While we might still be a few weeks away from the next season of runway masterclasses put on by fashion's big four cities - New York, London, Milan and Paris - we've been given something of a preview to spring/summer 2024 thanks to Copenhagen Fashion Week who just wrapped its latest catwalk showcase.
An increasingly influential city which is fast-becoming a major player in the world of fashion, Copenhagen plays host to some of the most-anticipated runways adored by well-dressed Gen-Z and millennials alike.
While New York may have Michael Kors, London can boast Burberry, Milan proudly hosts Prada and Paris sees Chanel close out the schedule, Copenhagen Fashion Week welcomes the likes of Ganni, Saks Potts, Stine Goya and Baum Und Pferdgarten - brands that you're perhaps more likely to see worn by TikTok's best-dressed than on the lust list of more traditional fashion fans. And that's exactly its allure…
These are Copenhagen's key spring/summer 2024 trends that you can start wearing now (and the one street style trend that entirely contradicts this summer's go-to look.
1. BOLD MONOCHROME
If you're wondering what next summer's ‘colour of the season’ is then it sees, according to Copenhagen's runways, it's a whole lot less prescriptive than that. Whether you're still into fuchsia pink, are keen to drag out the upcoming autumnal trend for red, or are more interested in experimenting with print, for SS24 it's all about going bold and sticking to it… head-to-toe.
2. SHEER CHEEK
While many of us have a comfort zone when it comes to matters of the wardrobe - mine is puffed sleeved midi dresses, thanks for asking - it seems over the last five years that both models on every runway and celebrities on every red carpet just cannot forgo the urge for something sheer. Levelling up for summer 2024, however, it looks like things are about to get a whole lot more risqué. There's nothing ‘sneak peek’ or ‘subtle panelling’ about these sheer looks, it's a full-blown pants-on-show affair with no room to hide.
3. SOLO BUTTON-UP
We love a styling hack from the runway, not least because they can almost always be trialled via pieces we already own. And in this never-ending cost of living crisis, anything that slows down spending is a bonus. Next summer's hottest styling tip according to the Scandi set? Fastening your long shirts and cardigans via a single button; ideally the one located just above your belly button, if you're wearing nothing beneath, to both cover your modesty and give that subtle flash of stomach.
4. LONG SHORTS
Longer denim shorts have been slowly making their way back onto the fashion scene over recent seasons, but it seems that if Copenhagen has anything to do with it it seems we'll all be switching to the long-short for the foreseeable. Cotton, denim, ribbed, distressed, cargo… We'd like to take this moment to pre-warn you that it's probably only a matter of months before we're all back in pedal pushers.
5. PERSPEX ACCESSORIES
With the industry's never-ending appetite for sheer dresses it was only a matter of time before our accessories got on board. Plumping for perspex, several designers showcased the transparent trend through clear necklaces, perspex shoes and entirely see-through bags. For those who don't care to conceal what they're carrying it's perfect. For those of us quite ashamed of the number of lip balms/receipts/empty mint wrappers rolling around our bags, make like Saks Potts and always carry an opaque tote alongside.
6. SEQUINNED SKIRTS
Sure, winter - specifically December - may play host to the biggest party season, but if next summer's weather is even the faintest bit better than the endless cloud the UK has had to deal with this season then there'll be no excuse not to party. Taking the place of the trend for party dresses is the sequin skirt; the perfect pairing piece for everything from heels to sneakers, skirts to bralettes.
7. TWO-TONE DENIM
Jeans are one of those staples that rarely veers from its well-known course, but every now and then it experiences something of a revival. Next summer denim will experience said refresh, and we'll all be swapping our go-to pairs for two-tone iterations. Whether you're more into a half-and-half look, a gentle ombre or a more statement patchwork look, your ‘every day’ denim is about to be elevated in a big way.
STREET STYLE TREND: LOUD LUXURY
You can't talk about Copenhagen Fashion Week without appreciating the looks happening front row at every runway too. And while there were a number of smaller micro-trends emerging from the street style scene, the undeniable front-runner is set to question everything you thought you knew about fashion. Well, about spring/summer 2023 fashion, at least.
While we've all been hearing about ‘quiet luxury' and ‘stealth wealth’ relentlessly this season, the Scandi street style set have shunned the notion in favour of bold, logo-emblazoned loud luxury.
And we'd be lying if we said it wasn't incredibly refreshing after months of low-key looks…
Prepare to fall in love with Stine Goya's summer collection…
For more from Glamour UK's Fashion Editor Charlie Teather, follow her on Instagram @charlieteather.
