Chic spring trends full of warm colors, rich textures
After the seemingly endless nor'easters and the slog of shoveling and freezing winds, spring temps can't come fast enough, as far as most Bostonians are concerned. Just the thought of swapping those layers of bulky sweaters, scarves and coats for bright colors, lighter materials and styles that are less utilitarian and more celebratory makes me giddy. And especially when I think about all the fun, warm-weather trends in front of us. Here's a list of the highlights, from details and designs to colors and accessories — all something to start shopping for now, and to start wearing before we know it.
Sequins, feathers and fringe
Sparkle was unavoidable on the spring runways thanks to a deluge of sequins, from Tom Ford's collections to Dior and Chanel. Marc Jacobs designed them into tops and Gucci sewed them into silk dresses, on whimsical blazers and Elvis-like jackets. There were also Versace's over-the-top sexy gowns for evening. But to make yours work off the runway, pair your sequined top or jacket with structured casual pants like denim (of any color). Or throw on some shoes that similarly up the glam factor, such as stilettos from Victoria Beckham and Tom Ford.
Embellishments that are equally hot right now: feathers and fringe. In their shows, Bottega Veneta and Saint Laurent sent out entire dress hems with substantial plumage all around, as did Maison Margiela and Celine. Meanwhile, Rihanna gave the widespread fringe trend an early stamp of approval when she rocked Saint Laurent's dramatic boots teeming with the stuff. But I also love the detail when it's done in a low-key way — as Loewe did, on a long and asymmetrical soft T-shirt dress in beaded fringe, sporting the brand's name in scrolled lettering. It could be worn on its own to the cafe on sunny days, over leggings or, when it gets really warm, to the beach or pool as a cover-up.
Updated trenches
Every year it seems like the fashion world urges us to get a new trench coat, but most designs seem similar to those that came before it. This year the classic, belted silhouette also endures, but the switch-up is in the new pastel colors. Check out the offerings in soft hues such as light blue ($228 at bananarepublic.com), dusty pink ($87 at asos.us.com) and light rose (Ted Baker's for $347 at bloomingdales.com). The pop of that unexpected and eye-catching hit of color brightens up any outfit underneath it, and revs up the trench tradition.
Hybrid straw bags and statement straw hats
Accessories are taking a detour with the warmer season in mind, most notably with the entrance of oversized and adorned floppy straw hats. Clearly a go-to grab mostly on weekends and vacations, this year it's a little more sophisticated, thanks to bowtopped versions at shows such as Jacquemus and Delpozo, so you can feel confident grabbing one on your way out to lunch, too. If those big statements (with equally big price tags) just aren't your thing, you can score midsize versions for far less in beige, white or black at H&M ($14.99). Straw bags, too, are a natural fit with almost any spring ensemble, and that's still true this season. But now we're also seeing them evolve, on satchels that mix straw and plastic, and straw and leather. The result is a more structured version that can go (and be put down) nearly anywhere — like the Nikole Tote ($79.99 at solesociety.com).
Transparency
Whether it's a few slices of sheerness in a royal blue sequined dress at Christian Dior, sheer trenches from MaxMara or barely opaque pencil skirts from Victoria Beckham, clear was the way to go in this season's runway shows. (A favorite: Prabal Gurung's clever frock, demure in every way — its dusty pink hue, its puffy sleeves, crewneck and midi length — except, of course, for its sheerness.) Now you'll find it off of runways, and while it's not the easiest trend to wear for work or school, it can be done with a little bit of strategy. For example, the longsleeved, turtleneck mesh blouse by Xhilaration ($19.99 at target. com) over a camisole strikes the right balance of covered and uncovered.
Lavender and big brights
Color always takes a new turn in spring, so I'm happy to welcome lavender to the top of the list. The popularity of “millennial pink” — that hue that seems to have been everywhere in fashion and home decor the past few seasons — is still sticking around, but its next of kin sure seems to be the whisper-soft purple found at Victoria Beckham and Michael Kors Collection. It's such an undeniably happy, pretty color, whether it's in a satin slip dress for a dinner date or a meeting in the Living Breeze Lavender Sweater ($39 at modcloth.com).
In contrast, bold bright colors are still going strong, too. At the shows, Stella McCartney's electric red gown with huge ruffled necklines was impossible to forget. And it's easy to replicate that kind of excitement with Trina Turk's V-neck Ponte Bell-Sleeve Dress ($298 at neimanmarcus. com).
Ruching
Tory Burch did it in dresses, like her flowing green, white and pink scarf dress, as did Peter Pilotto in silken green and pink separates, and Dolce & Gabbana in curve-hugging midi dresses. More wallet-friendly is Leith's Ruched Body-Con Dress ($56 at nordstrom.com), which is especially fetching in Coral Cedar and perfect once the temperature rises, thanks to its tank sleeves and light cotton blend. Using the classic gathering technique in all the right places can do wonders to flatter and is frankly a lot more comfy than all those zippers and buttons can be. And if comfort is also a part of this spring's best trends, I say bring it all on.