It's nearly here... Spring/Summer 19

I love this time of year. New beginnings and the anticipation of what’s just around the corner. I know it’s freezing cold out and there is snow in the air, but all I can think about is longer days (have you noticed it’s still light at 5pm?), the new items filling the shop floors in their droves and which pieces are going on my wish list.

Prepare your wardrobe; edit out the worn jumpers from Winters’ gone by, clear last year’s pieces that you simply never wore (you know them - the ones you put on but never made it out the front door in) and make space for the zesty treats to come..

So, what are the big trends this Spring/Summer and which ones will work for you?

Colour Focus

I’m kicking off with the seasons colour direction because the much debated ‘beige’ is a trend in itself and weaves its way into the other big looks of the season. It encompasses everything from chalky stone through honey caramel and into toffee and rich tans. The other key shades sit alongside ‘beige’ and evoke long hot summer days. With a hippie Californian vibe there is happy ‘yellow’ and sun drenched and earthy we get rustic ‘red’. All the colours of the rainbow jump in out and feature in folk prints and tie dyes galore but a quick word on the biggies.

Beige

Call it what you like – “fifty shades of beige”, “the new grey” or “vintage white” – but beige is no longer dull and boring and is set to feature heavily this Spring/Summer. If you have a warm skin tone then tonal dressing and all the warm camel tones will look sensational on you. Head-to-toe is how the fashionista will be wearing it this Spring. But if, like me, you have a cooler, rosy complexion then stick to beiges with a blue undertone like stone or pumice and mix it up with white or ivory. Beige naturally brings some of the old classics back to centre stage. Look out for; re-invented macs, crisp chinos and of course the camel coat which is out there already in many guises.

Yellow

We are talking, every shade of sunshine from gold to lemon. Always a spirit lifting winner! Try adding a small amount in the form of an accessory or an inexpensive top for an energising pop to a ‘beige’ ensemble. Alternatively go for full on wow, head to toe in a dress or layer it with Chanel inspired summer tweeds and tailoring.

Earthy Reds & Terracotta

If you invested in brick red during the A/W season then you’re onto a winner because this colour trend is set to continue. It sits beautifully back with camel and tan for early Spring and then it will mooch into a pinkier coral as the season warms up.

Trend Direction

Military

I’m predicting this to be as big a trend as animal was last year; for the very same reason that animal was so big. Because it has been out of fashion long enough to make a return and we loved it last time around so much, it lasted and lasted, finally dying in excess as perhaps ‘animal’ will. But don’t worry, the best trends always resurrect themselves.

Oversized anoraks and parkas (which never really went away-we loved them too much!) get a make-over. Cotton and fluid suiting is the newest injection. Skirts are pencil shaped with subtle profile cargo detailing. Trousers are both combat inspired with those invaluable pockets and also loose-cut, pocket free, high waisted and often belted. They are tapering at the ankle with strapping or cuffed. As you would imagine this is all mainly in beige and khaki shades but denim and indigo also play along. Belts with pockets have arisen too as bag-belts. Look out for evening options to instantly ‘up’ an outfit, also the perfect dance floor accompaniment.

The ultimate ‘it’ item of the season? An all-in-one or to coin the eighties term; the boiler suit! It makes for a move on to the current love-affair we have with the jumpsuit but avoid looking like you’re the local mechanic with too many utilitarian features.

Hippie Chic

Folk, seventies, bohemian and rock star are all part of this festival trend. Patchwork, string fishnet, beading, Paisley prints, crochet, fringing, rustic weaves and macramé work their way into leather jackets, kick flares, midi dresses, flouncy lace tops, broderie blouses and waistcoats. This folk trend is great inspiration too for accessories with artisinal jewellery, scarf wrist & head bands and Woodstock style sun hats.

California Dreaming

Full on, it’s all surf and scuba, fluorescent zips and neoprene body con dresses but the key elements of this trend that will hit our high street will be tie-dye, bright floral prints with the whole print clashing trend from A/W exploded. Back are:- toe-thong sandals, big sunglasses and shell jewellery. Swimwear will be hugely influenced with west coast sass. Much needed sunny optimism is delivered in waves.

Denim

This carefree mood continues into the big blue denim revival. Bleached, tie dyed, patch worked and frayed. It’s a seveties/eighties fushion with high waisted flares and over-sized denim jackets both as important as each other. The denim shirt worn as a jacket or knotted at the waist and dungarees are looking set to be strong pieces.

Suiting & The Tuxedo

The tux has come in as an optional replacement for evening dresses or in the form of a tuxedo dress - a style already worn by the Duchess of Sussex.

However, the main look likely to erupt from this trend is the (white) shirt and smart trousers combo. High waisted and belted - it makes for a more feminine, elegant take on the classic suit, yet polished and confidence-boosting.

Nautical

This trend prevails - perhaps a combination of the ‘new-look’ tailoring, the re-vamped bleached denim story and the west coast beach vibe or simply because the marinal look never stays far away. It comes in a spirited, playful form. Think classic navy blazer with a pink tie dye T-shirt overlaid with cobalt breton stripes, tailored knee shorts and a lime patent heel. Ooh la la!!

Cycle Shorts

On the subject of ‘knee shorts’, lycra shorts are going to be hard to avoid. If you’ve the legs for them- go for it! Tailored (on or just above the knee) and worn with a fitted jacket however makes for stylish city dressing: smart but sassy. The LBD gets a mention here and certainly an easier way to show case good legs. Short is essential, whether tight or flouncy the mini skirt or dress is a top option for a night out!

Ruching & Bows

Ruching - a romantic more forgiving take on body-con. Cinching the waist, adding fullness or smoothing over curves, these dresses have figure-enhancing ability. Ditsy or tropical prints add further flattery.

Ruffles and bows pile into to this romantic tale. Look out for big puffy sleeves, gathers and pleating. Bows are set to be big and planted on waists and shoulders but are likely to feature as genuine fasteners to dresses, tops and knitwear and used as appliqués and as an all-over geo print. If that’s all a bit much, then a scarf tied in a bow around your neck will suffice.

Hats

Hats have made a big come back, so if you’ve a wedding coming up, go big and fabulous otherwise get yourself a straw or macrame style sun hat.

The trends that get to stay:

Animal

Well! - it was too huge and successful for starters and because it sits beautifully with the neutral and military trend. Think: Out of Africa and Born Free.

Cowboy Boots

Yee Ha! Because they are great and go with almost everything.

Midi Dresses

It’s a key piece anyway in the hippie trend but it is also such a flattering, versatile item that I can’t see this disappearing anytime soon.

What I enjoy the best is the mix up of the trends. Putting a bleached denim jacket over tailored city shorts with a strappy sandal, a combat trouser with a cropped tweed blazer or a utilitarian midi shirt dress worn open with a tie dye body con jersey mini dress beneath.

So, with all that excitement, I’m hitting the high street to discover: Who has done what? Who has the best interpretations? & How have the trends been combined and translated?

Look out for my recommendations, styling combinations and must have buys..