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What's Hot:
Spring trends fresh off the runways…
With the upcoming spring season already peeking its head in retail stores, the main question on the customer's mind is what is hot for this spring season. Returning trends from last season like the bohemian look, and vivid primary shades, mixed with this season’s various shades of white and neutrals combined with black, make this season’s collections classic but contemporary.
The colours for this season mixed with the shapes and styles are really true to the spring feeling: cool and comfortable, but stylish and elegant. Primary colours are making a bold statement but black and white are still dominant for the spring season. Bold colours like reds, yellows, blues, greens, and pinks are at the stronger end of the colour spectrum, while cleaner and simpler colours like creams, brilliant whites, pearls, nudes and almond tones make up the creamer and softer palate of the spring and summer season. Designers like Nanette Lepore, shown right, have embraced feminine fabrics and silhouettes while including the bright, clean, and fun colours of the spring season.
These bright and playful colours are coming through in various styles. Trousers have taken a back seat to the overwhelming presence of skirts for the spring season. The length is just below the knee and is being matched with shorter jackets and blouses. As well as a return to skirts, dresses are making waves with more casual styles, and yet still manage to maintain a feminine silhouette.
Jeans are once again a must-have in any women’s wardrobe. They are being worn with a knit shrug, a blousy tunic top (as an homage to the romantic styles of the Victorian era), or a mismatched jacket – all popular items for this season. The Capri is still a must-have item, but the length is beginning to resemble a pedal pusher rather than a cropped pant. Have no fear, trousers are still everywhere this season and are still being shown with a wide leg.
For the evening, designers are choosing a very different colour scheme. Silver, blues, and golds come out in feminine and flowy fabrics like chiffon, lace, and satin. The look can be described as soft and glimmering. Fabrics are being twisted, scrunched, and pleated, and various materials are being mixed and matched.
In accessories, belts are back once again and they are being shown in a variety of ways. The major trend is what is being called a boxer belt, a thick and large style belt worn at the hips. They are shown in satin for a more dramatic evening look, and even in softer fabrics for slacks. Strappy sandals are a must-have for the season. While the wedge sandal was big last season, this season the espadrille is back and bigger than ever.
So what are my recommendations for this season, and what am I rushing out to purchase myself? You have to remember that trends are fun and are great extras to throw into your wardrobe but you have to have good basics with which to mix the trends. You should definitely invest in a new pair of shoes, whether it is a strappy sandal or an espadrille. I happen to love the black and white look of the season; there is something really clean and simple about that look. So you can begin there and then add in some of the bolder tones I mentioned above. Invest in a new pair of jeans, or a flowy bohemian top, or my favourite new trend, the all-fashionable pedal pusher, which can be dressed up with heels or down with flip flops. Whatever you decide, enjoy the warmth and playfulness of the spring season and have fun! ¤ Erin