The cherry blossoms, crocuses, and daffodils have bloomed, which means spring has arrived, and with it, spring fashion. Peel away the layers of winter and emerge wearing nothing but a crop-top and some short-shorts. The most surprising trend to stomp down the spring runway was black and white stripes; the bright cobalts and corals were no surprise when it comes to colour.
These are just a handful of trends from the runway that I see working in conservative Victoria (just don’t wear them all at once):
Sport-luxe
Fashion magazines and so-called fashion-minded people generally react negatively towards wearing things like sweatpants, sweatshirts, and running shoes. However, major fashion houses like Balenciaga, Kenzo, and Givenchy all have sporty elements to their spring lines. The difference between wearing your Grad 2009 sweatpants and a tailored pair is the key to pulling off this trend well.
Wedge sneakers
I could have lumped wedge sneakers in with sports-luxe, but they truly deserve a section of their own. Isabel Marant debuted her Willow Wedge sneakers in her spring 2012 line, and since then there has been a flurry of knockoffs. Shoe stores in Victoria are now fully embracing the trend, and summer shoe style will never look the same.
Ankle-strap sandals
Along with wedge sneakers, ankle-strap sandals are the new, more refined gladiator sandal. Usually there are just two straps on these sandals, one around the ankle and one around the toes, but sometimes the toe strap looks different. Whether the sandals are four-inch heels or flats, ankle-strap sandals will still look amazing.
Colours
Although pastel colours are still big this year, cobalt blue was seen stomping down the Gucci and Hermes runways, while bright green was the scene at Stella McCartney. Bright corals and oranges were also a popular choice for spring runways.
Stripes
Whether they’re horizontal, vertical, or chevrons, stripes are the pattern of the season on maxi dresses, skirts, or shirts. Although stripes of colour are good, black and white stripes are the ultimate awesome. Embrace your inner Beetlejuice; all the other fashionistas will be jealous.
Show some skin
Love it or hate it, crop-tops are making a comeback. Models at Michael Kors and Peter Som strutted down the spring runways baring their midriffs. Short, high-waisted shorts appeared in too many shows to count and proved the trend is still going strong into 2013.
Most importantly, find out what works for you, but don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. The better a garment fits you, the better it will look, whether it’s a wardrobe staple or a trend right off the runway.