The Spring/Summer Trends To Have On Your Radar Right Now
Here we go! To say I’ve been itching to crack open the vault on new-season goodies is an understatement. While we’re not quite bidding winter farewell just yet, it feels like the right time to start dipping our toes into warmer-weather shopping.
Today, I’m highlighting the key trends on offer for the season — and as always, this is simply a guide to what’s out there. There’s no need to feel pressure to adopt every trend; they won’t all suit everyone’s taste or lifestyle.
Personally, I take trends with a grain of salt these days. I like to update my wardrobe with modern shapes and fresh colours, but I steer clear of anything too faddy. That said, I’m really into what’s on offer right now and can’t wait to start compiling my wish lists.
Here are some of the standout trends for summer, and how to wear them in real life.
Crochet
What To Buy: If you’re game, a crochet dress works as a beach cover-up or more casually with the right under garments, or a blouse looks heavenly mixed with gold jewellery and denim.
What To Avoid: Polyester-looking fabrics that look more like knots than weaves, or too much colour mixed together that looks similar to a blanket.
Fun Stripes
What To Buy: Basically, anything goes, but it’s more about colourful stripes rather than classically nautical.
What To Avoid: It’s not really about monochrome this season, so I’d keep colours unexpected, bright or pastel.
Lace Trim
What To Buy: Lingerie-inspired dresses, tops and bottoms that look more girly than intimate.
What To Avoid: Too much lace — this is about detailing and trims, not lace all over.
Gingham
What To Buy: Modern shaped dresses and separates that have a playful edge in a gingham print. Posse is doing small and big prints in excellent shapes.
What To Avoid: Bright or pastel colours — this season, gingham works best in neutral or muted tones. Less tablecloth, more sleek.
Thongs / Flip Flops
What To Buy: Honestly, keeping these really simple is best here. A plain leather pair of thongs will give you so much wear this summer, they go with everything, and even when they don’t, they still somehow look right.
What To Avoid: I think the platform or even flatform sole is not so relevant anymore — a true flat sole is what works best with summer dresses, shorts, pants and skirts.
Long Shorts
What To Buy: While boxer-style shorts are still trending, long shorts (to the knee or a bit below) are giving modern capri-pant vibes. The tailored styles look really chic when worn with a shirt and belt.
What To Avoid: Look, I won’t pretend these are easy to wear or for everyone. Height is your friend with these, and I’d always opt for a proper waistband over drawstring.
Braided Bags
What To Buy: Dragon Diffusion really set the tone for classic bags with an artisan edge, and I really think these textured bags will replace huge logos for the summer.
What To Avoid: Faux-leather, it really doesn’t work well with woven styles.
Jelly Sandals
What To Buy: Christopher Esber has paved the way for elevated plastic sandals that somehow look sophisticated and sleek, while Ancient Greek Sandals have so many styles on offer, it’s hard not to fall in love with at least one pair.
What To Avoid: Really flimsy plastic that will likely break on the first wear. Also, high heels.
Shell Jewellery
What To Buy: You don’t have to take this too literally, even a simple spiral motif gives a nod to the seaside theme without looking like fancy dress.
What To Avoid: Not much really, you do you when it comes to how much seashell to bring into your jewellery style!
90s Minimalism
What To Buy: Everything? This is one for the lovers of simple, classic and elegant basics that you can wear together or mixed with more modern separates.
What To Avoid: Too much utility detailing. It really isn’t about pockets or zips this season — more clean lines and shapes.
