Top 10 Summer 2018 Fashion Trends

Over the last few years, it has become increasingly acceptable to sport sheer fabrics in creative ways, for an effect than is more chic than suggestive. On the Spring/Summer 2018 runways, we saw lots of transparent layering going on, in a wide variety of fabrics. At Chanel and Burberry, plastic was king, and somehow managed to look high fashion. Many other designers employed tulle to achieve a see-through effect, like Simone Rocha. Of course, this puts pretty undergarments on display, and rings in an age of full-coverage undies.

If there’s one person who has a say over which direction the fashion industry is headed each season, it’s Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel. And this season, he decided to go practical, outfitting his models in sensible yet stylish rain gear. Did we just say stylish rain gear? But you’ll be hoping for summer showers after seeing this collection. The plastic hats, gloves and boots straddle two trends since they were also made using transparent plastics. Valentino also put out trendy raincoats, which let viewers know that this trend was really a thing.

You may think of plaids as being a much more fall and winter friendly trend, but their springier counterparts are ginghams and checker patterns, which evoke summer picnics and childhood dresses. But the runways this season showed a mix of both, with Burberry and Alexander McQueen displaying more traditional tartans. Victoria Beckham’s runway was full of lighter, pastel-toned pieces, while Sonia Rykiel’s were more traditional in classic black and white. Whichever way you choose to interpret it, it’s clear this is going to be a prominent pattern this season.

#7: Tiny Sunnies

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As time has gone on, it seems that we have become accustomed to bigger and bigger sunglasses, and that at some point in the past decade we reached a time we’ll call “peak giant sunnies”. Once our sunglasses were taking up most of our faces, we had to turn around and go in the opposite direction. Celebrities have already been wearing them since last year, but as if to confirm the validity of the trend, designers like Miu Miu, Prada and Louis Vuitton all had small shades on display during fashion week.

This is one trend that has already made it to the mass market. Some of the fads we’re discussing on this list are brand new, but this one has been around for a few seasons, though it may be reaching its apex in Summer 2018. Woven bags encompass a few other ideals that have been present in the fashion industry lately: a back to basics approach and a focus on more natural rather than synthetic materials. Whether they’re made of straw, rattan, bamboo or wicker, these carry-alls can come in just about any shape or size for your convenience.

Okay so pastels for spring may not exactly be revolutionary, and just about anyone will be able to tell you that pale pinks have been dominating in both fashion and home decor for years now. But this season the color palette is expanding to include lavenders and lilacs, as well as shades of yellow, blue and green. Both Celine and Victoria Beckham put a focus on pastels in their collections for this season, as did Emporio Armani. And the thing is, these shades don’t have to come off as sickly sweet or even overly feminine. With spot-on tailoring, the effect can be wholly modern.

#4: Statement Earrings

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Considering how long this trend has been around, it’s very possible you’re already sick of it, but let’s give it one last hurrah this season. There is no subtlety left in this trend, and it truly is the bigger the better when it comes to earrings that really pack a punch. Luckily, you don’t have to go high end in order to replicate what you see on the runways, because statement earrings have already saturated the mass market. You can adapt this in countless ways to fit your style, whether it’s all-out glam, more edgy graphic styles or something made from natural materials.

If you want to bring back memories of your childhood, this one’s for you. We’ve already talked about checker patterns, but there’s one print that is poised to be even bigger this summer: polka dots. They were present at Valentino, Self-Portrait and MM6 and appeared in a variety of sizes and colors. From oversized spots to teeny tiny ones, there are lots of ways you can incorporate this look into your wardrobe. If you want to come off looking on-trend instead of vintage though, make sure to go for more modern silhouettes with this pattern.

#2: Bike Shorts

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Okay we’ve got to warn you. Our top two picks may come as something of a surprise. You may have thought skin-tight bike shorts were relegated to 90s theme parties, but it looks like they might just be the next big thing. A year ago, most people wouldn’t have even been caught dead in these somewhat awkward length shorts at a spin class, but now that the Kardashians have started sporting them, we can say with confidence that they’re going to be everywhere. Designers have followed suit, and seem to be pairing them with workwear blazers for a more polished look. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Ruffles Palm Beach Glamour Fringe

#1: Fanny Packs

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Against all odds, one of the most notoriously cringeworthy trends from the 80s and 90s is back. Call it a bum bag, a fanny pack, or if you want to class it up a bit: a belt bag. Whatever it is, it’s here to stay and doesn’t seem like it’ll just be relegated to fashion-forward celebs. Whatever you want to say about this trend, you have to admit that it’s practical, and kind of nice to have a totally hands free option to tote your belongings around in.