With the summer solstice officially behind us, all of us at the Bazaar office are thinking about what we’re going to wear for the hot months ahead. (That is, when we’re not in our favorite swimwear or summer jeans.) The best summer 2024 fashion trends are runway-approved, but work just as well for steamy city sidewalks.
On the runway, everyone from Bottega Veneta to Proenza Schouler showed crafty fishnet ensembles. Brands like Miu Miu and Wales Bonner took a more sporty approach with athletic shorts and ringer tees, while Altuzarra and Coperni offered a more polished look with colorful column dresses in soft, elegant hues. Or, for a subtle hint of skin, try Carven or Missoni’s sheer skirts. (Styling tip: When fall comes around, throw on an oversize blazer to look equal parts provocative and tailored.)
Below, I break down seven of the most compelling summer fashion trends from the 2024 runway shows, with styles to shop now.
Fishnet & Crochet
I love the idea of crochet in the summer—it’s like wearable art, if you will. Designers took a range of approaches to the open-knit trend, from the fishnet dresses at Bottega Veneta and Proenza Schouler to woven bags at Gabriela Hearst. Rachel Scott at Diotima designs incredible crochet, and each piece is handmade in Jamaican artisanal communities, making it truly one-of-a-kind. And let’s not forget the mesh flat, which was all the rage on the runway and beyond.
Stumped on how to wear a crocheted top to the office? I like layering mine over a black T-shirt with a pair of Carhartt WIP utility pants, which makes it feel cool and accessible. Just swap in a dressier pair of pants if your workplace is more formal.
Diotima Conch Crocheted Cotton Crop Top
Petit Kouraj LabaDee Tote in Ecru
Mango Mesh Ballerinas With Buckle Strap
Capri Pants
This ’90s-inspired silhouette is like what happens when you cross board shorts with tailored trousers: the perfect mix of sporty and minimalist. The ultimate high-water pants, they were styled on the runway in ways that felt both both coy and sexy. Phillip Lim paired them with a leather caped parka top, while Atlein and Coperni matched them to bra tops. I also love wearing them with a boatneck Breton stripe shirt, a headband, east-west oval sunglasses, and Mary Jane flats for a Brigitte Bardot–coded French-chic summer look. They’re not only functional for busy city days, they’re also ideal travel bottoms that can take you straight from the plane to the sea.
The Frankie Shop Emersyn Capri Pants
Thong Sandals
This trend has quite literally flipped and flopped over the years, but it’s back on top again, thanks to Chanel, which showed a handful of Spring/Summer 2024 runway looks with velvet thong sandals. From the jelly thongs at the Row and Ancient Greek Sandals to the colorful leather versions at Tory Burch, these come in a range of fabrics and colors, all easy to walk in. Wear them with circle skirts, bucolic ruffled dresses, or almost any pair of 2024 trending jeans—these sandals just feel fun for the summer.
Havaianas Women’s Slim Flip-Flop Sandals
The Row Beach Flip-Flops in Rubber
Chanel Thongs in Black Velvet
White With a Twist
Ruffled tops, eyelet dresses, layers of lace, and poplin circle skirts were all over the runways. From Jonathan Anderson’s stunning white dress at his Loewe show to Jil Sander’s caped and layered angelic look, this season’s summer whites are full of personality, but they still offer enough of a blank canvas to make styling fun. Spring 2024’s accessory trends like preppy shoes and pendant cord necklaces still make a lot of sense here. I particularly love the idea of contrasting an ethereal white dress with down-to-earth loafers or brogues, especially as summer turns into fall.
Prada Women’s Lace And Poplin Top
Sea Marcella Crocheted Lace-Trimmed Midi Dress
Dôen Henri Ruffled Pintucked Broderie Anglaise Cotton Top
Staud Women’s Sea Tiered Midi Skirt
Column Dresses
Dresses for summer are always a good idea, and the best maxis this season were all column dresses. Try a drop-waist style to elongate the body, and add height with a pair of platform summer sandals. For an additional graphic touch, go for a bright summer tote to add some spunk. I love these as a base to wear from day to night, throwing on a lightweight utility jacket when the temperature dips.
Jacquemus Brezza Crepe Gown
Altuzarra Saralien Gathered Jersey Maxi Dress
Sporty Style
Maybe designers were thinking about the upcoming Paris Olympics, or maybe they all had Challengers fever—whatever the cause, athletic looks have been having a moment. Miu Miu doubled down on sporty shorts quite literally, layering two pairs of board shorts with a preppy polo on top. Grace Wales Bonner has a long-standing collaboration with Adidas and has infused a sporty element into her collections for many seasons. This summer, she showed a track jacket and plenty of ringer tees. There were sneakers all over the runways, too, which pair perfectly with a canvas bag for a chic athleisure balance. The best part? You can wear head-to-toe sporty styles, but they look equally cool as separates.
Wales Bonner Webbing-Trimmed Jersey T-shirt
Savette Tondo Large Canvas Tote Bag
Dries Van Noten Suede Sneakers
Sheer Skirts
The embellished skirts and tailored pencils of the fall and winter runways have given way to a much more pared-back and transparent style. Easy-breezy sheer skirts are all the rage. Everyone from Carven to Givenchy to Missoni took a stab at the style, and all paired their skirts with a tailored jacket, which makes for a great way to wear the look come fall. For now, throw one over a bathing suit for the beach, or add a ribbed tank and some strategic underpinnings for a night out. I love these styled with a classic brown bag to add a degree of polish.
Miu Miu Sheer Nylon Midi Skirt
The Frankie Shop Exclusive Peri Silk-Blend Chiffon Midi Skirt
