Spring 2024 Fashion Trends
The trends I’m loving and those I’m happily letting pass me by …from Metallics, Bows, and Relaxed Denim to Tailoring and Micro Shorts.
The weather is finally feeling a little Spring-like (just!) so I’ve decided to fully immerse myself into my Spring wardrobe & thought I’d share my thoughts on the trends of the SS24 season with you.
Before we start on the trends, here are some little reminders to keep you focussed as with each new season the ever-increasing influx of newness gets bigger & bigger:
Don’t be a slave to trends; use them as your inspiration to create your own looks and style.
Shop your own wardrobe first; trends are circular & you may have an item sitting in your wardrobe which you can bring out again rather than purchasing new, or take a look on pre-loved sites.
Always look for styles with longevity & versatility, don’t make a purchase unless you know what you’ll wear it with and, ideally, in 5 different outfits or looks!
Know what suits you (colours, shapes & styles) before hitting the shops & getting overwhelmed with all the newness. Some online retailers get over 1000 “new in” items a week- too OVERWHELMING!
Embrace a more sustainable practise. Focus on timeless classics by incorporating new pieces that are always true to your personal style.
So what are the Spring Summer ‘24 trends I’m loving:
The Statement Skirt:
The majority of the statement skirts I am seeing on the high street are sheer transparent skirts (definitely not for everyone & absolutely ensure you pop a slip underneath) and the maxis. There are so many maxi’s around so if you are tall, like me, its the perfect time to invest in a couple as the market is usually saturated with the midi’s, which aren’t so easy to wear for us tall ladies.
Also if you are purchasing, why not look for a statement skirt in a beautiful fabric or print (roses are BIG this season), which you can easily switch between occasions; with heels & a blazer for the evening, a pair of Samba’s & your leather biker for daywear.
Bows Galore:
I don’t think of myself as a ‘bow kinda girl’, however on researching the trend, I can see how I can incorporate this feminine flair easily into my personal style & I think I am converted. I totally blame the stunning Anthropologie hair bow for this new found love. Whether a simple hair tie, a quick ‘clip on’ bow to your shoes or an incredible statement bow, this is a trend I would encourage everyone to explore as it adds a chic accent to your SS24 wardrobe.
Relaxed Business:
Now that many of us are heading back into the office more, workwear has been present on the SS24 catwalks, but definitely with a more relaxed vibe. The silhouettes are softer & more feminine, there is a lot of layering and, of course, the blazer is still a staple piece…thank goodness as I am never giving up my blazers. The 3-piece suit is still a firm favourite, as are the relaxed shorts suits (I’m getting real Pretty Woman vibes) and short shorts which I am personally avoiding.
The Trench Coat:
A Spring essential, not forgetting to look for a showerproof version when purchasing for our British weather. Every year the trench gets a new or subtle tweak to it’s styling & design, but fundamentally invest in a trench to last you for as long as possible, avoiding anything that will age/you’ll go off, or which doesn’t go with everything in your wardrobe. I personally am avoiding the on-trend cropped trench as they hardly cover my bum so not only unflattering, but also if it there’s an April shower, I am only going to stay dry from the hip up, and end up with a very soggy bottom.
Relaxed denim:
Yes there is a lot of talk about the return of the skinny jean (thanks to Kate Moss) but, I personally don’t feel I am ready to return to them quite yet, opting for the barrel & high -waisted wide legs versions. This relaxed denim trend looks great in both light & dark washes, dressed up with a metallic heel or down with a pair of Adidas SL 72’s (if you know, you know), plus they are so incredibly comfortable, it’s going to take a lot to get me out of these.
Join the Sports Club:
There has been an influx of rugby & polo shirts on the high street, particularly in Mango who seem to be backing this trend massively, so if you’re keen to rock the sports/ preppy trend then a rugby or polo shirt is a definite item to consider (don’t forget to look in menswear too). My favourite way to style this look is over a relaxed soft tailored trouser and add a heel, but equally over a pair of cycling shorts looks fab for the weekend. Adding in a loafer, in the style of Hailey Bieber, is a great way to finish the look, equally a medium blue straight leg jean, loafer & blazer over the top for a smart casual weekend vibe works for those not ready to get their legs out yet.
Black Cherry:
We’ve evolved from the fiery red of 2023 to the rich black cherry of 2024. Red is certainly having a moment, evolving into one of the dominant colours in the SS24 pallet. Think of a deeper shade of oxblood, the hue looks great against denim, with light neutrals & grey marls or with a tonal satin trousers.
Sky Blue:
This season it is impossible to ignore the pretty sky blue tone flooding the high streets. The colour offers a breath of fresh air & evokes a spring/summer peaceful & playful serenity. There has also been a lot of pairing this colour with a pop of bright red, so if you’re really looking to add some fun to your outfits, why not give this a go? It could be as simple as an accessory so never fear giving it a go.
Spring Summer Metallics:
It’s the absolute norm to see metallics across winter, particularly during party season & throughout Christmas, but this year there were shimmering pieces on the SS24 catwalks, turning this favourite of mine, into a perennial favourite. This trend is available across every fabrication from leather to lame to sequins & satin. It’s a lot easier to sneak these sparkling pieces into your looks than you might think, and it definitely brings a little extra joy to the season.
Lilac:
Pastels were huge amongst the SS24 collections but the standout shade was lilac. Lilac is BIG for 2024.
Lilac is a blend of red & blue, unlike lavender (the big shade last summer) which is blend of purple & white ( just in case you were thinking ‘didn’t I see lots of purple last year?’).
Colour drenching in lilac is big, and can been seen a lot across social media, but if you aren’t ready for top-to-toe in this hue, and are just wanting a hint of lilac, I’d suggest a blazer paired back with your denim jeans or maxi skirt.
And the SS24 trends I am not going to be delving into:
All white; with two children, a dog & general life this is not going to work for me, plus all the washing is not being very environmentally friendly. I am a huge fan of a white tee or white shirt, so will stick to those for my nod to the trend
Micro shorts, so much over on TikTok about these, and if you google “Free People micro shorts’ the comments make for a hilarious read, but I’m afraid for me this is a trend I’ll be avoiding due to my need to bend down & be practical, amongst the obvious!
I would absolutely encourage you to use these trends to inspire you as the season changes, enabling you to look through your existing wardrobe, pulling out anything that may fit into the trends (if you want to), and always remember not to wear anything that doesn’t make you feel confident, or suit you, just because you are being ‘told’ to wear it.
Experiment & play dress-up with your clothes, all whilst remaining true to your personal style, and never forgetting to minimise your environmental impact.