Bold colors had their fair share of moments on the spring/summer 2022 runways in September and will trickle down to street style and red carpets well into fall. As many in the industry predicted, cut-outs will also resume their reign as the most popular style to come out since pandemic restrictions have been lifted, as we continue to shed lockdown layers. From weddings to vacations and rooftop parties, there's a style for any occasion, whether it be a fully perforated catsuit or a midi dress with subtle slit detailing.
From the hottest color of the year to summer's most playful (and trippy) print, welcome — and shop —the 10 biggest warm-weather fashion trends of 2022.
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Summer 2022 Trend: Pink
While summer will give rise to many bold color trends — see: orange, neon green, and purple — pink will be the color of the year. For proof, see the Valentino Fall 2022 show that featured monochrome fuchsia looks, as well as the Grammys 2022 red carpet, where celebrities like Saweetie, Billy Porter, and even Travis Barker wore various shades of the bold hue.Photo: Jonas Gustavsson
Summer 2022 Trend: Pink
Reformation Seaside Linen Dress, $, available at Reformation— PAID CONTENT —
Summer 2022 Trend: Pink
Dare to go head-to-toe pink this summer by finishing your look with a super-cushioned pair of lighter-than-air espadrilles that feature pops of fuchsia.
Cole Haan Cloudfeel Espadrille, $, available at Cole Haan
Summer 2022 Trend: Pink
Good American Seamless Funnel Tank Bodysuit, $, available at Good American
Summer 2022 Trend: Pink
COS Wide-leg Tailored Trousers, $, available at COS
Summer 2022 Trend: Poolside Fashion
Even if you have no plans to be by the water this summer, you can still dress the part. At least that's the memo coming from the runways of designers like Isabel Marant, Rejina Pyo (who showed the spring collection at an aquatics center!), and Jacquemus who presented poolside-perfect fashion in the form of bikinis worn over shirts and pants, and "coverups" that looked more fit for the nightclub than the beach club. Photo: Courtesy of Isabel Marant
Frances Valentine Canvas Fringe Hat Pink, $, available at Frances Valentine
Summer 2022 Trend: Poolside Fashion
With Jean Betsy Bikini Bottom | Cream, $, available at With Jean
With Jean Dylan Mini Skirt | Cream, $, available at With Jean
Summer 2022 Trend: Party Hemlines
Bring out the party dresses and mini skirts to celebrate the (much-anticipated) return of the warm weather and rooftop/patio/backyard season. This summer, don't be afraid to be the center of attention at any outing with ultra-short hemlines, bodycon silhouettes, and printed designs. Photo: Greg Kessler
Summer 2022 Trend: Party Hemlines
ASOS DESIGN Curve Asymmetric Drape Front Mini Dress, $, available at ASOS
While workwear might have been obliterated as a category as a result of the pandemic and the new hybrid-office models, it's no reason to give up the power suit. For summer, trade your black or tan pant style for something brighter. Or, even better, opt for a skirt suit with a NSFW hemline.Photo: Dan Lecca
Summer 2022 Trend: Colored Suits
Mango Double-breasted Suit Blazer, $, available at Mango
Zara Buttoned Textured Weave Blazer, $, available at Zara
Summer 2022 Trend: Colored Suits
& Other Stories Tailored Blazer, $, available at & Other Stories
& Other Stories Flared Tailored Trousers, $, available at & Other Stories
Summer 2022 Trend: Colored Suits
Rebecca Taylor Wool Satin Blazer, $, available at Rebecca Taylor
Rebecca Taylor Wool Satin Pleated Trousers, $, available at Rebecca Taylor
Summer 2022 Trend: Mushroom Print
Following spring and fall runway shows like Alexander McQueen, Rodarte, and Brandon Maxwell, the question on fashion insiders' minds is: Why are designers high on mushrooms right now? For some, the trend manifested in whimsy mushroom-print fashion. For others, it arrived in the form of conversations about the role of mushroom leather and sustainability. Either way, we are tripping for the look.Photo: Greg Kessler
Summer 2022 Trend: Mushroom Print
Fleur du Mal Pajama Short, $, available at Fleur Du Mal
Summer 2022 Trend: Mushroom Print
Tombolo Disco Fungi Cabana, $, available at Tombolo
Summer 2022 Trend: Mushroom Print
Frasier Sterling Magic Mushroom Necklace, $, available at Frasier Sterling
Summer 2022 Trend: Mushroom Print
Farm Rio Lime Mushrooms Midi Dress, $, available at Farm Rio
Summer 2022 Trend: Back-To-School
It's time to hit the books because preppy back-to-school styles were all over the runways ranging from Miu Miu to Lacoste and Coach. This summer, lean into the more athletic-inspired styles like tennis skirts and skorts, as well as playful varsity sweaters and chunky loafers.Photo: Yanis Vlamos
Summer 2022 Trend: Back-To-School
Tory Burch Tech Pique Logo Patch Polo, $, available at Tory Burch
Summer 2022 Trend: Back-To-School
Lacoste Lettered Waist Mid-Length Pleated Skirt, $, available at Lacoste
Summer 2022 Trend: Back-To-School
Gyles & George Libra Sweater, $, available at Gyles & George
Summer 2022 Trend: Back-To-School
Gap High-Waisted Never-Fade Pixie Ankle Pants, $, available at Gap
Eloquii Asymmetric Fringe Slipdress, $, available at Nordstrom
Summer 2022 Trend: Fringe
Petit Kouraj Daye Fringe Tote, $, available at Nordstrom
Summer 2022 Trend: Fringe
kate spade new york Sequin Fringe Skirt, $, available at kate spade new york
Summer 2022 Trend: Fringe
BaubleBar Deirdre Earrings, $, available at BaubleBar
Summer 2022 Trend: Cut-outs
Yes, cut-outs continue to dominate the trend cycle a year later. This season, you can find them on everything from bodycon dresses and micro-mini skirts to thong pants and tops. Added bonus: The look offers the perfect reprieve from the summer heat, no AC needed.Photo: Courtesy of Christian Siriano.
Summer 2022 Trend: Cut-outs
Cuyana Stretch Long Sleeve Tee, $, available at Cuyana
Summer 2022 Trend: Cut-outs
Maisie Wilen Red Perforated Leggings, $, available at SSENSE
Summer 2022 Trend: Cut-outs
Anthropologie Cutout Printed-Slip Midi Dress, $, available at Anthropologie
Summer 2022 Trend: Cut-outs
The Range Layered Turtleneck Top, $, available at FWRD
Summer 2022 Trend: '80s Glamour
While many brands are looking to Y2K trends for inspiration, others are going back to an entirely different era of sartorial flashiness: the '80s. Saint Laurent sent out models in skin-tight catsuits and oversized jewelry, while Chanel was a showcase of sequins. "We love the cut-outs, the bodycon, and the return of mini lengths, but also the metallics, animal prints, and bold gold jewelry," Lisa Aiken, Fashion & Lifestyle Director of Neiman Marcus, said while talking about the biggest trends of the season.
Bring on the opera gloves and drama!Photo: Courtesy of Saint Laurent.
Summer 2022 Trend: '80s Glamour
Machete Interchangeable Link Necklace In 14k Gold, $, available at Machete
Lapointe Faux Leather Gloves, $, available at LaPointe
Summer 2022 Trend: '80s Glamour
Banana Republic Halter Sweater Dress, $, available at Banana Republic
Summer 2022 Trend: Matching Sets
The cheeky alternative to a full pantsuit, matching sets are an easy way to have fun with your look without thinking too hard about it. Trade the cozy knit two-pieces and hooded sweatsuits for lighter fabrics and mood-boosting prints. The bolder, the better.Photo: Courtesy of Sandy Liang.
Summer 2022 Trend: Matching Sets
Marimekko Kaulaus Unikko Coat, $, available at Marimekko
Marimekko Karsti Unikko, $, available at Marimekko
Summer 2022 Trend: Matching Sets
Lisa Says Gah Laney Mini Skirt, $, available at Lisa Says Gah
Lisa Says Gah Elenor Crop Top, $, available at Lisa Says Gah
Summer 2022 Trend: Matching Sets
Sir The Label Alexandre Knot Bralette, $, available at Farfetch
Sir The Label Alexandre Floral-Print Midi Skirt, $, available at Farfetch
Welcome to Aisle Style, a week-long series that features the most untraditionalwedding fashion trends, coolest bridal designers to know, and brides who walk to the beat of their own “Canon In D.” Buck the tradition and say I do to personal style — the aisle is yours.
Madison Alexandra knew she wanted to wear a black wedding dress to her nuptials ever since she was a little girl. “I originally wanted to have wings, but I cut that out,” she says. Still, when it came time for her big day, the model and lingerie educator did want that fairytale gown. Inspired by Queen Ravenna (played by Charlize Theron) in Snow White’s film adaptation, Snow White and the Huntsman, Alexandra walked down the aisle wearing a black gown covered with an armor-like shoulder plate in May 2021. “I thought she looked very regal, and I wanted that kind of look,” she says.
She is not alone in choosing to forgo the traditional white ball gown for a black dress in order to express her personality during what some consider one of the most important moments in life. “I think that sometimes with these traditions, we can get so intentional that we can’t even see that someone may just not have that same preference,” says Alexandra.
For decades now, brides have worn black wedding dresses: Sarah Jessica Parker wore a black ball gown by Morgane Le Fay for her 1997 wedding to Matthew Broderick; Selling Sunset’s Christine Quinn sported a black princess-like dress in 2019; and Chloë Sevigny chose a skin-tight long-sleeved black dress with matching booties for her City Hall nuptials in 2020. But while these A-listers have normalized the idea, it’s still rare to see everyday brides sporting the look.
While “black” has been associated with evil and solemn rituals like funerals — which could explain why brides stay away from the hue — back in the 14th century, the high-quality dyes that the color required cemented the hue as a must-have for nobility to distinguish themselves. Over time, the concept of the “Little Black Dress,” credited to Coco Chanel, made it an essential part of everyone’s wardrobe.
Yet, despite the color’s popularity in ready-to-wear, there is still limited availability when it comes to black wedding dresses. When Starr Lively started looking for a “big and poofy” black gown in 2019, she was unable to find the look she envisioned despite looking “everywhere.” Finally, she opted to go directly to an independent designer who could custom-make her one: “They were able to take a design that I created and bring it to life.”
On the other hand, Skyelar Kowalewski had to rely on shopping for her wedding dress online because she couldn’t find a gown that she could try on in person. “There was a major lack of black wedding dresses. So that was kind of a hard thing to deal with because I was wondering, Am I actually going to be able to find something that looks like a bridal gown?” she says. “Or am I just going to be looking like I’m just wearing a black formal dress?” In the end, after spending a lot of time looking, she ended up finding a dress that matched her expectations — an A-line tulle dress with a matching veil that she paired with a flower crown.
While it’s hard for many brides to find their perfect black wedding dress, more brands and boutiques are slowly incorporating the color into their collections. Brands like David’s Bridal, Galia Lahav, Maggie Sottero Zander, and Markarian have included black wedding gowns in their selection, while others like Honor and Monique Lhuillier have added black details — like ribbons and prints — into their traditional white dresses. Recently, Spanish brand Sophie Et Voilà unveiled its “Black Label” collection, which featured a selection of five black bridal dresses.
The lack of black wedding dress options is what inspired England-based designer Hannah Chivers to start her own boutique focused on black bridal gowns. Similarly to Lively and Kowalewski, Chivers had a hard time finding a black dress, so she decided to make it herself, which eventually prompted her to start her label Hannah Black Bridal.
“I got loads of messages from people asking, like, ‘Can you make me one?’” she says. “I thought, Why don’t I just actually make it into a business because people want it?” Since then, Chivers has mainly focused on widening the alternatives for brides who want to wear classic silhouettes and traditional gowns but in black: “I really wanted to have black wedding dresses that were a really gorgeous, beautiful dress and just happened to be black,” she says.
While the choice to wear a black wedding dress may be perceived as a statement, many brides don’t think about it this way. “I think that people have this idea that when you wear black, you are trying to buck tradition because it’s like the opposite color, right?” says Alexandra. “It’s really just an expression of the woman who’s wearing it.” For Alexandra Lima, who married in March 2022, white was never a choice: “90% of my wardrobe is already black. That is actually one of the reasons why I wanted to do that [wear black.]”
Meanwhile, Lively considers this rising trend a result of brides realizing that white is just one of the many options they have available, not the rule they need to subscribe to. “I had heard from friends who liked wedding dresses that weren’t white and would ask, ‘Can you even do that?’” says Lively. “You can do whatever you want on your wedding day.”
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ICYMI, we’re living through a New Balance renaissance. From celebs like Hailey Bieber and Emily Ratajkowski being seen rocking the 550s to last week’s announcement of a brand-new sneaker mule (controversial, we know), the OG dad sneaker is claiming its place in 2022.
The latest news out of New Balance is sure to turn the head of even the biggest hypebeast: a debut collaboration with Danish designer brand Ganni.
After dropping a collection with Juicy Couture just last month, Ganni’s decision to partner with high street and cult brands is growing an already devoted community of #GANNIGirls. Hopping on the New Balance moment is a smart and stylish fit for Ganni’s casual minimalist vibes.
The new drop of New Balance’s 2002R sneaker offers two colorways – a gray and a turquoise – each fitted with Ganni logo panels for the brand’s signature flair.
“The New Balance 2002R style really fits into the Copenhagen way of dressing; we’re always cycling and running somewhere,” said Ganni’s Creative Director Ditte Reffstrup in a press release.
Reffstrup, who also noted that she’s been a fan of New Balance “forever”, called the collaboration “the perfect mix of function and fashion”.
While the trend for dad-style fashion has given New Balance continuous relevance throughout the last decade, this year’s resurgence of the brand falls in line with a growing interest in sustainable fashion.
New Balance operates on the Green Leaf Standard (this means prioritizing environmentally preferred materials) and both sneakers in the Ganni drop are made up of 80% recycled overlay, 100% recycled mesh, 30% recycled lace and 5% regrind rubber outsole.
Priced at $149.99 – slightly higher than a pair of classic 2002Rs but a bit of a steal for Ganni sneakers, which can range from $255 up to $375.
Be quick as these are sure to sell out fast. The collection officially drops today at 10 a.m. EST. Mark your calendars.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
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