Does it just feel like winter is really dragging on for us? The novelty of days spent in oversized jumpers, faux fur coats and knee-high boots (or pyjamas for work-from-home days) has worn off. Instead, we’re longing for blue skies, 15+ degree temperatures and the spring/summer 2024 fashion trends we first glimpsed last September.
While we can’t do much about the weather (sadly, unlike Karen from Mean Girls, our boobs can’t tell if it’s raining), we do have a clue about all of the styles, colors, prints, and it-pieces that are going to be big this coming season. And even better: How to wear spring/summer trends now, because we’re that impatient.
With so many trends and micro-trends (like the mob wife aesthetic and the tranquil outdoors), it can be a little overwhelming, so we’ve narrowed it down to nine of our favorites. Don’t worry, they’re all perfect for RN.
That’s right, we’ve combed the runways of New York, London, Paris and Milan to bring you not only our picks of the only trends you need to know this season, but of course, they’re also cold-weather appropriate, thanks to some clever styling tricks tried and true by the street style set.It’s a little-kept secret, but some of the best style moments of fashion month happen outside of the designer shows.
So, without waiting any longer, here are the best spring and summer trends you can wear right now.
Red Drop Waist Shorts Oversized Dressing White Slingback Sheer Separates Metallic Pants Skirt
1. Red
Okay, so we all know red is a big thing. After a summer of Barbiecore (thanks, Margot Robbie), fashion has shifted gears and more fiery tones are taking center stage. Wine red and burgundy are in. Not surprisingly, they were everywhere on the SS24 catwalks. But we’re not talking about subtle accents of scarlet here. Alexander McQueen, Schiaparelli, Hermes, Sacai, Zimmermann, Akris, Valentino, Isabel Marant and more all flooded the catwalks with head-to-toe red outfits.
2. Lose your waist
Of all the elements that make up a garment, the waistline is perhaps the most diverse. From empire and high-rise to paperbag and asymmetrical. Low-rise was overwhelmingly popular in past seasons due to the resurgence of Y2K, but for SS24 waistbands are dropping even lower. Yes, we are in the era of the elongated torso. Jil Sander, Roksanda and Acne Studios stuck to form-fitting torsos with flowing pleated skirts, while Molly Goddard took the phrase “how low can you go” to a new level with a dropped-waist maxi skirt, and at Burberry, trench coat belts extended almost to the models’ thighs.
3. Shorts
Your shorts are probably tucked away with the rest of your summer wardrobe, but climb into the loft and drag that vacuum-sealed bag out of your bed. Sure, it might still be in the single digits, but shorts are definitely a fashion talking point right now. Stella McCartney layered a fluffy tailored coat over teeny-tiny hotpants, while Max Mara followed suit with an oversized blazer. But your torso doesn’t have to spill out over the hem of your shorts. Chanel layered a peplum knit over black micro shorts. The only tweak we’ll take from the runway is adding knee-high boots or tights for some much-needed warmth.
4. Large dressing
Whereas last season was limited to oversized blazers, this season everything is supersized on an epic scale. The Row and Bottega Veneta are decluttering our workwear wardrobes thanks to baggy tailoring that offers a more relaxed approach to formal attire. Elsewhere, Givenchy played up giant silhouettes by teaming loose peacoats with longline skirts and jackets. Meanwhile, Emilia Wickstead strayed from ladylike style to throw on an oversized denim jacket whose sleeves fell far past the models’ hands. Yes, bigger is definitely better.
5. White
Okay, okay, we just said that red is the color of the season, but if that’s too loud for you, may we suggest white instead? There are multiple color trends for the season, but this is one of the easiest to adopt. The porcelain-like hue seen at Saint Laurent, Valentino, and Chloe is a timeless style for summer, but also works surprisingly well in the colder months. Selena Gomez and Jenna Ortega have both recently debuted winter white looks. The key to pulling off this season’s style? Look to texture, from dramatic ruffles at Chloe to intricate laser cutwork at Valentino.
6. Slingbacks
Whether you jumped into chunky stilettos as soon as lockdown was lifted or are sticking to flats (or preferably slippers) post-COVID, slingbacks in a variety of heel heights are sure to be a hit. So imagine our delight when we found sleek shoes with sculptural strides at Saint Laurent and more wearable designs at Valentino and Altuzarra. Pointy toes peeking out from under flared jeans are the ultimate cool-girl vibe.
GucciVictor Virgile//Getty ImagesSaint LaurentVictor Virgile//Getty ImagesValentinoVictor Virgile//Getty ImagesChanelVictor Virgile//Getty Images
7. See-through separates
Sheer clothing has been making its way from runways to red carpets to your favorite high street stores. While our favorite celebs have favored a nude look in the form of daring gowns, this season designers like LaQuan Smith, Saint Laurent, and Givenchy have shown us more real looks in the form of sheer separates. If you’re feeling daring, try pairing a mesh top with a tailored trouser. However, if you’re taking this look to the office, you’ll want to add a bra or camisole. You don’t want to violate HR’s dress code. Alternatively, why not try a Sacai-esque sheer panel or overlay for starters.
8. Metallic
Don’t put away your sequins just yet. Who said metallic colours are just for Christmas? We embrace the “more is more” attitude, with gold and silver accents and glittering embellishments adding to the party spirit and brightening up any dull day. Erdem, Simone Rocha and Alexander McQueen stuck to classic colour palettes, while Supriya Lele showed off iridescent greens and LaQuan Smith showed off shimmering turquoise, purple and hot pink. Pair a sequin skirt with a basic white t-shirt for a contemporary and cool look.
9. Wear a skirt over your trousers
While the jury’s still out on whether or not this is sexy within the Cosmo Fashion team, it’s fair to say that street style at Copenhagen Fashion Week was firmly in support of this marmalade trend. Oozing noughties nostalgia, skirts layered over trousers first appeared on just a few catwalks for AW23, with Scandinavian brands Ganni and Saks Potts also pushing the layered look this season. Other designers, including Ferragamo and Issey Miyake, straddled the line between long tops and micro mini dresses layered over trousers. If you’re keen to try it for yourself, now’s the perfect time to do so while you wait for the sun to come out.
Follow Alexandria on Instagram.
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Alexandria Dale is a digital fashion writer for Cosmopolitan and Women’s Health UK. She covers everything from celebrity hot looks to the latest fashion news and loves nothing more than finding high street dummies for must-have designer items. As well as discovering new brands, she’s also passionate about sustainable fashion and setting trends that are actually worth investing in. She has six years’ experience in fashion journalism, having worked for both digital and print publications such as Glamour and Ok!.
Natasha Harding is the former Fashion Editor (Digital & Print) for Cosmopolitan and Women’s Health UK. With just under a decade in fashion journalism, she has covered over 30 international fashion weeks, hundreds of red carpets, avidly monitoring the runways each season and producing biannual trend reports for brands. Having joined Cosmopolitan in Australia, Natasha moved to London a few years ago and is now the resident expert on celebrity style, industry news, fashion features and e-commerce. Follow Natasha on Instagram
