SS17 fashion trend report: The ultimate guide to next season

Start planning your new-season looks now

Welcome to the Marie Claire SS17 Fashion Trend Report. The spring/summer 2017 shows have drawn to a close, so what's the verdict? Oh, the times most certainly are a changin’.

As the relevancy of the traditional fashion calendar is called into question - and brands from Topshop to Tommy Hilfiger offer their AW16 collections up for sale as soon as they stroll off the runway - and the political repercussions of Brexit linger in London, it was a season filled with escapism, activism, subliminals and storytelling.

SS17 proposed a glimpse into the future of the fashion industry, as well as a glance back over our (supersized) shoulders at the bygone days of bold and audacious fashion theatrics. There was true showmanship at Alexander McQueen, a real life rave at Molly Goddard and subversive storytelling at Gucci, to show off the gorgeous, expertly executed collections.

The sartorial spectrum ran from wearable to wondrous: or, see-now-buy-now Vz from-your-wildest-imagination. Reflecting this adventures new mood, next season’s trends are wonderfully diverse.

Scroll on to see the key looks in our SS17 fashion trend report.

Ruffles have reigned supreme on the catwalk for a few seasons, and it seems they’re going nowhere if Chloé, Loewe, Alexander McQueen and Rodarte have anything to say about it. L-R: Chloé, Loewe, Alexander McQueen, Rodarte

After seasons of voluminous, figure-shrouding shapes - to quote Justin Timberlake - sexy is back. The waist is a time-honoured erogenous zone and courtesy of some savvy waistbelt styling, hourglass silhouettes are back in favour with the fashion world. L-R: Balenciaga, Alberta Ferretti, Hermes, Burberry

From Victoria Beckham’s slinky velvet bras and Giambattista Valli’s dinky lace delicates, to Miuccia Prada’s ostrich-feather plumage, spring/summer 16’s ubiquitous bralette is staging a comeback for 2017. We urge you to invoke the art of layering. L-R: Kenzo, Giambattista Valli, Prada, Victoria Beckham

From powder pink to Pepto Bismol, if there’s one colour you need on your radar next season it’s pink. When the Parisian triptych of Céline, Givenchy and Chanel decree it the shade of the summer, you’d better believe it. L-R: Givenchy, Chanel, Valentino, Haider Ackermann

With the Eighties revival comes the obligatory return of the power shoulder. This season, shoulders have taken on a modern proposition in the hands of Balenciaga creative director Demna Gvasalia, aka the fashion world’s chief troublemaker RN. Take your cues from Gvasalia and Céline’s Phoebe Philo and play with proportion, by mixing peaked shoulder pads with a mini skirt or cropped trousers. L-R: Céline, DKNY, Balenciaga, Michael Kors Collection

The message of the season reads: you can be soft and still kick ass. Pretty florals were toughened up Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen and Coach this season. Just add a buzz cut and bovver boots. L-R: Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Coach, Preen by Thornton Bregazzi

Slinky robes and posh PJs from Burberry, Lanvin and Vionnet are tempting us to go out all night then flop into bed. Meanwhile, Ashley Williams’ raver girls are stomping home the next morning in their neon-trimmed nightwear. Either way, designer’s want you to have some fun and take the boudoir trend out of the bedroom this season. L-R: Burberry, Lanvin, Vionnet, Ashley Williams

Sleeves, previously sensible, consistent things, have taken on a life of their own over the past few seasons. In most cases, designers added a couple of extra inches, allowing their sleeves to dangle beyond the fingertips. Michael Kors meanwhile shredded his open and studding them closed, while Simone Rocha yanked hers down to show off a matching puffed up shirt sleeve beneath. The bolder, the better. L-R: Simone Rocha, DKNY, Michael Kors Collection, Ann Demeulemeester

Adding an ethereal mist to Stuart Vevers’ punk-laden SS17 collection for Coach, a trompe l’oeil sensuality to Pier Paolo Piccoli’s fist solo collection for Valentino, and a graphic finish to young London designers Marques' Almeida and Molly Goddard’s new-nu rave outings, a transparent layer of tulle cloaked the catwalk across all four cities. L-R: Coach, Marques' Almeida, Molly Goddard, Valentino

This season debuted the see-and-shop model, and Ralph Lauren, Topshop, Tom Ford, Tommy Hilfiger, Alexander Wang and Burberry were the first to get behind it. Is it the future of fashion? Are luxury brands gaining pace on the high street? Or will it only last a season or two before normality resumes? Stay tuned. L-R: Ralph Lauren, Topshop, Tom Ford, Tommy Hilfiger