SS24 is Over: The Biggest Fashion Trends of the Season
As the curtains close on Spring/Summer 2024, the fashion world is left buzzing with excitement over the vibrant trends that graced the runways and streets alike. The nude looks that came with the post-pandemic era largely faded with the SS24 audacious color palettes. From the retro revival to sheer elegance and innovative materials, SS24 was a season of boundary-pushing style that celebrated individuality, creativity, and a return to unapologetic self-expression.
As we transition into the next fashion chapter, let’s take a look back at the biggest trends that defined the SS24 season.
Kaleidoscope of Soft and Vibrant Colors
This spring and summer fashion season was a feast for the eyes, with runways adorned with vibrant bursts of exuberant, opulent colors. Porcelain white, cherry red, sky blue, and pastel lilac were among the most dominant colors on the runways, signaling a collective desire for joy, simplicity, and vibrancy in our wardrobes.
Key Highlights:
- Porcelain White: Whether in summer dresses, trousers, or silhouettes, this color was everywhere, making it a timeless choice.
- Cherry Red: Fashion’s obsession with cherry red was impossible to ignore in SS24, with the shade being incorporated in everything from blazers and pencil skirts to striking accessories.
- Pastel Lilac: Pastels were key to the collections, with luscious lilac standing out. The violet-knitted sweaters, trousers, dresses, and trench coats caught everyone’s attention.
Utility Chic
Utility wear continued its reign in SS24 but with a refined twist. The focus was on practicality without sacrificing style, with cargo pants, jumpsuits, and oversized jackets dominating the collections. However, this season’s take on utility was more polished, with luxurious fabrics and tailored fits elevating the traditionally rugged aesthetic. Think functional yet fashionable—where every pocket has a purpose, and every zipper is a design statement.
Key Highlights:
- Cargo Pants 2.0: Tailored to perfection, cargo pants were no longer just for casual wear. Paired with blazers or silk blouses, they became a sophisticated wardrobe essential.
- High-Rise Trousers: Super-high-waisted trousers were a thing at SS24 runways. Some were even so high that trousers were paired with in-built corsets to hold them in place under the bust.
- Jumpsuits: Effortlessly cool and easy to wear, jumpsuits in muted tones and structured silhouettes were a go-to look.
- Oversized Jackets: Oversized and often belted, these jackets were both functional and stylish, perfect for layering over any SS24 outfit.
Sheer Elegance
Sheer fabrics made a strong comeback, bringing an air of ethereal elegance and sensuality to the SS24 collections. Designers played with transparency, layering gauzy materials over structured garments to create delicate and daring looks. This trend was not just about showing skin but about creating depth and intrigue through layers, allowing glimpses of what lies beneath without revealing too much.
Key Highlights:
- Transparent Skirts: Designed using lightweight and flowy fabrics, the sheer skirts took spring’s spotlight as a racy look for both day and night.
- Sheer Blouses: Perfectly paired with bralettes or high-waisted skirts, sheer blouses were a versatile staple that could be dressed up or down.
- Sheer White Dresses: Ranging from sheer and translucent to embroidered and densely worked, designers gave angelic white a sexy twist with sheer white dresses.
- Transparent Trenches: Trench coats in sheer materials were a runway favorite, offering a modern twist on a classic outerwear piece.
Retro Revival
Nostalgia was a powerful force in SS24, with designers drawing inspiration from past decades to create something new. The 70s, 80s, and 90s all made appearances, with each era’s signature styles reinterpreted for the modern fashionista. From flared trousers and pencil skirts to bold shoulder pads, retro was the new modern, proving that some trends truly stand the test of time.
Key Highlights:
- 70s Flare: High-waisted, flared trousers were often paired with crop tops or oversized blazers for a balanced silhouette.
- 80s Power Dressing: Shoulder pads brought a sense of empowerment and drama to everything from dresses to jackets.
- 90s Minimalism: Slip dresses and simple silhouettes offered a chic contrast to the more extravagant trends of the season.
Sustainable Fashion
With the fashion industry realizing its environmental impact, SS24 saw an increased emphasis on sustainability. Designers embraced eco-friendly materials and practices, creating collections that were not only stylish but also kind to the planet. From recycled fabrics to zero-waste patterns, sustainability was not just a trend but a movement, reflecting growing consumer demand for more responsible fashion choices.
Key Highlights:
- Recycled Fabrics: Many collections featured pieces made from recycled materials, demonstrating that sustainability and luxury can go hand in hand.
- Eco-Friendly Dyeing: Natural and low-impact dyes from fruits and vegetables were used to create vibrant colors without too much environmental cost.
- Zero-Waste Designs: Designers experimented with patterns that minimize fabric waste, showcasing innovative approaches to designing garments.
Statement Accessories
Accessories in SS24 were anything but understated. Oversized hats, chunky jewelry, and embellished handbags took center stage, proving that sometimes more is more. These statement pieces were designed to elevate even the simplest outfits, turning them into something extraordinary. Whether a pair of oversized sunglasses or a bejeweled clutch, accessories were a key element in defining the season’s bold aesthetic.
Key Highlights:
- Oversized Hats: From wide-brimmed sun hats to structured bucket hats, headwear was a fusion of both style and sun protection.
- Chunky Jewelry: Layered chains, oversized earrings, and bold bangles were must-haves.
- Embellished Handbags: Bags adorned with crystals, beads, and intricate embroidery were perfect for completing any SS24 outfit.
Other Head-Turning SS24 Trends
- Shorts Shorts: If you have tracked the celebrity fashion circuit over the past few months, you will know that micro shorts have been a style statement ever since these looks hit the runways.
- Smell the Roses: Florals might sound cliché for the spring season, but 2224 wasn’t about any old florals. The romance was in the air at SS24, with designers promoting the world’s most traditionally romantic fresh, pale pink, long-stemmed roses on their runways. From rose prints to three-dimensional applique and petal-shaped silhouettes, floral fashion was a mood this summer.
- Metallics: Sequins, lame, and metallic treatments gained renewed traction for SS24, with golds and silvers emerging as the hottest color trends.
All-In-All
The top trends of SS24 highlight the bold, vibrant, and unapologetically unique fashion landscape, reflecting a kaleidoscope of colors to florals, sheer elegance, and utility chic designs. As we bid farewell to the trends of SS24, one thing is sure- fashion will continue to evolve, offering endless possibilities for brands and consumers.