Paris Fashion Week SS22: The top trends to note

Left to right credit: Loewe, Louis Vuitton, Rochas

Cosmic Proportions

Admist the sex appeal ruling the season, there was also plenty of artful experimentation as designers in Paris explored notions of draping and sculpting to present outlandish shapes in play with the body. The past, present and future coalesced across silhouettes that had us thinking big and beyond, because it seems that there's no going back to normal.

Left to right credit: Givenchy, Miu Miu, Giambattista Valli

Rough around the edges

Trailing threads and fraying hems were a recurring technique this season, with finished edges made to look unfinished across opulently beaded frocks and meticulously tailored suiting to add a touch of rebellion to formal wear. This was a super-polished take on deconstruction, hinging off post-lockdown mentality as a reflection of our desire to break free and cut loose.

Left to right credit: Saint Laurent, Givenchy, Lanvin

Power shoulders 2.0

Exaggerated shoulders continue to dominate on the runways, from structured '60s silhouettes to rounded quarter-back padding appearing on the daintiest of dresses. Designers may have dialled down the drama from previous seasons, but that don't make them any less powerful––no one's getting in the way of those shoulders.

MORE: 7 Ways to rock the power shoulder trend

Left to right credit: Hermes, Balenciaga, Ann Demeulemeester

Slack it off

Relaxed tailoring is here to stay, with slouchy slacks leading the category (and replacing our lockdown sweats) as the ultimate comfy yet polished staple for any occassion. Whether they're dressed down with a pair of sandals or worn as part of a head-to-toe set, these roomy styles are so effortlessly easy to wear that you'll never want to take them off.

Left to right credit: Courreges, Stella McCartney, Coperni

Strap it up

Strappy accents have been gaining popularity for a while now, but it reached new heights for the upcoming season. Across a multitude of styles that ranged from molten metal tops to sporty highlighter bodysuits, fabrics twisted and wrapped around the body to only cover the essentials, leaving us with plenty of sinously sexy attire (and fun tan lines) for the summer.

Left to right credit: Valentino, Miu Miu, Dior

Sky-high hemlines

Micro minis were all the rage across the four cities, but Paris cemented the comeback by raising hemlines to near-nonexistent lengths in a nod to the early aughts. Low-rise, fitted and cropped uber short, skirts weren't the only thing to under the shrink ray as sweaters, suits and tops, too, received a (midriff-baring) makeover.

Left to right credit: Chanel, Isabel Marant, Ottolinger

Swim season

Come spring, bathing suits will be breaking out of poolside perimeters to become a perfectly acceptable form of daywear. Teamed with boucle skirts, layered under an open jacket or simply just worn on its own, amphibious dressing brought a sexy, athletic vibe to collections as the all-rounder summer outfit.