Lugano – With the warmer months on the horizon, designers are already setting the tone for what summer will look like. Recent runway collections offer an early glimpse into the season ahead, revealing a shift toward styles that balance creativity with everyday wearability.
Fashion trends reflect a dynamic mix of bold colour, fluid shapes, and soft textures.
Colour blocking takes a playful turn
A renewed approach to colour is defining the season, instead of carefully matched tones, outfits are built around unexpected combinations that create energy and visual intrigue.
Bright tones are paired with softer shades, while bold primaries are mixed freely, resulting in looks that feel spontaneous and expressive rather than coordinated.
According to Vogue, this direction is reflected in “unlikely pairings” such as green with grey or lilac with red, with designers including Prada, Miu Miu, and Loewe embracing this concept.
A softer take on academic chic
Academic-inspired style returns this season, but in a more relaxed and contemporary form.
The aesthetic is based on classic wardrobe staples, but with softer structure, creating looks that feel lighter but still sophisticated.
The overall mood is understated and refined, where simple pieces and subtle details come together to create an elegant and polished look.
Items such as lightly structured A-line skirts, matching skirt-and-top sets, and simple tailored separates are styled in an easy, understated way, often paired with a lightweight cardigan.
Rather than appearing overly polished, the pieces are worn loosely and with minimal styling, giving them a relaxed, everyday feel.
Vogue also points to designers such as Chanel, Celine, and Tory Burch who explore this updated interpretation, blending classic references with a more accessible, modern approach.
Asymmetry and movement in design
The summer season is also expected to place emphasis on shape and movement, with garments designed to feel less rigid and more fluid on the body.
Rather than relying on symmetry, many pieces are intentionally uneven, creating silhouettes that feel dynamic and slightly unconventional.
Design details such as slanted necklines, uneven hems, and draped fabric create a sense of motion, allowing clothing to move naturally as the wearer does.
According to ELLE, designers including Balenciaga, Lanvin, Coperni, Zimmermann, and Chloé incorporated these off-balance elements into their collections, highlighting asymmetry as a key direction for the season.
Soft Textures and Crochet
Although knitwear may not be the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks about summer wear, it is emerging as a key trend, with texture becoming an important element in shaping the overall look.
Crocheted fabrics are chosen not just for appearance but also for how they feel, adding depth and interest to simple silhouettes while bringing a sense of individuality and craftsmanship to summer dressing.
Knitted and crochet pieces are styled in versatile ways. Details such as fringe and layered textures add movement, giving garments a relaxed and effortless feel that suits the season.
For this trend, ELLE highlights designers such as Isabel Marant, Ulla Johnson, Gabriela Hearst, and Simkhai, who emphasized handcrafted details like crochet, fringe, and layered textures, reflecting a broader focus on artisanal techniques.
Stripes reimagined for the season
Familiar patterns are being revisited this summer, including stripes, which have long been associated with warm-weather dressing and are now presented in updated scales and arrangements that give them a refreshed appearance.
This includes everything from fine, understated lines to bold, graphic interpretations that stand out more prominently.
The versatility of stripes allows them to shift easily between minimal and statement looks, depending on how they are styled.
According to Marie Claire, this trend can be seen taking shape in pieces from Carolina Herrera, Ferragamo, and Stella McCartney.
