Spring 2024 Trends

Spring runway shows always feel more like a design evolution rather than a revolution. I don’t expect to see a lot that’s directional this season, but maybe I will be surprised. I’m hoping for less trendy / tacky and more minimalist and sophistication. Here’s what I think we’ll be seeing a lot of this fashion month:

1.     The New Workwear

As post-Covid office life continues to evolve, designers are exploring what it means to be a professional now and new ways to dress for the office. I expect to see fashion-forward brands remix standard business dress codes – jackets, skirts, and trousers – by changing up proportions and layering pieces in interesting ways for a more individualized and less uptight look. Minimalist and classic brands will flex their tailoring expertise with strong shoulder jackets and blazers in this season’s core palette of mineral tones or throw in a few citrus or soft acid brights to channel the ideas of polish and soft power.

2.     Transparency

A trend that seems to have an endless amount of staying power on the runway. Think sheer layers - dresses and long-sleeve Ts worn over bra and panty sets – in a combination of clashing seasonal hues. The more traditional will opt for sheer lace in black, à la Dolce & Gabbana’s signature look.

3.     Geometric Statement Jewelry & French Art Brut

Designers will either propose sleek, silver, and bold geometric pieces or raw, edgy jewelry that embraces the idea of imperfection. And expect to see a brooch revival.

4.     Coastal Athleisure

I didn’t coin this one; it’s coming courtesy of – you guessed it – TikTok. The focus here is on a less high-tech aesthetic and more on ease of movement. Garments that can be easily layered and are multi-functional are key. Also expect to see anatomical seaming and high shine, luxe fabrics like stretch silk, water repellent silks and satins, and stretch knits.

5.     Oversized Low-Rise Jeans

The irony of fashion right now is that while most of us are concerned about the future – AI, climate change, social unrest, etc. – many designers are still rehashing looks from the ‘90s and ‘aughts because they appeal to Gen Z and young Millennials who never lived through those decades. That’s a weird way of addressing the future (at least to me it is), but the resurgence of oversized, low-rise jeans already seems to be everywhere. Let’s see if any designer can pull off a chic way of reviving a trend that should have been left in the Y2K era. Two-tone, split bottoms, and all over trompe L’oeil or laser prints in high contrast are details that we will also continue to see.

Image courtesy of Gucci, Resort 2024