SS20 Womenswear Trend Report
We may not be feeling the heat quite yet, but the new season arrivals are slowly thawing away the winter layers we have been hiding behind. Bringing some cooler colour tones, lighter fabrications and playful silhouettes, the new season trends have arrived to brighten up your wardrobe.
SS20 brought us a nod to ‘70s psychedelia, shoulders that were large and in charge and a visit to the tropics.
Helping you get some seasonal inspiration; our womenswear buyers have selected their top trends that you’ll be wearing this summer.
Appearing like an intense pattern through a kaleidoscope lens, designers introduced us to a variety of mesmeric pieces. Using colour clashing hues and oversized shapes, these maximalist prints are what lucid dreams are made of. This season, take an acid trip with Fendi’s saturated colour palette, go big or go home in Richard Quinn’s floral explosion and embrace Julien Dossena’s anti-dystopian patchwork fantasy at Paco Rabanne.
The ‘80s power suits that re-entered our lives two seasons ago are making it known they are here to stay. Adopting a more dramatic entrance into SS20, the new season silhouettes have taken on more exaggerated proportions with a masculine aesthetic. Stripe out with Balmain’s sharp shoulders, loosen up the hips with feminine fluidity from Chloé and wear pink to make the boys think (twice) in Jacquemus.
Embracing the female form through barely-there fabrics, this season gave us full transparency on what lies beneath with layers of mesh, lace and Lycra. A peep show of pretty pairings, the designers used sheer underlays under dresses and on top of each other to create translucent effects. The next generations paid a particular focus to this trend with ‘90s bodycon styles from Supriya Lele, metallic effects from House of Holland and skin bearing body stockings from Marine Serre.
This season, the volume was turned all the way up to eleven with a couture beat coming through the base. The SS20 rhythm on the runway played a mix of statement dresses and gowns with exaggerated shoulders, enormous ruffles and fluttering peplums. Lead the floral symphony in Valentino's trapeze dresses; take a style note from Victoriana in Simone Rocha; and raise the roof in Oscar De La Renta’s prom-perfect gowns.
Amongst the bold and bright trends that took over this season, the sartorial masters gave their designs a ‘90s make-under. Taking it back to basics, this minimalism trend carried through, offering a pared-back approach to the seasonal trends. Embrace the style with clinical precision in Helmut Lang, learn from the expert in Jil Sander and wear only the essentials in second-skin knits from Prada.
Loving this trend don’t cost a thing as J.Lo proved when she hit the Milan runway in ‘that’ dress. Journeying deep into the tropics, prints were bold and bright with patterns of palm fronds, fruits and exotic flowers. Jenny from the Block led the way at Versace, follow her lead in Donatella’s totally tropical collection. Take a safari deep into the jungle with Dolce & Gabbana’s pin-up inspired pieces and pay homage to nature in Marni’s upcycled calypso of colour.