As we look ahead to the pre-summer 2024 season, women’s knit and stitch collections are embracing feminine and optimistic designs. With the return of holiday and partywear, designers are leaning into lively stripes, dimensional stitches, and pretty openwork that emphasize color and tactility. In this article, we’ll explore the key trends shaping the pre-summer 2024 knit and stitch landscape, providing insights for online retailers to stay ahead of the curve.
Table of Contents
1. Summer stripes: versatile and vibrant
2. Opulent florals for evening and partywear
3. Lightweight openwork from city to beach
4. Dimensional texture with a nostalgic twist
5. Graphic patterns in bold, retro-inspired looks
1. Summer stripes: versatile and vibrant
Stripes are a versatile trend for the pre-summer 2024 season, ranging from preppy and nautical to rainbow colors perfect for resort and holidaywear. Classic themes like the Breton stripe are updated with button detailing, while casualwear embraces ombré and dip-dye effects in delicate gelato pastels. These eye-catching stripes offer a mood-boosting appeal for laid-back summer styles.
Online retailers can capitalize on this trend by offering a variety of striped knits, from timeless nautical pieces to more contemporary color-blocked designs. Consider sourcing sustainable yarns and exploring subtle design updates, such as self-yarn ties or recycled trims, to elevate the basic stripe.
2. Opulent florals for evening and partywear
As travel resurges, designers are catering to the demand for elevated florals in evening and partywear knits. Intricate jacquards and intarsia designs move away from casual “comfy party” iterations, instead focusing on dressy cardigans, crews, dresses, and vests. Outdoor florals and garden flowers, a key trend across all apparel, are particularly prominent.
To incorporate this trend, online retailers should look for knits featuring single floral motifs, monochromatic color schemes, and dramatic scales. Tapestry-inspired knits and 90s-influenced designs are also strong options for capturing the opulent floral aesthetic.
3. Lightweight openwork from city to beach
Openwork stitches, ranging from sheer and mesh to delicate vintage-inspired crochet, are a key trend for pre-summer 2024. Contemporary edits feature airy needle-out techniques and transparent technical yarns, creating versatile styles that transition seamlessly from city to beach.
Online retailers can offer a selection of openwork knits in pared-back silhouettes, catering to the demand for lightweight, breathable pieces. Irish crochet-inspired designs and knitted mesh are particularly strong options for capturing this trend.
4. Dimensional texture with a nostalgic twist
Tactility remains important for pre-summer 2024, with a focus on nostalgic designs that explore vintage and Y2K themes. Elevated 3D textures update the “cottagecore” aesthetic through dimensional crochet, bobbles, cables, and ruffles on transseasonal wool sweaters and partywear.
To tap into this trend, online retailers should seek out knits with an artisanal or handcrafted feel, placing dimensional stitches on pared-back silhouettes. For a more contemporary take, look for uneven organic effects and ruffles created with ripple stitches and ribs.
5. Graphic patterns in bold, retro-inspired looks
Bold, large-scale graphic patterns are making a statement for pre-summer 2024, with designers exploring retro themes through a nostalgic lens. Playful intarsia motifs are key, while transseasonal classics like argyle and Nordic-inspired jacquards receive a youthful, contemporary update.
Online retailers can embrace this trend by offering knits with eye-catching, oversized motifs and graphic updates to traditional patterns. Retro-inspired themes like “kidult” and “new Nordic” are particularly strong directions for capturing the playful, nostalgic feel of this trend.
Conclusion
The pre-summer 2024 women’s knit and stitch collections are marked by feminine optimism, with designers embracing lively stripes, opulent florals, lightweight openwork, dimensional textures, and bold graphic patterns. By staying attuned to these key trends, online retailers can curate a compelling assortment that resonates with consumers seeking elevated yet versatile knits for the upcoming season. To successfully navigate the pre-summer 2024 landscape, consider sourcing sustainable yarns, exploring vintage-inspired designs, and offering a mix of timeless and trendy pieces. By striking a balance between classic appeal and contemporary updates, online retailers can position themselves as go-to destinations for women’s knit and stitch collections that capture the essence of feminine optimism.
