For forward thinkers, taking a look at the spring summer 2023 trends might be helpful in working out which to adopt now.
You might assume there won’t be any that could possibly inform your sartorial choices in the dark depths of winter, but you’d be sadly mistaken. In fact, there are plenty of trends that will be familiar to you if you’ve been keeping up with those for autumn winter this year.
READ MORE: The 7 Biggest Prints of 2023, by a Self-Confessed Prints Lover
London, Milan, New York and Paris Fashion week concluded in October this year, with Raf Simons rescheduling his SS23 show due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II and moving it to Frieze Week.
It signalled the end of a vibrant set of shows, which represented a return to normality following the pandemic.
Like the seasons that came before it, spring summer 2023 is about pushing boundaries: more skin on show, bigger shapes, even more exaggerated silhouettes and lower waists.
Here, we take a look at the spring summer 2023 fashion trends you need to know now and where to shop them on the high street.
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READ MORE: Jeans Trends 2023: Which Jeans Will Be In Style This Year?
Summer Sequins
We’re used to seeing sequins during the festive season, but now we’re seeing them celebrated in the summer months too in the form of candy pastel dresses, shimmering maxi skirts and maximalist jackets.
If cargo pants aren’t for you, perhaps this glamorous trend will be more up your street.
Seen at: David Koma, Michael Kors, Huishan Zhang, Valentino and more.
Lara sequin-embellished woven mini dress, £295, Rixo – buy now
Sequin-embellished trousers, £200, ROTATE Birger Christensen – buy now
The Sequin J Leather Shoulder Bag, £385, Marc Jacobs – buy now
3D Shapes
Just when you thought florals were dull, fashion has other ideas.
This spring, we’re seeing XXL floral shapes, maxi-ruffles, 3D rosettes and more elaborate silhouettes than ever before.
Seen at: Halpern, Rochas, Bottega Veneta, Off-White and more.
Guest Ruffle Maxi Skirt, £79, Sister Jane – buy now
Floral Embellished Mini Dress, £89.40, Warehouse – buy now
Elena 3D Floral Embroidered Dress, £360, Stine Goya – buy now
Blouson Sleeve Crop Top, £80, ASOS – buy now
Tassels
Another trend we saw on countless SS23 runways were tassels. Whether it was fringed handbags, tasseled bras or flowing skirts, the look has moved away from its Western roots.
While not practical – I remember my favourite tasseled shirt getting caught on people I really didn’t want it to in nightclubs – it’s versatile, and can be as extreme as you like.
Seen at: Victoria Beckham, Michael Kors, Givenchy, Alaïa, Max Zara Sterck, Proenza Schouler, Acne Studios and more.
READ MORE: Tassel Bags Are Trending (But Not As You Know Them)
Twist & Shout Vegan Shacket, £118, Free People – buy now
Lime Green Fringe Mini Bodycon Dress, £100, River Island – buy now
Mini M tassel-trimmed suede shoulder bag, £259, Maje – buy now
Denim maxi skirts
Jeans never go out of style, but after a few years out of the limelight, denim skirts are definitely rising to the forefront in 2023. You can barely go out without seeing them right now, perhaps because they’re one of the most wearable trends of the season.
Seen at: Givenchy, Kenzo, Blumarine, Ulla Johnson, Ganni and more.
Denim long skirt, £49.99, Mango – buy now
Split back organic-cotton denim maxi skirt, £165, Raey – buy now
Vintage denim maxi skirt, £35.99, Stradivarius – buy now
Utility
As the craze for Y2K fashion rages on, utility-inspired design is exploding this summer.
Expect to see more dirty denim, colossal pockets, buckles everywhere and an overriding theme of cargo everything.
Seen at: Givenchy, Paco Rabanne, Miu Miu, Dolce & Gabbana, Diesel, Marine Serre and more.
Black Parachute Trousers, £45, Monki – buy now
Kensington Multi Strap, now £169, Kurt Geiger London – buy now
Dolly Indigo Jeans, £280, Miista – buy now
Water-Repellent Oversize Bomber Jacket, £59.99, Zara – buy now
Lingerie-inspired design
Waist-cinching corsets, babydoll night dresses and lashings of lace were spotted at what felt like every show at Fashion Week.
Whether you’re keen to embrace the sexy see-through dress or prefer a more subtle approach to the trend, lingerie-inspired design is one to watch.
Seen at: Poster Girl, Yuhan Wang, Nensi Dojaka, Armani, Gucci, Valentino, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Saint Laurent, Prada and more.
Aurelia Silky Corset Top, £118, Free People – buy now
Contrast lace colour block slip dress, £50, Topshop – buy now
Jourdain Maxi Dress, £328, For Love & Lemons – buy now
Low waists
It feels like the more I’ve willed low waists to go away, the stronger the trend has become. Anyone with me?
Despite my fear of flashing my belly, waists are getting lower and lower thanks to designers like Miu Miu, David Koma, Louis Vuitton and Fendi.
Seen at: Miu Miu, Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, Versace, Fendi, Coperni and more.
Drop organic-cotton low-rise baggy jeans, £160, Raey – buy now
Wide-Leg Low-Rise Jeans, £79, Cos – buy now
90s Baggy Low Jeans, £24.99, H&M – buy now
Summer Black
Seen at: Off-White, Dries Van Noten, Valentino, Versace, Jil Sander, Dior, Alexander McQueen, Richard Quinn, Ferragamo and more.
It’s not the first colour I think of when I think of summer, but after fashion’s foray into a world of bright colours, we’re making a return to the simple shade.
Models wore it head-to-toe in a multitude of different and exceptionally chic ways; full-length dresses at Valentino, ultra-sleek hooded bodycon at Versace, and gothic gowns fit for a funeral at Richard Quinn.
Long Black Dress with Wool, £79.95, Massimo Dutti – buy now
The Waisted Tuxedo Blazer, £225, COS – buy now
Shopping Bag Medium, £170, Axel Arigato – buy now
READ MORE: The Fashion Colours You’re Going To See Everywhere In 2023
Sheer Everything
Seen at: Valentino, Nensi Dojaka, Versace, Chanel, Prada, JW Anderson, Emilia Wickstead and more.
The sheer fabrics that draped the catwalks for SS23 almost felt like an extension of the underwear as outerwear trend, but it appeared so often, it needed a category of its own.
Remember a few years ago, when everyone wore sheer dresses over jeans? The look might just be making a reappearance in 2023.
Semi-sheer minidress, £287, Alchemy x Lia Aram – buy now
Pearl Embellished Mesh Top, £45, & Other Stories – buy now
Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Slip, £88, Free People – buy now
Y2K Denim
Seen at: Molly Goddard, Celine, Marques’Almeida, Bottega Veneta, Loewe, Valentino and more.
Spotted baggy jeans at every turn on your tube journey this morning? It’s no coincidence.
Y2K-style denim is taking over, whether it’s cargo jeans, two-tone or low-waisted pairs.
READ MORE: Are Skinny Jeans Really Dead? We Delve Into The Gen-Z vs Millennials Debate
I Heart You
Seen at: Victoria Beckham, Moschino, Carolina Herrera, Nensi Dojaka, Paul & Joe and more.
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, but you might be wearing hearts even after the day passes.
Victoria Beckham gave a subtle nod to the trend with a draped heart dress (above), while Nensi Dojaka opted for lingerie and slip dresses with entwined hearts at the chest.
Kensington Heart Cross Body, £159, Kurt Geiger London – buy now
Cherish Print Midi Dress, £110, Sister Jane – buy now
Heart Sweatshirt, £90, Sézane X Bobo Choses – buy now
Check Mate
Seen at: Bottega Veneta, Dior, A.W.A.K.E. MODE, Vetements, and more.
I fear sounding like a broken record, but as fashion trends are so cyclical, it’s unsurprising to see designers taking inspiration from the decades of the past. Grunge is back this year, and Kate Moss walking for Bottega Veneta in a plaid flannel shirt solidified it.
Checked coat, £249.50, Sandro – buy now
Black Check Mesh Maxi Dress, £49, Urban Outfitters – buy now
The ’80s Blazer, £178, Everlane – buy now
Polka Dots
Seen at: Saint Laurent, Chanel, Molly Goddard, Proenza Schouler and more.
Polka dots are cool again. Saint Laurent (above) sent co-ordinating two-pieces in black and white spots down the runway, while Chanel opted for mini-dresses.
Brb, diging out that famous Topshop dress to wear again this spring.
Embroidered polka-dot blouse, £49.99, Mango – buy now
Polka-dot ruffled woven midi dress, £329, Claudie Pierlot – buy now
Alicia skirt, £115, Sezane – buy now
Which shoes will be popular in 2023?
Mary-Janes
Seen at: Prada, Raf Simons, Dior, Versace and more.
Mary-Janes are getting their moment! Prada’s chocolate iteration had up-turned toes, while Dior completely reinvented them. Instead of one strap, there were seven, snaking all the way up the leg.
Mary-Jane heeled-shoes, now £300, Marni – buy now
Bacara 55mm glitter mary-jane shoes, £575, Nodaleto – buy now
Buckled Cylindrical Heel Mary Janes, £69, Charles & Keith – buy now
READ MORE: The 7 Most Wearable Shoe Trends of 2023 and Where to Shop Them Now
Balletcore
Seen at: Chanel, Thom Browne, Loewe, Givenchy, Miu Miu and more.
Google searches for balletcore are rising at a staggering level, so we can safely assume the trend is going to be the biggest of the summer.
Miu Miu, Thom Browne and Chanel’s ballet flats have twisted my arm when it comes to the trend.
Ribbon-strap buckled patent-leather ballet flats, £580, Miu Miu – buy now
Satin Ballet Flats, £29.99, Zara – buy now
Bow-embellished satin ballet flats, £195, Porte & Paire – buy now
Twinkle Toes
Seen at: Chanel, AZ Factory, Fendi, Valentino, Giambattista Valli, Maison Margiela and more.
Is it me, or is everything embellished with crystals right now?
Expect to diamante-everything this summer, including your shoes – and not just on dainty heels. Knee-high boots are covered in crystals and even flats too, adding a dose of glamour to just about any outfit.
Demi embellished slingback pumps, £790, Gucci – buy now
Bow-Tie Mesh Mules, £99, Charles & Keith – buy now
Burlington crystal-embellished leather over-the-knee boots, £179, Kurt Geiger – buy now
Retro trainers
If you buy one pair of trainers this summer, make them retro.
From Copenhagen Fashion Week, to the feet of stars like Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner and Kaia Gerber, these nostalgic sneakers are proving their worth in our wardrobes this year. Personally, I’m sold!
Samba Og Shoes, £90, Adidas – buy now
Badminton Plimsoll Trainers, £65, Gola – buy now
Vlado Stenzel Suede Trainers, £64, Puma – buy now
