The dust has settled on fashion month, and now we know exactly what trends to expect for the upcoming seasons. We’ve done the research for you so that you can get started on plotting your spring/summer wardrobe.
Gigi Hadid walks for Anna Sui SS18
Ovidiu Hrubaru/Shutterstock.com
Table of Contents
Stand out in sequins
It began with Tom Ford’s sparkly knickers at New York fashion week and progressed to the embellishment and party-wear of Simone Rocha and Molly Goddard in London. This spring/summer, we can expect to see plenty of sequins and sparkle on everything from slinky evening gowns to short miniskirts that can take you from the office to the bar.
Pastel colours for days
You only had to look at the catwalks of Céline and Preen to see that pastel colours will be huge next season. Preen’s SS18 show was actually inspired by saris and women’s rights movements (some looks being an obvious nod to Hester Prynn’s letter A in The Scarlet Letter) with one-shouldered dresses in pale pinks, lilacs, and sea greens. It might be synonymous with the Queen Mother but lilac set to make a huge comeback so grab something in this colour right away.
Flaunt your fringe
The most recent runways are proof that fringing is the next major statement. By fringing, we don’t mean the tame fringing you usually see on western or hippy jackets. Instead, think about dresses that look like they’ve had a run in with the office shredder such as with Calvin Klein and Erdem or major hems as seen on Acne. As long as you know where to shop, this trend shouldn’t be too difficult to follow. Sites such as Ashleigh Plus Size, for example, always stay up to date with the latest trends from the catwalk to the high street.
Sheer madness
On this year’s catwalks, Dries van Noten and Christian Dior made big cases for sheer dressing. We saw everything from wide tulle net skirts to those that were super simple, some of them even being completely transparent. Don’t feel bold enough to wear this trend? Then why not try a sheer dress over a shirt – another trend that was picked up by fashion trailblazers Miu Miu and Prada.
Pamella Rolland SS18 Ovidiu Hrubaru/ Shutterstock.com
Shiny textures of rubber and plastic
What’s so great about this trend is that you’ll be able to wipe your clothes clean. Well, not really, but shiny textures are going to be a big hit this season. We’re expecting high street retailers to be inspired by Christopher Kane’s black vinyl dresses and Calvin Klein’s sporty looks that made use of plastic-coated nylon and drawstrings. It’s not only clothing that will embrace this trend, though. Already we’ve seen clear shoes, bags, and accessories that you can invest in if you’re not quite ready to fully dive in.
Print versus print
Good news for those of us who tend to have a lot of printed clothing in our wardrobes. This summer, prints will be mixed and matched like never before. All you need is some good judgment to be able to mix prints that are very different…but somehow manage to go quite well together. Feel inspired by the catwalks of Maison Margiela and Marni.
Sportswear (without hitting the gym)
A lot of people were very surprised to see this new take on athleisure make a bold appearance on the catwalks. Sportswear pieces and fabrics were worn alongside silk dresses and skirts to achieve a creative mix that recalled sports like scuba diving and motocross. While we admit this one might be the most difficult trend to pull off, that doesn’t mean you can’t dress up a sporty t-shirt with a pair of heels.