With the summer solstice officially behind us, all of us at the Bazaar office are thinking about what we’re going to wear for the hot months ahead. (That is, when we’re not in our favorite swimwear or summer jeans.) The best summer 2024 fashion trends are runway-approved but work just as well for steamy city sidewalks.
On the runway, everyone from Bottega Veneta to Proenza Schouler showed crafty fishnet ensembles. Brands like Miu Miu and Wales Bonner took a more sporty approach with athletic shorts and ringer tees, while Altuzarra and Coperni offered a more polished look with colorful column dresses in soft, elegant hues. Or, for a subtle hint of skin, try Carven or Missoni’s sheer skirts. (Styling tip: When fall comes around, throw on an oversized blazer to look equal parts provocative and tailored.)
Below, I break down 7 of the most compelling summer fashion trends from the 2024 Runway shows, with styles to shop now.
I love the idea of crochet in the summer—it’s like wearable art, if you will. Designers took a range of approaches to the open-knit trend, from the fishnet dresses at Bottega Veneta and Proenza Schouler to woven bags at Gabriela Hearst. Rachel Scott at Diotima designs incredible crochet, and each piece is handmade in Jamaican artisanal communities, making it truly one-of-a kind. And let’s not forget the mesh flat, which was all the rage on the runway and beyond.
Stumped on how to wear a crocheted top to the office? I like layering mine over a black t-shirt with a pair of Carhartt WIP utility pants, which makes it feel cool and accessible. Just swap in a dressier pair of pants if your workplace is more formal.
The ultimate high-water pants, this ’90s-inspired silhouette is like what happens when you cross board shorts with tailored trousers—the perfect mix of sporty and minimalist. On the runway, they were styled in ways that felt both both coy and sexy. Phillip Lim paired them with a leather caped parka top, while Atlien and Coperni matched them to bra tops. I also love wearing them with a boatneck Breton stripe shirt, a headband, east-west oval sunglasses, and Mary Jane flats for a Brigitte-Bardot coded, French-chic summer look. They’re not only functional for busy city days, but they’re also ideal travel bottoms that can take you straight from the plane to the sea.
This trend has quite literally flipped and flopped over the years, but it’s back on top again thanks to Chanel, which showed a handful of Spring/Summer 2024 runway looks with velvet thong sandals. From the jelly thongs at The Row and Ancient Greek Sandals to the colorful leather versions at Tory Burch, these come in a range of fabrics and colors, all easy to walk in. Wear them with circle skirts, bucolic ruffled dresses, or almost any pair of 2024 trending jeans—these sandals just feel fun for the summer.
Ruffled tops, eyelet dresses, layers of lace, and poplin circle skirts were all over the runways. From Jonathan Anderson’s stunning white dress in his Loewe show to Jil Sander’s caped and layered angelic look, this season’s summer whites are full of personality, but they still offer enough of a blank canvas to make styling fun. Spring 2024’s accessory trends of preppy shoes and pendant cord necklaces still make a lot of sense here. I especially love the idea of contrasting an ethereal white dress with down-to-earth loafers or brogues, especially as summer turns into fall.
Dresses for summer are always a good idea, and the best maxis this season were all column dresses. Try a drop-waist style to elongate the body, and add height with a pair of platform summer sandals. For an additional graphic touch, go for a a bright summer tote to add some spunk. I love these as a base to wear from day to night, throwing on a lightweight utility jacket when the temperature dips.
Maybe designers were thinking about the upcoming Paris Olympics, or maybe they all had Challengers fever—whatever the cause, athletic looks have been having a moment. Miu Miu doubled down on sporty shorts quite literally, layering two pairs of board shorts with a preppy polo on top. Grace Wales Bonner has a longstanding collaboration with Adidas and has infused a sporty element into her collections for many seasons. This summer, she showed a track jacket and plenty of ringer tees. There were sneakers all over the runways, too, which pair perfectly with a canvas bag for a chic athleisure balance. The best part? You can wear head-to-toe sporty styles, but they look equally look cool as separates.
The embellished skirts and tailored pencils of the fall and winter runways have given way to a much more paired back and transparent style. Easy breezy sheer skirts are all the rage. Everyone from Carven to Givenchy to Missoni took a stab at the style, and all paired their skirts with a tailored jacket, which make for a great way to wear the look come fall. For now, throw one over a bathing suit for the beach, or add a ribbed tank and some strategic underpinnings for a night out. I love these styled with a classic brown bag to add a degree of polish.
Jaclyn Alexandra Cohen is Harper’s Bazaar’s Senior Fashion & Accessories Editor. Outside of the office she can be found downtown with her twin sister, figure skating somewhere or on the hunt for the perfect striped top. Follow her on Instagram @jaclynalexandra