7 Unexpected Trends Making A Comeback This Summer

Is it just me, or did you also think that by 2018 we’d be wearing space clothing reminiscent of The Fifth Element and The Jetsons and flying around the sky in spaceships? We may have officially arrived in the future, but if a quick scan around the office (and a deep lurk on ) is Instagram anything to go by, ~the future~ is looking an awful lot like my family photo albums from the late 80's and 90's.Whoever said “don’t look back” seemingly didn’t liaise with the fashion gods, because all we seem to do is look in the past when it comes to trends . Which, FYI, is totes fine with me. One of my favorite mantras to live by is, “in order to move forward, you have to look back”. In life, I look back on past mistakes to avoid making them again, in business, I look back on past work to see how I can do things better, and in fashion, I look back on my favorite style icons of the past to lift myself out of a style rut.Basically, fashion is like one huge revolving door. Just look to the recent 90s redux feat. mum jeans, sneakers, spaghetti straps, teeny tiny sunglasses and denim overalls as irrefutable proof. Although, it seems that we’re not happy with simply glancing over our shoulder. We’re now dipping even further back into the archives for inspiration. So what’s up next? A whole lot of fun outfits!

GLITTER

You heard it here first: minimalism is out, and maximal-ism is back with a sparkly vengeance. To ease into this brave *new* world, book yourself in for a manicure and use a disco ball as a reference. Or, if you’re ready to take the glittery bull by the horns and fully lean into the trend, slide on into a shimmery slip top á la dream girl Devon Lee Carlson.Shop the look: If your budget doesn’t account for things like Chanel boots, then maybe this Cult Gaia bag can fill the glitter-shaped hole in your heart? Or, let your face be the one to wear the trend, either with these extra Gucci frames, or more subtly, this Stila glitter eye shadow.

NEON

You probably weren’t ready for this, and if I’m being honest, neither was I . But our ill-preparedness won't the fact that neon has loudly announced its return . If you need proof that the trend favored by 80s aerobics instructors everywhere is about to enter your lives/wardrobes, look no further than Virgil Abloh’s Louis Vuitton men’s collection—which I bet women will be buying, too. Add a touch of fluro to your outfit with a neon bandeau top or bra peeking out from underneath a blouse, with a cute lil’ beaded bag, or, you guessed it, splashed across yo’ nails.Shop the look: these neon yellow sandals are cute, this agent provocateur bra will make any outfit P-O-P, and you’d be crazy not to take these lime neon bike shorts for at least one test drive this summer.

PRAIRIE VIBES
If your Instagram algorithm is anything like mine, your explore feed will currently be teaming with girls who look like they’re minutes away from skipping through a meadow to commence their milkmaid shift. Despite my general aversion to lactose-based drinks, I am so here for the trend—corset-esque bodices, square necklines and puff-sleeves are as adorable as they are flattering.BRB, popping down to my local dairy. But first…Shop the look: No modern milk maid look is complete without this perfect Reformation dress, this equally as ~heavenly~ Reformation top, or this pretty in pink Rejina Pyo dress.

OVERSIZED SUNGLASSES

Retinas, rejoice! The teeny, tiny sunglasses of late—that have served no real practical purpose other than to highlight how we shouldn’t adopt trends just because they look good on Bella Hadid—are slowly being replaced by XXL shades.Other than bringing to mind images of Mary Kate and Ashley in large sunglasses (holding even bigger Starbucks coffees), they’re part of a growing trend that suggests there’s nothing cooler than sun safety. Think larger-than-life straw hats, chic rash vests and high-neck swimmers. Another thing to hiding your life-threatening Sunday morning hangover.

ANIMAL PRINTS

I could’ve sworn I left leopard print back in 2006 with my leather pants, but at last, the new wave of animal prints popping up here, there and everywhere has got me reconsidering my view .Shop the look: Our animal print lord and saviour, Ganni, is here with the safari-inspired goods. After a leopard swimsuit? They’ve got you with this smoking hot red one-piece. Fancy a dress that will spruce up every single white top in your wardrobe? Introduce your legs to this sizzling leopard print skirt. Not mad at this Eres bikini either, for the record.

EXERCISE SHORTS

This photo of Princess Diana donning bike shorts is literally everywhere RN, but don’t reach for the bubble socks just yet (or do if you’re going to make it #fashion). Any trending style that promotes comfort is one that I am on board with in love with, so the bike short gets two sparkly thumbs up from me.Pair with a blazer and strappy heels for an sexy nighttime look, or with a button-up white blouse for a corporate look that will keep your coworkers on their toes.Shop the look: Pretty little thing have got you covered on all things bike shorts, from short ribbed ones to a more modest mid-thigh ones.

BODY JEWELLERY

Finally our ankles are getting the attention they so desperately deserve! If you didn’t save your cowrie anklets from that family trip to Bali in the early nineties, it’s chill, ’cause they’re likely to be everywhere soon. And the southern regions of our legs aren’t the only ones partying . Belly chains, body chains, and toe rings (pedicures are a NON-NEGOTIABLE for the latter) are all making their comeback, just ask Instagram.Shop the look: First thing’s first, get yourself a cowrie anklet on Etsy . Now that your ankles are happy, fill your cart with this belly chain, this body chain and this toe ring.So there you have it . All the ~new~ trends that going to see everywhere. What do you think will be the next big trend?