7 "Dated" Summer Trends I'm Putting on Hold and 7 That Feel Fresh for 2024

I know that I'm not alone when I say that I truly relished putting away my winter boots and wearing sandals for the first time this year. There's a lot to love about a crisp, fresh autumn, and winter was an excuse for cosy hibernation, but I've been counting down to summer since the last one ended. Now that it's finally here, I couldn't be happier. Summer is, after all, my favourite time of the year to get dressed. The layers are lighter and less complicated, the colours are brighter, and the prints are more exciting. With a busy few months of weddings, travel, parties and occasions, there are more reasons to get dressed up and go out than the rest of the year, but what does summer 2024 look like? Well, I've got the definitive answer.

At Who What Wear we're experts in spotting trends well in advance, and we can see the next big aesthetic before it even becomes a thing. With our group chats, Notes apps, Saved folders and Pinterest boards full of colours, styles, outfit ideas and references, we've known for a while that this summer is shaping up to be a stylish one, and we've noticed the early stages of some very promising trends.

Putting this skill to good use, I've been keeping an eye out for the pieces that fashion people have been wearing on repeat in the run-up to summer and, equally, the ones they aren't. Before you hastily scroll down ready to throw away anything that doesn't make the cut, I implore you to think twice. Fashion is entirely subjective and cyclical after all, and here at Who What Wear UK, we don't really subscribe to the notion of something being "in" or "out". If you like it, wear it! And wear it with pride.

This list, however, is intended to focus on the timeless trends worth investing in now and for years to come, so rest assured you won't find any flash-in-the-pan looks happening here. (That means you, mermaidcore.)

In the edit, expect to find wardrobe staples, trending colour palettes and plenty of accessories to inspire your summer wardrobe from your favourite high-street and high-end brands. Keep scrolling for the seven outdated summer trends to shelve now and the seven most definitely worth saving in 2024.

PAUSING ON: FESTIVALCORE

OPTING FOR: SUMMER MINIMALISM 

Style Notes: Controversial as it may be to say, summer doesn't have to be shorthand for "festival season". Feathers, tie-dye, glitter and fringing are always fun to experiment with, but if you're looking for outfits that will stand the test of time (and last longer than a three-day festival), you're better off investing in versatile pieces that you can wear on rotation. Enter luxe minimalism. Simple shirts, shorts, dresses and skirts in fresh whites, black and neutrals are timeless, and you can wear them into the next season too. Oxford shirts can be worn now with shorts and later with jeans, and dresses can be paired with flats for summer and boots for autumn, but you can't guarantee the same amount of wear out of a sequin crop top.

Shop summer minimalism:

PAUSING ON: MICRO CUT-OFFS

OPTING FOR: LONGLINE DENIM SHORTS 

Style Notes: The runways have spoken, and this year is all about longline denim. Big, baggy jeans defined the cooler months while denim maxi skirts and long shorts have taken their place for summer. In 2024, though, it's less about your traditional micro cut-offs and more about their smarter sibling—knee-length denim shorts—which are undoubtedly the winning style for the bare-legged season.

Shop denim shorts:

PAUSING ON: DENTAL-FLOSS BIKINIS 

OPTING FOR: SOPHISTICATED SWIMSUITS

Style Notes: Remember Kendall Jenner's snow bikini? Of course you do, but not necessarily for the right reasons. If swimwear should be anything, it's practical, and although we love bikinis of all shapes and sizes, we don't want to spend our summer uncomfortably chafing. Thanks to cult favourite Hunza G, several celebrity sightings and a certain Baywatch revival, the one-piece is back and chicer than ever, and it doubles as a bodysuit when worn with trousers. What's not to love?

Shop swimsuits:

PAUSING ON: PLEATED MIDI SKIRTS

OPTING FOR: MAXI SKIRTS 

Style Notes: In the interest of continuing the wearability focus, I bring you the maxi skirt. As previously mentioned, long denim skirts are everywhere right now, but as soon as the weather heats up, you might want to swap them for something a little lighter. Jersey, satin, cotton, linen and crochet skirts are perfect for a summer spent sweeping around the city or propping up a beach bar, and are taking the place of the pleated midi styles that dominated our wardrobes a few years back.

Shop maxi skirts:

PAUSING ON: SPAGHETTI STRAPS

OPTING FOR: RACERBACK TANKS

Style Notes: Okay, this piece doesn't have tan lines in mind, but the humble tank top is one of the biggest breakout trends of the last year, and it shows no signs of slowing down in 2024. Perhaps it's the tank top's versatility. After all, it will go with quite literally anything in your wardrobe. Maybe it's the cost per wear, as you'll never have to shell out three figures for premium quality. Or maybe it's just the downright good looks of it. Only a plain tee or oversized shirt can match the laid-back charm of a white tank and tailored trousers. Either way, if you buy anything this year, a tank top is a wise investment. I'm stocking up on one in every colour…

Shop tank tops:

PAUSING ON: RUBBER FLIP-FLOPS

OPTING FOR: LEATHER SANDALS

Style Notes: Three cheers for sandal season! It's been a long wait to bare some skin, and now that the sun is shining, it's time to book a pedi as we're looking for sandals that let our feet breathe. Before you opt out of flip-flops altogether, the classic sandals will be a forever favourite, but given their longevity, it makes sense to invest in a pair of leather sandals that will go the distance rather than a quick holiday buy. If The Row has taught us anything, it's that thong sandals are even better in luxe leather, but the same also applies to wedges, mules, sliders, etc.

Shop sandals:

PAUSING ON: SUNGLASSES TRENDS

OPTING FOR: CLASSIC FRAMES

Style Notes: Sunglasses are one of the few accessories that have changed drastically over the last year, with more and more trending styles coming to the fore in 2024. Skinny shades à la Bella Hadid and Beyoncé? Still high on the agenda (just ask Blue Ivy). Rectangular lenses in an array of shades? Check and check. Vintage square and cat-eye styles? Arguably more popular than ever. And while I love a statement pair of sunnies to really make a look, I'm opting for simple, classic frames this year that I know will go with everything in my wardrobe.

Shop sunglasses:

This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.