The Fashion Memo

SS25’s Key Trends And How To Wear Them Now

L-R: Saint Laurent; Chloé; Simone Rocha

From romantic sheer dresses to power suiting – the SS25 collections have all bases covered. Read on for our report on next season’s key runway looks

Words Gillian BrettFashion editor Viktorija Tomasevic
Fashion

The SS25 season has lifted our fashion spirits with romance in the air and mood-boosting sunshine shades taking center stage. Our more practical sartorial needs are well catered for, too, with workwear that means business and hero jackets in buttery leather that will take us through the seasons in style. These are the SS25 looks to try now and love forever…

In order of appearance: Alexander McQueen; Valentino Garavani; Erdem; Chloé
L-R: Gucci; Simone Rocha

ROMANTICISM

You know a trend is set to be a biggie when it would be quicker to list the brands that didn’t lean into it. The collections you see here are not exhaustive, but they are certainly a clear snapshot of the designers who paved the way for SS25’s dreamy romanticism. At Simone Rocha, diaphanous dresses revealed flower-bejewelled briefs, the effect being both pretty and provocative. And while Chloé’s cascading sheer chiffon gowns appear uncomplicated and carefree, they telegraph a powerful femininity, too. With her sophomore collection for the maison, creative director Chemena Kamali proved she is confidently driving Chloé in a direction that honors its whimsical, bohemian roots, but with a distinctly contemporary twist. Embrace the romantic look this season with Stella McCartney’s flowing silk crepe de chine midi dress. Detailed with delicate lace and a fluttering cape overlay, wear it now with over-the-knee boots and a floor-sweeping coat. For something easy to incorporate into everyday looks, try Valentino Garavani’s ruffled blouse – the delicate, filmy fabric and scalloped lace trims will elevate denim and tailoring beautifully.

L-R: Stella McCartney; Loewe

POWER DRESSING

Speaking of power, when it comes to summer workwear, designers from Dries Van Noten to Loewe have guaranteed you’ll look the business next season. Silhouettes are languid and relaxed, experimental even (see Matthieu Blazy’s one-legged pants under asymmetrical wrap skirts at Bottega Veneta) but framed by big, sharp shoulders and worn with a certain attitude – models walked with their shoulders back, hands in pockets, as if striding into a boardroom with cool self-assurance. Stella McCartney’s capacious trench coat is perfect for shrugging on over roomy tailoring, while at Saint Laurent, creative director Anthony Vaccarello homed in on the finer details – with the house’s eponymous late founder as muse, looks came layered up with shirts buttoned to the neck, ties and sunglasses. “It’s about control, and power, in a way,” Vaccarello told Vogue backstage. Suit up in Theory’s wool-blend blazer and pants now, keeping things polished with Matteau’s blue shirt buttoned beneath – and remember to walk tall, whatever your day holds.

In order of appearance: Bottega Veneta; Saint Laurent; Dries Van Noten
In order of appearance: Gucci; Loewe; Tove; Emilia Wickstead
L-R: Bottega Veneta; Jil Sander

SUNSET SHADES

Gucci creative director Sabato De Sarno turned his runway into a sunset at the museum of art and design Triennale di Milano, as each room in the space changed from yellow to orange to the brand’s ‘Ancora’ red. The chromatic evolution of the collection itself was also a key talking point, with bursts of sunshine shades enlivening more neutral tones of black, white and beige. London-based brands Tove and Emilia Wickstead also embraced mood-boosting orange and pink for SS25. Defy cloudy fall days in a cheerful pop of yellow Alaïa’s asymmetric midi dress, or pull out all the stops in Carolina Herrera’s rose-pink gown.

L-R: Khaite; Chloé

ARTISANAL

Proenza Schouler was the first brand to show for the SS25 season, unveiling its collection to just 140 people before New York Fashion Week had even officially kicked off. The brand is renowned for bringing artisanal touches to city wardrobes, blending office-appropriate silhouettes with a dose of escapism. This neatly tailored shirt paired with an asymmetric fringed skirt is a case in point. The handcrafted aesthetic chimes perfectly with the ethereal romance that has seduced designers for SS25, making swishy fringed details and embroidered accessories the perfect accompaniment to the more bohemian end of the sheer-dress spectrum. A crocheted cardigan, like Chloé’s ruffled style first seen on the runway or NET SUSTAIN brand Escvdo’s crocheted ‘Anadara’ vest is the perfect place to start for anyone wishing to get ahead on this look. We also love Frame’s fringed bouclé midi dress for standing out from the crowd at evening events and winter weddings.

In order of appearance: Gabriela Hearst; Chloé; Proenza Schouler
In order of appearance: Dries Van Noten; Saint Laurent; Loewe
L-R: Khaite; Bottega Veneta

SPRING JACKETS

A great jacket really pulls a look together. And on between-season days, it’s all you need to make a simple jeans-and-tee look appear polished and timely. Good news: next season has nailed the hero jacket. Leather was a key theme, with silhouettes ranging from voluminous aviators at Saint Laurent to longline bikers at Khaite. At Bottega Veneta, the preppy look endures with check details on a taupe blouson jacket. The runway styling demonstrated their versatility, too – billowing gossamer dresses, organza minis, wide-leg pants and maxi skirts were all topped off with a sleek jacket. Looking for a leather jacket with a difference? Christopher Esber’s bomber has a row of snaps along the front that create an asymmetric wrap shape when fastened. As well as the former, these field jackets by Maria McManus and Toteme will look just as cool next season (and beyond), making them well worth the investment now.

L-R: Khaite; Chloé

POWER PUMPS

The classic pump remains a key shoe for SS25, with vintage-inspired T-bars and slingback silhouettes lending a timeless elegance to our summer eveningwear. Runway standouts include Bottega Veneta’s pointed red version and Chloé’s criss-cross style that add a sensuality to the brand’s bohemian flou. This season’s offering includes Saint Laurent’s glossy patent-leather ‘Jacqueline’ pumps with gold-toned hardware featuring the iconic YSL plaque. Show them off to full effect with an LBD or wear them under wide-leg pants with just the gilded toe peeping out.

In order: Bottega Veneta; Saint Laurent; Gucci
In order: Toteme; Loewe
Ferragamo

THE DAY-TO-NIGHT CLUTCH

As the days start to stretch out longer in spring/summer, our evenings allow for a little post-work spontaneity in the sun. Essential to this flexibility are accessories that will take our looks from the office to ‘out out’. At Toteme, Dries Van Noten and Loewe, grab-and-go clutches are the perfect day-to-night bag. Get ahead of the trend with Bottega Veneta’s ‘Long Andiamo’ clutch, Jil Sander’s pebble-embellished suede pouch or Loewe’s ‘Flamenco’ style, which comes with a chunky gold-tone chain strap that can be left dangling as a bijoux detail or detached entirely, making it a versatile choice for a busy events calendar year-round.

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The models featured in this story are not associated with NET-A-PORTER and do not endorse it or the products shown