From dropped waistlines and micro hemlines to high-intensity colour play, fashion is ready to go all out with a capital F-U-N for the Spring/Summer 2022 season. From New York and London to Milan and Paris, designers reclaimed the runways with the first full, on-season schedule since the pandemic to signal that the old rule books were officially out the window. A sense of free-spirited functionality infused the collections, bringing elevated everyday pieces that were polished, practical, and celebrated the joy of getting all dressed up.


As with previous seasons, trends as we know it will never be the same, as brands eschewed seasonal fads and focused on bringing their own distinctive take to the post-pandemic table—whether that be time-travelling vampires à la Louis Vuitton or Prada's exploration into all things seductive. One thing's for sure, we can't wait to wear them! Scroll on for the key trends to note; they're sure to make you feel excited for what's ahead:

DRESS YOURSELF HAPPY

Bold, brave brights continue to reign big during dark times, as designers revealed a whole lot of colour-blocking and new colour combinations across the runways to amp up the dopamine. Chocolate brown mingled with raspberry at Valentino, while Tom Ford brought out the sparkle with sequinned looks in pinks, oranges and purples—the consensus was standout shades without any specific trends or rules. Anything goes.

MINI MANIA

2021 hit a full-blown Y2K resurgence and with that wave came the comeback of flirty mini skirts as the waistlines dropped while hemlines went sky-high. Matching the array of butterfly motifs, exposed midriffs and low-slung denim were plenty of micro minis, as seen at Blumarine to Moschino and all over the star-studded Fendace collaboration in the form of asymmetric styles. Take a cue from Miu Miu and wear them with a giant belt.

INSIDE OUT

Break out the bras, bralettes and swimsuits: This summer it's all about sinuously sensual attire, even if you're not headed poolside. From knotted tie-ups to extreme cut-outs and sheer fabrics, skin was back on the runways in full force as brands ushered in a new definition of sexy to re-centre fashion around the body—whatever shape, size or form it arrives in.

STRIPES, CHECKS AND GINGHAM

Fashion gets mathematical, with perennial print classics getting a major glow up for the summer. A case was made for prints-on-prints-on-patterns to leave you in a trance, with stripes going in new directions across relaxed cuts and ginghams appearing in new variations of colour and even the sporty route.

ALL-WHITE ALL OVER

For the minimalists, a delightful sartorial refresh for the warm-weather season arrived in a shock of blinding white, worn head-to-toe and all-over. Dresses giving off major bridal vibes dominated the runway in every way possible—there was tulle, crochet, linen, satin—and in every length, silhouette and style. Whether you liked full skirts and ruffles or crisp white suiting, it was a spectacle in the purest form.

BACK 2 BUSINESS

The runways were back in business, and we're returning to the boardroom with a slouched yet studious attitude that was reflected across the fluid shirting, baggy bottoms and lightweight blazers. Comfort has been a top priority since the pandemic hit, bringing forth a new definition of business-casual—and there's no going back now.

CLOTHES IRL

Flouncing fringe, excessive embellishments, and an explosion of texture across all-over embroideries—fashion's return to the real world (and in defiance to the digital) is all about touch. Highly tactile collections drew from the DIY arts-and-crafts we picked up over lockdown, merging traditional textiles with newfound avenues to explore garment construction.

CULT ACCESSORIES

Versace's sky-high platform heels were the talk of the town last season, and with good reason. Status accessories are the easiest way to update your on-repeat favourites and add an element of freshness and fun to your sartorial arsenal. From chunky-soled shoes in every style imaginable to practical bucket bags and groovy glasses to help you shade off the negativity, next-season companions are anything but boring.

RUNWAY HIGHLIGHTS

Spectacular sets, stellar collaborations, and a Springfield fashion week takeover courtesy of Balenciaga x The Simpsons: the Spring/Summer 2022 fashion month was filled with buzzy, memorable moments that we couldn't stop talking about. Relive them all over again, from Tory Burch's community-centric collection that literally took the streets in New York to London's brightest emerging talents and Dua Lipa's runway debut at Versace in Milan, before the month closed off in Paris with a time-travelling masquerade ball by Louis Vuitton—or get a byte-sized refresh through this meme-filled recap.

CELEB SNAPS

As always, fashion weeks are a star-studded affair, with industry veterans, celebrities and influencers showing their support front row and centre (and on the runway). From '90s to new-gen, supers took to the physical catwalk with more pizzazz than ever, alongside recent runway returnee Gigi Hadid, whose short-lived maternity leave was reflected in a finale pose with a baby bottle bag at Moschino's garden tea party. Over in Paris, the girls of Blackpink staged a Paris Fashion Week takeover, demonstrating their style icon status as they enjoyed the city.

STREET SNAPS

Across the capital cities, show-goers and models hit the streets in plenty of agenda-making 'fits for the return of the first full, physical fashion week since the pandemic. It was the debut of the post-pandemic wardrobe, and we were all living for it. There's no better time to break out your knee-high booties (and get used to cut-outs)—the only inspo you'll need is right here.