Best (and worst) of spring’s new trends from... A to Z
AS IT gets warmer, High Street rails are filling with new, trendy — and frankly terrifying — spring clothes. From gingham and leopard print to trench coats and flashy zips, this season’s looks seem to be a baffling mish-mash of styles inspired by the catwalks.
So, which to pick? Here, style editor DINAH VAN
TULLEKEN chooses the A to Z of trends — noting which ones to consider, and which to run a mile from . . .
A IS FOR ASYMMETRIC From shirts with one sleeve to skirts that hitch up, the lopsided look has seen every catwalk. You’d be brave to try it — but if you do, keep the rest of your outfit plain. Verdict: Jury’s out B IS FOR BRIGHTS colours are more eyepopping than ever this season: think fuchsia, orange, yellow and royal blue (like this shoe, £19.99, newlook.com). try wearing all the same tone and mixing textures. Verdict: try it
C IS FOR CUT-OUTS a Flash of flesh is set to be all the rage, revealing shoulders, arms and the waist — but best leave anything that bares your midriff to the younger generation. Wear only one cut-out item, though, or you might look like you’ve suffered a moth attack.
Verdict: ditch
D IS FOR DARING Bare arms, bare legs, sheer panels and fleshy tones. Yes, it’s fashionable to leave the house looking like you’ve forgotten to get dressed. But is it really daring — or just ridiculous?
Verdict: ditch
E IS FOR EMBROIDERY From elegant blouses to trendy trainers, if it’s not embroidered, it’s not worth having. a heavily decorated jacket may be a little ott, but a pretty pinstripe shirt with embroidered flowers is a chic update. Verdict: try it
F IS FOR FRILLS NEVER have trimmings been so fancy, taking over jumpers, jeans and dresses (right, £55, debenhams.com). Used sparingly, frills are great for adding Latin flair to your wardrobe.
VERDICT: Try it
G IS FOR GINGHAM it’s too easy to look like you’re wearing a tablecloth — this trend is probably best avoided for those over 30. Bold monochrome checks (right, £25,
simplybe.co.uk) are much safer. Verdict: ditch
H IS FOR HEAD-TO-TOE FLORALS erdem, Balenciaga and new designer marques’almeida have covered everything in beautiful blooms, so it’s time to turn your wardrobe into a botanical garden.
Verdict: try it
I IS FOR INTRICACY EMBELLISHMENT continues to shine into spring — beading, embroidery, anything goes.
But an easy, classy way to add a little dazzle is with a detailed bag (right, £65, dunelondon.com).
VERDICT: Try it
J IS FOR JUMBO BAGS the bigger your bag the better. think celine and look for oversized, slouchy styles that will hold all your essentials, kitchen sink included. Verdict: try it
K IS FOR KHAKI Pack away your summer denim and give khaki a go instead. What was once an exclusively military hue has had a feminine makeover and is particularly flattering against mature skin. Verdict: try it
L IS FOR LEOPARD PRINT
Not the Bet Lynch look. this season, mix in reds, blues, yellows and pinks for a modern take on a Seventies classic — like these slingbacks (above, £60, topshop.com).
Verdict: try it
M IS FOR MIX AND MATCH
Don’t be afraid to clash prints and colours, the less co-ordinated the better. the look is all thanks to gucci’s eccentric catwalk styles — and handy if you lack matching items. Be warned though: this mish-mash look might get a few funny looks. Verdict: Jury’s out
N IS FOR NAUTICAL
We’LL never tire of navy and white when the sky is blue. Look out for boat prints with doublebreasted jackets, or add a striking silk scarf (right, £195, libertylondon.com) to one of your everyday ensembles.
Verdict: try it O IS FOR OPEN-SHOULDER THE cold shoulder is back with a vengeance (above, £79, hobbs.co.uk). While an off-the-shoulder top can make a feature of the collarbone, tread with caution. If you’re older and going for this look, it’s best to cover your cleavage or you could look like a buxom milkmaid. VERDICT: Jury’s out
P IS FOR PINSTRIPES
NO longer reserved for your work wardrobe, pinstripes — on dresses, shirts, skirts and trousers — have gone mainstream. Pair with a daring colour or print to stop your outfit from looking too corporate
Verdict: Jury’s out Q IS FOR QUINTESSENTIALLY BRITISH MULBERRY’S catwalk was a traditional mix of tweed, check and tartan paired with delicate florals — perfect. Get a hint of catwalk glamour with this wrap skirt (£35, next.co.uk).
VERDICT: Try it R IS FOR ROBES After the success of last season’s trend for pyjamas, it was only a matter of time before the fashion set started stepping out in their dressing gowns. Verdict: ditch
S IS FOR SEASIDE STRIPES
Think deckchairs, summer parasols and beach towels — American brands Marc Jacobs and Altuzarra strutted wide, colourful stripes down the catwalk at New York fashion week.
Verdict: try it T IS FOR TRENCH COAT But with a twist. Make a statement with an oversized design, as seen on 73year-old model and actress Lauren Hutton at Milan fashion Week. Verdict: try it U IS FOR UNDERWEAR . . . AS OUTERWEAR! not as shown on the catwalk (right). for day-to-day wear, let the lace trim of a satin slip or long vest peek out from under your blazer or blouse. Surprise bonus? it’ll hide muffin tops.
Verdict: try it V IS FOR VELVET VELVET is back and looking more luxurious than ever — take inspiration from Victoria Beckham’s collection. Verdict: try it W IS FOR WHITE SHIRT this perennial favourite has been reinvented countless times, so you should easily find a style to suit you. Verdict: try it X IS FOR XXL EARRINGS shoulder-dusting danglers are here to stay. top up your collection with plenty of big, bold accessories. Verdict: try it
Y IS FOR YELLOW
EVEN before Emma Stone donned that bright frock in La La Land, yellow was her shade of choice for many red carpet events (left, in 2014). But the hue has now cemented itself as the colour of the season — and it’s surprisingly easy to wear.
VERDICT: Try it Z IS FOR ZIP DETAIL it seems that hidden, functional zips are a thing of the past. exposed styles are taking over, but wear only one stand-out zip per look. Verdict: Jury’s out