Is it just us, or has winter been reallllly dragging on? The novelty of days spent bundled up in oversized jumpers, faux fur coats and knee high boots (or y’know, pyjamas on those wfh days) has well and truly worn off. Instead, we’re longing for blue skies, temperatures above 15 degrees, and the spring summer 2024 fashion trends we first laid eyes on last September.
While we can’t do much about the weather forecast (we’re sad to say unlike Mean Girls’ Karen, our boobs can not tell when it’s raining), we *can* clue you in on all the the biggest styles, colours, prints and It-pieces that are set to dominate the season ahead. And how about one better – how to wear the spring summer trends right. now. ‘Cus we’re impatient like that.
With so many trends and microtrends around (mob wife aesthetic and quiet outdoors to name just a couple), it can be a tad overwhelming. So, we’ve narrowed down our favourites to a list of just nine. And don’t worry, they all totally work for RN.
That’s right, not only have we scoured the runways of New York, London, Paris and Milan to bring you a curated edit of the only trends you need to know this season, we’ve made sure they’re cold-weather appropriate thanks to some clever styling tricks as demonstrated by the street style set, ofc. Here’s a secret from those in the know, some of fashion month’s best style moments happen outside of the designer shows.
So without further ado, here are the best spring summer trends you don’t have to wait to wear:
- Red
- Drop waists
- Short shorts
- Oversized dressing
- White
- Slingbacks
- Sheer separates
- Metallics
- Skirts over trousers
1. Red
Okay, you no doubt know that red has been HUGE news. After a summer of Barbiecore (thank you Margot Robbie) the fashion tides have shifted and a fiercer tone has taken to the spotlight. Hello, wine reds and burgundy. No surprise then, it was seen all over the SS24 catwalks. But we’re not talking about subtle scarlet accents here, the catwalks at Alexander McQueen, Schiaparelli, Hermès, Sacai, Zimmerman, Akris, Valentino and Isabel Marant were awash with head-to-toe saturated outfits.
2. Drop waists
Of all the elements that make up an item of clothing, it’s perhaps waistlines that offer the most variety – from empire and high rise, to paper bag and asymmetrical. Low-rise has been reigning supreme over the past season thanks to the Y2K revival, and for SS24 our waistbands are only dipping lower. Yep, we’re in the era of elongated torsos. While Jil Sander, Roksanda and Acne Studios stuck to figure-hugging torsos attached to pleated flowing skirts, Molly Goddard took the phrase “how low can you go” to new levels with drop waist maxi skirts and at Burberry trenches were belted almost at the model’s thighs.
3. Short shorts
You likely packed your shorts away with the rest of your summer wardrobe, but climb into your loft and drag that vacuum-packed bag out from your bed. Sure, the thermostat may still be in single-digit temps but short shorts are firmly on the fashion agenda for right now. Look to Stella McCartney who layered billowing tailored coats over the tiniest of hotpants and Max Mara who followed suit opting for oversized blazers. Your top half doesn’t have to trail past your shorts’ hemline though, with Chanel layering black micro shorts with a peplum knit. The only adjustment we’ll be making from the runways? Adding knee-high boots and/or tights for much-needed warmth.
4. Oversized dressing
While last season was limited to oversized blazers, this season everything has been supersized to epic proportions. The Row and Bottega Veneta have our workwear wardrobes sorted thanks to their baggy tailoring that offers a more relaxed approach to formal dressing Elsewhere, Givenchy paired capacious pea coats with longline skirts and jackets so broad to create hulking silhouettes, while Emilia Wickstead diverted from her ladylike MO with a denim jacket so oversized the sleeves fell far past the model’s hands. Yep, bigger is definitely better.
5. White
Okay okay, we know we just told you red was the colour of the season, but if that’s too bold a look for you may we instead suggest white? There are always multiple colour trends in a season, and this is one of the easiest to tap into. Spotted at Saint Laurent, Valentino and Chloé, shades of porcelain are a timeless look for summer but they also work surprisingly well during the colder months. Selena Gomez and Jenna Ortega have both been repping winter white ‘fits recently. The key to nailing the look this season? Look for texture, from the dramatic ruffles at Chloé to the intricate laser-cut work at Valentino.
6. Slingbacks
Whether you went racing to your platform stilettos as soon as lockdown lifted or you’re still sticking to flat shoes only (and preferably slippers) post-Covid, the slingback is a guaranteed crowd pleaser thanks to the varying heel heights on offer. So imagine our delight when we spied the sleek shoe taking sculptural strides at Saint Laurent and more wearable designs at Valentino and Altuzarra. We love the pointed toe peeking out beneath the hem of flared jeans for ultimate cool girl vibes.
Gucci
Saint Laurent
Valentino
Chanel
7. Sheer separates
Transparent clothing continues to make its way down from the runway onto the red carpet and even our favourite high street stores. And while our favourite celebs have been loving naked dressing in the forms of daring gowns, this season designers including LaQuan Smith, Saint Laurent and Givenchy have treated us to more wearable iterations for IRL in the form of see-through separates. If you’re bold enough, try a mesh top with tailored trews – though maybe add a bra or cami if you’re taking this look to the office, you don’t want to violate any HR dress codes. Alternatively, why not try experimenting with sheer panels and overlays, à la Sacai, first?
8. Metallics
Don’t pack away your sequins just yet. Who said metallics were only for Christmas? We’re embracing a ‘more is more’ attitude and keeping the party szn mentality going with touches of gold and silver along with sparkling embellishments guaranteed to brighten up a grey day. Erdem, Simone Rocha and Alexander McQueen kept to a classic colour palette, while Supriya Lele introduced iridescent green and Laquan Smith showed shimmering turquoises, purples and hot pinks. Pair sequin skirts with basic white tees to keep it contemporary and cool.
9. Skirts over trousers
The jury is still out among the Cosmo fashion team if this is a lewk or not, but it’s safe to say the street style set at Copenhagen Fashion Week were firmly for this marmite trend. Oozing ‘00s nostalgia, skirts layered over trousers first emerged on just a few runways during the AW23 season but Scandi brands Ganni and Saks Potts have championed the layering aesthetic for this season, too. Elsewhere, designers including Ferragamo and Issey Miyake straddled the line between long-line tops or micro mini dresses layered over trousers. If you are tempted to try it out yourself, there’s no better time than while we wait for the sunshine to make an appearance.
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