Paris Fashion Week Spring-Summer 2024 showcased a trend towards understated elegance, marking a shift from the post-Covid frenzy and lockdown periods. However, several distinctive elements disrupted this subdued atmosphere during the Paris fashion week. Here are the key takeaways:
1. The reimagined jacket
Well-tailored jackets in classic colors like beige, gray, navy blue, or black took center stage, symbolizing a new elegance. They were paired with skirts, pants, or shorts.
Jackets became longer and often adopted a masculine style, with variations ranging from oversized to double-breasted.
Some brands, like Dior, innovated by adding hoods, while others played with proportions and materials to create unique jackets.
2. Floral Bloom
Floral patterns were omnipresent, whether printed, embroidered, or sculpted. Balmain created a colorful and exuberant collection featuring flowers in various forms.
Givenchy opted for discreet embroidery, hand-painted motifs, and floral prints, even in jewelry.
Dior transformed the iconic mille-fleurs motif into a contrasting black-and-white floral radiograph. Long floral dresses provided a striking contrast to Balenciaga's black ensembles.
3. The return of the Culotte
The culotte trend, advocated by Miu Miu in winter, made its way onto the Parisian runways. Models sported transparent bodysuits, creating a distinct look at Dior. Victoria Beckham's ballerinas paired black bodysuits with slightly longer cardigans.
At Dries Van Noten, swimsuit-like outfits were hidden under long coats, sparking thoughts on transforming swimwear into everyday clothing
4. Sock Heels
What once might have been considered a fashion faux pas is now a style staple. Heeled sandals are now worn with socks.
Givenchy featured knee-high matching or colorful stockings worn over pumps, while Victoria Beckham paired heels with dancer's leg warmers.
Dries Van Noten experimented with exaggerated pointed pumps and curved heels, worn with socks.
5. Humor in Fashion
The shows were marked by a good dose of irony and self-mockery.
Rick Owens staged his show around a monster ball with contrasting vibes, while Marie Adam-Leenaerdt opened her show with formal, structured looks accompanied by a sung invitation to go to the beach.
Balenciaga, after a controversy, regained its sense of spectacle and humor by poking fun at its promise to focus on clothing.
6. The Bermuda Comeback
The Bermuda, a garment not always universally loved, made a grand return to the runways.
It was reimagined in various ways, from the classic cut paired with a jacket at Dries Van Noten to the whimsical denim model at Coperni.
Y/Project offered an extra-large version with button slits. At other designers, like Victoria Beckham, the Bermuda lengthened, approaching the capris.
7. Fishnet on the Runways
The fishnet trend, already present in fashion for a few seasons, was confirmed with garments reminiscent of market bags. This trend evokes the transparent style of the 1990s, popular on dance floors. Some designers even created bright-colored fishnet dresses.
8. The Return of "Giant Bags"
Oversized beach bags made a comeback. The runways were flooded with this "giant bag" trend.
This trend, seen in Milan and confirmed in Paris, heralds a relaxed summer. Brands like Marie Adam-Leenaerdt and Vaillant embraced this idea of an XXL bag perfect for all occasions.
Paris Fashion Week Spring-Summer 2024 revealed a mix of sobriety and originality, with new trends and reinterpretations of classic styles, confirming that fashion continues to evolve and surprise.
