After conquering Milan and Paris fashion weeks, the fan has become the must-have accessory of the summer, combining practicality with heat protection, history and trendy designs.

The fan is back as a fashion icon for summer 2026, having appeared in street style looks from the streets of Milan to the sidewalks of Paris, transforming an antique accessory into a contemporary style staple. This isn't just a nostalgic return, but a concrete response to the urban heat and heatwaves that have swept across the continent all summer. Lightweight, foldable, and easy to store, the fan combines functionality and spectacularity, bringing a renewed sense of elegance to the movement of the wrist.

A light fan in the front row: a knotted white shirt and wide-leg sand-colored trousers (Getty Images)

A pink fan brightens up an all-black look in summer street style. (Getty Images)

A white fan and a broderie anglaise dress: the summer street style look for 2026 (Getty Images)

Its history spans Chinese imperial courts, Japanese samurai and Rococo salons, where every opening could become a gesture of seduction and representation. Today, that code is renewed through rigid, circle models or raffia versions with an artisanal allure, designed for evening. Worn with a silk slip dress or with a pared-down urban look, in a matching or contrasting colour, the fan thus straddles the line between everyday practicality and theatricality.

The fan with the Wimbledon logo in the stands of the tournament (Getty Images)

Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, with a fan in the stands at Wimbledon (Getty Images)

The earliest origins of the fan date back to Egypt. Eight were found in Tutankhamun 's tomb, made of feathers and precious stones and intended for the royal family as symbols of power. In ancient Greece, the "rhipis," inspired by the shape of a palm branch, was used to ward off insects from altars. In the East, the history of this accessory is even older. The oldest surviving example, dating back to the 7th century BC, is preserved in China , while the "ogi," the characteristic folding fan, was born in Japan. During the Japanese Middle Ages, the shogun used the "gunsen," a steel war fan, while in the Edo period the object became used in dance and martial arts.

The men's wardrobe essential: an oversized beige shirt and striped shorts (Getty Images)

A black fan and brown suit: men's street style for summer 2026 (Getty Images)

It arrived in Europe in the 16th century , brought by Portuguese merchants along with spices and silks, and quickly conquered the courts. Elizabeth I and Catherine de' Medici adopted it, and Catherine introduced it to France , where Louis XIV later even established a dedicated guild. At the height of its popularity, it became an indispensable element of the female toilet and, above all, a means of communication. Covering the face, touching the eyes, or moving it from one hand to the other could become coded messages between lovers and acquaintances. English, Italian, and French artisans turned it into a true objet d'art, crafting it in mother-of-pearl, ivory, and gems. In the 19th century, production experienced a new expansion in Spain, in Valencia, home to the Real Fábrica de Abanicos , considered the largest in Europe. After the interludes of Art Nouveau and Art Deco , the two world wars marked its progressive decline.

Summer 2026’s Must-Have Accessory Is 3,000 Years Old

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