They dazzled on the runways, but on the streets, mini bags proved useful only for holding our patience. Discover all the cheerfully ditched trends IRL
It’s a familiar cycle: as fashion month approaches, we begin to anticipate the trends that will dominate the upcoming summer or winter season. Well ahead of time, we envision specific colours, prints, accessories, or even bolder lengths we’ve seen on the runway becoming popular on the streets of every major city worldwide. Yet, every time, we’re left a bit disappointed when the daring trends that made headlines we expected to see everywhere remain confined to the runways, embraced only by the most fashion-forward individuals.
To sum up, when it comes to wearing the styles that were predicted on the runway a few months before, we can truly assess what worked and what stayed behind. And sometimes, what happens on the runway stays on the runway, similar to a regrettable night out in Las Vegas. This is exactly the case with these 5 spring-summer 2024 fashion trends that, thankfully, never hit the streets.
Hot Pants: The Shorter, the Better, But Not for Running Around the City
Whether high-waisted by Valentino or full of sequins by Dolce&Gabbana, they are just too much.
Undoubtedly, they match every piece in our wardrobe and, as a bonus, they give a leg-lengthening visual effect. But would you dare to leave the house wearing just your underwear? Well, neither would I.
Fringes Everywhere: This Is (Not) the Wild West
You might have spotted them on jackets, pants, and even bags. Fringes can be short and stiff (if stitched to tops and shirts) or long and flowing for jackets, dresses, and skirts. With their swaying motion, they create a rather eye-catching optical illusion.
There’s something undeniably magical and festive about fringe fashion. Still, it raises a question: Has the Wild West really come to the streets, or is this just a catwalk fantasy for Prada’s Spring-Summer 2024 collection?
Fruit-Mania: Didn’t We Already Say “Quiet Luxury” Is the New Black?
Nature has always been a key inspiration for summer fashion. It’s interesting to see how designers are incorporating fruit motifs and prints into everything from boots to accessories. Just take a look at Valentino’s Spring-Summer 2024 collection by Pierpaolo Piccioli, featuring 3D fruit and flowers. Additionally, Burberry’s SS24 show by Daniel Lee at London Fashion Week showcased blue strawberries on all-over top-and-trouser sets paired with a more subdued white trench, as well as cherries, cherries, and more cherries on the dresses.
Elvis may have sung “Tutti Frutti,” but fashion’s latest tune is “Excess is Out.” It appears that consumers are now embracing the so-called ‘quiet luxury’—high-quality garments with subtle colours and discreet logos. So, is the fruit theme still charming? Absolutely. Is it ready to move from runway to reality? I have my doubts.
Mini Bags: They Can Only Hold Our Patience, Not Our iPhone
Some bag styles have become fashion icons in their own right, like Jacquemus’ Le Chiquito. Just six months ago, mini bags were everywhere—on the runways of Fendi, Givenchy, Gucci, and Versace. British Vogue even quipped, “At Chanel, a top-handle purse was so minuscule it would struggle to house a single pound coin.”
And don’t forget the Puzzle Mini Bag by Loewe or the Mini Falabella Tote by Stella McCartney. These bags are undeniably stylish and can elevate any outfit with their quirky charm. But let’s get real: if your iPhone can’t fit inside, then it’s probably time to say, “Okay, next (bag) please!”
Jelly Shoes: A Trip Down Memory Lane (But Leave the Trend There)
Jelly shoes are making a comeback, but are they really as comfy as we remember? Once the must-have footwear of the 80s and 90s (guilty as charged!), they’re now back on the SS24 runways.
@tara_town Did you have a pair of these?! @tara_town ♬ original sound - ✨The 90’s Girl✨
Celebrities like Jennifer Lawrence, Blake Lively, and Taylor Swift are all rocking this retro trend. But while jelly shoes evoke fond childhood memories, their plastic PVC construction raises concerns about fashion sustainability. Is this trend just a short-lived, not-so-responsible nostalgia fad? Probably. Personally, having spent my entire childhood in jelly shoes, I think I’ve had my fill.
Silvia Tarini
Editor, Milano