Summer’s Hottest Trends — Straight From the Runway

Admittedly, rising temperatures and oppressive humidity have us thinking less about curating a trendy outfit and more about what kinds of clothes won’t show excessive sweat marks, but that’s all the more reason to get creative about what you’re wearing this summer — some of this season’s trends could help you stay cool and current.

Looks straight from the runway are too avant-garde (and expensive) for us to wear on a daily basis, but that doesn’t mean you can’t dissect the styles and find elements to incorporate into your wardrobe. Using the latest hits from high fashion as a starting point, we’ve distilled some of the most wearable trends you can take for a spin this summer without having to drop cash on an entirely new wardrobe. 

From Challengers-ready tennis looks at Lacoste to nautical-inspired ensembles at Chanel, here are the five most wearable fashion trends for summer 2024 and how you can wear them. 

Summer 2024 Fashion Trends

Capris

Mid-length pants reminiscent of looks Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly once wore appeared in multiple spring/summer 2024 shows, including Phillip Lim’s New York-inspired one. Models wore leggings cropped just below the knee, juxtaposing the workout wear with edgy leather tops and accessories. Tory Burch’s capris took the form of wide-leg trousers paired with structured blazers, showing the pants can be worn in myriad ways. We imagine styling these with ballet flats and collared shirts to pay homage to the looks of the ’50s, but you can also modernize the look by pairing the fitted pedal pushers with an oversized blazer and kitten heels. 

Nautical

It’s all smooth sailing this summer, that is, as long as you like a coastal-inspired look. Models with perfectly imperfect beach waves showcased designs inspired by the beaches of southern France, including Breton-striped shirts and swimsuits. As a guest designer for Jean Paul Gaultier, Simone Rocha topped off more than one look with literal sailor hats embellished with ribbons and pearls, of course. To easily channel this in your everyday wardrobe, lean into looking like a protagonist from a Nancy Meyers film: lots of linen, bright whites, and flowy dresses that could easily be worn from the farmers market to the beach. Katie is a huge fan of the trend, often donning striped boatneck tops with cropped jeans and sandals throughout the summer. 

LBB (Little Black Bikinis)

We’ve all heard of the itsy-bitsy, teeny-weenie yellow polka dot bikini, but this season, it’s time to go back to the basics: Black and white swimmers in classic silhouettes. In classic Chanel fashion, models layered tulle skirts and tweed jackets over swimsuits, staying true to the brand’s identity. Victoria Beckham’s collection was ballet-inspired, and models wore white bodysuits with knee-high socks and oversized cardigans. While they weren’t wearing swimsuits, the fits were minimal and classic and certainly inspired us to go back to the basics this summer. Thankfully, this is one of the easiest trends to work into your wardrobe (if you don’t already have it): Look for minimal suits with classic details like scoop necklines and thick straps, or opt for something with a balconette-style top.

Flip Flops

Here’s something we never thought we’d see all over high fashion runways: flip flops. It’s a refreshing change from stiletto heels and chunky wedges, and it’s also something we can all actually walk in. Instead of grabbing a plastic pair from the dollar store as a last-minute beach solution, consider investing in some made from sturdy leather that won’t only last longer, but they’ll look better, too. Take notes from the Staud runway and don the simple sandals with everything from sundresses to silky gowns, or you can take inspiration from Proenza Schouler, and wear them with tights for ultimate impact. 

Tennis

We’re still buzzing after watching Challengers, and we have a feeling our tennis obsession isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, especially with the Olympics upon us. Pleated skirts and preppy polos have been essentials in our and Katie’s pickleball wardrobes, but now we’re eager to start working them into our day-to-day outfits. Models on the Lacoste runways donned visors, mesh jerseys, and crew socks, showcasing the brand’s latest collection (most of which, we argue, could actually be worn on or off the courts). Consider wearing your pickleball attire while running errands or going out for coffee, opting for loafers instead of sneakers if you want to elevate the look. We included actual fitness gear too, like sweat-wicking workout dresses and Zenni sunglasses that were literally made for Olympians (they’re the official eyewear partner for USA Volleyball, which isn’t tennis, but they use nets too!).