Many people seem to prefer layering up, but spring summer is by far my favorite season for fashion (and everything else). This year’s trends explain why. After nearly two years of WFH casual dressing, loungewear, and making what’s up top count, we’re all in need of a little change. For spring summer, designers everywhere have put a new spin on old favorites, splashed color all over their catwalks, designed outfits everyone wants to wear, and created collections that project a brighter year ahead.
Image: Imaxtree / Chanel
Vibrant hues, flashes of skin, sheer fabrics, and cool sportswear dominated the SS22 catwalks, breathing new life into the world of fashion. From biker girls to Hollywood starlets, gym class heroes to feminine skirt suits, there’s something to inspire everyone this season. So, let’s delve into the trends for spring summer 2022 and discover where you can shop them now.
What are the key trends for spring summer 2022?
Checks
Image: Carolina Herrera SS22 / courtesy of Imaxtree
It’s hip to be square in vision-distorting checks for the new season. From checkerboard to pop color creations, it’s time to go off-grid and mix up your checks. This retro graphic can be worn for all occasions. Step back into the office with an impact in a power suit, take it back to the 90s in a monochrome crop top, and add some flare to the midi skirt in green, one of the key colors of the season.
Check-pattern ruched midi dress, £260, Ganni - buy now
Skirt Suits
Image: Chanel SS22 / courtesy of Imaxtree
Feminine and girly, cute yet cool, the skirt suit makes a welcome return from the 90s with a version for everyone. Chanel’s classic tweed skirt suits came in an array of exciting new colors, shapes, and sizes, while Dior made going back to the office an exciting prospect with smart cool girl versions. This playful twinset is a must in everyone’s wardrobe this season.
Katarina tweed jacket, now £129, Dream Sister Jane - buy now Katarina tweed mini skirt, now £59, Dream Sister Jane - buy now
Micro Minis
Image: Christian Cowan SS22 / courtesy of Imaxtree
It’s legs on show this season as designers decided it was time to get our pins out from under our desks and back out into the world. Look to Prada for chic colors, Missoni for metallic minis, and Miu Miu for the ultimate micro, so short even the pockets hang below the hemline.
Prince Of Wales check wool mini skirt, £880, Miu Miu - buy now
Liquid Metals
Image: Balenciaga SS22 / courtesy of Imaxtree
It’s time to shine in this season’s eye-blinding light-reflecting trend. Silver fluid fabrics moved effortlessly down the catwalks of Fendi and Lanvin, sequins shimmered and sparkled for Valentino and Burberry, while Gucci and Balenciaga stole the show with layers and layers of foil fabrics and voluminous shapes. If you’re wondering how to embrace it this season, opt for dazzling accessories for a wearable take on the trend.
Metallic Plisse Volume Sleeve Maxi Dress, now £88, Warehouse - buy now
Biker Girl
Image: Alexander McQueen SS22 / courtesy of Imaxtree
The OG of the leather jacket is back with a whole lot of bad girl energy for 2022. More biker gang than rock ‘n’ roll chick, this year’s look has toughened up with layers of leather from Alice and Olivia, covered in studs and spikes à la Richard Quinn. Alexander McQueen mixed leather with denim covered in multiple zips and buckles, while Miu Miu embraced vintage with worn-down distressed leather.
Galilea faux-leather blazer, now £212, Stand Studio - buy now
Stripes
Image: JW Anderson SS22 / courtesy of Imaxtree
From monochrome to colorful, blurred to cut up, breton to check chair, straight up and down, or all over the place, stripes are a constant on the catwalk yet never fail to grab our attention. This year saw a mixed bag of stripes. JW Anderson, Etro, and Alaïa added tassels, bringing texture and movement to the trend. Balmain took the Breton to a whole new level, and Fendi draped models with colorful, elegant branded statement stripes.
Straight striped jeans, £49.99, Mango - buy now
The 00s
Image: Tom Ford SS22 / courtesy of Imaxtree
Get ready to lower your denim rise, bare your midriff, throw on a few butterflies, and dig out your cargo pants, as Y2K has bounced back with all the nostalgia, fun, energy, and belly button flare it had the first time around. Dolce & Gabbana announced their key influence with slogan t-shirts, chokers, and micro skirts. MSGM returned to the double denim favorite teamed with flip flops and midriff, and Tom Ford brought back the high-shine cargo pants we never thought would be seen again.
UO Glitch Baby T-Shirt, £26, Urban Outfitters - buy now
Sportswear
Image: Lacoste SS22 / courtesy of Imaxtree
Sportswear went old school for spring summer 2022, turning PE geeks into gym class heroes. Colors were muted with trims of neon, while fabrics were practical with cool edgy cuts you wouldn’t want to break a sweat in. Knee-high socks and slides, anoraks and hoodies, buttoned-up polo necks, and safety specs featured, all topped off with a visor for extra measure.
Combined-design sweater, now £29.99, Mango - buy now
Sheer Delights
Image: Ashish SS22 / courtesy of Imaxtree
The barely-there fabric that’s bringing sexy back was a big hit for what will hopefully be a scorcher of a season ahead. The delicate slip dresses that flowed over equally see-through lingerie from Dsquared may be a little risqué for some, but fear not. There were some fun styling options to pull this transparent trend off. For those who may veer towards modesty, Ashish’s floral sheer dresses over brightly colored tights may be more appealing, or Dior’s ability to layer sheer fabrics in just the right places and covering all the right areas feel a little more wearable.
Cut-Out Midi Dress, now £38, & Other Stories - buy now
Midriffs
Image: Lanvin SS22 / courtesy of Imaxtree
Quite possibly the most daunting trend of them all is the rise of the midriff. Designers delightfully put so many on show this season that it feels like a conspiracy to get us to bare all when it comes to our fashion choices this summer. Another 90’s/00’s-inspired trend, the midriff has taken center stage by lowering our waistlines and hiking up our crop tops. Lanvin played around with proportions by adding low-rise puffball skirts and wide-legged trousers teamed with graphic crop tops, Zimmerman transformed tailoring with belly-button-flashing suiting, and Etro went full retro with scarf-like tops and drawstring slouchy bottoms in bubblegum pink.
Low-rise flared jeans, £42, River Island - buy now
Mono Color
Image: Richard Malone SS22
It’s a bright and beautiful time to get colorful, as designers celebrated the new season with an array of bold stunning juicy colors that instantly lift your energy. This easy one-stop styling option is the quickest way to update your wardrobe with minimal fashion experience. Try Bottega’s stylish all-over color palette and match your accessories in similar shades. Take tailoring to another level and opt for head-to-toe suiting in vibrant orange spotted at the Boss spring summer 2022 show. If the bolder approach feels a little daunting, look to Max Mara and try sorbet shades for a more subtle way to wear this trend.
Darleen Dress, now £104, ROTATE Birger Christensen - buy now
Tie-Dye
Image: Jason Wu SS22 / courtesy of Imaxtree
Not just for beach babes (although there was plenty of inspiration for this year’s summer holiday), this DIY color trend was a favorite on the catwalks, adding exciting new color ways to a season that certainly wants to stand out. Splashed across evening gowns, layered over hoodies and flowing skirts by Marques Almeida, and adorned across day-to-night dresses at the Jason Wu show, this year’s version of tie-dye certainly made a splash.
Isolde tie-dye print dress, now £216, Ba&Sh - buy now
Blazers
Image: Jil Sander SS22 / courtesy of Imaxtree
A wardrobe staple of any fashion girl, the blazer has been around for a while, but this season, it really means business. Sleeves are longer, shoulders bigger, shapes bolder, and sizes baggier. This year, the blazer is BIG! This throw-over-everything styling hero has always saved the day when making an impression for both smart and casual situations, yet the trick this year is to make it the biggest thing you own.
Blazer, £125, Cos - buy now
Feathers
Image: David Koma SS22
It’s time to ruffle some feathers in this season’s softest trend. From trimmings to all-over plumage, this fabulous feather fashion friend is no soft touch. Valentino added eye-popping colors, Moschino made them the finishing touch to eccentric outfits, while Gucci swept the floor with them. Whichever way you choose to wear them, be sure to prune and preen your feathery friends for a truly fluffy finish.
Sandals with feathers, £79.99, Zara - buy now
Cut it out
Image: Burberry SS22 / Imaxtree
Cutouts were huge in AW21, and this season, they’re back and more daring than ever. Follow Burberry’s suit and embrace the look from head-to-toe, or opt for a more subtle approach like Proenza Schouler. Either way, you choose to go, it’s a chic look that anyone can pull off.
Alexei Dress, £180, Reformation - buy now
Which colors are trending for spring summer 2022?
This season’s colors are as bold as they come. Forget muted tones; bright oranges, grass green, and hot pink will be everywhere this summer. Read our full report of the color trends for SS22.
Image: Morgane Maurice
Which prints are trending for SS22?
If you love prints, you’re in for a treat - but there really is something for everyone this year. Whether you prefer to keep things classic with stripes or are happy to embrace the boldest patterns of them all, you’ll find something to suit your style.
Image: Olivia Bossert
Tie Dye
As mentioned, tie dye is set to be one of this year’s most popular prints. Opt for a subtle approach with one tie-dye piece or wear it from head-to-toe for a bold look.
Stella Printed Tank Top, £3, Weekday - buy now
Waves
Have you noticed waves absolutely everywhere? When you can’t get to the beach, wear the waves instead.
Long Sleeve Knit Dress, £234, Rixo - buy now
Checks
Checkerboard, micro checks, tartan - whatever way you choose to go, you’ll be bang on trend.
Logo-print checked dress, £233, Fiorucci - buy now
Stripes
Classic yet modern, stripes will never date. Make yours bold and colorful by embracing contrasting colors.
Lorna Blue Striped Alpaca Blend Zip Collar Sweater, £95, Kitri - buy now
Get ready to revamp your wardrobe with these exciting fashion trends for spring summer 2022. From bold prints to vibrant colors, there's something to suit everyone's style. Embrace your favorite trends, experiment with different looks, and make a fashion statement this season. Happy shopping!
