Lately, it seems impossible to scroll online without stumbling upon the terms “quiet luxury” or “old money” as the fashion aesthetic has taken over everywhere. I’m not sure about you, but some trends get tired really quickly for me, especially when they’re inescapable on the internet. Don’t get me wrong—I’m a stickler for good staples as much as the next girl. But minimalism’s overwhelming popularity feels almost antithetical to its very ethos—an idea that’s all about embracing items that outlast the trend cycle. All of this is to say that while minimalism may be having a moment, a wardrobe full of too many basics can feel, well… boring to me. After all, what makes fashion fun is finding that fine balance, baby!
One way you can break free from the grip of “quiet luxury” is by taking a few risks with your spring wardrobe. By no means do you have to become a devoted maximalist overnight. However, if you’re in desperate need of a break, opting for a few bolder spring trends is the right move for you. In an effort to give you that much-needed respite, we spent hours combing through the Spring/Summer 2024 runway collections to identify the six best maximalist trends. Whether you need to spice up your staples or are an anti-minimalist to your core, there’s something ahead for everyone.
One of the guiding principles of maximalism is the notion that “more is more”—i.e., embracing the maximum amount of prints, textures, and colors. However, if you’ve never necessarily abided by this principle, then it’s likely that you’re unsure of where to start when it comes to embracing the aesthetic. Enter embellished clothing into the chat. Across S/S 24 collections, we saw designers use trimmings to give everyday silhouttes a little something extra. For example, classic separates such as tailored blazers and trench coats were covered with chain hardware, tiny sequins, and pearls at Schiaparelli and Dries Van Noten’s shows. Similarly, at Calcaterra, a sheer black button-down and white trousers looked normal from afar, but one could see embellishments all over the pieces up close. And then, there were Prada, Versace, and Tory Burch’s collections, which adapted classic dress silhouettes by covering them in beads and chain netting. Although each look featured different embellishments, the through-line seemed to be the designers’ dedication to making maximalism meld effortlessly into anyone’s wardrobe.
Dries Van Noten
Roltas Pearl-Embellished Jacquard Coat
Consider this permission slip to skip out on sparkly things if they don’t speak to you. While many maximalist-leaning collections used textiles and trimmings to transfix audiences, it wasn’t the only method on display this season. In various S/S 24 runway shows, designers took the quintessential sundress and gave it a maximalist spin by adopting voluminous silhouettes. There wasn’t necessarily one type of dress per se, as much as it was about using different tailoring techniques to create a shape that would make someone whisper, “va-va-voom.” For some designers, that meant adapting the classic a-line shape through puddle hems, box pleats, plissé material, or plenty of ruffles—refer to 16Arlington, Prabal Gurung, and Rotate’s spring shows. In contrast, others chose to take the hourglass shape more literally by creating rigid dresses with waistlines that darted out dramatically (including Coperni, Balmain, and Christopher John Rodgers). The overall result was a series of dresses that not only took up space but also made space for a new crop of stylish people to embrace maximalism.
