Recession be damned, it’s hard to resist the pull of pretty new clothes
The weather is finally cooperating, sandals are hitting the shoe racks, and robins have been sighted, which means one thing: spring shopping. Just be smart with your money or take a peek inside your own closet, because if there’s one fashion reliable, it’s the ever-spinning orbit of chic: What once was out will always, one day, be back in.
The Club Monaco Boyfriend Jacket
My boyfriend’s back, which means it’ll be in every store at every price point soon. Prices may still seem high, but you’re paying for tailoring. Look for a jacket that fits through the shoulders and is roomy, but not oversized. The difference? Roomy is all about fit, if you get a size 10, it’ll be a size 10, made to be roomy without being unflattering. Oversized is buying a size 10 when you’re a 6. It won’t work.
Pyjama Preppie
Though Dolce & Gabbana’s pyjama-inspired wares were a bit too literal for this fashion consumer, you can’t deny that piping, pin-stripes, Oxfords, and school-boy suits are hitting the stores in a mash up of East Egg meets Hugh Hefner with a splash of country tweed (there’s a fashion reference mouthful).
Lighter Shades of Pale
Look no further than this year’s Oscar gowns for evidence. Call it tea-stained, bleached, blush, nude, putty, whatever. It’s a shade that can be hard to pull off—be wary of looking washed-out—but the right palette conjures up a delicate elegance that any lady would love to exude. Even denim is taking note—there’ll be more pale blue denim this year than in 1983.
Back-Zip Strappy Heels
There’s something slightly salacious about a back-zip. It represents speed and ease of removal, which bodes well for this year’s crop of strap-happy heels. You had to be a bit of a Houdini to remove last season’s version (Gwyneth Paltrow circa Iron Man’s promo tour)—2.0’s zipper addition promises to make an already sassy shoe even sexier.
Fringed Gladiators
For the past few seasons, gladiators have been taking up residence on shoe shelves everywhere. This year, they’re Western-inspired with a side of Pocahontas. Fringe abounds on ankles and toes, even right up to the knee. New materials and colours include python and, of course, nudes.
Floral
A little ‘90s baby doll, a little ‘40s Sunday best, floral patterns this season are small, colourful, and feminine. Look for free-flowing dresses, pretty scarves, and office-appropriate blouses to add to the more dramatic florals we saw for Fall.
Tapered Pants
Last summer in Spain I witnessed women of all ages wearing dhoti-inspired dropped crotch harem pants and I knew it would only be a matter of time before they made their way across the pond. Ralph Lauren sent a luxe gold sequined pair down the runway, Alexander McQueen showed a slim silhouette narrowed to almost nothing at the ankle, and everyone from Zara to American Apparel is offering versions. They’re surprisingly flattering, but you’ve got to try on many, many pairs before finding “the one”.
Juicy Hues
On the flip side, spring also means the return of colour and this year,
we’ll be reaching for fruit. Think lemon, raspberry, mango, peach,
pomegranate, lime…bright, saturated solids that flatter a variety of
skin tones.
The Affair of the Necklace
Clusters, twists, pendants, baubles—if it’s making a bold statement, you’re going to want it around your neck. Shorter lengths look great against a plain crew neck T; long and dangly goes with deep Vs. But the sky’s really the limit here, if you love something, just go for it.
Architecture
Structure, people! With Gwyneth’s strong-shouldered Elle UK cover in March and everyone from Balenciaga to Calvin Klein incorporating tricky pleats and boxy lines into their collections, it’s safe to say that seams are here to stay. Kill three fashion birds with one purchase and pick up a super-tailored, perfectly pale boyfriend jacket.
Written by: Alicia Cox
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