After three long, dark months of winter, the snow is finally beginning to thaw and flowers are beginning to bud. Birds can be found splashing in puddles of rainwater and melted snow, and Boston residents are shirking their heavy puffers. Not only is winter coming to an end, but COVI-19 protocols are loosening up after two years of lockdowns and restrictions. As restrictions lift and people remove their masks, the fashion week runways reflect a familiar eagerness for warmth and freedom. With low-slung waists, bras as tops, and neon colors, the runways are alive with bright trends for the spring and summer of 2022.
Less is More
Across runways, one common theme was present: less is more. Between low-rise pants and sheer designs showcasing lingerie as street wear, models were seen exposing their skin in ultra mini designs. Perhaps everyone is eager to wear less because of the heat, or maybe it parallels the freedom coming with the lifting of mask mandates. Regardless, get ready to wear as little as possible as the weather warms up. Vogue put it best, advising fashion consumers that trends are calling for “super sheer, super tight, and super short.” Vogue recommends that “if you’re interested in the key dress shape for spring, then just know that fashion’s got a taste for flesh.”
The less is more clothing also lends to another trend on the runways: the return of Y2k and 90s trends. According to Glamour Magazine who included images of models in mini skirts, “these are minis that the supermodels of the ’90s would’ve been proud to wear.”
Return of the 90s
What Vogue named “Millenium Bug” has a double meaning. Blumarine, a brand known for being the epitome of Y2K fashion, hit the runway with butterfly tops made out of denim and low rise pants with butterfly belts. While their styles didn’t necessarily include literal bugs, it is not only Blumarine that seems to have caught the infectious Y2K “bug.” Following the trend of Less is More, models were wearing ultra minis reminiscent of 90s and early 2000s trends. This “taste for flesh” that Vogue pointed out is merely a return of earlier trends and nostalgia for a time before people were quarantined in their homes and unable to flaunt their figures.
Super Saturation
Models were dressed in bright colors and patterns reminiscent of the sunlight and blooming life of spring and summer. Refinery29 said, “Color lovers, and those willing to dabble in new shades, set your sights on mega-saturation for spring.” Between bold oranges and popping pinks to bright blues and lime greens, the runways represented every color of the rainbow.
Up All Night
Vogue grouped together a series of fashion choices, dubbing the collection “Up All Night.” Simply translated, “dress-code: fabulous.” Vogue described it as “sequins, chainmail, sparkling mesh, crystals and heavily-embellished styles abounded on the catwalks as sweet release from challenging lockdowns beckoned.” For too long, everyone has been stuck inside. Runways were traded for kitchens and couches and glamor traded for sweatpants and blankets. But this is no longer, as designers play with textures such as liquid metal, crocheting knitted tops, and tons of sparkly fringe.
It was not only texture that fell under some bold “Up All Night” looks. If you’re looking to go out all night this spring and summer, don’t forget about the neons that hit the runway. Designers like Alexander McQueen featured dresses with fringe that were not only sparkly but also neon pink. Maximillian seemed to combine all of the trend predictions in a bold orange look with a low-slung waist and a crocheted sheer top.
Essentially, don’t be afraid to go big and to go bold this summer. Remove the word “overdressed” from your vocabulary because if you’re not catching glances behind sunglasses, then you’re doing it wrong. If buying eye-catching clothing is draining your purse, grab those old boxes out of your closet and style some throwback pieces. Think fun and fresh, and you’ll be right on trend.