Catch up on jeans and footwear tends for 2025 if you missed them. Here are the rest of the wearable trends for Spring and Summer as I see them. Some are fringe and others mainstream. Many are familiar and a continuation of what we’ve been seeing.
The emphasis is less on silhouettes and more on combining and juxtaposing items, vibes, and colours to create a refreshed and signature look. The ‘90s continues to influence current fashion, with a nod to late ‘90s minimalism in particular. You’ll see fashion from the ‘00s coming through too, as well as plenty of maximal ‘70s and ‘80s integrity. There’s a sprinkling of ’60s in the mix. There is as much Maximalism as there is Minimalism. You choose.
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.
1. Boho Chic
Boho Chic is enjoying a fashion moment. It was inspired by Bohemianism and the fashions of the hippie movement. It has a late ‘60s and early ‘70s flavour that is predominantly casual, although dressy versions of the vibe do exist. Try a Boho-Lite look if Boho Chic is a tad much.
Think bell sleeves, embroidered and smocked detailing, kimono sleeves, A-line tops and skirts, fringe, all shades of brown, high-waisted flared jeans and trousers, kaftans, tunics, velvet, peasant tops, weathered leather, drawstring necklines, lots of gathers, casual maxi dresses, textured cottons, cork heels, textured knitwear, pendant necklaces, some ponchos, floppy felt hats, wooden jewellery, empire cuts, and LOTS of suede.
2. Trousers, Trousers, Trousers
It’s once again 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.
3. Sporty Luxe and Athleisure
Both themes are big, and there are differences between them. Athleisure is full throttle casual and sporty from head-to-toe. There are no dressy components in an Athleisure outfit. Sporty Luxe remixes sporty touches with dressier pieces, making juxtaposition key. Sporty Luxe looks are dressy, apart from the sporty accents that relax the look.
Think fashion sweatshirts, hoodies, sneakers, joggers, track pants, track tops, sporty tuxedo striping, bombers, baseball caps, fleece jackets, leggings, anoraks, large weave mesh tops, comfort sandals, polo tops, Johnny collars, rugby tops, colour-blocking, tank tops, body bags, quarter-zip tops, and bowling bags.
4. Oversized
Think boxy, broad and slouchy fits, big sleeves, architectural silhouettes, flared looks, exaggerated proportions, 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.
5. Animal Patterns
Classic snakeskin in neutrals is THE animal print for the season across clothing, footwear, and accessories. Cow, leopard, tiger, cheetah, and giraffe patterns are there too. If an animal print item of clothing is an over commitment, wear the pattern as an accent instead. A complement of snakeskin shoes, belt, and bag, can come in handy, and refresh your outfits more affordably.
6. 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.
7. Metallics
Gold, silver, pewter, bronze and copper footwear, bags, and belts are strong. You’ll see metallic non-neutrals too. 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.
8. Open Weave Knits
Lace, crochet, and pointelle knitwear make a fresh and summery return in any colour, but particularly in whites, tans, earthy tones, and pearl grey. These types of knits are especially great for Spring, or on a Summer’s day when it’s not too hot. Some versions need a tank or camisole.
9. ‘60s Pastels
Think powder pink, lemon, mint, sage, and light blue across solids and patterns in all wardrobe items, and especially in clothing. The idea is to wear these pastels with light neutrals, mononchromatically, colourblocked, or tonally with other colours.
10. Saturated Reds and Greens
Deep, rich reds from candy apple to wine and burgundy are on-trend for the year. You’ll see all sorts of reds come through in Summery fabrics, patterns, and all wardrobe items. This includes athleisure, socks and hosiery, workout wear, accessories, footwear, and underwear. Deep greens like emerald, jade, and Kelly green are on-trend for the year too. Less so in footwear and accessories to pave the way for red, but there nonetheless.
Wear saturated reds and greens mononchromatically, tonally, with all sorts of neutrals, or other colours that tickle your fancy.
11. Grey, Tan, Brown, Black
Grey, tan, brown, and black were THE neutrals of the ‘90s, so that’s what we’re seeing now. Underwear, swimwear, workout wear, and athleisure items included. Wear these neutrals with each other, or remix them with colours. Chocolate brown for Summer is “new”, since we usually see it for Autumn and Winter. There will be cool and warm browns, and mocha mousse, which is like a pastel chocolate or dark taupe.
If these aren’t your neutrals – don’t worry. There will be plenty of white, some navy, and earth tones too.
12. Summer Plaids and ‘90s Grunge
We see plaids and checks every year but seldom in Spring and Summer. Think lightweight cotton, rayon, and linen plaids across all colours in tops, pants, skirts, dresses, jackets and scarves. You’ll see nostalgic grungy Spring flannel too. The plaids can be loud or quiet, small or large, and neutral or non-neutral. Pattern clashing plaids in an outfit is fashion forward, and might tickle your fancy.
13. Slim Straights
Cigarette pants are making a gentle comeback. It’s not a big comeback yet, but I expect that to change. Their rises are mid and high rise. Lengths vary from cropped to full length. Big bottoms continue to reign supreme, but you’ll see slim silhouettes come through in small doses across neutral, non-neutrals, and patterns.
14. Skirts
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, bubble, 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.
15. Pinstripes and Rugby Stripes
These classic stripes are having swish and sporty fashion moment. Good news for Team Stripe. Think dressy pinstriped pants, jackets, dresses, skirts, shorts, and waistcoats. Pinstriped jeans are there too. Rugby stripe tops with polo and Johnny collars continue to trend across all colours. Wear them casually, or remix with dressy pieces for a Sporty Luxe vibe.
16. Twinsets and Co-ords
Outfit matching continues to gain momentum. 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.
17. Spaced Tropical Florals
Spring and Summer dresses, skirts, pants, blouses, jackets and tops will showcase large tropical florals that are more widely spaced, in all sorts of colour combinations. You’ll see the expected pastels, mid-tones, and brights. You’ll also see large florals on green, red, brown, beige and grey backgrounds since those colours are trending.
18. Sheer 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. Sheer mesh tops and refined transparent blouses often need a camisole, which creates a lovely layered look.
19. Chokers, Dainty Jewellery, 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 and hobos 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.
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 grey, black, Athleisure, chokers, and waistcoats, I like all the trends for my own style. I have most of them well covered too. I’m careful with burgundy and brown, 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, twinsets and co-ords, pinstripes, rugby stripes, metallics, spaced tropical florals, Sporty Luxe, sheer layers, open weave knits, saturated reds and greens, light blue, and DYOT. I like a little boho-lite in my Summer tops when the mood strikes me. And my preference is for dresses, although I enjoy skirts too.
Over to you.
