As the warm weather edges closer, it’s time to explore another season of trends and fashions to see what makes your heart flutter! Spring is a tricky season. It tends to be chock full of girly details like ruffles and bows which is a delight to some women but overwhelming (and frustrating) to others. So, what’s up this season? Are we seeing the usual or something new or both? Let’s explore it together and I’ll share my seasonal favorites and those I think you should avoid and even a few that will elicit a big chuckle (although I’m not sure that was their intent)!
As usual, I divide the trends into 3 categories: Bewitched, Bothered & Bewildered and I explain why. And you can click on any of the photos below and it will take you directly to their website.
Enjoy!
Bewitched
Colors
To be honest, I’m just excited to see more color and less black and gray. It almost doesn’t matter what the colors are although thankfully there are some very pretty and very wearable colors (with a few eye rolling colors thrown in for good measure). You will see light bright colors like yellow, pink and orange as well as some deeper colors like red, fuchsia and cobalt blue. The color of the year is Living Coral and we’ll see a lot of that this season along with a wide variety of pinks. Here’s an example:
Dresses
Dresses are popular in the spring and summer and more women wear them as the temperatures warm up. This season we are seeing a lot of wrap dresses (faux and true wraps). Often faux wrap dresses are a bit easier to wear because the neckline doesn’t tend to gap as much. Here’s a lovely example:
And to keep the dress theme going, this season midi-dresses are everywhere. Tread warily here. The midi length is a bit tricky to wear because it can look dowdy in a heartbeat. But if you’re brave and have this length figured out for yourself, here’s a lovely example to explore:
Ruching
This is often one of my favorite details when those gathers are strategically placed on a top or dress. When done well, it can help the eye move where you want it to move and, as an added bonus, can help to camouflage little lumps and bumps. When not done well it can actually exaggerate features you are trying to hide. Here’s a great example of how the ruching draws focus to her waist but the little gathers can also help to camouflage the tummy a bit.
Tribal Designs
This trend tends to pop up frequently and it’s always fun for adding a bit of drama or uniqueness to an outfit. If you want to dabble in this trend a great way to do it is with accessories like these very pretty earrings (they are much smaller in real life than they look in the photo):
Fancy Feet
If you enjoy wearing fun and unusual shoes, then you’ll love the choices this season. They have everything from flip flops with big bows (a nod to the bow trend this seasons as well):
to snazzy statement sneakers like these:
Bow Blouses
Yes, bow blouses are still here and, although you can find delicate ones, this season the bows just keep on getting bigger. This is actually one of my favorites (although the top is cropped so either wear it with the matching skirt to look like a dress or a pair of high waisted pants):
Wide Leg Pants
I know some of you are wrinkling your nose at this trend or skipping to the next, but for those of you who are intrigued, let’s talk about wide leg pants. They definitely aren’t for everyone because they do, pretty much, need to be worn with a top tucked in. This isn’t always true, but let’s assume it is for now. When wide leg pants are worn high on the waist and very long (despite what you often see online), they can make your legs look a mile long! Another option is to wear them like this pair with a half-tuck:
Crochet & Fringe
These trends often have a bohemian or ‘natural’ vibe to them and can add a hint of fun to an otherwise basic outfit. You get to choose whether it’s a hint of one of these details or a lot. Here’s a pretty top with a touch of crochet detail:
Bamboo Handbags
Looking for a summer handbag that feels different and fun? Why not try a bamboo bag. Whether it’s just the handles that are bamboo (and maybe the rest is crocheted or macramé) or the entire handbag is (like the one below), it can add a touch of pizzazz to even your basic summer outfits.
Tie Dye
Tie Dye is one of those trends you either love or hate. And it is definitely tied (pun intended) into your inner beauty/essence inspiring you to wear it or leave it alone. It’s interesting that as I was researching this most of the examples I found are blue tie dye. I don’t know why, but that’s what’s out there. Here’s a pretty example:
Animal Print
Last, but not least, animal print. I save it for last because animal print has basically been on-trend for the past 30 years!! And this season is no exception. While there are lots and lots of options in both warm and cool tones (as well as colors) and you’ll find tops, pants, dresses and shoes in a variety of animal prints, there are also plenty of truly hideous animal print designs out there. If you like animal print but don’t want an entire outfit in the print, just giving a nod to the trend is perfect. Like this dress:
Bothered
Distressed Denim
Although lots of people wear this trend, there are really very few people who can pull off distressed denim well and whether they can or not, it ALWAYS relates to their inner beauty…always! Even if it reflects your inner beauty, however, it might not work with your body type. The distress detail needs to fall at a place that is flattering – the tears will always stop the eye. They can make your legs look shorter or bring focus to parts of your legs you don’t want focus to go. If you are going to wear it and expect it to look flattering, be sure it fits your personality, that you are strategic in the placement of the distressed detail AND that the fit of the garment is perfect.
Here’s an example of dreadful distressed denim AND paired with fringe which is still trending this season. Both are trends gone bad in this case:
Feathers
The reason this trend is in the ‘bothered’ category is because feathers are beautiful and the real ones belong on birds not in our closets. But if you enjoy the look of feathers, but don’t want to hurt the birds, there are many ways to do that. This pair of earrings caught my eye (they are much smaller in person than they look here) and are gorgeous.
Bike Shorts
This season bike shorts are everywhere and not just for when you are riding a bike! They are very unforgiving, so unless you are sure you rock them, leave them for your bike riding days or skip them altogether. Here’s what they want us to wear:
Clashing Prints
We’re not talking strategically selected mixed prints but rather prints that purposely clash. Leave this for the seventeen year olds (and hopefully even they won’t wear them). My fear is that this is where fashion is headed…please say it isn’t so!! Here’s one example and it isn’t even the worst of what they are suggesting. I’m beginning to suspect they are just playing with us to see if we’ll actually do it!
Bewildered
Sleeve Detail
Bell sleeves, balloon sleeves, lantern sleeves, ruffled sleeves…you name it they’ve been around now for many seasons. And, unfortunately, they are on everything. I have clients who roll their eyes when they find something they like but the sleeves are ridiculous. I think some of the sleeve detail is great fun and pretty, but do we really need fussy sleeves on everything? And, exaggerated fussiness to boot? Hopefully, this trend will die down a bit as the year goes along.
Utility Fashions
This is a bit of a tricky trend and, again, it must relate to your inner beauty for it to work. An outdoor, casual utility jacket can be fun (although if you are large busted be really careful of those giant patch pockets on your bustline!) and some of the utility jumpsuits are quirky and could be fun to wear. Here’s a jumpsuit that is fun and not too stiff (unlike so many utility-style garments).
Bewildered
Patchwork
If you are over 40 be very, very careful about this trend. Teenagers can wear it and look funky-cool. We put it on and look dowdy and frumpy and out-of-style immediately. I did find this one really fun African-inspired patchwork jacket that feels more upscale, dramatic and elegant:
And this will show you what I mean. See how adorable this patchwork skirt is worn with a cropped top.
Now, imagine this with a basic t-shirt…ooops! This is not to say that you couldn’t get really creative and funky with it, if that’s fun for you and this skirt (or something like it) appeals to you. If that’s the case then go for it and enjoy. None of the suggestions I’m making here are absolute. They are guidelines. The idea behind fashion and the seasonal trends is to have fun with them and make them your own. Enjoy! It will be fun to see which trends make it into your closet and which you leave on the rack.
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If you want to see more ideas and suggestions (over 130) related to the spring/summer fashion trends, join me in the ‘Styled by Ginger’ program and I will forward the special spring/summer catalogue of my personally curated choices. From now through March 17, receive $10 off your subscription to the ‘Styled by Ginger’ program (you can stay as long as you want or cancel at any time). You can learn more about it here: www.StyledbyGinger.com and use coupon code SBG10 to receive the special $10 discount.
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A Note About the Clothes: All of the garments pictured here (and in the catalogue) are vegan (made from fabrics that did not harm any animals). Please note that I am passionate about ending animal suffering and choosing cruelty-free clothing is just one aspect of a vegan lifestyle. If you have any questions about being vegan or what fabrics are vegan please let me know. I am happy to help and will answer any questions with kindness and compassion.
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