Animal Crossing New Horizons: Fashion designs of the week

Here we're taking a look at the designs that best capture the essence of summer. 

With the game itself in the mid of its summer season – for those islanders in the northern hemisphere, at least – the time is perfect to crack out some new looks that make exploring your own personal island paradise feel all the more seasonally appropriate. While this week's picks are all female focused, it's worth remembering that players can wear anything they like in the game – gender is no barrier to real fashion!

So without further ado, here's what should be making appearances in your (virtual) summer wardrobe this year.

01. Sheer Sakura

The creativity of Animal Crossing's fan designers never ceases to astound, this is at the top of the game. Not only is the outfit as a whole beautifully composed, with a rich purple skirt complementing a fascinating top and capped with a breathtakingly detailed robe, but there's such incredible attention to detail from designer Kaylee that it has an illusion of transparency to it. Careful use of shades gives the gown the appearance of being gossamer thin, and the perfect wardrobe to show off on a warm summer evening. This piece is simply stunning.

02. Summer Sun Dress

03. Sailor Uni & Haori

04. Shark Dress

Here we have something that's a bit more of a statement piece: a clean and elegant sun dress, with a pretty red ribbon around the waist – and a massive shark for decoration. It's a fun look for the summer months, with designer Kylie keeping the detailing low – only two shades each of blue and red – and allowing the asymmetrical shark design to do the talking. Altogether now: blue shark dress doo-do-doo-do-do-do, blue shark dress...

05. Ocean Fashion Kimono

There's something a bit "sun goddess" about this look – another standout design from Kylie – rather than being a more traditional kimono. It's probably the ornate neck jewellery, but the flowing robe that hints at gently undulating waves from the front before revealing an equally elaborate turtle design on the back doesn't hurt that aesthetic. Add in the subtle detailing of the white under-dress – note the delicate shading which adds texture – and belt, and you have a glorious combo. Praise the sun!

06. Summer Solstice

With the impression of sunflowers across the torso meeting the clean white lines of the upper, and rounded off by an elegant wrap skirt the colour of sunset, there's an almost relaxing vibe to creator Jessica's look here. The separate drop sleeves make it feel airy and light, too. Pair this with any of the floral crowns you can craft in Animal Crossing and it's a perfect flower-child-meets-festival design.

07. Summer Kimono

Another atypical kimono look here, this time from designer Pia. However, while it diverges from tradition with its summer colours and fun fish-tank look, it still keeps the classic shape of the kimono. The result is an old-meets-new expression, where tradition meets modernity. Bonus points for the almost hidden detail – note the blossom patterns that will appear on the rear of the arms when worn.

08. Summer Top & Skirt

A bright and breezy two-in-one number from designer Bethany here, with a loose slit skirt meeting a simple twisted t-shirt top. The look has a light, fun look, with plenty of hidden details that make it look much more realistic – the pixel-art shading making the skirt look layered and ruffled, use of shadow to create the twisted look in the upper material, and all rounded out by a gold-and-ruby effect necklace to make the piece pop

09. Sunflowers

This simple combo of pleated top and floral skirt is a great summer evening look – craft yourself some beach furniture in-game and you can live out your fantasies of lazing on the sands watching the sunset over the water. Meticulous detailing on front and back make this design stand out, and creator Lucy offers the look in a range of skin tones.

10. Autumn Leaves

As summer draws to a close, this leafy number from designer Caitlin is the perfect outfit to mark the transition between the seasons. Still light and airy, making it a great look for running around your tropical paradise, but its use of fall colours provides a warmer glow. The intricate bodice work and the large but detailed layers of leaves making up the skirt round off this exceptional autumnal effort – a fantastic look to see the summer out with.

Next page: Beachwear...