Spring has almost sprung, and once again it is time to update your fall wardrobe. This time around, get flirty and feminine, embrace color and go wild with accessories. Here are the key trends that you should be wearing this quarter.
A Return To Innocence
“There was a trend that I saw at a ton of runway shows, this return to childhood, a return to youth,” said Aimee Sorek, president of Fashion and Student Trends at UCLA. “Big bows, braids in the hair, big ruffles, hearts ““ that’s a huge trend.”
This was a femininity removed from sexuality ““ the simple nude colors, extensive use of tulle and exposed underwear instead representing a return to innocence. At Marc Jacobs, the heavy use of ruffles and sheer fabrics created a magical and enchanting spectacle, and this same playfulness was found in Christopher Kane’s flirty gingham dresses in London.
To recreate this look, use neutral tones a la Stella McCartney, alongside pretty accessories like hair bows. Don’t shy away from sheer fabrics, but find shapes that are loose and childlike to avoid showing too much.
Extreme Accessories
Alexander McQueen’s gravity-defying “armadillo” shoes became the talking point of the spring collections ““ made even more famous by their appearance in Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” video. Heralding a new dawn in accessory design, the shoes came to epitomize the birth of the “extreme” accessory.
From the Marc by Marc Jacobs metallic purses, in a rainbow of neon colors, to Michael Kors huge clear beaded necklaces, this season’s accessories are all about making a statement.
“As far as following trends, a really good way to do that is through accessories. Cheap, plastic accessories can be a great way of brushing up an outfit to make it more trendy,” Aimee Sorek said.
Don’t hold back ““ team up piles of chunky jewelry or skyscraper heels with simple, chic outfits.
The Mini Dress
Gone are the days of the maxi-dress being the staple of springtime style. This year, it’s all about raised hemlines.
“Long dresses are definitely out. We’ve seen a lot of baggy dresses these last few years, but they’re getting tighter and shorter,” said Jessy Longo, manager of Westwood store Brandy & Melville.
The key piece of this new trend is the mini dress, star of several collections, and favorite of young fashion stars like Alexa Chung and Whitney Port. Whether emblazoned with futuristic graphic prints at Alexander McQueen or pretty and feminine at Chanel, there’s no escaping the new mini.
Perfect for day to night style, team skintight mini dresses with loose blazers and flats for easy daytime style or with platforms for high-octane nighttime glamour.
The Re-Imagined Trench Coat
As Burberry returned to its birthplace to show at London Fashion Week in September, it seems fitting that this season’s must-have jacket is the one they invented ““ the trench coat. However, just as Burberry has evolved far beyond its humble roots, so too has the trench been re-imagined for the new decade. No longer is the trench an afterthought to the rest of an outfit, the new trench coat is a statement in itself.
There are no rules to this re-worked coat: Alexander Wang removed its sleeves; Burberry transformed it into a stand alone dress, colorful and complex; while at Philip Lim it was made out of leather. It’s all about being creative ““ try mimicking John Galliano’s DIY-style sewn-on embellishments by adding sequins and exposed stitching to a basic trench.
The ’80s Color Palette
The ’80s aesthetic continued to dominate the runway this spring. However, those exasperated by the onslaught of heavy shoulder pads and acid wash denim, made iconic by French brand Balmain, can breathe a sigh of relief.
Instead, the ’80s influence could be found in the bright, brash and occasionally metallic blocks of color that lit up the runways.
“The ’80s neon stuff is definitely going to go away. These colors are brighter and vibrant, but in a different way … rich fuchsias, a nice emerald,” said Camille Tagle, fourth-year art history student and aspiring fashion designer.
Balenciaga used flashes of deep yellow and electric blue to add an ’80s flair to its futuristic leather-heavy collection, while Giles Deacon’s first collection to be shown in Paris was dominated by metallic fabrics and in-your-face graphic prints.
This is a trend that is easy to follow on a budget by pairing up blocks of color with minimal but strong accessories ““ but remember, keep it simple.