The Art of Loving: An Olivia Dean Summer

It’s official — with the return of spaghetti straps and soft-girl florals, film cameras and gradual bikini tan lines, we have, without a doubt, entered the summer of 2026. Two years ago, we lived through a year dominated by Charli XCX’s ‘brat’ and the summer-long Taylor Swift’s Era Tour, which saw a 2024 revival of Y2K fashion trends, where hot girl energy was activated and of course, an abundance of handmade friendship bracelets were crafted. Last summer’s music followed with popular artists such as sombr, Bad Bunny and Sabrina Carpenter, where outfits were fitted with statements skirts, ballet pumps and vintage curls. Summer 2026 is now, undoubtedly, an Olivia Dean summer.  

Olivia Dean comes with elegant chic, minimalistic and vintage glamour and of course, polka dots. Her music reflects a mix of classy jazz, subtle soul and mainstream pop, centred upon gentle acceptance, self-care and love in all its forms. She encourages high standards, leaving a place that no longer serves you and finding beauty, gratitude and subtle magic in the small moments.

I had the privilege of meeting her in person two years ago. Truth be told, it was a complete accident and at the time, I think I only knew the song, “Ok, Love You Bye” (I have since corrected this). Walking through Manchester, tipsily enjoying the final moments of light on an April night, me and a friend absentmindedly passed her. After a double take, my friend asking “is that Olivia Dean?”, confused and a little awkward, we tracked back and spoke to her. Safe to say, even from the brief moments she reserved to talk to us, she was one of the loveliest people I have ever encountered, and radiated a kind of warmth and grace extremely hard to replicate. She had just wrapped up her concert for the night, yet still took the time to talk about everyday things, complimented my phone case (never will I ever sell this) and took a photo with us, where she looked effortlessly stunning (though I am not sure I can say the same for myself).

Manchester, 2024

There was something so rare and beautiful in this small encounter. Now that she has become much more popular in the release of her latest album, one that I have listened to on repeat, I realise just what was so special. It’s easy to forget celebrities are real people with daily routines, true struggles and everyday simplicities, yet Olivia Dean, in both person and through her music, is entirely down-to-earth, a genuine artist writing for the love of creation and encouraging the kind of light and peaceful communication we as humans all crave.

This summer I hope will feel the same as listening to her music — with a kind of hope and soft appreciation for those around us who make this life a little more beautiful every day. As inspiration for channelling your own Olivia Dean energy this summer, here are a few ideas on activities that embrace her lyrics:

1. Be My Own Boyfriend - Take yourself on a solo date, for if Olivia Dean has taught us anything, it's that you truly can be your own boyfriend!

"Lately, I've been just what I need

Stole my heart and I'm gonna be my own boyfriend"

2. Dive - Now I never need any more encouragement to drink... but if it's Dean-approved, there is certainly no shame in and a real magic to having a glass of wine on a summer's day!

"Maybe it's the magic in the wine (I'm feeling loose)"

3. I've Seen It - As she says better than any, the more you look, the more you find: love and beauty is all around! Remember to always seek out the beauty in small moments and always, always save time to dance endlessly with friends.

"I've seen it dance with friends around the table

In Eleanor, Rosie and Louise

And it makes me cry to think that I am able

To give it back the way it gives to me"

"The more you look, the more you find

It's all around you all the time [...]

I know it's somewhere in my chest

I guess it's been inside me all along"

4. Carmen - Spend time with your loved ones and make the most of all generations, you never know what you can learn from those older than you.

"The only place I wanna stand

Holding on to grandma's hands"

5. Messy - Let go of the things that don't serve you anymore and trust the process in doing so, even if it's a little messy at times.

   
   

"It goes if you let it

It's okay to regret it [...]

It's okay if it's messy"

6. I Could Be A Florist - Buy many, many flowers and fill your house with colour!

   
   

"Oh, I can give you flowers (ooh)

At the end of every day

For the center of your table or rainbow"

7. Ladies Room - Prioritise and listen to yourself in as many ways as possible, whether it be in your personal life, your career or even your daily routines.

   
   

"Doing it for me (whoa), put myself on top

That love on top, bring me some release"

8. Nice To Each Other - This song definitely teaches you to embrace kindness. For me, it seems to also promote travel... (perhaps I have wildly selective hearing) but why not take yourself on a trip to Italy or the mountaintops...?

"There's so much to unpack again

But if I come to Italy

We could be nice to each other

Nice to each other"

"Meet me on the mountaintop

I'll be in the shallow end"

9. Lady Lady - Change something up! Maybe get a summer haircut or experiment with a new style of fashion this summer.

"God, I used to love this hair

Now there's something in the air

Something calling

Overnight, the clothes I always wore

Don't suit me anymore"

"That lady, lady, she's the man

"I think she got a master plan"

10. So Easy (To Fall In Love) - For one, this song to me represents the duality of girlhood, loving both a fun night out and a calm walk in the park. The key is balance, so why not do both this summer?

"I'm the perfect mix of Saturday night and the rest of your life"

"The way we like to share a walk in Central Park

I could be fresh air, might be the girl of your dreams"

11. Baby Steps - Take your time and remember each achievement always begins with that first step!

    
    

"Now there's no one to text when the plane lands

Or to call when it's taking off

Right, left, baby steps"

12. Float - Though perhaps not the intended meaning, to me, this is definitely telling me to get to a beach and exist in the water for a while... the sea truly is a healer.

    
    

"Can we just float here for a while?

Take our time and just

Lie back and coast here for a mile"

13. Time - Create a gratitude journal of all the wonders each day brings, you'd be surprised by how long your list of things to be grateful for might be.

    
    

"It's a gift to exist, it's a wonder to taste"

14. It Isn't Perfect But It Might Be - This title speaks for itself: try not to stress too much about things out of your control, embrace what you do have and trust that it will always work out.

    
    

"To make a mess of it, then make the best of it

It isn't perfect, but it might be"

15. A Couple Minutes - Of course finally and most importantly, remember that,

    
    

"Love's never wasted

When it's shared"