PARIS, June 20 — Is the 2000s fashion comeback over? What colour will be popular on the beach? Will eccentric pieces (finally) get the better of the casual styles seen over and over again in recent seasons? With the season now upon us, here are five top fashion trends to enjoy all summer long, from see-through dresses to bucket hats and even Capri pants.

Major trend: See-through styles

Summer looks set to be hot, as people get ready to bare all on the beaches. And, of course, they won’t be treading the white sands in just any old garb. This year, it’s all about transparency. From the catwalks to the Oscars, stars from the four corners of the globe have already embraced this major trend, which looks set to reach new heights this summer season. Dresses, caftans, jumpsuits, pants, shorts and tops will reveal swimwear and undergarments underneath with numerous transparent effects, as seen on the spring-summer 2023 catwalks of labels such as Prabal Gurung, Jason Wu, Bottega Veneta, Miu Miu, Chanel, Prada and Rick Owens. Transparency is also a must for feet, in the form of entirely clear sandals, mules, pumps and platforms.

Red-hot piece: Capri pants

Who’d have thought? Years after being relegated to the back of our closets, cropped pants are making a comeback. Fashionistas know that they’ll be a staple part of the summer wardrobe, among other seasonal trends like long flowing dresses, micro-skirts or crochet pants—the choice is yours. But these pants, born in the late ‘40s, are back in a much more modern version. Here, cropped pants are worn like leggings, matched with a strapless top for a catsuit effect, or in XXL styles paired with a crop top. The trend has already been tried and tested by Bella Hadid and Lena Situations, and has been seen on the catwalks of Jacquemus, Gucci and Versace.

Choice colour: Purple

For once, yellow, pink, orange and green won’t be the stars of the summer season—at least not exclusively—as these shades will be eclipsed by purple. While Pantone has made ‘Viva Magenta,’ a shade between violet, red and pink, the star colour of 2023, it’s lilac that seems to have found favour among the biggest fashion designers this season, including at Molly Goddard and Bora Aksu. But summer is still the season for eccentricity, and fluorescent hues, as well as sequins and other sparkling details, will still be staples of the wildest summer nights.

Go-to accessory: The bucket hat

Every summer for the past three years, it’s been the same old story: the bucket hat, that once-outdated accessory, has been back to add a cool, casual touch to the season’s looks. And this year will be no exception. Numerous celebrities have already adopted this hat to accessorize some of their outfits, while many brands have slipped it into their latest collections, starting with Monse, Louis Vuitton and Fendi. However, the bucket hat will now be landing in a new crochet version—a particularly popular material right now. Global fashion search engine Stylight recently reported a surge in interest in this accessory category compared to the same period last year, with a 13-fold increase in demand.

Seasonal inspiration: Mermaidcore

While summer 2022 paid tribute to Barbie’s iconic look, it’s “The Little Mermaid” that seems to be stealing the spotlight this year. And this puts a whole panoply of aquatic aesthetics on the fashion agenda, drawing on fishnet, iridescent hues, shells galore, and multiple references to the ocean depths. It’s a trend not unconnected to the release of Rob Marshall’s feature film on May 26, and which has already scored over 300 million views on TikTok. It’s such a hit that some brands have incorporated the trend into their summer collections, such as JW Anderson, David Koma and Blumarine. — ETX Studio