Fashion 2024 is not just about the silhouettes seen on the runways. Behind the aesthetic choices, two transformations are redefining how clothing is designed, sold, and preserved: the rise of resale and the introduction of a European regulatory framework that imposes new requirements on brands. These underlying movements are changing the very notion of trend, adding criteria of sustainability and traceability to the desirability of a piece.
European Regulation on Ecodesign: What the 2024/1781 Text Changes for Fashion
The European regulation 2024/1781 on sustainable products, adopted in June 2024 and coming into effect on July 18, 2024, lays the legal groundwork for the digital product passport. This system stipulates that every textile item sold in the European Union must gradually be documented according to its composition, origin, reparability, and end of life.
The delegated acts specific to textiles have not yet been published. The general framework exists, but the precise obligations (which categories of clothing, what thresholds, what deadlines) remain to be defined. Talking about fashion trends without mentioning this regulation is akin to ignoring that the legal framework redefines what a brand can promise regarding the sustainability of its collections.
For buyers, the consequence is tangible: labels will be enriched with verifiable information. Vague claims like “eco-responsible collection” without traceable proof will become increasingly difficult to maintain. The new European rules against greenwashing accompany this evolution.
The fashion trends and inspirations of the season benefit from being read in parallel with these regulatory developments, as shown by the fashion section on La Petite Revue which closely follows these topics.
Circular Fashion and Resale: The Structural Trend of 2024
The resale of second-hand clothing continued to grow significantly faster than the traditional clothing market in 2024, according to an analysis published by Bleckmann on August 27, 2026, based on data from the thredUP 2024 Resale Report. It is no longer a niche market reserved for vintage.
The value of a piece also depends on its durability and resale value. A well-tailored wool coat or a thick denim dress resells better than a trendy low-cost garment whose seams come undone after three washes. This logic alters purchasing criteria.
What Resale Changes in the Choice of Pieces
A garment designed to last several seasons – classic cut, durable material, versatile colors – retains market value in the secondary market. Pieces too marked by a fleeting micro-trend lose their appeal within months.
- Dense natural materials (full-grain leather, boiled wool, raw denim) withstand resale cycles better than fine synthetics
- Neutral colors and adjustable cuts (removable belts, modifiable hems) facilitate resale to different body types
- Brands that incorporate a take-back or repair program increase the perceived value of their collections
Circular fashion is not an aesthetic trend in the classical sense. It is a selection filter that adds to choices of style, colors, and silhouettes.
Colors and Silhouettes: The Stylistic Directions of the 2024 Season
Red has emerged as the signature color of 2024, appearing in both spring-summer collections and autumn-winter wardrobes. From deep burgundy to bright red, this shade has been featured on long dresses, leather jackets, and structured accessories.
1990s-inspired minimalism has gained ground against the Y2K aesthetic that dominated previous seasons. Fitted tank tops, straight pants, palettes of gray and beige: the wardrobe is simplifying. The preppy style, with its turtlenecks, loafers, and pleated skirts, has also marked the season.
Denim, Leather, and Transparency: The Key Materials
Denim remains omnipresent, worn as a total look or as a single structural piece (midi skirt, oversized jacket). Leather, long confined to winter, has extended to mid-season collections in the form of lightweight shirts and flared skirts.
Transparency has been treated as a construction code rather than as provocation. Layered over visible underwear or opaque backgrounds, it has allowed for playing with layers without exposing the body in a frontal manner. Miu Miu and Gucci have particularly exploited this theme on the runways.
XXL Bags and Statement Accessories: The Pieces Redefining the 2024 Look
The XXL bag has been the standout piece of the season in terms of accessories. Far from the mini-bag of previous years, generous formats worn on the shoulder or crossbody have dominated the fashion week runways. The reason is as much practical as aesthetic: a large bag structures the silhouette and serves as a focal point of a minimalist look.
Accessories compensate for the sobriety of clothing. When the wardrobe simplifies (neutral colors, straight cuts), it is the shoes, bags, and jewelry that bring personality. Statement earrings and wide belts have complemented this logic.
- The grainy leather tote bag, worn open, has become a classic of the spring-summer season
- High square-toed boots have marked the transition to autumn, worn with both midi dresses and raw denim
- Thick-framed sunglasses, often in caramel or matte black shades, have been the most popular accessory in street style
Fashion 2024 is characterized by this tension between clothing sobriety and bold accessories. The most sought-after pieces in the resale market confirm this direction: it is quality accessories, not ephemeral patterned garments, that retain their value best. The European regulation on ecodesign could reinforce this dynamic by making material traceability readable right from the label.
