While some of us are busy brainstorming holiday destination options for summer, those of us with more sartorial inclinations are instead looking ahead to the season's key fashion trends. After all, it is now - supposedly - officially spring… And if anything's going to warm our spirits during these still-quite-cold, windy mornings it's the prospect of all the best spring/summer fashion on the horizon, right?
Sure, layers have been fun, but having to dress practically doesn't always leave a lot of room for creativity and personal expression. After all you could be wearing your best outfit of the year, but what use is it when it's being shrouded beneath the giant winter coat you've had to wrap yourself up in every day for the last few months?
Which is why we're spending the next couple of weeks of (spoiler alert) likely more unpredictable weather manifesting some reliable spring sunshine, and, with it, a particularly strong spring wardrobe.
So what are we all going to be wearing the minute we can shed these coats? Here are the key fashion trends to know about for the new season…
1. MASC/FEM DRESSING
At the back end of last year there's no denying that skirts seemingly replaced trousers as the everyday go-to, but while denim midis undoubtedly reigned supreme for AW23 it seems that for SS24 the skirt is having something of an hyper-feminine update. Think ultra mini, super sheer or flowing an elegant, this skirt is an integral part of an overall aesthetic trend which will be huge come spring: Masc/Fem Dressing. Crucially, the pairing piece for these skirts is no longer a cute cropped cardigan or a sexy vest. Instead, think oversized shirts, menswear sweaters, bulky blazers... sometimes even all three?
Spotted at: (L-R) Miu Miu, Christian Dior & 16Arlington - as well as at Prada, Carven & Burberry.
2. BUSINESS CASUAL
For those struggling with their officewear look right now, why not get in on one of spring's biggest trends a little early this year? A relatively simple one to get your head around, SS24's workwear look is all about relaxed tailoring (à la H&M Rokh) – and we don't just mean a skirt that you can actually breathe in. This business casual is taking things to the extreme, with super oversized suiting, blazers that fall to the top of your thigh, and maybe even an elasticated waist on a Friday? Pair it with a slim-fit blouse or skinny knit to play with proportions.
Spotted at: (L-R) Coperni, Victoria Beckham & Zimmermann - as well as at 16Arlington, Maison Margiela, Bottega Veneta & Givenchy.
3. SHEER WHITES
Sheer fabrics have been big news on the evening-wear scene for several seasons now – and never more so than on our favourite red carpet celebrities – but for 2024 there's a very specific way to wear the trend. Giving angelic white a sexy twist, there's nothing hotter come spring than a sheer white dress, whether you're heading out for dinner, off to the beach, or – of course – onto a red carpet. Maybe just avoid it as a wedding guest…
- EntertainmentIs Baby Reindeer's ‘Cotton Mouth’ show real?
Spotted at: (L-R) Coperni, Victoria Beckham & Acne Studios - as well as at Valentino, Stella McCartney, Gabriel Hearst, Michael Kors, Prada, Dior, Christopher Esber, Ermanno Scervino & Christian Siriano.
4. HIGH-RISE TROUSERS
Low-slung waists have been all over trend reports for several seasons now, but – and I can almost hear that sigh of relief from the millennials among us – it's time to revisit the high-rise. In fact, if you subscribe to Loewe way of thinking, only the super-high-rise will do. Perfect for everything from officewear to dinners, date night to days out, the high-rise rule can be splashed out across your entire trouser repertoire whether you're wearing jeans, sweats or tailoring. Invest in a great, timeless belt to elevate the look.
Spotted at: (L-R) Loewe, Moschino & Rokh - as well as at Philosophy de Lorenzo Serafini, Alaia, Chanel, 3.1 Philip Lim & Hermès.
5. ELEVATED SPORTSWEAR
Gone are the days when sportswear was reserved solely for sporting activities. In what is likely something of a hangover from the pandemic's lockdown aesthetic of daily loungewear, sportswear staples have slowly been infiltrating our everyday wardrobes of late – but never more so than for spring 2024. Hooded sweatshirts are now supersized and have taken the place of casual day dresses, zip-up track-tops in monochrome are the perfect pairing piece for your favourite denim, and cropped leggings – somewhat reminiscent of the 60s pedal pusher – are a bona fide look to pair with heeled pumps. Comfort dressing? You don't have to tell us twice.
Spotted at: (L-R) Gucci, JW Anderson & Johanna Parv - as well as at Miu Miu & Louis Vuitton.
6. COMING UP ROSES
Florals… For spring… We know what you're thinking. But before you go all Miranda Priestly on us, listen up. We're not talking any old florals. This trend is strictly all about roses. Endless designers promoted the world's most traditionally romantic stem on their spring/summer runways, with Simone Rocha, as ever, going one step further by incorporating real roses within many of her stunning, sheer gowns. Whether you go quite that far is up to you, but if you're in a floral fashion mood this spring be sure to keep things strictly rosy.
Spotted at: (L-R) Richard Quinn, Alexander McQueen & Simone Rocha - as well as at Balmain, Christian Cowan, Zimmermann & Givenchy.
7. METALLICS
Christmas – and with it party season – may well now be behind us, but it seems that that's no reason to pack away the wardrobe. In fact, metallics will serve you and your outfits well for months to come as golds and silvers look set to be one of the hottest colour trends of 2024. Of course, this trend lends itself most comfortably to evening-wear, but with Miu Miu and Rabanne offering up perfect dressed-down iterations with clever layering there's no excuse to skip this trend come spring.
- EntertainmentIs Baby Reindeer's ‘Cotton Mouth’ show real?
Spotted at: (L-R) Miu Miu, Prabal Gurung & Rabanne - as well as at Roksanda, Alexander McQueen, Ralph Lauren, Courreges, Nina Ricci & Chloé.
8. MODERN BRIDE
While my own bridal era may now be behind me (sending love and strength to those of you planning yours right now!), I'll always have at least one keen eye on upcoming bridal trends. It's one of the most fun fashion moments of many of our lives, after all. For 2024 things are looking particularly contemporary, with dropped waists, XXL hip padding and oversized sleeves proving the most popular silhouettes.
Spotted at: (L-R) Vivienne Westwood, Acne Studios & Richard Quinn - as well as at Ermanno Scervino & Simone Rocha.
9. SHORT SHORTS
If you've kept even half an eye on the celebrity fashion circuit over recent weeks, you won't be surprised by this final trend. Micro shorts – you know, the ones that border on knickers – have been having a real moment ever since these looks hit the runway, with everyone from Kendall Jenner to Beyoncé joining the street style set in trialing the trend. Of course, they take a certain amount of courage – and warm weather – to pull off, what with them leaving almost half of your body exposed. To dip a more tentative toe in the trend, make like Alexander McQueen and pair yours with thigh high boots for that little bit more coverage.
Spotted at: (L-R) Isabel Marant, Alexander McQueen & Prada - as well as at Gucci, Hermès, Mu Miu & Nina Ricci.
For more from Glamour UK's Fashion Editor Charlie Teather, follow her on Instagram @charlieteather.
