Oh, summer: We hardly knew ye. Goodbye, carefree suntans and whisper-thin slip dresses; sayonara, white Birkenstocks and chunky flatform sandals, no more sand in our artfully acquired beach hair, no more Chanel couture-inspired bike shorts under tunics, no more half-day Fridays, and no more overalls—at least not for a little while. But before we leap feet first into autumn and back-to-school season, why not take a look back at the trends that shaped summer 2014? You may be sick to death of them now, but do take note: As they say, plus ça change…
Photo: Courtesy of Lisa Love1/10The Couture Sneaker
Summer 2014 belonged to the (intentionally!) flat-footed. Built for speed, jazzed up for looks, sneakers were seen paired with everything from frilled cocktail dresses to contemporary takes on Le Smoking. Chic and comfortable? Be still our heart.
Photographed by Phil Oh2/10Overalls for Adults
All for one, one for all: Nothing spelled out chic summer ease last season like a onesie.
Photographed by Bruce Weber, Vogue, June 20133/10The Slip Dress Revival
A nineties throwback that hugs your curves in all the right places, the slip dress returned with a vengeance, whether paired with tough-looking leather jackets or worn alone, to combat sultry summer nights.
Photo: Splash News4/10Exposed Underwear
Nothing says “heat wave” quite like a flash of one’s undergarments, and there was a wave of #mycalvins on Instagram to prove it—not to mention Rihanna’s underwear-as-outerwear summer stylings.
Photographed by Peter Lindbergh, Vogue, April 19925/10A White Button-down with Everything
The crisp white shirt was this summer’s white T-shirt.
Photographed by Steven Meisel, Vogue, March 20106/10Ugly Pretty Shoes
After last year’s Birkenstocks obsession, Tevas, Marni sandals, and Rochas’s clogs were added to the list of ugly-pretty summer shoes. Your boyfriend was never so horrified to see your feet, but gosh darn, were you comfy.
Photographed by Marko MacPherson7/10The Bucket Bag
With a deceptively simple design, seemingly infinite space for toting everything you could need, and a leather that gets better with age, the bucket bag returned (again)!
Photographed by Phil Oh8/10Crop Tops for Evening
More waist-flattering than you’d think (it’s all in the wide cut), a flash of skin never felt so sophisticated.
Photo: Getty Images9/10The Full, Ladylike Skirt
Call it the antidote to “jorts”: At the end of the day, there was just something so excellently palate-cleansing about a full, ladylike skirt on the sweaty summer sidewalks.
Photographed by Mario Testino, Vogue, August 201410/10Fringe Benefits
When the temperature started to climb, a touch of bohemian style (as seen on fringed bags, boots, vests, and jackets) was the best way to keep cool.
