With the arrival of the new Spring/Summer fashion season, there are a number of trends to look out for.
If last year was about a more subtle approach to dressing, this year focuses on drawing attention to yourself – but still playing it cool.
From a more modern way of wearing a suit to the obsession with less warm colours, here are the key highlights from the latest collections.
The new formal
The traditional suit is still very much in appeal, but not in the same way as in the past.
A number of designers have paired blazers with shorts (or even skorts, a combination between a short and a skirt) for Spring/Summer 2024.
This less formal look is said to make the outfit casually cool and chic – more ladies who brunch, than madams doing lunch.
You can also think of it like mixing business with pleasure.
Don’t try this in the office though. This trend is not something that will soon make a move into boardroom meetings.
Read more: For millennials not knowing what to wear, here's fashion advice from Gen Zs
Being a good sport
Streetwear is definitely big in fashion, but this season sees it veering very close into the territory of sportswear.
Windbreakers, the kind of jackets athletes wear for track events, are seen on the season’s runways.
There are tracksuits being presented as chic everyday wear, as well.
Of course, these are styled in a different way. You don’t just throw on a pair of jogger pants just like that.
For example, Bermuda swim shorts are given the high fashion treatment – dressed up with collared T-shirts and preppy blazers.
Go big with skirts
Mini skirts are very much a last-century trend (circa 1970s or 90s). These days, you need to opt for maxi skirts instead.
The idea is that the longer the skirt, the more stylish you will look.
Think of a ball gown, but in separates instead.
Also try pairing a loose shirt or blouse with ankle-length skirt. Cinched at the waist with a belt, and suddenly you’re part of the “it-girl” gang.
Several fashion labels showed tulle maxi skirts too. These are like ballet ones, but oversized to immense proportions.
Punk, but make it romantic
The fashion world loves contrast: clashing colours, patterns that don’t match, or even different fabric textures used together.
This season, it is about fusing the punk aesthetic with vibes of romance.
Designers have been seen playing around with materials like leather, then piling on feminine bows and soft frills.
It is probably an evolution of the coquette look (emphasising a playful and flirtatious attitude), which was a defining trend last year.
Lace is also favoured this time around. However, it is not all pretty and girly – models are strutting on the runway in lace dresses, but wearing chunky boots and black jewellery.
Armour up
Metallics have been very popular for the past few seasons. For Spring/Summer 2024, the trend has changed slightly.
Instead of dresses made from shiny fabrics – bringing to mind liquid metal, you can now see chainmail, breastplates and other structured designs on the runway.
Of course, you can’t just have everything looking like a medieval battlefield at fashion weeks.
So, designers are softening it all up. With embellishments of tassels and sequins, plus other dangly jewellery, you have creations that would not look out of place at a party.
A chilling effect
The Spring/Summer season is usually when designers make liberal use of bright and warm colours. Not this year, it seems.
The colour palette is strangely a lot cooler (literally).
A number of fashion houses embraced very pale pastels, with icy blue and frosty green being the top choices.
It is a big change from last year. Barbie pink was the dominant colour then, exploding out onto red carpets and awards shows all over the world.
Read more: The 'office siren' fashion trend is spicing up workwear with sexy looks
Borrowing from brides
Another colour seen making its rounds of the Spring/Summer 2024 fashion weeks is pure, brilliant white.
You can even say that the era of the “little black dress” is over, at least for now.
White outfits are part of the current “bride effect” fashion trend. It involves using elements or details of the bridal wardrobe to make sure you stand out.
In this instance, the colour white is certainly eye-catching – even more so if the accessorising is kept to the bare minimum.
On runways, designers are observed sending out their models with no jewellery at all. The styling is clean to a fault, like a neutral, barely-there shade of makeup.
As for the shoes and bags? White, of course.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
