As we farewell the cold weather and welcome sunshine back into our lives, it can be overwhelming making new-season wardrobe choices.
With so many spring fashions out there, how do you decide what to try? Here are six trends to get you started – and the bonus is that some of these might already be part of your wardrobe.
Set dressing
Popular for several seasons now, matching sets are here to stay for the warmer months. You’ll find combos of shirts with shorts, pants or skirts in all kinds of fabrics, from crisp cottons and linens to fluid, silky materials. While their popularity has a fair bit to do with the fact that these sets are as comfy as pyjamas, some designs do look remarkably similar to nightwear and therefore require a little thought when it comes to styling. Create some shaping around the waist by tucking the top loosely into the bottoms all the way around, or tuck just one side of the front in. Otherwise, the top can be worn open with a camisole, tube top or T-Shirt underneath to break up the all-over pattern. If you do wear the set on its own, make sure to add some accessories such as bangles or other jewellery and perhaps a lightly structured bag.
Ballet shoes
A style classic, ballet flats are perfect for transitioning from winter to summer. With the right support, they can be as comfortable for all-day wear as sneakers, but give outfits a more dressy look. Recently, designers have been experimenting with them by making them out of mesh materials, adding Mary Jane-style straps, decorating them with glitter or crystals or sometimes creating shoes that combine all of the above. No longer the pale pink, subtly beribboned style that we know from the stage, these modern iterations look best with wide-leg pants and jeans or with skirts and dresses with midi to maxi hemlines. When the weather really warms up, you can bet on seeing them paired with Bermuda shorts (a hot trend for summer).
Sheer fabrics
Like many catwalk trends, the see-through dress look needs a bit of tinkering before most of us are game enough to try it. It might be fine for music festival goers to wander around in a sheer slip with their undies on show, but it’s not the kind of thing that necessarily translates when you’re picking up the milk at the supermarket. For more extreme trends like this, it’s usually best to hint at it rather than incorporating it as is, in this case perhaps by wearing a fine mesh tank or lacy camisole under a jacket or trying a fitted skirt with a section of sheer hemline.
Crochet and craft
Finally, your craft skills are becoming fashionable. A key look in the ’70s and ’90s, crochet is having a moment again. This time, though, it’s not so much about a homely, DIY aesthetic as a refined, resort look. Think tank tops and crew necks in a fine, regular stitch, in quiet neutrals such as cream, white and beige, or if you actually are lucky enough to be at a resort, perhaps a crocheted tunic to wear as a poolside cover-up. The logical accompaniment to crochet styles is the craft trend. Look for raffia bags and sandals, accessories with macrame motifs and nods to upcycling and customisation such as designs made from reworked textiles or trimmed with reclaimed fabrics. Again, the emphasis is on artisanal finishing and calm colours rather than wild experimentation.
White dresses
Nothing refreshes a wardrobe like a white dress. Whether pared back and plain or embellished with embroidery, ruffles or crochet lace, a white dress is an ideal choice for occasion wear on sunny days. Choose from a multitude of styles and fabrics, including puff-sleeved designs in broderie anglaise, shirt dresses in linen and simple silhouettes with pintuck details. If dresses are not your thing, try a white blouse or tunic that incorporates a similarly spring-like air, paired with white pants in a slim cut.
Polo shirts and rugby jumpers
A casual wardrobe mainstay, sports tops such as polo shirts and rugby jumpers have been all over the catwalks lately. While you’ve likely been wearing these for years, this spring designers have updated them by playing with proportions and fabrics. Look for fitted, knitted styles, oversized silhouettes, contrasting collars and classic stripes in interesting colour combinations. Wear with a flowing skirt or over tailored wide-leg pants with statement accessories so that no-one mistakes you for a member of the local sporting team.
What are you looking forward to wearing with the warmer weather? Why not share your thoughts in the comments section below?
