Womenswear and Menswear Spring/Summer 2018: Classic with a Twist

For spring/summer 2018 designers delivered collections reflecting the seasons along catwalks in New York, Italy, Paris and Milan. With collections dedicated to travel and new experiences, the designs encompass femininity and masculine essence, bringing forth previous runway staples along with new offerings fit for trend setters. Their raw talent offers insight that catapults the fashion industry into the biggest trends of next season.

Stripes on Stripes

In a season that is dominated by florals, designers are bringing stripes back into the spotlight. Predominately utilized in men’s collections, vertical and horizontal stripes make a comeback on the runway. Brands such as Versace and Balmain paired blazers with a bright red shirt and an added layer of black and white stripes, as Loewe embraced a white undertone with horizontal stripes. Straying away from stripes on top, Sunnei opted for multicolor pants with a matching cross-body bag.

Florals

A staple in the spring/summer season, florals are here to stay. In the most recent collections, soft floral patterns took the form of floor-length dresses, and skirts and matching jackets. Incorporating specific designs into dreamy dresses, Fendi, Michael Kors, Carolina Herrera and Brock Collection offered a blend of flowery flamboyance and sheer elegance with colors like baby pink to more contrasting combinations such as yellow and black. Stepping away from clothing, Rodarte chose ready-to- wear accessories, such as frosty white flower headdresses and arm cuffs.

Novelty Socks

Fully embraced by designers, this trend graced the runway, proving that no element of fashion is too small to complete an outfit. Gucci added its signature print onto yellow socks, pairing them with a neutral tan heel. Meanwhile, Valentino selected a subtler approach, adding depth to the look with a simple blue stripe along the cuff of the socks to compliment the strappy heel. Bottega Veneta and Prada followed suit, incorporating detailed vertical stripes and simple prints circling the cuff of the socks.

Cascading Tiers

Body-hugging tiered dresses and skirts were also a favorite amongst designers for these collections. Vibrant ombre expressed the designs of Marchesa, showcasing a formal purple and white floor-length dress with flowers gathered around the torso and further down the gown. Rachel Zoe and Prabal Gurung delivered graceful patterns and soft palettes that reflected the seasons’ themes of polka-dots and pure white for an airy, whimsical feel. Stella Jean chose a patterned tiered skirt and flowy red blouse, creating a bold ensemble.

Dazzling Sequins

Let’s be honest – sequins are a must-have on the runway. It is eye-catching and illuminates in all the right places. Spring/Summer 2018 deliver a balance of sequins, with Dundas featuring a casual pink sequined dress and Louis Vuitton a shiny, formal gold and black dress adorned in specks of silver. Chanel and Prada relied on artfully embellished tops from shades of gold to silver, lending their collections a further touch of detail and brilliancy.