Last Updated on June 11, 2023
As we edge closer to summer, it’s time to get excited for spring summer 2023’s biggest trends: introducing Wear Next’s SS23 trend report.
I’ve done some serious research to find the trends you’re actually going to want to wear in the season ahead, looking through countless catwalk shows, street style trends and even celebrity looks. Never underestimate A-listers to inform the trends.
The sun is finally starting to shine, so wearing these is finally becoming a real possibility, whatever your style.
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.
Whether you love it or were glad to see the back of it the first time round, Y2K style is back. Low slung jeans, denim maxi skirts and cargo pants are just a handful of the retro items dominating our wardrobes this summer.
Then we have Barbiecore. The movie is coming this summer, and pink is everywhere.
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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Shimmering 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.
It comes amid a huge rise in searches for metallic pants – specifically Amy Lynn’s silver trews. 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.
Halterneck Sequined Mini Dress, £79.99, H&M – buy now
Halterneck sleeveless sequin-embellished midi dress, £129, Ro&Zo – buy now
Gary trousers, £145, Sezane – buy now
Metallic Shoulder Bag, £109, Arket – 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.
Tea Cup Ruffle Cami Top, £59, Sister Jane – buy now
Floral Embellished Mini Dress, now £95.40, Warehouse – buy now
Blouson Sleeve Crop Top, now £80, ASOS – buy now
Barbiecore
After the trailer for the new Barbie movie dropped, searches for ‘Barbiecore‘ skyrocketed by an incredible 7900%, while searches for ‘hot pink fashion’ spiked by 9900%, according to research by WeThrift.
The upcoming film stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, and is set to cause a colossal surge in pink fashion looks this summer.
However it’s not just the film that’s making pink the new black; Valentino backed the trend last summer, with an almost entirely hot pink collection. The hue featured in the show again for SS23, while Giambattista Valli opted for a candy shades of pink in the collection.
Stars including Kim Kardashian, Megan Fox and Lizzo have thrown their support behind the trend in the past year too, so it’s safe to say SS23 is going to be a pink one.
Seen at: Valentino, Chanel, Karolina K., Sergio Hudson, Morphine, Giambattista Valli and more.
Compact Stretch Feather Bardot Mini Dress, now £124, Karen Millen – buy now
Feather Detail Heeled Mule, now £41.40, Warehouse – buy now
Koa Square Push-Lock Shoulder Bag, £105, Charles & Keith – 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 during my uni days – it’s versatile, and can be as extreme or as tame 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
Satin fringed bag, £49.99, Mango – 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.
READ MORE: Jeans Trends 2023: Which Jeans Will Be In Style This Year?
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
Cargo Everything
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.
Denim Cargo Skirt, £49.99, Zara – buy now
Black Parachute Trousers, £45, Monki – buy now
Maggi Cargo Midi Skirt, £168, Reformation – buy now
Dolly Indigo Jeans, £280, Miista – 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, now £40, Topshop – buy now
Floral Guipure Blouse, £49.99, Mango – 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.
Oversized kaftan dress, £19.99, H&M – buy now
Scoop-Neck Jersey Midi Dress, £39, COS – buy now
Shopping Bag Medium, now £80, 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.
Cisko Sheer Sleeveless Top, £100, Paloma Wool – buy now
Cecelia Sheer Mini Dress, £158, Free People – buy now
Rhinestone-embellished chainmail maxi dress, now £59.40, Amy Lynn – buy now
Sheer lace strappy top, £9.99, H&M – 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
Drop organic-cotton low-rise baggy jeans, £160, Raey – buy now
90s Baggy Low Jeans, £24.99, H&M – buy now
Wilder Cargo High Rise Wide Leg Jeans, £200, Reformation – buy now
Relaxed Wide Leg Jeans, £42, Next – buy now
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.
Glovetanned Leather Heart Cross Body Bag, now £207, Coach – buy now
Hetty Pink Heart Print Silk Jacquard Trousers, £350, Lisou – buy now
Valentina Georgette Maxi Dress, now £134.25, Ghost – buy now
Cherish Print Ruffle Blouse, now £42, Sister Jane – 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.
We The Free Summer Daydream Plaid Buttondown, £118, Free People – buy now
Black Check Mesh Maxi Dress, now £39, Urban Outfitters – buy now
Check Hi Low Belted Midi Dress, now £159.20, Karen Millen – buy now
The ’80s Blazer, now £89, 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, now £29.99, Mango – buy now
Rosheen Polka-Dot Woven Midi Dress, now £235, Rixo – buy now
Polka dot asymmetric dress, £79.99, Mango – buy now
Emma Satin Slip Midi Skirt, £79, Ghost – 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.
Bright pink Mary Jane platform heels, £45, Monki – buy now
Bacara 55mm glitter mary-jane shoes, now £288, 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, now £136.50, 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, £795, Gucci – buy now
Gem-Embellished Strappy Sandals, £85, Charles & Keith – buy now
Suri Bling, £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, £85, Adidas – buy now
Badminton Plimsoll Trainers, £65, Gola – buy now
Super Team Currency Sneakers, now £85, Puma – buy now
What colours are trending for SS23?
This season, one of the biggest colours is – you guessed it – pink!
Pantone’s Colour of the Year is Viva Magenta, which is a slightly darker shade of pink edging towards purple. However with the huge Barbiecore trend of 2023 only growing bigger and bigger, this is undoubtedly the biggest colour trend.
Next up, we have lavender. WGSN named this as their colour of the year and it was on countless runways for SS23, including 16Arlington and Cecilie Bahnsen.
As mentioned above, summer black is on the rise for the season ahead, while bright white is an undeniable trend not only on the runway but on the red carpet. At this year’s Oscars, countless stars wore all-white including Emily Blunt, Eva Longoria, Michelle Yeoh, Halle Berry and Mindy Kaling.
READ MORE: The Fashion Colours You’re Going To See Everywhere In 2023
