The HARD Guide to York SU Summer Ball Fashion 2026

As we dissent into the madness of exam season, it seems almost impossible to spend time thinking about outfits for the next occasions to come, summer formals, graduation and of course the York SU Summer Ball. As a result you end up panic buying the day before, either an online debacle or a 7 hour trip around every charity shop in town, leaving you with an outfit that is perhaps not true to what you wanted. So, in order to help you avoid this summer ball outfit panic your Editors have put together a guide for York SU Summer Ball Fashion - the HARDmag way. 

We have put together a few moodboards for inspiration as well as new, interesting things we would love to see at York SU Summer Ball, the event will be taking place on June 2nd at York Racecourse, please check out @yorkunisu for updates and future ticket availability! As always there will be a fantastic music line up, an in house casino, a silent disco, glitter performers and what all creatives will most anticipate - an interactive graffiti wall. HARD will be there on the day interviewing and capturing the best outfits so for anyone reading please bring your A-Game to be featured with us!

Main Outfit

Kalypso: The main clothing is always the piece de la resistance of the whole outfit, so my biggest advice is don’t be boring. When you pick up that floral dress just imagine Miranda Priestly looking at you saying “Florals? For the Summer Ball? Groundbreaking.” Not to say that you should shy away from florals, but I just think it’s time we stray away from the dainty girl norm and go into the world of fun textures, vivid colours, beading, lace, flowing gowns. I think it would be lovely to see a 1970s’ revival this summer ball, whether it’s Cher style gowns, colourful suits with funky ties and bringing back that 70s’ neo-medieval/renaissance element to our silhouettes. It can be quite difficult to find such beautiful garments on a student budget, however second hand shops in York do have an amazing collection and there are so many ways to get creative with reworking the garments and pinning to change the silhouette. And if you have a beautiful piece in your wardrobe already but want to add something to it, it would be cool to browse charity shops for scarves and crafts shops for beads and lace to incorporate onto your original piece! More than anything, listen to your gut, at the end of the day you know what colour and clothing style suits you more and if changing up the main outfit feels too risky stay tuned on ways to step up the accessories. 

Pinterest Moodboard: https://pin.it/33eKiS5DY 

Scarlet: Remember black and white are your staples, they can be your palette. Don’t boo-hoo a dress because it’s giving basic ‘b&w’. Simple is the codeword here; go traditional for the base and bring the colour through your accessories. I’m loving a sheer look for summer ball. If you don’t want to go full sheer, then some chiffon frills could be a fun enhancement to the bodice or skirt! You will definitely need a jacket - don’t think you can firm the evening with no coverage. Last year I popped to H&M the day of the ball and got myself a basic, black button-up cardi to go with my b&w Gingham Bandeau jumpsuit from Next. You don’t want to have the shivers and who’s to say the sun will even be out (here in the UK)...a cardi should do the trick, you don’t want a bulky a leather jacket or anything that will detract from your look it’s called ‘main’ outfit for a reason, show it off!

Pinterest Moodboard: https://pin.it/5SNE93MG7

Jewellery

Kalypso: Jewellery is always the way any outfit will step up, and as the last event of the academic year, and for some of us sadly our entire time at Uni, it’s definitely the chance to go all out. Personally I’m a big fan of mixing metals, so I think stacking gold and silver in every place is so cool. Recently there have also been more unconventional ways of styling jewellery, whether it’s on a beaded bag or a piece of lace that’s part of your outfit. Gloves and stacked rings and bangles are also a huge outfit elevator. Alternatively, jewellery does not have to be metallic only, beaded pieces, shell accessories, and even flowers are the key to ethereal dressing this Summer Ball. If you’re wearing a tie, embellishing it with jewellery is also a refreshing way to be out there. 

Pinterest Moodboard: https://pin.it/33eKiS5DY 

Scarlet: Dare I say jewellery isn’t at the top of my agenda…I have a lot of respect for those people who effortlessly pull off bohemian chic with their gold bangle heavy wrists but I have to be honest here - I just always forget to put my rings and necklaces on in the morning! Earrings will always be at the top of the jewellery hierarchy for me. I’m a gold girl but who ever said mixing metals was wrong (I’m with you there Kalypso). My advice would be to think of jewellery once you’ve got everything else sorted - I don’t think they’re as ‘dealbreaking’ as something like a silk headscarf or pair of shades. You can defo be more creative with your accessories! I tend to find that a necklace can spoil a neckline. If you’re going all out with an evening gown, let it complement your bone structure! Is the pendant really worth it? 

Something I’ve been practicing recently which I would love to see is incorporating ribbon into your jewellery choices. I love a ribbon choker moment - just get your hands on some 6m x 10mm satin shine pink ribbon and tie around the neck into a bow, or simply thread through a pair of hoops - cheap, creative jewellery!

Pinterest Moodboard: https://pin.it/5SNE93MG7

Hair Accessories

Kalypso: As someone with curly hair who has never attempted to style it in any way, this summer ball I’m really excited to lean into hair accessorising and see what everyone comes up with. At the minute, the Juliettte cap is really having a moment whether it’s colourful crochet or even chainmail design, it will definitely add this renaissance look if that’s what you’re going for. Sequins, gems and tinsel hair are also beautiful ways to make your hair glow in that York golden hour of Summer Ball. Pearls on hair edges and towards the roots have been all over my pinterest board and would genuinely fall in love with whoever did this in their final look. 

Pinterest Moodboard: https://pin.it/33eKiS5DY

Scarlet: I’ve always loved a headband and I think most of my inspiration comes from the 60s, when they were sporting the super wide look - think Brigitte Bardot in Contempt. I think the claw clips can be left in the past now. Let your hair loose and if she needs humbling (I know mine will) opt for a headband instead. That’s not to say though that the hair has to be styled down, I’m a big fan of a slick back bun (I’m contradicting myself now) but it all depends on the style of the dress. Going longer and narrower? Slick that hair up! Going shorter? Half up half down it! I’d love to see some textured hair accessories, black or white lace is a favourite of mine and would be super cute threaded into a braid or I’ve even seen a recent surge of the veil; with people iterating the bridal look. I love this sheer accessory worn over the eyes too. 

Pinterest Moodboard: https://pin.it/5SNE93MG7

Shoes

Kalypso: Inspired by my friend Evie who has the most whimsical pair of brown tabis, I think a tabi ballerina would be the coolest move for your Summer Ball outfit. At the end of the day we all know we will end up on outdoor rides at some point, so I suggest high heels are perhaps not the best move, so we can let some chunky boots or flats slide - but make them interesting. Metallic ballerinas or kitten heels will also help tie in all the jewellery elements you might want to incorporate. 

Pinterest Moodboard:https://pin.it/33eKiS5DY

Scarlet: I’ve been loving a long sock moment recently. Okay not like the funky type, I don’t mean neon pink with a banana motif, more like the sheer stockings look. With a pair of pointy kitten heels this always works, so effortlessly chic. I do think shoes are a good opportunity to splash some colour in though. Although I literally only have a pair of stilettos and mesh kitten heels here with me in York, both in black, shoes can complement the main outfit in bold and daring ways. Colour mixing is so fun - risk the blue slingbacks with the yellow halterneck dress for a biscuit! Be unapologetic with your shoe choice. I think another important rule is don’t be afraid of the ballet flat. You don’t desperately need a few extra inches of height but you will need comfort as it's a longg night. I’d rather see you blister-free in flats rather than six inch heels you didn’t have time to break in as they came yesterday - and god forbid you whip out a pair of trainers once those blisters start showing up. 

Pinterest Moodboard: https://pin.it/5SNE93MG7

Bags

Kalypso: For Summer Ball, you will not want to have a bag bigger than your phone - only the essentials so you can live out your night hassle-free. A cute beaded or lace tote is an easy way to add texture to your look and a bag with grommets or other metallic elements is also always a gamechanger. Alternatively, make sure your summer ball outfit has pockets in case you want to add the most ethereal, impractical bag like a shell bag or even just carrying a flower. There are no restrictions to whimsy at the Summer Ball - go as bold as you want! 

Pinterest Moodboard: https://pin.it/33eKiS5DY 

Scarlet: Keep it tiny. You might have to leave the umbrella at home, and dare I say the emergency pair of trainers (firm the heels!) I believe a shoulder bag is timeless. Last year I took Kalypso’s patent black baguette bag and it did the trick; phone, keys, gum, lipstick and a Ferrero Rocher White Chocolate Hazelnut Bar. If you’ve opted for solid colour in your dress choice, bags are a fun way of throwing in a pattern or texture - I love what Gimaguas have done with studs. If you wanted to go really impractical (but stylish) a coin purse style bag would be a really chic choice. 

Pinterest Moodboard: https://pin.it/5SNE93MG7

Makeup

Kalypso: Lastly, if you are really set on a plain outfit, which is fair enough, my biggest advice is to really make the most of your makeup look! For that famous golden hour, a dewy look will always serve you well and hues of silver, blue and gold on your eyes. If you want to go more colourful, eyegems or a bright singular eyeshadow can really tie everything together. 

Pinterest Moodboard: https://pin.it/33eKiS5DY 

Scarlet: Summer is in the name; put that smoky eye to bed and revive your most shimmery palette! Minimal makeup is definitely in - my all time favorite palette is Urban Decay’s Moondust. You could so get away with some MAC dazzle eye shadow liquid and nothing else. For me focus is the eyes. You could ditch the full face makeup appointment at your local Fenwick store a few hours before as you don’t want that sweaty face, peeling off foundation sitch.

Pinterest Moodboard: https://pin.it/5SNE93MG7 

Hope to see you all and your fabulous outfits at York SU Summer Ball! 

Cover Image collaged with photos for HARD by Josh Bibby.