1. Polka dot print

The catwalks were full of polka dots this year.

Polka dots tend to be popular in the summer, but it's actually a timeless and versatile trend that you'll probably see a lot of next year.

"Polka dots can be relied on for elegance and impact," says the British newspaper Telegraph. "They are fun and don't take themselves too seriously. Even the name suggests joie de vivre."

"They are big and bold, they are imperceptibly small, they are vigorous, they are silent... It is a print for everyone: it is genderless, classless, ageless and timeless."

2. Cherry red

Except for the pesky pit you have to spit out at the end, cherries are delicious — and this season they gave the runways a striking, vibrant, confident color.

Some brands presented head-to-toe cherry red looks, while others limited themselves to a skirt or jacket and combined them with other colors to form an ensemble.

"Fashion's obsession with bright red has been impossible to ignore in recent seasons, seen on the catwalks but also on the red carpets"

"The spring/summer 2024 [collections] brought a significant shift towards deeper, more opulent versions of the tone."

3. Metallic looks

Clothes and dresses with a metallic shine are also an excellent bet for 2024.

One of our favorite Met Gala themes from the last decade was Man vs. Machine, in 2016.

That year, the world's biggest celebrities were seen in silvery, futuristic colors with robot-inspired accessories.

This style dominated during this year's Paris Fashion Week.

Net-A-Porter, the world's leading online luxury fashion retailer, notes: "Swathes of shimmering metals glittered on the Spring/Summer 2024 runways."

But if you opt for gold, be careful not to overdo it.

"Metallic gold gives a gladiatorial look," highlights American fashion tips site StyleCaster.

"If you want to tone it down, pair metallic gold with alternative materials like denim or leather."

4. Knitting

In the UK, the weather is so terrible that, frankly, a nice cardigan or sweater never goes out of style.

According to specialized website Who What Wear, the Spring/Summer 2024 collections showed that "knitwear is a staple, but it shouldn't be any less fabulous than the rest of the pieces you wear."

"Erdem's embroidered cardigans are among the most beautiful pieces we've seen," he adds.

W magazine suggests: "Fair Isle cardigans and knitwear were the most prominent knitwear trend this season."

5. Snowflake Patterns

We recognize that these beautiful, intricate designs are a little more sophisticated than the snowflakes we made in school with paper and scissors.

"Designers have been crafty this season," notes Drapers, a magazine and website that covers the fashion retail sector.

"The Paris runways were filled with oversized lace and broderie anglaise for Spring/Summer 2024," she adds.

(Don't worry, we already Googled it, broderie anglaise refers to patterns with small round or oval holes cut into the fabric, giving it the snowflake look.)

Several of the clothes shown at fashion weeks had the snowflake design placed front and center, while others showcased it through a transparent outer layer.

6. Bows and ribbons

If you're reading this at home, next to your discarded Christmas wrapping paper, be sure to collect the bows and ribbons before they reach the trash can.

Giant bows have appeared in several top designers' collections during fashion week, so we could see them adorning many dresses next year.

"Large, opulent bows, seen at shows like Sixdo and Aknvas, added a touch of whimsy to otherwise plain or unadorned looks."

But not all brands opted for big, flashy designs — others chose much smaller bows and ribbons to decorate, complement or tie together clothes.

"The delicate accessory creates a soft, romantic look no matter how it's worn, acting as outfit accents for a range of different silhouettes" suggests fashion trends website Nylon.

7. Short shorts

Next summer, we'll likely see an explosion in popularity in short shorts in a variety of colors, styles, and fabrics.

"Leg workout days are about to pay off," says Net-A-Porter, "because from what we saw on the runways, really short shorts will be the big thing for summer 2024."

8. Recycled, used or sustainable materials

Probably the most important fashion trend we should all embrace next year is green.

But it's not about the color.

Sustainability has long been a concern in relation to the highly polluting fashion industry. Many consumers buy something cheap, use it a few times and then throw it away.

Small steps are being taken to address the industry's carbon footprint, such as the growing popularity of websites specializing in used clothing, but many feel much more needs to be done.

So we applaud designers who are putting sustainability at the forefront — whether by changing their work practices or incorporating second-hand materials into their designs.

“Waste and dead stock get a second life as new garments,” says international fashion platform Fashion United.

"Materials destined for landfill are rescued and reworked. Patched, transformed and layered with imperfections and signs of wear celebrated rather than hidden."

As consumers' awareness of their carbon footprint increases, perhaps the items that many will choose to wear most in the coming year will be the clothes already in their wardrobe.