Written by Pamela Simmons • Updated December 24, 2022
Peter Michael Dills/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
For everything there is a season -- this applies to the fashion industry just as much as anything else in life. Fashion divides itself into seasons which sometimes may be tough to keep up with. If you'd like a little more insight into when fashion seasons start, getting the hang of it shouldn't take too long.
Different Seasons
Fashion is split into four seasons. These seasons are Spring/Summer, Autumn/Winter, Resort and Pre-Fall. The two major seasons, however, are Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter. Spring/Summer starts in January and runs until around June, and Fall/Winter goes from July to December. Resort collections overlap the first two seasons and are offered around late October through December. Pre-Fall collections appear in stores a bit before Fall/Winter collections come in. Fashion brands will host fashion shows weeks before each season starts in New York and LA to preview the new fashion trends for the season on the catwalk.
Confusion
It's pretty easy to see why these seasons cause confusion. In January it's still cold, so you may wonder why Spring/Summer and Resort collections would be for sale in stores. The retail fashion calendar is a lot different from the traditional calendar. Retailers like to start selling spring clothes early. Fall merchandise arrives in stores around July, to catch back-to-school shoppers. When a new season comes in, you'll notice the prior season will generally go on sale. All of these tactics are used to maximize sales.
Resort in Winter
Resort season can be especially confusing. It's wintertime and retailers are selling warm-weather clothes. Resort was initially started to cater to the wealthy who would take luxurious trips to exotic destinations during the winter months. This trend started with luxury brands and high-end stores, but has trickled down to many mass-market retailers. While people who shop mass-market retailers probably aren't jet-setting to a fancy isle, there is still logic behind this idea. Selling four seasons worth of clothes doesn't cost retailers any more but does give shoppers even more selection to choose from, which translates into more income for retailers.
Fashion Week
Here's when things get confusing again. Fashion Week seasons are out of whack with retail seasons. Fall/Winter Fashion Week is held in February, showcasing trends for the upcoming winter. Spring/Summer Fashion Week is held in September, displaying trends for the upcoming spring. Collections are shown this early for a variety of reasons. Retail buyers need time to view collections and decide which pieces they want to pick up -- in turn, designers need time to manufacture those orders. Magazines, which have a lead time of three months, also need to be able to pick up samples to photograph in enough time for issues to go to print. Therefore, clothes have to be shown months before they actually hit retail stores. Fashion shows will be hosted by various fashion designers in cities like Milan, Paris, New York and LA to premiere the season collections.
Resort and Pre-Fall Introductions
Because Resort and Pre-Fall aren't as major as Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter, they don't have their own Fashion Weeks. They do, however, show around the same time. Most designers choose simply to shoot their looks on models and send them out to press, while other -- generally bigger brands like Gucci or other couture brands -- hold shows or presentations to introduce their Pre-Fall and Resort collections. In general, you'll see Resort collections around June and Pre-Fall collections in December.
Other Considerations
There are, however, some timeless pieces that can be categorized as seasonless fashion. These are often just called basics that last throughout each season. Avoiding fast fashion can also increase the sustainability of your clothing items year-round. The fashion world currently has a lot of fast fashion, so look for items that will really round out your closet and last a long time.
References
Writer Bio
Pamela Simmons has been writing professionally since 2009. Her articles on fashion, beauty and other topics have appeared on Denim Therapy and other websites. Simmons serves as an editor and public relations manager for CHIC.TV. She holds a Bachelor of Science in international affairs from Georgia Tech and a Master of Business Administration from Mercer University.
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FAQs
One of history's first signs of a fashion week, or seasonal collection, can be traced back to fashion designer Charles Frederick Worth during the late 1800s.
What are the 4 seasons of fashion? ›
Fashion is typically split into four seasons: Spring/Summer, Fall/Winter, Resort, and Pre-Fall. The two main seasons, however, are Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter and are always shown at Fashion Week in London, Milan, New York, and Paris. Spring/Summer starts in January and extends to around June.
Why does fashion have seasons? ›
After all, the fashion industry exists through the process of people buying new clothes with some regularity. The fashion seasons could be thought of as the industry's trading cycle, with the industry itself only remaining relevant and dynamic as seasons allow for the continuous introduction of new styles and trends.
How many seasons are there in the fashion calendar? ›
The fashion calendar has four main seasons: Spring/Summer (SS), Autumn/Winter (AW), Resort/Cruise and Pre-Fall.
When did fashion begin? ›
Historians, including James Laver and Fernand Braudel, date the start of Western fashion in clothing to the middle of the 14th century, though they tend to rely heavily on contemporary imagery, as illuminated manuscripts were not common before the 14th century.
Are there 52 fashion seasons? ›
Rising to prominence in the early 2000s, the fast fashion industry turned the four traditional clothing seasons—spring, summer, fall and winter—into 52 micro-seasons.
What are the main 4 Fashion Week? ›
The "Big Four" events are the Paris Fashion Week, Milan Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week,and London Fashion Week.
What is the Big 4 Fashion Week? ›
The “Big Four” fashion weeks are held in New York, London, Milan and Paris – usually in that order. They typically take place twice a year, previewing the coming autumn/winter collections in February and March and giving a sneak peek of the following year's spring/summer collections in September and October.
What is seasonal trends in fashion? ›
- Summer trends often include lightweight fabrics, bold prints, and vibrant colors, while fall trends embrace rich textures, earthy tones, and layering. Winter trends focus on cozy knits, statement outerwear, and cold-weather accessories, while spring trends feature pastel hues, floral prints, and light layers.
How seasons affect our clothing? ›
In winters, we wear woollen pullovers and jackets along with long pants and stockings, while in summers, we wear cotton shirts that allow air to pass through or dry the sweat easily. In rainy seasons, we cover ourselves with raincoats that do not allow water to pass through.
Lightweight, breathable materials like cotton and linen are ideal for the warm temperatures of spring and summer. Fall and winter call for thicker fabrics like wool, fleece and denim to help retain body heat as the weather cools.
How many seasons of next in fashion are there? ›
In June 2020, Netflix announced it was cancelling the series after one season. Nevertheless, it was announced on the series's Instagram that the show would have a second season that would feature Tan France and Gigi Hadid. The second season premiered on March 3, 2023.
What fashion season is it now? ›
Spring/summer collections are delivered to stores between January and March. The SS collections are then on sale for a few months. Summer sales are often from mid-June to mid-July or August. The fall/winter collections are delivered to retailers between July and September and are then on sale for a few months.
How to write a fashion season? ›
In a general calendar year, we have four seasons. We have spring, summer, fall/Autumn, Winter. But in a fashion calendar, typically we have two major seasons. Spring-summer(S/S) and Autumn winter(A/W).
Is there a fashion Month? ›
Fashion Weeks are held twice a year, usually in February and September, to showcase the spring/summer and fall/winter collections. New York kicks off the Fashion Weeks, with London, Milan and Paris hot on its high heels.
When did fashion styling start? ›
Styling as we know it started with celebrities in 1772, when Marie Antoinette (the last Queen of France) met Rose Bertin. Rose came from a poor family and made her way up from a milliner to the first celebrated French fashion designer.
When did the new look fashion start? ›
On February 12, 1947, as Europe continues to recover from the devastation of World War II, French fashion designer Christian Dior launches his first collection: the “New Look.” For some, its lavish sense of exaggerated femininity marked a welcome departure from wartime austerity. For others, it prompted harsh backlash.
What are the big 4 fashion weeks? ›
What are the “Big Four” fashion weeks? The “Big Four” fashion weeks are held in New York, London, Milan and Paris – usually in that order.
What months are fashion shows in? ›
It's also a chance for fashion designers to take notes, critique trends and find models who show off their work the best. Fashion Weeks are held twice a year, usually in February and September, to showcase the spring/summer and fall/winter collections.
