By Bertrand GUAY / Miguel MEDINA / Henry Nicholls / AFP
With summer upon us, it's time for a wardrobe refresh, based on the trends spotted on the catwalks and social networks in recent months. From must-have pieces, to the season's star color and essential accessory, here are the fashion inspirations you need to know about for spring-summer 2024.
With summer upon us, it's time for a wardrobe refresh, based on the trends spotted on the catwalks and social networks in recent months. From must-have pieces, to the season's star color and essential accessory, here are the fashion inspirations you need to know about for spring-summer 2024.
Must-have piece: baggy pants or cargo pants
Whether it's the weather, or the 1990s fashion craze, baggy and cargo pants are eclipsing -- at least momentarily -- the micro miniskirts and shorts expected to ride high this summer. Already ubiquitous in fall, these two streetwear and utilitarian fashion staples are a hit with women, especially the younger generations, and are most often paired with a tank top, a thin-strapped top or a crop top. Pinterest's latest report on summer 2024 trends shows a rise in searches for "baggy outfit ideas" (+290% in one year) and "green cargos outfit" (+320%).
But more broadly, it's the tomboy aesthetic (an androgynous and casual look inspired by men's wardrobes) that's catching on, with searches up 3,900% on the social network. These two pieces also shone on the catwalks, notably at Ann Demeulemeester, Didu, Isabel Marant and Ottolinger. However, micro-cut items will still be on the agenda this summer, as well as Bermuda shorts, a must-have for the season.
Star color of the season: transparency
It's impossible to ignore the summer trend for transparency. While this inspiration may pose a legal problem -- flashing your nudity in a public place can be punishable by law -- it seems to have taken hold since the spring/summer 2024 shows. Acne Studios, Blumarine, Coperni, Christian Dior, Tom Ford, Mugler, Givenchy, Isabel Marant and Dolce & Gabbana are among the many fashion houses to have featured transparent fabrics -- tulle, chiffon or fishnet -- in their collections. This seems to have won over many of the celebrities who have been seen flaunting their figures on red carpets recently, like Saweetie and Anita at the Vanity Fair Oscars, Miley Cyrus at the Grammy Awards, or Kate Beckinsale at the Golden Globes. And it's possible that the look will soon be heading to street, given the millions of views for the #nakeddress hashtag on TikTok.
Must-have accessory: fisherman sandals
Every year at the same time, they seem to make a comeback, much to the dismay of those born in the 1980s and 1990s. Fisherman sandals, those summer shoes inevitably reminiscent of childhood jelly shoes, seem to be back, once again, with the dawn of summer. Contrary to popular belief, fisherman sandals first appeared on the catwalk, winning over luxury designers and fashion houses such as Loewe, before making their way to the front rows of catwalks and to street style looks, before seducing the world's biggest stars, such as Hailey Bieber. And that's only the beginning... According to the latest data published by Stylight, search interest in fisherman sandals has risen by 276% in one year, making them one of the most sought-after open-toe shoes for summer.
Watch out for fringing and fruit
As seen with the cowgirl or western aesthetic \-- worn by designers like Pharrell Williams, and celebrities like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift -- fringing will be part of this summer's looks. It's an inspiration seen at Christian Dior, among others, and which is gradually making its way onto the street. And beyond clothing, accessories of all kinds are also sporting decorative fringing. According to the latest trends spotted by Etsy, search interest in fringed bags has risen by 102% over the last three months, compared to the same period last year.
The same applies to fruit prints. Rarely seen on the catwalks -- with the exception of the Burberry show -- fruit is slowly but surely making its way into wardrobes. According to Stylight, search interest in cherry print garments has risen by 26% on Google, compared with +25% for strawberry prints and +8% for lemon patterns, in the space of just one year. Etsy, meanwhile, reports a 23% increase in searches for cherry jewelry over the past three months.
