News

The 13 big spring/summer 2025 fashion and beauty trends

Spring/summer 2025 is here and there’s a lightness in the air as fashion and beauty find their fun side.

From the arrival of wedding and holiday season to a huge summer of music featuring UK tours from Beyoncé, Lana Del Rey, Dua Lipa, Olivia Rodrigo, Oasis Live 25, Glastonbury and Boardmasters, the biggest trends are reflecting the mood while embracing sustainability (vegan leather is becoming a go-to).

Take your pick from the trends below to instantly update your look with just a few key pieces at Drake Circus…

 

1. Going back to basics: the white vest

If you buy just one thing for summer, make it a white vest. Elegant, understated and easy to wear, it’s working across all wardrobes – from classic suit jackets and satin midi skirts to a silhouette that complements the on-trend baggy, animal-print and palazzo jeans.

Marks & Spencer, H&M, Levi’s, Boux Avenue, Mango, Oliver Bonas, Next, Primark, New Look, Quiz, River Island, Seasalt and White Stuff

 

2. Florals for every big occasion

Florals are always a big player when it comes to spring/summer but this season has seen them translated into a host of different looks: screen-printed on flowing beach dresses, added to layered maxis and appliqued on occasion looks (perfect for proms, weddings, race-course days out and bridesmaid looks). They’re also taking over this season’s geometric patterns on two-piece co-ords that work by the pool and on evenings out when holiday packing.

Marks & Spencer, H&M, Mango, Oliver Bonas, Next, Primark, New Look, Quiz and River Island

 

 

3. Spring/summer beauty to know

Drenched, soft dewy skin is the basis for everything this summer. With new releases from Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Gel Tint, Byoma Phyto-Mucin Glow Serum and Boots Glow Dewy Serum, it’s easy to get the look.

Hair is an ode to French girl beauty (soft curls, letterbox bangs and effortless tousled finish); for lips, go for smudged cherry red or a sweep of blue on the eyes. Nailwise, it’s high-shine metallics.

Don’t miss Barry M’s relaunched ‘rebellious’ range at Superdrug featuring bright and beautiful jelly tint nails and bold lips and stock up on summer essentials including e.l.f’s SPF, Rituals’ body scrubs and Lush’s Sea Salt Hair Mist Spritz Spray.

Boots, Superdrug, Rituals and Lush

 

4. Pastel suits for wedding guest dressing

Sky blue, powder pink, butter yellow, pistachio green… Pastels ruled the 2025 spring runways of Chanel and Alaïa (a label that also embraced this season’s bubble-hem skirts) and have been translated into understatedly chic suits across the high street. For weddings, go slightly oversized with minimalist jewellery and flat sandals.

Marks & Spencer, H&M, Mango, Oliver Bonas, Next, Primark, New Look, Quiz and River Island

 

5. The new shoe styles for spring/summer

Pretty woven flat pumps, practical platform sandals with bulky fastenings (see the UGG Goldenstar Glides) and low-slung retro trainers (New Balance’s RC42, adidas SL 72 OG and Nike LD-1000) will be everywhere. For weddings, go for kitten heels with matching bag.

schuh, Foot Locker, Footasylum, JD Sports, Marks & Spencer, H&M, Mango, Oliver Bonas, Next, Primark, New Look, Quiz and River Island

 

6. Chiffon, tulle and soft-touch fabrics

Thanks to frothy, feminine signature looks from Sabrina Carpenter, Halle Bailey and Ariana Grande, spring and summer dresses for big occasions have a touch of the OTT as wrappings of tulle and chiffon take over. It’s also been translated onto beautiful going-out tops and skirts.

Marks & Spencer, H&M, Mango, Oliver Bonas, Next, Primark, New Look, Quiz and River Island

 

7. The summer fragrances

Cherries might be the print of the summer but when it comes to scents it’s all about summer fruits such as raspberries, strawberries and dragon fruits. Try Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa 68 Perfume Mist and Mon Paris by Yves Saint Laurent.

Boots, Superdrug, Rituals, Lush, The Fragrance Shop and The Perfume Shop

 

8. Men’s spring/summer trends

For wedding suit season, there are two main trends: classic double breasted à la Harry Styles, Glen Powell and Dwight Gayle or linen soft colours as seen on David Beckham (go for a matching shirt for real fashion power). Pair with brogues, Oxfords and Monk shoes in brown and tan.

For relaxed styles, it’s all about longer shorts, leather sandals and stylish Mod-influenced shirts as Oasis fever takes hold of the summer. Bomber jackets and hoodies are also easy adds to every wardrobe.

Superdry, Suit Direct, Boss, Cotswold Outdoor, Mountain Warehouse, Fat Face, Marks & Spencer, H&M, Mango, Next, Primark, New Look and River Island

 

9. Nineties plaids, gingham and bohemian for festival fashion

Possibly inspired by Olivia Rodrigo’s style and Chloé’s catwalk, there’s a sense of the Nineties getting an upgrade this summer. From small kilts and soft shirts to bright primary-coloured gingham and the new bohemian (grown-up lace and soft vegan suede fringed bags and jackets), there’s a definite throwback to the summer of grunge happening.

Marks & Spencer, H&M, Levi’s, Boux Avenue, Mango, Oliver Bonas, Next, Primark, New Look, Quiz, River Island, Seasalt and White Stuff

 

10. The swimwear wardrobe to invest in

Gingham, super sporty and matching throw-over co-ords are upping the swimwear looks this season (partly helped by a collective White Lotus luxe-style obsession). Mix and match with primary colours, animal print, tie-ruche tops and metallic accents.

Marks & Spencer, H&M, Levi’s, Boux Avenue, Mango, Next, Primark, New Look and River Island

 

11. Summer’s handbags and sunnies

There are some looks that remain a go-to in summer and crossbody bags (perfect for city breaks) and huge basket totes (ideal for the beach) remain popular choices. Beyond that, oversize, statement (ruffles and beaded) and charms are fun ways to mix it up while sunglasses range from classic and oversized to cat’s eye and neon frames.

Sunglass Hut, Marks & Spencer, H&M, Mango, Oliver Bonas, Next, Primark, New Look, Quiz and River Island

 

 

12. The latest jewellery

Mixing and matching silver and gold (while still layering) with swimsuit looks and beach dresses will bring the glam while strings of beads, lab-made diamonds and coloured gemstones are easily updating the look. Pair with oversized watches for women and delicate straps for men. Hoops will never go out of style for summer earrings but also seek out shoulder-grazing traffic stoppers too.

Omega, Breitling, Tag Heuer, Ernest Jones, Allum & Sidaway, Fraser Hart, Warren James, Pandora, Mango and Lovisa

 

13. Finally, go strapless or halterneck

One of the key shapes for summer dressing is strapless (see Dua Lipa in Alessandro Michele’s first spring/summer 2025 runway collection for Valentino) especially paired with a pleat or Eighties style skirt.

It’s not just dresses, strapless tops with suits and jeans are simple and easy to wear – or go for a fun and flattering halterneck that instantly conjures up chic beachwear on the French Riviera. Bonnes vacances!

Marks & Spencer, H&M, Levi’s, Boux Avenue, Mango, Oliver Bonas, Next, Primark, New Look, Quiz and River Island,

 

Follow us @drakecircus; sign up for the latest news here

 

 

 

Last updated Monday 28 April, 2025