Style
Off The Runway: 10 Spring/Summer Trends And How To Wear Them
Pack away your coats and sweaters, and clear some closet space for this season’s top trends coming straight from the runway
Warmer days have arrived, which means you can stow away your coats and start making way for this season’s newest trends, inspired by the best looks from the catwalks. And while some fashion week looks have no real-life potential (looking at you, head-to-toe cut-outs), others are easier to add to your seasonal rotation. From daytime sparkles to huge sleeves and footwear that reaches new heights, these runway looks are easy to master IRL – and we’ll show you how.
Oversized Blazers
You really can’t go wrong – or out of style – with a blazer. This timeless, versatile piece is too classic to be considered trendy, but top fashion labels, including Balenciaga, Saint Laurent and Prada, recently presented a more modern take on this staple. Their big, bulky blazers with longer sleeves and boxy shoulders cut a stylish figure when worn with matching trousers and cinched with a belt. For a daytime look, wear the blazer open over a crop top and looser jeans, or even as a dress when temperatures start to rise. And since 2022 is all about colour, ditch the grey blazer in favour of bright neon or accent hues instead – you can easily harmonise them via colour-blocking or by wearing neutrals underneath.
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Puffballs
If minimalism isn’t quite your style, try this seasonal trend that’s adding more volume and modernising a 1980s classic. Puffballs were seen at Carolina Herrera, Simone Rocha, Loewe and Céline, but their interpretation was a lot wider and puffier. From big tulle and organza dresses and skirts, to huge sleeves and multi-layered puff tops, it’s all about going big in the coming months. To replicate the look while keeping it wearable, you’ll want to stick to tighter pieces for the rest of the outfit – whether you’re wearing a top with huge shoulders or a tiny puff on the waistline, pair with more fitted bottoms to create a balanced silhouette. Or, if you’re going for a Céline-inspired puffball skirt, combine with a tighter jacket and sleek shoes.
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Co-Ords
Good news: You don’t have to wean yourself off loungewear just yet. Co-ords have been around for some time now, becoming the official look of the WFH era – but S/S22’s proposal is the same comfy look with a twist. Acne Studios, Nili Lotan and Eckhaus Latta were some of the shows to present two-, three- and even four-piece sets with more unique fabrics, prints and cuts. Even if you’re comfortable wearing striking head-to-toe prints or textures, consider toning it down with neutral accessories and footwear to keep the centre of attention where it belongs. Or just mix and match with more classic pieces and have multiple looks for the price of one.
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Daytime Sparkle
After two years stuck at home, designers want us out again – and they have a loud, shiny, glittery comeback in mind. But instead of using sequins – which is not the most environmentally friendly choice, by the way – the disco trend presented by Fendi and Stella McCartney (to name a few) is liquid metals, making it more subtle and wearable. Metallic fabrics are a good alternative if you want to add life to your looks, but aren’t a fan of bright bolds or colour-blocking. However, to avoid looking like a walking disco ball, just pick one metallic piece and wear it with solids in calmer tones. For example, pair a metallic gold skirt with a white t-shirt, a silver blouse with faded jeans, or a total look in muted tones paired with shiny shoes.
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Head-To-Toe White
Even though this isn’t the most surprising trend for spring/summer, it is the easiest to recreate. Total whiteouts were mainly seen at The Row, Valentino and Chloé, layering soft, light fabrics one over the other – and the result is classy, clean and fresh. Whether you’re going for a crisp white trouser suit for the office, or a flowy loungewear set at home, you can’t go wrong with this trend. Give it a twist by including different textures in the same outfit: white denim with crochet, linen with lace… and always make room for your favourite bold accessories to shine.
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Colour Columns
When you feel you’ve worn enough whites, a column of colour is the answer to your maximalist style prayers. The trend popularised by Gucci circa 2011 is back with even bolder colour combinations. From Proenza Schouler and Brandon Maxwell to Alexander McQueen and Anna Sui, spring/summer runways were filled with either solid or contrasting combinations of bright colours. Think: orange and sky blue, purple and yellow, fuchsia and green. One way to implement the trend while staying safe is picking just one bright colour and choosing another for an accessory: a green jacket with a pink bag, for example. If you’re going all in, you can mix up to three contrasting colours, but always create a scheme – you’ll want to repeat one colour throughout the look for consistency.
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Platforms
New heights don’t necessarily mean less stability. The main footwear trend for this spring/summer is the rebirth of platforms in its chunkier side, checking the boxes for both chicness and comfort. And while the most obvious platform choice is sky-high heels like the ones seen at Versace, Stella McCartney and Valentino, platforms are coming in all forms, from Mary Janes and clogs to loafers and even flip-flops. To balance things out, wear your platforms with more delicate pieces like satin skirts or linen pants. For denim, opt for cropped jeans to roughen up your look and make a subtler yet trendier statement.
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Low Waist
While it’s safe to say that high-rise isn’t completely out of the fashion game, 2022 is showing a strong shift to low-rise. Like other ‘00s trends making their way back, lower waists were the level of choice at Tom Ford, Miu Miu, MSGM and many more, and confirmed that exposed hip bones are in for the win. For a full Gen-Z-inspired look, wear your low-rise trousers or skirt with a micro top and an oversized blazer, or just show a bit of skin with a cropped sweater. If you’re not comfortable baring the midriff section, just pair it with a hoodie and heels for an updated classic outfit formula.
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Micro Skirts
And while waists are getting lower, hemlines are getting higher at Miu Miu, Miuccia Prada, Bottega Veneta, Chanel, and their rendition of the micro miniskirt is being recreated and stocked in all major stores. Some are sleek and polished for the minimalist, whereas others are bright and over-the-top for the bold, but they have one thing in common: they’re tiny. If you’re yearning to embrace the trend while still looking modern and classy, keep in mind body proportions. Leave the low-rise trend aside for this one, and pick a higher-waisted skirt paired with a loose jumper or oversized blazer and high boots or platform loafers. Another way to wear it: skirt suits – it’ll make you look cool and trendy, but polished and professional, all in one.
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Straps
For summer-shaped nostalgia, slinky straps are back. Models for Rejina Pyo, Altuzarra and Elleme showed off sleek tops, skirts and dresses with thin straps wrapped across the body, and we’re here for the body shape enhancement effect. The good thing is that you can either tie the straps wherever you feel more comfortable, or just leave them hanging for a fringed-inspired look. If you can’t see yourself wrapping your shoulders or stomach in crisscross straps, you can comfortably leave this trend for your swimwear looks (we don’t suggest a tanning session, though).
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