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 11 biggest warm-weather fashion trends of 2022.
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Summer 2022 Trend: Platform Shoes
The higher, the better is the motto for shoes this summer. From chunky sandals to bubble clogs and double-stacked, ankle-strap platforms, sky-high shoes are the dance floor-ready accessory of the season.Photo: Courtesy of Moschino.
Loeffler Randall Natalia Emerald Platform Bow Heel, $, available at Loeffler Randall
Naked Wolfe Spice Boots, $, available at Naked Wolfe
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
Summer 2022 Trend: Pink
Frances Valentine Canvas Fringe Hat Pink, $, available at Frances Valentine
Summer 2022 Trend: Pink
Good American Always Fits Hot One-Shoulder One-Piece, $, 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, fancy slides, and "coverups" that looked more fit for the nightclub than the beach club. Photo: Courtesy of Isabel Marant
Summer 2022 Trend: Poolside Fashion
PatBo Protea Ruffle String Bikini Top, $, available at Revolve
Sarah Flint Arabesque Slide, $, available at Sarah Flint
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
Mignonne Gavigan Mini Madeline Earrings, $, available at Nordstrom
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 Celia floral-print cropped blouse, $, available at Farfetch
Sir The Label Celia Gathered floral-print maxi skirt, $, available at Farfetch
What is a hot girl summer but an amalgamation of under-boob sweat, complicated crop tops, and impractical backless dresses? These anti-bra silhouettes are a direct result of the fashion industry’s infatuation with slender, small-breasted bodies — which, in turn, fuels a market for gravity-defying, sticky strips of gauze that many of us know as “boob tape.” Although I lost hope in those flimsy adhesive bands long ago, my faith was restored by the shade-inclusive accessory brand Nue.
Just like me, Nue believes those of us with gravity-obeying breasts, diamond-grade nipples, ample-size bosoms, etc., deserve to ditch the brassieres just as much as high-fashion models. The packaging of its $15 invention A Boob Job in a Box promises better-fitting strapless and backless tops and dresses. Seeing how warm-weather season is upon us, I found it absolutely serendipitous that the brand offered to send me A Boob Job in a Box and its new travel-friendly Boob Job on the Go to sample. And sample I did. Read on as I detail my intensive boob-tape test: walking 14,500 steps (approximately 5 miles) around Manhattan on an 85-degree day in an anti-bra dress, below.
This tape is surprisingly sticky and stayed in place all day for me! I am a 32DDD so that’s impressive.
Ballinforever, free people on-site reviewer
The Tape
According to its on-site description and my experience, Nue’s products — Boob Job in a Box and Boob Job on the Go — are waterproof, sweat-proof, and outfit-proof. Both hypoallergenic and latex-free tapes are available in four skin-tone colorways: Light, Light-Medium, Medium, and Dark. If you’re looking for maximum customization, go for the Boob Job in a Box, which features a single 16.5-foot roll. For quick, easy-to-use tape, the On the Go bag and its nine precut, multi-length strips are recommended, especially for travel. No scissors required!
The tape did not stick to the scissors, snag, or get irreparably stuck together when the sticky side accidentally connected.
alexandra polk
My Boobs & Sweat Status
Listen, I’ll be the first to admit that I am not the be-all and end-all of boob tape testers. I fit the aforementioned slender body type, and my breasts are between a 34C to D depending on where you buy bras. The first saving grace is that my boobs are not archetypal per America’s beauty standards. I can only assume the pair has unsettled beef, as they like to stay as far away from each other as possible — they jet outward toward my armpits when left to their own devices. They also hang loose, and I *flashes self in the mirror to make sure* would never describe them as “perky.” All the while, I love them unconditionally.
Second, what I lack in boobiness I make up for in hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). After years of being the sweatiest girl on the volleyball court, that person reapplying deodorant in between college lectures, and the invitee arriving to summer work events in damp attire, I can say, with confidence, my sweat glands don’t mess around. I’m not necessarily proud, just at peace with my pores.
The Application
I used to frantically apply duct tape to my chest before a night out, so this application was a breeze. There are many methods in which you can utilize boob tape. I chose to swaddle each with one piece of tape in a crisscross formation on top of my chest. I used the Boob Job in a Box because I had scissors on hand — the tape did not stick to the scissors, snag, or get irreparably stuck together when the sticky side accidentally connected. The adhesive also left room for human error: If I wasn’t satisfied with my placement, I could peel it off and adjust without losing any clinginess. Not only that, but the shade is akin to my skin tone, which will come in handy with sheer tops.
The Experience
Singer-songwriter Tove Lo once eloquently stated in her pop hit “Disco Tits,” “I’m sweatin’ from head to toe. I’m wet through all my clothes. I’m fully charged, nipples are hard — ready to go.” This almost too accurately describes my day out on the town. I forgot to mention that my nipples are hard probably 12 out of 24 hours of the day (should I see a doctor?), and although they were still a tad visible, the tape did a good job at keeping them at bay without discomfort. There’s a softness to each strip’s edges that won’t stab the side of your breasts, which is a major selling point.
The perspiration commenced and Nue’s swaddlers stayed put?! I’ve never seen anything like it. Sure, duct tape was not made for human skin, but I’m accustomed to a one- to two-hour stickiness time slot (cut that in half if dancing is involved), and this endured five straight hours of city life. Droplets definitely pooled, but the onus is not on the tape; it’s on hyperhidrosis. And the tape did not give out after five hours; that was when I peeled it off myself upon returning home.
We’ve established that I have a sticky past with duct tape, but the same goes for the “nude” peach-toned rolls offered at Target and drugstores. Duct tape removal, which usually takes place after giving up on application and finding a new outfit, is extremely painful for the epidermis. The drugstore options don’t necessarily hurt, but they also don’t do the job. Nue’s Boob Job in a Box peeled off with little resistance and caused a tickle rather than a rip. It was slightly holding on for dear life toward the sweaty under-boob area, but it was still locked in on my chest.
This boob tape is my summer 2022 safe haven.
alexandra polk
So, What’s The Tit Tea?
Plastic surgery is out, and Nue’s $15 to $25 boob jobs are IN. Jokes aside, these products are safe for the skin, inclusive, and worthwhile. I love putting cons in my reviews, but I’m grasping at straws here. One could say sustainability, but the brand even offers to recycle gently used bras for 15% off your next order. So, apologies for this rose-colored, 10/10 review, but this boob tape is my summer 2022 safe haven.
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PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 25: Ye is seen on January 25, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Marc Piasecki/GC Images)
Update: The second drop of the Yeezy Gap Engineered by Balenciaga collection is now available to shop here.
This story was originally publishedon January 7, 2022.
Balenciaga is coming to a Gap near you. At least, that’s the memo from Ye (formerly Kanye West) and Demna (Gvasalia). The two designers are partnering for an upcoming collaboration for Yeezy Gap, titled “Yeezy Gap Engineered By Balenciaga.”
Set to launch in June 2022, the collection is part of Ye’s partnership with Gap, which was first announced in 2020. The 10-year contract has already given us plenty to talk about, beginning with last year’s release of the Yeezy Gap puffer collection. And judging by how fast those sold out at $200, it’s safe to predict Balenciaga’s offering will be no different.
While the partnership was described as a “first of its kind” via the press release from the brands, Ye and Demna are no strangers to creative collaboration. Last year, the Balenciaga designer served as creative director for Ye’s Donda album listening parties in Atlanta. “There are very few people that I know, especially of Ye’s caliber, who really understand my work so well,” Demna told Vogue. “He makes me come out of my comfort zone and be a better designer. There’s no ego when we collaborate, just a mutual drive to evolve and do something great and new.”
While no prices or product details have been released, according to Demna, the partnership is set to provide “utilitarian fashion for all.” Yeezy Gap Engineered by Balenciaga is set to drop this summer with a second installment coming shortly after.
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On TikTok, #upcycling has over 6 billion views, while #upcycledfashion has over 600 million views, thanks to creators on the platform showing transformation projects that vary from turning a pair of pants into denim cutoffs to a brand-new dress (yes, really). There are also niche communities on the app like #sewingtiktok, and #fashiontok, which have rapidly become social media’s answer to Project Runway, thanks to amateur and expert sewers sharing their projects and know-how.
Still, as popular as upcycling has become on social media, the practice requires some basic level of sewing and craftsmanship, as sewers must deconstruct old products or materials and then decide what projects are most suitable based on the materials they have available.
That’s why creators like Kiana Bonollo, who has over 270,000 followers on the app, are helping followers figure out how to start learning sewing and upcycling with little to no skills. “It’s great to see more and more people upcycling,” says Bonollo, who is a fashion designer and patternmaker. “I don’t think it’s a trend; I think it’s going to continue to grow and stay with us in the future.” Bonollo, who started her channel in 2020, is dedicated to teaching people skills she learned while attending fashion school, as well as offering original patterns for her followers to try. “There’s just so much knowledge that I learned in college,” she says. “I’m very passionate about bridging the gap and making that knowledge more accessible.”
According to Bonollo, you don’t need a vast assortment of tools to start upcycling. Still, before you ruin a pair of pants with the wrong pair of scissors, here are a few essential tools and practices to make upcycling work — no matter your experience level.
While most people tend to use the same pair of scissors around the house, at school, or at work, Bonollo says that it’s key to pick up fabric shears, which have slightly thinner and sharper blades, for sewing projects. “Otherwise, they [blades] will get dull,” she says.
A Marking Tool
Upcycling requires a good amount of fabric cutting, so Bonollo recommends a marking tool, which varies from disappearing ink pens to tailor’s chalk. The latter is Bonollo’s favorite: “It applies really easily and it gets in the marks and gets removed when you use heat on your iron.” Marking tools are also important to guide the fabric through a sewing machine, so stitches are precise.
A Wide Variety Of Rulers
While most people use straight rulers, Bonollo recommends also adding a curved one to your toolbox. “A lot of people freehand sew and cut things, so I’d suggest using both straight and curved rulers in addition to the marking tool so you can really plan out those lines you’re creating,” she says.
When assembling a new garment, it’s important to keep all the parts together before passing the fabric through the sewing machine. This is why Bonollo says it’s key to have multiple pins available when doing an upcycling project. She adds that pins also come in handy when you are tailoring garments to your body, which is why it’s helpful to have pins in several shapes and sizes.
A Seam Ripper
The reality is that, while patterns and marking tools make sewing easier, projects go awry easily. “You don’t always have a concrete plan or something doesn’t always come out in the right way,” says Bonollo. “So you probably want to get acquainted with that seam ripper and start over.” She noted that it’s normal if, when starting out, people spend more time ripping seams than sewing.
While a sewing machine is an investment, Bonollo recommends getting one if you’re at all serious about the craft. “I would recommend either a Singer or a Brother machine,” she says, referring to two of the most popular sewing machine brands. Many of these machines are available for under $100 and are small and portable. Bonollo says that people should focus on finding a machine from a reputable brand, but not “spend crazy amounts on the machine before you even know how to use it.”
Bonollo emphasizes that people should look online or ask people on social media for advice on how to start using these tools. “When I was starting out, I could find basically anything that I wanted to find on YouTube or Google,” she says. She also says that it’s important to start with projects that are not too complicated. “Before you start a full project, try the basics, like cropping and hemming things,” she says. “Once you hit the machine, I’d say start with a skirt because it’s easier to fit on the body.” In terms of choosing materials to upcycle, Bonollo recommends opting for a piece that already fits, as well as garments with details like collars or embellishments that can be upcycled into other garments.
Now, go make it work.
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