The key fashion trends for Spring/Summer 2020 - exposed, glowing and confident

Winter is upon us but we can still look ahead to better and brighter times and plan our summer wardrobes. Stephanie Smith picks out key SS20 fashion trends from the international catwalks.
CONFIDENT 70s: Our love affair with the 1970s shows no sign of abating so perhaps its no surprise that styles are becoming ever more accessible and assured with easy sweeping midi dresses and sleek long-lined suiting. Some excellent luxe fabrics and languid styes, as here at Balmain while Prada gave us geo-patterned jacquards and Celine brought floaty chiffon midi dresses teamed with high heel knee-high boots. Designer Olivier Rousteing at the Balmain SS20 presentation in Paris (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)CONFIDENT 70s: Our love affair with the 1970s shows no sign of abating so perhaps its no surprise that styles are becoming ever more accessible and assured with easy sweeping midi dresses and sleek long-lined suiting. Some excellent luxe fabrics and languid styes, as here at Balmain while Prada gave us geo-patterned jacquards and Celine brought floaty chiffon midi dresses teamed with high heel knee-high boots. Designer Olivier Rousteing at the Balmain SS20 presentation in Paris (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
CONFIDENT 70s: Our love affair with the 1970s shows no sign of abating so perhaps its no surprise that styles are becoming ever more accessible and assured with easy sweeping midi dresses and sleek long-lined suiting. Some excellent luxe fabrics and languid styes, as here at Balmain while Prada gave us geo-patterned jacquards and Celine brought floaty chiffon midi dresses teamed with high heel knee-high boots. Designer Olivier Rousteing at the Balmain SS20 presentation in Paris (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Fashion is taking a long, hard look at itself for the coming spring as it goes through a period of readjustment, realignment and rethinking. Much of this is down to the sustainability issue – it’s fashion’s job to push new looks at us each season, to encourage us to buy more, to be on-trend, to be ahead of the pack with something new and directional, but how does this square with the plain fact that there are already far too many clothes on the planet?

Reinforcing the message of investment fashion is one way, with fashion brands highlighting what they consider they do best – tweeds at Chanel, long sleeve gowns at Dior, sleek tux trouser suits at Saint Laurent.

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On a more casual note, the simple shirt, the trench coat and denim all got the elevated classic touch, letting us know that reassuring staples can and will last forever.

EXPOSED: Especially at the waist, as seen here at Balmain where mid-sections were given the cut-out-and-keep treatment (ideal for fashionista belly dancers). Elsewhere, at Missoni, Oscar de la Renta and Emporio Armani exposed triangles of torso flesh. Its a look that the red carpet and, inevitably, Love Island contestants adore - go for intriguing small flashes rather than out-and-out erogenous zone flashing. The Balmain SS20 collection in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)EXPOSED: Especially at the waist, as seen here at Balmain where mid-sections were given the cut-out-and-keep treatment (ideal for fashionista belly dancers). Elsewhere, at Missoni, Oscar de la Renta and Emporio Armani exposed triangles of torso flesh. Its a look that the red carpet and, inevitably, Love Island contestants adore - go for intriguing small flashes rather than out-and-out erogenous zone flashing. The Balmain SS20 collection in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
EXPOSED: Especially at the waist, as seen here at Balmain where mid-sections were given the cut-out-and-keep treatment (ideal for fashionista belly dancers). Elsewhere, at Missoni, Oscar de la Renta and Emporio Armani exposed triangles of torso flesh. Its a look that the red carpet and, inevitably, Love Island contestants adore - go for intriguing small flashes rather than out-and-out erogenous zone flashing. The Balmain SS20 collection in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
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New make-up launches for 2020 plus beauty events coming up at Space NK and Harve...

But there was an evolution of retro trends that sees them morph ever more into the wearable and accessible, from 90s pared-back lines to 80s volume and a new 70s easiness. Here’s our pick below, but first news of some style events in Leeds:

On Thursday, January 30, 6pm-8pm, there will be an Hourglass Makeup Masterclass with Senior Regional Make-up Artist Adam Sidwell introducing the new concealers and Confession Lipstick shades, showing guests how to create their own Hourglass look with tips and tricks for applying the new products. The booking fee is £25 and is fully redeemable against Hourglass products bought on the day. Call Leeds Space NK on 0113 245 6612

Meanwhile, Harvey Nichols welcomes the Chinese Year of the Rat with special events and experiences in-store, running until Sunday 2nd February. On Friday 24th January, 2pm – 6pm

SS20 TRENDs

GLOW FOR IT: Unexpected intense and neon colour choices lit up the SS20 catwalks, and this Tom Ford up/down combo of easy drawstring pants with bright orange tailored blazer brings an intelligent new take on look-at-me colour. Valentino , meanwhile, offered looks in Stabilo green, fuchsia and yellow, while Christopher Kane showcased a selection of joyful and bright yellow, orange and pink neon lace looks. Tom Ford SS20 collection in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)SS20 TRENDs

GLOW FOR IT: Unexpected intense and neon colour choices lit up the SS20 catwalks, and this Tom Ford up/down combo of easy drawstring pants with bright orange tailored blazer brings an intelligent new take on look-at-me colour. Valentino , meanwhile, offered looks in Stabilo green, fuchsia and yellow, while Christopher Kane showcased a selection of joyful and bright yellow, orange and pink neon lace looks. Tom Ford SS20 collection in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
SS20 TRENDs GLOW FOR IT: Unexpected intense and neon colour choices lit up the SS20 catwalks, and this Tom Ford up/down combo of easy drawstring pants with bright orange tailored blazer brings an intelligent new take on look-at-me colour. Valentino , meanwhile, offered looks in Stabilo green, fuchsia and yellow, while Christopher Kane showcased a selection of joyful and bright yellow, orange and pink neon lace looks. Tom Ford SS20 collection in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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There will be live DJ sets, exclusive offers and beauty treats to join in with the Chinese New Year celebrations across the city and on Saturday 8th February, 10am – 6.30pm there will be Tarot-card readings with the Wellness Foundry to discover what the Year of the Rat has in store –from love and wealth to wellbeing and career progression. Book on EventBrite.

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