As the dust begins to settle beneath fashion capitals’ well-heeled feet, we take a moment to look back at the highlights from this year’s spring/summer ’16 presentation. The new movement in fashion is heading towards a post-modest aesthetic—a more-is-more approach to dressing that puts to shame last year’s “normcore” trend for all its realness. While the louche silhouettes of last season still maintain their steady run, color, prints, and everything in between run the gamut. For starters, the season’s color of choice is a sprightly orange. Following closely behind are pleats and color-blocked prints, too.
See the best trends that reigned supreme for spring/summer. If the collections tell us anything, it’s that the new season is your ticket to limitless dressing.
Net-worth
Could it be the heat? We’re not too sure, but designers were pretty keen on revealing skin through netted fabrics. Everywhere we looked, a model seemed to have been caught in a designer net, paired with flouncy skirts and much bravado to rock a barely-there ensemble. With an urban appeal coupled with feminine flair, consider this the new norm in streetwear.
Collections to lookout for: Balmain, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton
Citrus punch
Yes, it’s a very in-your-face color, but we’re willing to trade our monochromes for a punch of orange every now and then. The summer season pretty much justifies the need to brighten up your wardrobe, but with the likes of Altuzarra and Balmain hopping on the citrus bandwagon, it won’t be long before orange becomes your go-to hue.
Collections to lookout for: Altuzarra, Balmain, and Prada
The new Victorian
Following fall’s somber and gothic Victorian heroines, designers sought inspiration from similar elements and brightened it up for a more summer-appropriate vibe. The result: A romantic cascade of ruffles, high necklines, and blush tones rendered in short dresses. The new Victorian is a dream for romantics and ladies at heart.
Collections to lookout for: Balmain, J.W. Anderson, and Alexander McQueen
Collarbones, please!
Collarbones will be having their moment next season with sleeves that lazily drape down the arm. Gearing more towards the luxury side, the trend has a cool girl feel to it—easy and nonchalant. As a new riff off the top, a thin halter strap anchors the look.
Collections to lookout for: Derek Lam, Givenchy, and Proenza Schouler
Spanish heat
The Latin influences of fall seems to have spilled over into spring, what with a healthy dose of Spanish culture in major collections across all fashion capitals. From bold red hues to toreador flourishes, it’s the one trend that adds spice to the season’s often saccharine offerings.
Collections to lookout for: Oscar dela Renta, Proenza Schouler, and Roberto Cavalli
Into the denim blues
What is summer without denim? 2016 is calling for a revamp of this staple: Midi skirts and jumpsuits instead of trousers, and longer coats and boxy jackets instead of button-down tops. You can never go wrong with denim—it’s only a matter of retooling and updating your essential wardrobe pieces.
Collections to lookout for: 3.1 Philip Lim, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton
In the waist
You won’t find it too hard to rock the season’s version of the cinched waist: the paperbag waist. While it doesn’t do much to whittle your waistline, it’s the new version of the loose, high-waist pant that’s got much more of an art to it. Our quick tip: Avoid looking like a hot mess and pair it with a piece that’s tighter at the top.
Collections to lookout for: 3.1 Philip Lim, Public School, and Tod’s
Boudoir daydreams
This is that one trend that will pretty much leave you in nothing but lace and silk dresses that you can easily call lingerie. More than just sexy slip dresses, some designers like Riccardo Tisci over at Givenchy went all out and created robes to finish off the look. Sleepwear has never looked so crazy, sexy, and cool.
Collections to lookout for: Burberry Prorsum, Givenchy, and Saint Laurent Paris
Pretty pleats
In an attempt to downsize the carwash pleats from last fall, designers made the schoolgirl trend a staple once more, this time turning their sights towards tinier and tighter knife pleats. Stella McCartney was totally on point when she gave hers a metallic spin—now that’s a statement!
Collections to lookout for: Altuzarra, Boss, and Stella McCartney
Maximum impact
Taking a page from Alessandro Michele’s first collection for Gucci, the new season’s theme of pairing mismatched prints is catching on. Move over, color blocking. This year, it’s all about print blocking to achieve the new aesthetic. Post-modest is the new cool—”using [your] wardrobe to interpret and interact with the world [you] live in.”
Collections to lookout for: Dries Van Noten, Giambattista Valli, and Gucci
Art by Martin Diegor
