Catch up on the jeans and footwear trends for 2024 if you missed them. Here are the rest of the trends for Spring and Summer as I see them. Many are familiar and a continuation of what we’ve been seeing. There are slight variations in colour palette, and some new combinations to enjoy if they’re your cup of tea.
There is more emphasis on how items and colours are combined and juxtaposed to create a refreshed and signature look, than in the silhouettes themselves. As always, feel free to feast, snack, or fast from the buffet of trends, and do your own thing. Almost anything goes these days. Wear what makes you happy, and feel good in your outfit.
The ‘90s continue to influence current fashion, with a strong nod to the late ‘90s. That said, you’ll see ‘70s and ‘80s influences too.
1. Trousers, Trousers, Trousers
It’s a pants season. From dressy to casual and every style in between.
Pants and jeans are wider and looser all over. Big and BIGGER. Some pants and jeans are very wide, whereas others are gently wide or flared at the hems. Some wide silhouettes are barrel and lantern-shaped, and taper back at the hem. Tailored looks are as on-trend as slouchy looks. Dressy looks are as on-trend as casual looks.
Rise lengths and hem lengths vary enormously, just like they did throughout the ‘90s. Low, mid, and high rises are on-trend, and either flat or pleated at the waist. Lengths vary from crops that are two to three inches above the ankle bone, to full-length hems that skim the vamps of shoes, the surface of the floor, or slouch in a heap on the ground. Full-length pants are having a particularly strong fashion moment. Full-length silhouettes with narrower hems scrunch a little or a lot over footwear.
Think “Carefree Corporate”. It’s on-trend — and practical — to style dressy items in a relaxed way. That’s where juxtaposition is key. Style dressy bottoms with casual tops, sneakers, cowboy boots, flatforms, oxfords, loafers, denim, and a crossbody bag or huge tote. No need to be dressy from head to toe.
2. Skirts
It’s not just a pants season – it’s a SKIRT SEASON too. We will see a larger variety of skirts this year, which is good news for Team Skirt.
Hemlines vary greatly, just like they did throughout the ‘90s. Midi and midaxi skirts are there but maxis and minis are gaining momentum. Many silhouettes are A-line, pleated, tiered, basque, button-through, wrap, trumpet, circular, and flared in some way for ease of movement.
Maxi pencil skirts with long front or side slits have become mainstream. Pencil skirts with some sort of maximal or unexpected feature are trending. Think pencil skirts in brights, on-trend pastels, leathers and pleathers, button-through styles, colour-blocked looks, sheer layers, and textures.
Don’t despair, Team Dress. Dresses are there because they sell well at retail. After all, a Summer without dresses is an incomplete season. That said, we will see fewer dresses because skirts and pants are taking centre stage.
3. Oversized
Think boxy, broad and slouchy fits, big sleeves, architectural silhouettes, flared looks, and sculptural volume. Oversized items tend to require thoughtful styling to look intentional, fab and avoid overwhelming the wearer. Getting the lengths of these items, and the support act right is key. Adding just enough structure to the outfit in all the right places can make the difference.
4. Waistcoats
Waistcoats have gone from fringe to mainstream. To recap, a waistcoat is a short and formal tailored vest with front buttons that is usually worn over another layer like a shirt, tee, blouse, knitted top, turtleneck, or pullover. In the Spring and Summer, waistcoats in Summery fabrics can also be worn as sleeveless tops over bras, camisoles, or tank tops. Bottoms like trousers or shorts in the same fabric are worn with waistcoats to create a co-ordinated set.
5. Lilacs, Peaches, Ice Blues
If you enjoy these pastels and mid-tones – milk it. You’ll find crisp, watery, and murky versions of these colours throughout the year. The idea is to wear them in all sorts of combinations. With earth tones, neutrals, jewel tones, or in monochromatic and tonal ways.
6. Grey
As my late ‘90s hunch predicted, grey in all its shades and tones is the new fashion neutral. Team Grey can rejoice. The idea is to wear grey with any colour, and from head to toe. Don’t worry if greys aren’t for you. There are other neutrals to choose from too.
7. Burgundy
Deep, rich, and very dark reds are usually on-trend for Autumn and Winter. Now they are on-trend for Spring and Summer. You’ll see very dark reds come through in Summery fabrics, patterns, and items instead. The idea is to wear the reds in unexpected combinations like with peaches, icy light blues, whites, and lilacs.
8. Rosettes and Rose Patterns
The fringe trend is gaining a bit of momentum. Three-dimensional rosettes are a fun accessory to pin and tie onto clothing, some footwear and other accessories. They add visual interest and texture as needed. Rose patterns are another iconic classic having a fashion moment, and especially gorgeous in large-spaced floral patterns.
9. Fringe, Flapper, Dropped Waists
An unexpected and subtle ‘20s fashion influence for those who like the era. A fringe trend with fringe detailing on items like tops, dresses, swimwear, and skirts will make an appearance. Dropped waists on tops and dresses are there too.
10. Belts
Think of any type of belt that makes a visual difference to an outfit and you’re right on-trend. Wide, narrow, bright, neon, earthy, pastel, neutral, patterned, with grommets, solid, metallic, studded, canvas, leather, pleather, waist-defining, hip-slung, chained, double, and Western. Take your pick. Wear belts threaded though belt loops with jeans, shorts, and trousers. Wear them to add structure to a dress, skirt, or top.
11. Disco Metallics
Gold, silver, pewter, and copper footwear, bags, and belts are strong. You’ll see metallic non-neutrals too. Big metal belt buckles are having a fashion moment, as a nod to the belt trend. Metallic clothing is a fringe trend and has its futuristic appeal. Coated metallic jeans are fringe tending. Metallics can be worn more subtly when shimmery threads are woven through the fabrics of any wardrobe item, in any pattern, solid or colour.
12. White Dresses
White dresses, in whatever style and fabric that tickles your fancy seem to fringe trend every Summer season. Sometimes they are easier to wear when they are textured, or have fabric interest like a jacquard or eyelet.
13. Trench Coats
Trench coats in any colour, in both classic tailored fits and oversized fashionable fits are having a fashion moment. Most are knee-length or longer, double-breasted, and have some sort of self-tie belt. Remember that the belts can be left untied, or tied at the back if that’s your preference. Conversely, boxy cropped trench coats are on-trend too.
14. Chokers, Dainty Jewellery, and BIG Bags
Cast your mind back to the chokers you saw or wore in the ‘90s, and that’s on-trend. There were all sorts of black and brown cords and ribbons with small and large pendants that were worn close to the neck. Dainty jewellery in any metal remains strong, and is generally worn in multiples and layers. Big totes make a comeback. They are handy when you have lots to carry, and will also hold a small bag with essentials that you can whip out when you leave the tote at your desk, or in the car.
15. Sheer Double Layers
We see this fringe trend almost every warm-weather season, and we’ll see it again. Sheer fabrics are layered in tops, pants, dresses and skirts to create a soft, and flowing vibe. Sometimes part of the item is left deliberately transparent.
16. Short Shorts and Long Shorts
Short shorts in casual and dressy renditions are once again on-trend. Sometimes dressy versions are worn with sheer hosiery for coverage and textural interest. More current are long, knee-covering shorts across denim, casual and dressy fabrics, and roomier silhouettes.
17. Preppy Sportswear
Think quintessential Ralph Lauren looks and you’re on the right track. Polo shirts, rugby stripes, nautical stripes, crisp shirting, colourful silk scarves, shirtdresses, vertical striped shirting and blazers, striped neckties, candy-coloured sweatshirts, madras checks, Summer plaids, gingham, cotton cabled knitwear, cotton chinos and shorts, popped collars, trench coats, half-zipper knitted tops, collegiate sweaters with colour-blocked or striped V-necks in pullover and cardigan silhouettes, tennis and cricket sweaters in tailored and oversized silhouettes, striped grosgrain belts, chambray, loafers, baseball caps, and a bit of argyle,
18. Co-ords and Sets
Outfit matching is big. Think solid and patterned twinsets, two-piece dresses, two-piece sweater dresses, two-piece jumpsuits, pants and skirt suits, all sorts of accessory complements, jewellery sets, knitted top and bottoms sets, handbag, belt and shoe sets, blouse and scarf sets, and sock and top sets.
19. Shorter Tops
With bigger bottoms and higher rises, it makes sense that shorter tops are being sold right beside them. Some are fitted and oversized, but most are fluid. Hip length, longer tops, and tunics are there for those who prefer them. Longer tops can be worn untucked, partially tucked, or fully tucked.
20. Do Your Own Thing (DYOT)
There is no one way to be stylish. Fashion is a melting pot of sartorial choices, and increasing diversity in fashion with each passing year means that there is something for everyone. Trends are no longer seasonal and fads no longer exist. Trends are becoming harder to define, and at some point they will be irrelevant. That’s why creating a signature style and evolving it over time is one of the most important and relevant trends of them all. Wear the trends, don’t wear them, remix them, repeat them, reinvent them — it’s all good. Do your own thing!
Apart from lilacs, grey, and any type of shorts, I like all the trends for my own style. I have most of them well covered too. I’m careful with burgundy, which I will wear in a pattern and not a solid in Spring and Summer. Oversized silhouettes I wear in some items, but not others. BIG yes to all sorts of trousers, co-ords, preppy sportswear, trench coats, belts, and DYOT. My preference is for dresses, although I enjoy skirts too.
Over to you.
