The spring season has the unique ability to elicit both excitement and anxiety in devoted fashion followers. While the warmer days invite more delightful fabrics like linen, silk, eyelet and jersey, the silhouettes are typically not as substantial (or forgiving) as the fall season.
This spring is no exception – to the anxiety, that is. With dubious trends like bra tops and wide, colourful stripes already spotted on street-style stars across the globe and now set in sartorial stone, a little guidance is required on how to incorporate them into your daily wardrobe is.
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Global News spoke to freelance stylist and designer Cheryl Gushue for some tips on how to incorporate five of spring’s top trends into your wardrobe mix in a way that works for you.
Trend #1: Wide stripes
Missoni
Horizontal stripes, the curve-enhancing pattern that sends most women into a panic, made a strong showing on the spring catwalks. Seen at Missoni, Altuzarra and Proenza Schouler, they were large, colourful and chic, but are admittedly difficult to wear.
“Horizontal stripes, especially wide ones, will inevitably draw attention to the area of your body that they cover,” Gushue says. “But you can easily offset that. If you’re wearing a striped dress or top, throw on a solid-coloured sweater, vest or blazer. It’ll minimize the amount of stripe you see and draw attention elsewhere.”
She also says the season’s popular striped Oxford shirts work for everybody and are a great alternative way to incorporate the trend.
Trend #2: Yellow
Chloé
Regardless of what the Old Farmer’s Almanac says, spring will definitely be sunny. The runways were bathed in yellow, ranging from bright to soft and subdued. But it’s a notoriously difficult colour to wear.
“I always think of Nicole Kidman in Dior at the 1997 Oscars when I think of yellow, and the colour looked amazing against her porcelain skin and blue eyes,” Gushue says.
She advises anyone with a similar skin tone to opt for light, buttery shades, while acid-bright yellow works well on dark skin tones, and mustard lends itself to a medium shade with golden undertones.
“I also like to tell people to think of it as an accent colour, instead of a head-to-toe look,” she says. “A yellow shoe or handbag is a stylish complement to a grey suit, for example.”
Trend #3: Bra tops
Oscar de la Renta
It seems fashion’s obsession with gym-toned abs will continue into this season. But that doesn’t mean you need to drop and power through 50 crunches. Gushue says there are ways around this trend that don’t require a five-minute plank.
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“If you wanted to dress down a blazer, a sporty-looking bra top is fashion-forward and offers a pop of interest. Similarly, a peek of lace from a bra under a plunging neckline or under a sheer layer is really beautiful and feminine.”
Of course, she adds, “if you love your stomach, go ahead and show it off.”
Trend #4: XXXL earrings
Gucci
The statement jewelry accent of the season is undoubtedly large, scene-stealing earrings. From Rodarte to Gucci, they were shown both as an elegant complement to eveningwear looks and a flashy addition to sportswear ensembles.
Oversized earrings (and bold lipstick) can instantly turn a daytime outfit into evening-appropriate attire. Although, Gushue warns, if you don’t want the focus on your neck, maybe skip this trend altogether.
“They will definitely draw the eye there, but if you really want to wear them, wear a high-neck halter top and pull your hair back,” she says. “That looks great on everybody.”
Trend #5: Flatform shoes
Salvatore Ferragamo
If you hear clomping in the streets this season, don’t be surprised if instead of a horse, you spot someone in flatforms – shoes that sit on a uniformly flat, thick sole.
This trend, Gushue says, is definitely not universal.
“I’m a size nine, so if I wear flatforms, they look like cruise ships on my feet.”
The way to avoid this is to balance out the heavy silhouette of the shoe with structured apparel, whether it’s wide-leg pants, a maxi dress or an A-line skirt. But be forewarned, these shoes will definitely dress down your outfit thanks to their striking resemblance to sneakers.