Spring is fast approaching, which means that most people will be reaching for their trusty floral tea-dress and floaty blouses. While there’s nothing wrong with those garments, sometimes it’s fun to switch things up a bit and stand out from the crowd.
Here are some great tips for doing spring fashion differently.
Block it out
Rather than reaching for pattern, go for bold block colours instead. Vibrant red shades were all over the catwalks earlier this year, as were golds, oranges and yellows. Keep it simple and work with two colours at a max – any more and the look starts to get confusing.
Ruffle or ruche?
Ruffles were big news in 2018, with brands like Realisation Par perfecting flamenco-style ruffles on their summer dresses. The good news is that ruffles are still having a moment, though if you want to take things forward, go for ruching instead. All the fashion magazines predicted this would be big last year, and they were right.
Ruched clothing could mean a skirt with ruching down one side, or a dress with the fabric gathered in the middle to create a focal point. Wear it whatever way works for you.
Go sporty / utility
If ‘pretty’ isn’t your thing, then you’ll be pleased to know that sportswear (or ‘athleisure’) is going to be big this season, as is the utility look. Take your inspiration from Sporty and Scary Spice – we’re talking combat trousers (though more tailored for a modern look), anoraks, dressed-up jogging bottoms and tracksuit jackets.
Denim with your favourite sports jacket is also a subtle throwback to the 90s and you can keep the look sleek, minimal and elegant with Straight Legged Jeans and some on-trend chunky trainers.
Get the make-up right
Typically, people reach for the floral-inspired palettes when spring arrives. Pinks and browns work well any time of the year, but if you want to create impact, go for a pop of colour on the eyelid. Feeling brave? Acid lemon, burnt orange or forest green will get you noticed. If you’d rather keep it subtle, stick with bright colours but blend them with more muted tones.
Pronounced eye-liner is still popular at the fashion-shows too. Think sharp cats-eye flicks or smoky lower lids. As for lips? Nude shades are definitely having a moment, though if you like going bold, choose an eye-popping orange or pillar-box red.
Nail the scent
When styling for spring, it’s easy to forget the importance of fragrance. Given the awesome momentum of the #MeToo movement, we recommend choosing something fierce, bold and unexpected, with ingredients like pink pepper, cinnamon, mint or citrus. Check out Copycat Fragrances for some inspiration.
Top to toe fashion
The catwalks were parading a variety of styles earlier this year. Again, 90s fashion was referenced, with the return of the platform heel, the mule and the ‘high-end trainer’. Masculine ankle boots are also still popular and look great when teamed up with a floaty dress. If the weather permits, you may also want to step out in toe-thong shoes, which expose the toes while remaining very much a shoe, not a flip-flop.