Another year, another season but this year the thought of summer being just around the corner must bring a teary smile to many a snow weary north American. I can only watch in horror as I see the blizzards and cold you have all been going through.  The good news is that this spring/summer are rife with enough color and vitality to raise even the lowest of spirits. 

It’s all about glam throwbacks and bold sartorial details so, let’s get cracking with my pick of the trends.

All About Yellow

Every season there’s always at least one hue that dominates. For Spring/Summer 2017 the runways were awash with different hues and gradients of yellow. From lemon to vibrant sunshine, yellow is THE color to be seen in this season. Yellow is also the ultimate summer color and a perfect antidote for any winter blues. It’s also youthful, energetic, happy and confident!

Embrace this season’s yellow, and you’ll be making the most out of your summer instantly. 

Source

Mini Bags

It’s not about the size of your bag, it’s about the style of your bag.

For this spring/summer, micro bags will be a style that packs a wallop of chic. Miniscule as these bags may be, they communicate a major statement. From teeny architectural satchels to modernized mini versions of vintage 50s frame bags, the smaller your purse, the higher your style quotient.

Source: Image 1, Image 2

Sleeve Slits

Last summer’s boho dominance necessitated bell sleeves, this time around designers opted for a subtle, sophisticated, contemporary yet surprisingly alluring detail—the sleeve slits. Adding a new dimension to sleeve silhouettes, sleeve slits add drama to billowing sleeves and even add a cape-like look to the flowing lightweight fabrics of the summertime.  

Source

The Reimagined Trench Coat

Trench coats are a classic staple that is especially perfect for the transition into spring and summer. Trench coats are also the outerwear of choice during the spring and summer season since it goes with pretty much everything in your closet and it makes you look polished and chic in an instant. Just throw a trench on, and you’re good as gold.

This season, however, designers took it up a notch by adding thrilling details to your classic trench. Wider lapels, military inspired breast pockets, exaggerated longline silhouettes, and wide power belts have all served as details and features that have elevated the classic trench into fashion risk taker status.

Source 

Bralettes

Out of the boudoir and beyond your underwear drawer, the bralette has emerged to be the newest in a slew of underwear-as-outerwear trend movement. What started with the pajama a couple of seasons ago has become a full-fledged design movement. Worn as a cropped top or worn over more structure garments, the bralette is one of this season’s major must-haves. This is going to be a great layering piece come summertime. Wear over an oxford shirt or wear on its own with a high-waisted skirt, there are so many ways to style the bralette to suit your personal style.  

Source

The 80s Revival

Move over flower childs and boho babes, designers this season are ditching their 70s inspiration for the glamour, excess, and over-the-top aesthetic of the 80s. Embracing the excitement of this decade, runways were filled with dance-inspired looks as seen in robe-tied waists and flashdance-esque one shoulder looks. Power shoulders were also prominent as was lamé.

You’ll have the time of your life as you don these easy-to-wear and comfy silhouettes that also exude high glamour and 80s sex appeal.

Sources: Top, Bottom

Beach Stripes 

Stripes have always been a mainstay in the fashion vocabulary. It’s pretty safe to say that stripes, one way or another, will perpetually be in style. For 2017, stripes have a decidedly retro feel. Less graphic and more nostalgic, this season’s stripes take a cue from the beach umbrellas of years past and take visual inspiration from boardwalks and beach picnics. These kind of stripes are best paired with brown-tinted sunglasses, and perhaps even a giant straw beach hat.

 
Source

Kitten Heels

Banish all those negative thoughts you may have about the kitten heel. Spring/Summer 2017 will usher in the era of the kitten heel – yes, ladies, the kitten heel is cool again. Equal parts lady-like and cutting-edge, the new incarnation of the kitten heel involves quirky detailing like patterned straps, pointed toes, and mule silhouette. Style the new kitten heels with cropped pants or swingy skirts for maximum style this spring/summer season.

Source

The key to pulling off these trends is letting them work for you.

Trendy additions worn with your personal style staples or classic pieces equal sartorial success.

Which trend are you dying to try? 

If you enjoyed this week’s feature
please like it on Facebook or Instagram
or leave a comment/question below.
Thank you.
Ann Reinten AICI CIP
Author

As the cold weather approaches, the opportunity to display our layering prowess will grow ever more frequent. Thankfully many of us do not have to suffer the extreme cold and snow that our Northern girlfriends do and that makes winter, even more, fun.

There’s a definite feminine touch with some nods to menswear and 80′s suiting this coming winter and I love that many items are very wearable and distinctly elegant. However, there are some horrors waiting in the wings, such as ugly oversized sweaters, huge 80′s shoulders and over-the-top 80′s glamour. 

These are my picks for the season. Which of these will you try?  Tell me in your comments below. 

Accordion Pleats

Pleated skirts seem to be the silhouette du jour for this Autumn/Winter 2017. You can rely on them to add visual interest and texture to any look.  From the luscious jewel tones in fine wool and silks to metallic and even leather pleating, pleated skirts are fun and comfortable to wear. The longer the skirt the better they look with tucked in tops.

Remember that while it’s fashionable to wear a sweater over pleats the look is very blocky and not flattering on those not blessed with height and a slender frame.  

Be sure to also wear the correct size for your size. Pleats that have pulled open and lay flat across your hips and stomach do not show off the style to it’s full potential.

 Suede

Texture is a big component of trends this season. Slip into some suede pieces to give your look an instant punch of texture and a bit of a retro feel. Whether it’s a suede dress or high suede boots, it’s all about the feel and the look of suede this fall/winter. Consider the warmth of suede as an added bonus to how great it looks with other cold weather staples like fur, leather, and knits.

Be sure to treat it for water resistance and stains before wearing for the first time.

Embroidery

Though normally associated with warmer weather, floral embroidery has crept steadily into Autumn/winter fashions. Judging from designer presentations the modern romance of floral embroidery is here to stay. Featured in more casual styles like denim and longline overcoats, this trend also features heavily in evening wear as well as in outerwear. The delicate look of floral embroidery marries so well with heavier pieces worn when temperatures drop. Embroidered denim with a leather jacket and ankle boots is the perfect off-duty outfit for fall.

I’m lovin this!

Culottes

Culottes or cropped trousers are becoming year-round style staples. Done in different materials like leather and velvet, designers have made culottes adaptable and appropriate to be worn even when the cold starts to bite. Wear with contrasting tights underneath or wear with full knee-length boots, culottes will earn you instant double takes. The great thing about culottes too is that it is such a versatile piece that can be worn with more structured pieces for work and more playful pieces for social outings.

Pussy Bows

While this trend may remind many Australian’s of the much missed Darrel Lea ladies there’s nothing like a bow to conjour up our little girl fantasies. Go all out in pretty florals, colours and soft fabrics or harden up the look with contrasts of black and white.  Play down the femininity by tying a knot and leave the ends hanging.

 Faux Fur Stoles

Get warm and cozy by slinging a faux fur stole across your body. Bundling up for the cold doesn’t have to mean adding bulk to your frame, these faux fur stoles are the perfect winter accessory since it’s both sleek and is very apropos for the chilling weather. Opt for more neutral colours or punch things up with jewel-toned faux fur stoles.

Velvet

Don’t expect to see it too early but it will come, and in all, it’s splendour – from pants suits to skirts and dresses there’s nothing like velvet to add some sophisticated glamour to your style. For those who have a more artistic nature, you’ll also see an array of printed and embroidered velvets. Stick with smooth velvets for the most elegant and slimming looks.

Colours

Get ready for some truly wonderful colours this winter. Pinks and deeper shades from fuchsia to magenta in everything from silks and sequins to furs, purples and midnight blues for your sophisticated events, military greens for urbane moments and red to make an entrance. Who every you are and whatever your personality of lifestyle there’s a shade this winter to raise both your spirit and style.

Remember even touches of these colours such as a lipstick, eye shadow, scarf, boots or a bag is all that you need to show you know what’s going on.

Exploring new looks and even pushing your boundaries just a tad is a great way to expand and enhance your style. Embrace a trend or two and experiment with it to expand your personality, style and creativity.

If you enjoyed this week’s feature
please like it on Facebook or Instagram
or leave a comment/question below.
Thank you.
Ann Reinten AICI CIP
Author