From subtly sexy shoulder-baring ensembles to the slinky slip dress, here are 10 ways to wear Spring's hottest trends
It’s a no-brainer that Spring is our favourite fashion season – we are tropical-living girls after all. It’s a great time for shopping; bulky coats, thick layers and boots disappear from clothing racks, and in their place? Flirty fabrics, light layers, sweet pastels, florals and sexy skin-baring pieces. To help you stay ahead of the fash pack, we sniffed out the biggest runway trends and put together these 10 wearable looks for the Spring and Summer season.
Micropleats
Originally created by Issey Miyake in 1993, the springy micropleat has won fashion hearts all over thanks to its three-dimensional swishiness, effortless fabric (goodbye ironing woes) and demure appearance. First up on your must-have list? The nude, swishy skirt. Channel slouchy Alexa Chung vibes by teaming the typically feminine skirt with a light knit sweater, and clean marble-printed kicks.
Mango Pleated Midi Skirt, $69
JCrew Linen Cable Crewknit Sweater, USD 79.50
Axel Arigato Low Sneaker, USD 180
ASOS Pieces Saddle Bag, $40.73
Forever 21 Caged Ring Set, USD 5.90
ZOYA NailPolish in Chantal, USD 10
Forever 21 Faux Stone Cuff Rose Gold Gunmetal, USD 7 from Nuji
Ruffles
Hot on the runways this Spring is bold, flouncy ruffles. Step up the drama with feminine cascading ruffles trailing off your sleeves and pair with lightly flared jeans. Slick back your hair, keep the accessories neutral and minimal, and bring your ensemble to a striking close with colourful block lace up heels.
Ellery Delores ruffled off-the-shoulder cotton-poplin top, USD 690 from Net-a-porter
Topshop Skinny Ribbed Flares, $56.90
Forever 21 Hinged Choker Necklace, USD 6.99
Chloe Lace-Up Block Heel Sandal, $709.65
Linda Farrow Round-Frame Rose-Plated Sunglasses, USD 903
The cold shoulder
The reign of the cold shoulder remains, with designers giving maximum attention to strap-free pieces all Spring. Leave your bodycon cocktail dresses and sky high heels at home for your next girl’s night out; bare your shoulders for a subtly sexy look, and slip on your fave kicks for a night of pure, unadulterated dancing. Slick on dark lippie for a vampy (and empowering man-repelling) finish.
Paper London Toulon off-the-shoulder cotton-poplin jumpsuit, USD 670 from Net-a-porter
Superga 2750 Full Grain Leather – White, $169.90
Proenza Schouler Chain Hava Handbag, €1,690
NARS Audacious Lipstick in Rita, USD 32
Forever 21 Silver Choker
The shirt-under-dress
Sick of your sleeveless dresses? Extend their wearability by simple layering a shirt under them. Casual brunch days call for cotton shirts under mini dresses and your fave sneakers. As for glam affairs, switch up your look by slipping on a crisp button shirt under a slinky dress with statement heels as your main accessory.
Mango Pockets Pinafore Dress, $69.90
H&M Cotton Shirt, $49.90
ZALORA Contrast Handles Trapeze Tote
Adidas Stan Smith in Green, $139 from Adidas Originals
Smith & Cult Naipolish in Subnormal, USD 18
Ralph Lauren Signature Pony Cap, USD 35
Fringe
Stop right there if you’re thinking of over-the-top Western-style fringe; this season’s edition is a little more subtle (think of the ends of your scarves). Lend an all black outfit softness with a choppy hemmed mini and a nude lippie.
Karl Lagerfeld Fringed piqué mini skirt, USD 365 from Net-a-porter
ZARA Long Waistcoat, $139
Tom Ford Lipstick in Sable Smoke, USD 152
Michael Kors Kinley Pavé Gold-Tone Watch
H&M Short Turtleneck Top
Nastygal Rowan Slip-on Flat, $98
Suede
Last year’s Fall season was all about the ’70s with suede as a popular feature, from jackets to cute button down skirts. This season, suede is a mainstay, but in light (and lightly coloured) layers instead. Stay loyal to the fabric’s sandy, neutral hues with a minimalist shift dress, and let your accessories shine.
ZARA Suede effect dress, $109
Sol Sana Leather Tan Mules from Nastygal, $215
Star Mela Bobi Cross Body Pouch, USD 160 from Shopbop
Missguided Circle Statement Necklace in Gold, £5.00
Gucci Dark Anemone High-gloss lacquer, USD 29
The slip dress
Pajama dressing is big this Spring with nighttime-inspired robes making waves on the runways and amongst style watchers. But we prefer something a little slinkier, sexier and boudoiresque. Bring your luscious, languid little slip dresses out of the bedroom and onto the streets. Pair them with strappy heels, spritzes of floral perfume and slide into a floral bomber jacket to elevate an otherwise girly look.
ZARA Long Dress, $69.90
See by Chloe Vicki Cross Body Bag, USD 396 from Shopbop
New Look Barely There Sandals, $75.02 from Shopbop
Round Metal Raybans from Sunglass Hut, USD 150
New Look Pink Floral Print Bomber Jacket, £29.99
Lace
Like the sensual slip dress, lace evokes the same air of romance and femininity. Embrace the hyper-girlie in you with a sweet lace frock. Our number one choice is Self Portrait’s universally flattering confections of floral guipure lace; these gorgeous creations deserve nothing but the most swoon-worthy of heels and eye-popping accessories.
Self Portrait Azaelea guipure lace dress, USD 321
Kurt Geiger Nude High Heel Court shoes, US 450
Bershka Saffiano Style Bag, $49.90
Quay Australia Cat Eye Sunglasses with Pink Lens, $75.04 from ASOS
Forever 21 Diamond Stud Earrings
The flatform
Not everyone’s a fan of the flatform (also known as the ugly shoe) – and we understand. But in our book (and the books of designers and the chic crowd), this footwear’s a quirky yet stylish in-between for flat shoes and uncomfortable heels. Pair your chunky neutral coloured stilts with breezy tailored trousers, a floaty cami and a waistcoat for an office-appropriate outfit.
Layered Platform Sandal, USD 135 from & other stories
Mango Belt-fit Straight Trousers, $59.90
ZARA Long Waistcoat, $135
H&M Strappy Chiffon Top, $49.90
Building Block Business Tote Bag, $690 from Shopbop
Skagen Gitte Leather Watch, USD 135
Bold stripes
Stripes dominated the Spring/Summer runways; horizontal, vertical, or on dresses or tops – they all had one thing in common: they were bold. Let the print take centerstage in your outfit, and pair with neutral tops to really let them pop. These Topshop slouchy trousers create the illusion of height and are comfortable to take you from day to night.
Topshop Striped Slouch Trousers, $89.90
Mango Ruffled Top, $35.90
Gucci ‘Princestorm’ Mule Loafer, $883.60 from Nordstrom
Uranuia Gazelli Game Over Clutch, $939.33 from Shopbop
ASOS Textured Striped Dial Watch, $47.17
ASOS Limited Edition Circle Strand Earrings, $12.86