The past few seasons have really championed boxy silhouettes and masculine tailoring, so à la JT, we're right in saying: SS20 is bringing sexy back. Underwear-inspired looks were aplenty across the four capitals, warranting a lingerie liberation; a woman’s je ne sais quoi should be embraced with our fleshy intimates on full display.


Khaite Spring/Summer 20.

Kicking off fashion month in New York, Tom Ford presented bronze-cast bras alongside cut-out bodysuits, while Khaite’s understated provocateur came dressed in knitted bodices layered underneath a floral, peplum bandeau. Back on home turf, Charlotte Knowles invented fashion’s answer to the bum lift, thanks to a strappy bodysuit that pulled one up in all the right places...


Charlotte Knowles Spring/Summer 20.

In Milan, Gucci trailblazed what we're calling 'provocateur chic', as lace-ridden slip dresses accompanied by riding crops cemented that the brand's eccentricity is by way of the risqué. If, however, baring all isn’t your thing, take cues from Miu Miu and Sacai and layer sheer dresses over your undies or other dresses for a more modest take on the trend.

Hygge Ready-to-Wear
Call it practicality and panache – comfort-first fashion came up trumps for SS20. Designers looked inside their homes (to the bedroom and bathroom) for inspiration, presenting BTS looks we wouldn't typically think to leave the house in...


Prada Spring/Summer 20.

Over in New York, Tory Burch’s Sunday morning show set the mood for many a tired-eyed NYFW onlookers, as a floral dressing gown and dress ensemble sparked duvet days thoughts. Elsewhere, Natasha Zinko sent wet-haired models – straight from the shower – down a London side-street in a towel-dress and stockings. While in Milan, Prada’s take on the towelling trend lent itself to stepping straight out of the beachfront shower, seen in the pairing of a towel mini-skirt and sea-shell jewellery.


Brognano Spring/Summer 20.

But the real champions of this trend came through in the accessory department. Brognano and Frankie Morello had the answer to any bad hair day, sending their models out with towels wrapped around their heads. Whereas in Paris, Balenciaga made the ‘popping to the shop to get some milk’ look high-fashion, coupling a crinkled white shirt with velvet hotel slippers.

Pump up The Volume
We saw voluptuous garments take centre stage on the catwalks this season – from Emilia Wickstead’s all-encompassing tent dress to Thom Browne’s naked panniers. While the offerings lit the eyes of maximalists everywhere, the more introverted of the bunch diverted their gaze to the bold shoulders that popped-up on each catwalk. 


Halpern Spring/Summer 20.

A pioneer of this trend was Prabal Gurung, whose showcase of full balloon sleeves and feathery shoulder earned him the badge of Most Extravagant Armwear Purveyor. Meanwhile, in London, Halpern’s metallic mono-sleeve added the pièce de résistance to the brand’s signature partywear. 


Lacoste Spring/Summer 20.

In Milan, Agnona and Salvatore Ferragamo’s suits, complete with 80s shoulder pads, gave minimalists the answer to how they could incorporate the trend into their pared-back wardrobes. This theme followed into Paris, where Louise Trotter’s second collection for sportswear brand Lacoste had leather coats with *styling trick alert* fore-arm volume from simply pushing up the sleeves. With an bunch of styles on offer, spring is the season to spice up your sleeves.

Also on Because Magazine:

+ We find out how TOGA's Yasuko Furuta takes her coffee in our 8Qs.

+ Our latest fashion film traces Zandra Rhodes, through the ages.

+ Meet the bi-cultural fashion brand that's giving back to India.