While a tailored trouser suit is an established style classic, there’s something particularly iconic about a white version (we can thank Bianca Jagger for that). This season, designers showed us how the crisp two-piece can be worn in a thoroughly modern way, teaming relaxed blazers with wide leg trousers. Wear as an alternative to dresses for springtime occasions or as a fresh take on warm-weather work attire. Take a styling cue from Proenza Schouler and add a trench and black flats. 

Voluminous silhouettes were a big mood on this season’s catwalks and took multiple forms, from balloon sleeves to sculptural dresses. While XL shapes certainly make a statement, we love how designers showcased how they could be interpreted into everyday looks; think puff-sleeved blouses tucked into high waists à la Carolina Herrera and tulip-shaped trousers matched with simple singlets, as done by Loewe. For a tastefully dramatic evening look, make like Erdem and reach for full, feminine skirts. 

If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a thousand times: a trench coat is one of the smartest forever pieces you can buy. However, even the classics need a switch up now and again, which is exactly what designers did this season, giving the wardrobe ICON little updates to keep things fresh. We loved the braided leather styles at Chloé, the colour pops at Burberry and outsized shapes at McQueen. If you already have a signature style, a trench with a twist is well worth considering. 

A key player in our autumn/winter wardrobes, knitwear has been reimagined this season into a chic springtime look. Max Mara, Chloé and Altuzarra made the case for slinky ribbed pieces that didn’t have a hint of bulk and lend themselves perfectly to trans-seasonal dressing (and those not-so-warm summer nights.) Reach for simple dress silhouettes in lightweight, layer-up/layer-down knits, which can be pulled on and effortlessly styled with a trophy bag and flats. 

Whether sailor, deckchair or Breton, stripes never fail to sing summer, and they’re one motif guaranteed to always look chic. While you probably already have a nautical T-shirt in your collection (and if so, now’s the time to bring it out and team it with loose denim – see below), expanding your stripes repertoire into separates is a no-regret move. Wear matchy-matchy for summer weddings, then dial down for everyday by using one striped piece to give your wardrobe basics a lift. 

We come back to straw bags season after season, and with good reason. Made iconic by Jane Birkin and Brigitte Bardot in the ’60s and ’70s, the style has endured for decades and still proves as classically chic as ever. The secret to getting maximum wear is to look for elevating touches; leather trims and subtle hardware take the piece from poolside to polished. Choose shoulder, tote and bucket shapes rather than beachy baskets and you’ll find it much easier to wear both at home and on holiday. 

Relaxed tailoring is the definitive answer to looking smart while keeping cool during the summer months. So if you’re yet to buy into the category, we recommend you do. Keep it light with roomy shapes and breathable fabrics, such as linen or cotton. Styling your look tonally will not only make getting dressed easier (no need to work out complementary colour palettes), it also has an elegantly minimal appeal, as demonstrated at Rodarte and Michael Kors.   

The past few seasons have seen designers refocus on wardrobe basics, giving fresh takes on those everyday uniform pieces. This spring, denim is under the spotlight, particularly jeans, where we’re seeing a more relaxed, loose-fit shape take centre stage. The trick to wearing them with ease is to look for styles that fit snugly around the waistband, then loosen down the leg. Take a note from Valentino and style them up with polished pieces, such as a crisp white shirt and luxe leather bag. 

The warmer months are the perfect time to play around with flamboyant trims, which is why the swishy fringing seen at Proenza Schouler, Chloé and Kenneth Ize have gone to the top of our wish lists. Try a folksy fringed dress anchored with chunky flats for the evening, or team your basic separates with a tasselled skirt or top to make them feel more dynamic. A fringed bag will lend a stylish sense of movement to whatever you pair it with. 

Cut-outs have been on the fashion agenda for a few seasons, and this spring’s catwalks showed us how they can be done with sophistication. Cases in point were the cutaway maxis at Proenza Schouler and the subtle slit white sundresses at Prabal Gurung. When playing with cut-outs, home in on a section you feel comfortable revealing – be that your midriff, collar bone or back. And play with cutaways of different sizes; bigger isn’t always better – discreet can be just as impactful. 

Evocative of summer holidays, crochet is being celebrated once again this spring/summer. Catwalk highlights include Tod’s ’60s-inspired jumbo crochet shifts and the button-down dresses at Erdem, where crochet was so delicate, it looked like lace. While a dress is a fail-safe way to work crochet textures into your summer wardrobe, we also love the idea of juxtaposing intricate pieces with pared-down separates, like at Alberta Ferretti, where beautiful woven tops were worn with loose tailoring. 

Although sky-high heels are making a comeback for spring occasion wear, clogs are the shoe to know about for everyday dressing. The signature ’70s style gained traction last year, and thanks to Rejina Pyo, Givenchy and Salvatore Ferragamo, they have been cemented as a key style of the season. Tan and black colourways will prove the most versatile, as will minimal styles with just a touch of authentic detailing such as studs. Look for versions with low-cut uppers, which will elongate your foot. 

Shorts are having a real moment this year and the style to know about is the Bermuda, thanks to designers including Miu Miu, Dior and Louis Vuitton backing the longer-length cut. If you’re yet to invest, ensure you find the perfect fit by choosing a style that either ends just above your knee, or hits mid-calf, culotte style. As for how to wear a pair? Think of it as a modern take on a skirt suit and wear with a tailored jacket.

Summer prints don’t get much more classic than gingham, so we’re delighted to see it get plenty of airtime on the spring/summer catwalks. This is the motif to wear for high-summer holidays, picnics and parties in the garden, so investing in a gingham checked sundress or retro-inspired co-ords is a smart move – just add espadrilles and your straw bag. If you already have a piece, switch up the styling by wearing it with sleek leather accessories. 

Get ready to take a deep dive into your wardrobes and dig out that leather jacket, as bikers are back. While designers made a convincing case for a head-to-toe leather look, undoubtedly an easier way to bring your biker up to date is by using it to toughen up spring prints. Take inspiration from the Hermès catwalk and layer yours over something floral, or try contrasting it with frilled blouses and dresses.