5 Summer Trends That Are High-Risk, High-Reward

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(Image credit: @emnitta)

If last summer introduced the idea of Hot Girl Summer style, then 2022 is doubling down on the sartorial movement with a fresh lineup of risqué summer trends, and dare we say they're spicier than ever. With the loosening of COVID restrictions across the country and more reasons than ever to let off some steam by hitting the dancefloor or going on a fabulous trip, it's only natural that the sartorial mood would follow this joyous and unapologetic mood. 

And unapologetic is what we're getting this summer. Fashion people are dialing things up to level 10, experimenting with more dramatic volume, even lower rises and higher hemlines, and cutouts. But for all the risks they pose, they come with an equally high reward. Here, we're breaking down the five risky summer trends from mild to jaw-dropping.

Relatively Mild: Parachute Pants

If we had to predict a single trend that we think will come to define summer 2022, it's parachute pants. The low-slung, baggy cargo pants are the definition of ironic and "ugly" fashion but given that all of Hollywood is endorsing them, we just can't stay away.

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(Image credit: Backgrid)

On Hailey Bieber: Saint Laurent Le 5 à 7 Hobo Bag ($2250); Balenciaga Cargo Pants and Neo Oval Sunglasses ($450); New Balance sneakers

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(Image credit: @camillecharriere)

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Getting Spicier: Teeny Tiny Skirts

With hemlines inching higher and rises slinking ever lower, we've arrived at a new barely-there trend, the low-rise miniskirt. While it's definitely not for the faint of heart, pulling off one of these micro minis is a high risk that comes with a high reward.

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(Image credit: MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty Images)

On Sydney Sweeney: Miu Miu top, skirt, and shoes

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(Image credit: @palomija)

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Living on the Edge: Lace-Up Details

Thanks to the resurgence of the pop-punk aesthetic, celebs from Kourtney Kardashian to Olivia Rodrigo are bringing back lace-up details. 

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(Image credit: @dualipa)

On Dua Lipa: Didu spring 2022 corset top and pants

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(Image credit: @emnitta)

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Playing With Fire: Open-Air Tops

Crop tops are cool and all, but this summer is ushering in a fresh going-out top, and we couldn't be more obsessed. I'm calling these open-air tops since they're defined by one single closure or a few minimal straps but are otherwise open in the front revealing a bare midriff. 

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(Image credit: @indyabrown)

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(Image credit: @lifeofboheme)

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Risking It All: "Naked" Fabrics

Yep, "naked" fashion moments are coming back, and this time, it's all about openwork crochet over any other sheer or nude-colored fabric. Specifically, sheer skirts, are quickly gaining steam among the fashion set, whether they're worn as swimwear coverups or as an unexpected going-out ensemble.

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(Image credit: @emnitta)

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(Image credit: @annelauremais)

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Up next, see the 19 items our editors added to their closets this month.

Senior Editor

Anna is an editor on the fashion team atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews withBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing 's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.