Has anyone else been ready to pack away the coats and reunite with our favourite spring fashion pieces since January?
If you’re anything like us, you may well have breathed a deep sigh of relief recently as you realised that winter – all 1,000 weeks of it – was finally over.
After spending two summers – the most recent of which blessed us UK residents with a whole four days of sunshine – in varying states of national lockdown, it’s no exaggeration to say that we’re all owed one hell of a good one this year.
We may be only very tentatively excited in case new variants emerge and restrictions are reintroduced, but whether you’re soaking up the sun during your first holiday in what feels like forever or you’re socially distancing in your garden for the third year on the trot, if the SS22 fashion weeks are anything to go by this season looks set to be a scorcher.
Sure, sartorially speaking, winter wasn’t so bad. With permission to socialise again, our post-lockdown wardrobes were met with a whole host of autumn/winter which proved a lot more tempting than our recent go-to tracksuit-clad uniform and made those occasional forays back into society all the more fun.
But let’s be honest, there’s little that beats a truly carefree summer wardrobe – and SS22’s looks a whole lot more light-hearted, nostalgic and celebratory than we’ve seen for quite some time.
We’re talking ULTRA mini minis, super sheer fabrics, outerwear as underwear, ‘90s neons, ’00s low-slung waists and, yes, more cut-outs…
Ready to plan your spring fashion moments now that we’ve finally moved on from the longest winter on record? Scroll down for the 14 SS22 trends that we’ll all be falling for this season…
For more from Glamour UK’s Fashion Editor Charlie Teather, follow her on Instagram @charlieteather.
LOW-SLUNG WAISTS
High-rise jeans may have dominated our wardrobes for over a decade, but come spring 2022 things are getting a whole lot more ’00s as the low-slung waist makes its way back to the forefront of sartorial conscious. They’re all about bearing the midriff, so there’s no trend value in opting for a low-rise and hiding it beneath a long knit. Opt for cropped tops for full ’00s drama.
Spotted at: (L-R) Staud, Versace & Knwls – as well as Cynthia Rowley, Victor Glemaud, Remain, Soulland, Rotate & Tom Ford
PLEATED SKIRTS
One of the most wearable trends to come out of this round of runways was the pleated skirt, and while there was a light scattering of mini incarnations reminiscent of this summer’s favourite tennis skirt, for SS22 it’s all about the pleated midi. Other than that, there really are no rules. Printed, plain, colourful, monochrome, paired with knits or paired with a bralette – as long as it’s pleated then you’re bang on the money.
Spotted at: (L-R) Rejina Pyo, COS & Erdem – as well as Sandy Liang
LIQUID METAL
This season sees a new way to do metallic spangle without the need for sequins – which are often very damaging to the environment. Instead, may we encourage you to get your shine via liquid metal sheens; a far subtler, more grown-up and contemporary take on shimmer. Predominantly – but not exclusively – found in golds and silvers, these sheeny dreams create a molten metal feel as luxurious, shimmering fabric appears to be falling around your body.
Spotted at: (L-R) Paul & Joe, Fendi & Peter Do – as well as Tom Ford, Khaite, Bora Aksu & Versace
SUPER SHEER
Perhaps a trend best-suited to those looking to have fun with fashion again after spending the best part of two years wearing tracksuits, super sheer fabrics will have a real moment in the sun this spring. Of course, they can be cleverly layered to protect modesty, rendering this trend one of the most flexible for SS22.
Spotted at: (L-R) Elleme, Rejina Pyo & Yuhan Wang – as well as Staud, Harris Reed, 16Arlington, Simone Rocha & David Koma
ULTRA-MINI MINIS
Pleated skirts may be midi for this season, but all others are raising the hemlines to minuscule lengths. These are minis that the supermodels of the ’90s would’ve been proud to wear, with well over half of the thigh exposed beneath the brief slip of fabric. Opt for super-statement shades, prints or fabrics to ensure that while the skirt may be small it still packs a real punch.
Spotted at: (L-R) Prada, Dior & Versace – as well as Moschino & Max Mara
WHITE SUITING
Suiting may have been off the sartorial radar for quite some months as swathes of the country took to working from home in loungewear, this season sees the old staple return with a vengeance. Stark white and complete with show-stopping accents – from waist ties to contrast black hardware and bold shoulders, these are pieces that should make the prospect of returning to your commute a whole lot more bearable.
Spotted at: (L-R) Teatum Jones, Peter Do, Proenza Schouler – as well as Baum Und Pferdgarten, Holzweiler, Erdem & Michael Kors
ACCESSORISED LEGS
While tights are a mainstay in many winter wardrobes, when it comes to summer very few of us give even a moments thought to dressing our legs. Providing they’re covered in SPF and not overheating, we’re happy. But all that changes this season, as thigh high boots with feathered trims, lace leggings and embroidered hosiery take centre stage.
Spotted at: (L-R) Nensi Dojaka, Yuhan Wang & David Koma
STRAP IT UP
Strapped accents have been gaining popularity over recent seasons, but it’s set to really take hold from summer 2022 onwards. Whether it’s a top with multi-straps across the shoulders and décolletage, trousers with a strapped waistband criss-crossing across the stomach – or, indeed, both – you’ll have to forgo any worries of awkward tan lines this season and embrace the straps.
Spotted at: (L-R) Elleme, Rejina Pyo & Nensi Dojaka – as well as Altuzarra, Jonathan Simkhai, Knwls & Supriya Lele
HIGHLIGHTER YELLOW
Lovers of tonal beiges, look away now. Not one for the wardrobe wallflowers among us, neon yellow looks set to be one of the hottest hues this summer. The even more intense news? It’s particularly epic when worn head-to-toe.
Spotted at: (L-R) David Koma, Prada & Richard Quinn – as well as Erdem, Emilia Wickstead & COS
NETTED KNITS
Knitwear is rarely a major summer trend for obvious reasons, but after SS21’s obsession with all things crochet this season we’re seeing fairweather knits have a more grown-up glow-up in the form of netting. Across tops, vests, trousers, skirts and even bags, whether you’re strolling along the beach or heading for date night in the city, you’ll find any excuse to put on your netted knitwear – trust us on this one.
Spotted at: (L-R) KNWLS, Saint Laurent & Supriya Lele – as well as COS
CUT-OUTS
We know, we know, cut-outs are not new news. They were a few seasons ago, but they’re proving to be far more of a long-term look than any of us initially gave them credit for. Which, surely, is a good thing – no? Cost-per-wear and environmentally-wise, the more frequently you’re happy to wear an item the better, and with cut-outs – wherever they are on an item – seemingly going nowhere fast, you’d be wise to hop on board.
Spotted at: (L-R) Elleme, Jonathan Simkhai & Supriya Lele – as well as Michael Kors, Christian Siriano, Nensi Dojaka, Mark Fast, Yuhan Wang, David Koma & Maximillian at Fashion East
HYPER FEMININE
With muted hues and style androgyny gaining traction season after season, it’s been a while since super traditionally-feminine pieces had their moment on the industry’s radar. For summer, however, frothy fabrics and pretty pink hues – from pastel to candy, rose and fuchsia – prove an interesting, playful point of difference in the fashion landscape.
Spotted at: (L-R) Simone Rocha, Paul & Joe & Bora Aksu – as well as Prabal Gurung
UNDERWEAR OUTERWEAR
Another one for the fearless dressers, summer 2022 sees underwear become a perfectly acceptable form of outerwear. Super chic when done in the right way, layer it beneath an open blazer or a top/dress with a convenient cut-out (there’s that trend again) for a subtle hint of sexy.
Spotted at: (L-R) Tom Ford, Fendi & David Koma – as well as Jonathan Simkhai, Coach, Ganni, Saks Potts, Michael Kors, Remain, 16Arlington, Nensi Dojaka & Elleme
BULKY BAGS
It’s officially time to end our love affair with micro bags, as this season sees the biggest, bulkiest totes take the handbag world by storm. Great news for those of us with endless ‘essentials’ that we’ve been struggling to stuff inside our teeny tiny bags over recent years. Less good news for our posture.
Spotted at: (L-R) Richard Quinn, Max Mara & Tory Burch
