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The big trends for spring/summer fashion

From airport looks to weddings and beachwear

Looking for your summer wardrobe go-to looks? We’ve pulled together the biggest trends for spring/summer 2024 as classic tailoring and preppy sportswear give a more polished summer outfit, floral fragrances filled with violet and pistachio take the spotlight and cowboycore, tenniscore, the Nike Cortez and boyfriend blush lead the way.

With the best swimwear inspo, wedding outfits, festival ideas, beach dresses, boho chic, holiday looks and capsule wardrobes, this is the place to find your spring/summer fashion and beauty must-haves for 2024.

1. Sorbet suits

Summer 2024 is all about a slightly more put-together look – exemplified by the arrival of the sorbet suit. Worn loose with an oversized jacket and paired with trainers, a simple white vest (essential this summer), chunky gold jewellery and statement bag, select yours from sundae shades of pink, yellow, baby blue and lavender. For extra fashion points, go for this summer’s all-white trend.

Head to Marks & Spencer, Reiss, Next, Vanilla, New Look and Mango.

M&S

 

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White suit

 

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2. Festival boho chic keeps giving

Thanks to new creative director Chemena Kamali at Chloé, Isabel Marant and Etro, it’s like 2004 never went away – except this time it’s less hippie, more Seventies muse holidaying in Morocco. Printed dresses, craft details, oversized blouses and padded jackets with accessories of a raffia basket, slouchy boots and sunglasses are all you need.

See Flannels, Zara, Mango, Marks & Spencer, Hollister, Urban Outfitters, H&M, River Island and Primark.

 

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3. Shoes and trainers for spring/summer 2024

While the Adidas Samba OG and Gazelle remain the go-to trainers (the big trend at Coachella was DIY embellishment with cute buttons and threads of pearls weaved into the laces), there are some other contenders jostling for the shoe crown of 2024. The Nike Cortez, Dr Martens Josef slide sandal and New Balance’s 2002 and 2002R are taking over our fashion feeds.

Also keep an eye on designs from brands including Veja x Au Vieux Campeur, Salomon and HOKA. For more grown-up looks, it’s time to embrace Mary Janes, kitten heels and ballet flats.

Head to Office, Foot Locker, Footasylum, schuh, Next, H&M plus Carvela, Clarks, Dr Martens, Dune London, Kurt Geiger, Zara and Mango.

 

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4. Eclectic swimwear

For 2024, basically anything goes. Sensible one-pieces with straight necklines, ruffles and bows (the ongoing #coquette trend – accessorise with oversize scrunchie), criss-cross waists, scallop edges and cutouts are everywhere with colours reflecting natural greens and blues and the perennial leopard print. Wear a Nineties-style stretchy column skirt over the top to take you from the beach and pool to the bar.

See Boux Avenue, Marks & Spencer, Next, Hollister, Zara, Mango, Victoria’s Secret and Flannels.

 

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5. For the guys

Relaxed fit button-down short sleeve shirts, slimfit polos, graphic and stripe T-shirts worn with baggy denim, long shorts or cotton workwear is the easy look to wear this summer in men’s fashion. Animal print, matching sets and sequins are also available for more statement looks. But pair with adidas Eighties style runners or sandals; a smart pair of sunglasses and Dior Sauvage and you’re set.

See Flannels, Marks & Spencer, schuh, Boots, Office, Zara, Mango, H&M, River Island, Primark, Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger and Levi’s.

 

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6. Cowboycore is going strong

Fill your boots with our in-depth guide to cowboycore – it’s all about wide-brimmed hats, cowboy boots styled your own way, cowgirl chic inspired by Beyoncé and Lana Del Rey, denim bodices and fringing.

See Hollister, AllSaints, Next, Urban Outfitters, Zara, Mango, Flannels, River Island and Primark.

 

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7. Airport style

One of the biggest fashion trends taking over TikTok is effortless airport dressing: comfortable-yet-chic matching sets; crop top with joggers but elevated with a blazer; baseball cap and statement jewellery. Beautifully finished make-up and hair – and don’t forget comfortable trainers you can slip on and off or go for Gigi Hadid’s sporty Venture Daze Uggs (an ode to the brand’s iconic Tasman slippers). Finish with statement luggage.

Go to Sweaty Betty, Hollister, Lacoste, Lids, H&M and Next.

8. Think romantic when it comes to weddings

Soft, flirty fitted dresses in silks and chiffon – often with an added frill or spaghetti straps paired with a tiny clutch – are your go-to look for wedding season.

There are also a host of Chanel-inspired jackets to throw over your shoulders come the evening. It’s also the perfect opportunity to embrace spring florals with the rose becoming the icon of the season thanks to appearances on runways including Palomo Spain and Simone Rocha.

Head to River Island, Quiz, Hollister, Zara, Mango, H&M and Next.

River Island

 

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Chanel style jackets

 

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Next

 

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Florals – H&M

 

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9. Beachwear dresses

The perfect beach dress is one of the most fun things to shop for as summer arrives. Next has a gorgeous selection (with plus-size) of high-waisted, frilled and cutout easy-to-wear designs. Also look out for draping, sheer and monochrome – the new black-and-white designs will last for years.

Head to Next, Zara, Mango, Vanilla, Hollister, Joe Browns, Flannels, River Island and Primark.

 

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10. Tenniscore and preppy

Bringing together several trends: the micro mini, cropped tops, knotted knitwear, brogues (see Taylor Swift’s New York lunch dates) and tennis bracelets (thanks to Zendaya in the film Challengers), think Ivy League and create effortlessly neat and tailored looks that wouldn’t be out of place in the Hamptons and old-school Gossip Girl.

See Mango, Flannels, Lacoste, Hollister, Sweaty Betty, Tommy Hilfiger, Levi’s, Flannels and Zara.

 

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11. The unmissable summer colours

It’s time to have some fun. Red is going to be everywhere from bold primary shades to burgundy and maroon; pastels are having a real moment in tailoring, bias-cut dresses and trainers while lilac and lavender are the easy way to do the purple trend. Also clean summer whites inspired by The Row, Saint Laurent and Valentino and zesty limes, citrus oranges and bright yellows are giving a fresh new vibe.

See Marks & Spencer, Zara, Next, River Island and New Look.

 

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12. The most-wanted accessories

If you buy one accessory to update your wardrobe this summer then make it the statement belt. Bold, cinched and working with just about everything you own.

In terms of bags, huge practical totes and tiny clutches (go for round, shell shaped and embellished) are leading the way – pair them together to get the doubling-up trend spotted at Alaïa, Coach and Jil Sander.

Chunky chains mixed with beads; ‘mob wife’ gold and diamonds; cute charms such as Hamsa hands, cherries and sea creatures on ears and pendants; pearls and gold Greek goddess cuffs are the major looks for your jewellery box.

Head to New Look, AllSaints, Next, Goldsmiths, Pandora, Michael Kors, Gucci Boutique, Accessorize, Lovisa and Mango.

New Look bags

 

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13. Festival metallics

Sequins in the sunshine, silver and gold lamé, accessories that shine (Mango and Zara have gorgeous heart and star shapes in shining silver)… Metallics are so often associated with winter so it’s time to break them out this summer as festival season gets underway – your friends will be able to find you next to the Pyramid stage even when Dua Lipa’s on.

See H&M, River Island, AllSaints, Mango and Zara.

 

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Plan your trip to Meadowhall here.

Last updated Thursday 2 May, 2024