rather than overly styled.
Anthropologie offers two very different takes on the look. The Sigrid Cotton Embroidered Scalloped Café Curtains (£48) are ideal for kitchens, utility rooms or bathrooms, where they offer privacy while still allowing plenty of natural light to flood in. Meanwhile, the Cotton Embroidered Floral Edge Curtain (£138) lend themselves beautifully to bedrooms and living rooms, adding softness without the heaviness of full-length drapes.
Elsewhere, Maison Flâneur's Conical Pendant Light Openwork Malala “Broderie Anglaise” (£112) proves the fabric has moved well beyond soft furnishings, turning delicate embroidery into an eye-catching statement overhead. Completing the look, Alice Palmer & Co.'s Broderie Trellis Scrunchie Lampshade (£165) introduces a playful, contemporary twist that feels whimsical without losing its elegance.
Perhaps that's why broderie anglaise never really disappears. It simply evolves, finding new ways to feel fresh each summer. Whether it's a favourite dress, crisp embroidered bedding or café curtains catching the morning light, it's proof that the smallest details often have the biggest impact.
