As each season rolls around it’s good to enliven your style with a few well-chosen trend items. Look for hero items that speak to your personal style and seamlessly meld into your existing wardrobe. The aim for your new items is to add a new dimension to your tried-and-true outfits, create new ones and generally make your outfits feel fresh again.  

In 2016, it’s all about relaxed silhouettes. Construction and restrictive clothing are out. Ease of flow and ease of lifestyle is IN. Laid-back elegance might seem like a paradox, but it isn’t. This year, designers are envisioning an effortlessly elegant woman with no airs about her while simultaneous rocking a sequined mini in the daytime. The only rule is never force anything; whatever you wear should look and be effortless. For inspiration look to the 70s and 90s.

I’ve compiled what I see as the most wearable trends from the many on offer. Choose one or a few, the most important thing is that you feel authentic and comfortable in what you wear.

 

WINTER TRENDS

Army Fatigues

Take the fall/winter staple hue of army green and inject it with some tough gal chic – the result is army fatigues. This season’s must-have print is an excellent way to mix up your wardrobe, especially when paired with an unexpected piece such as a fur coat or pointed toe ankle strap flats.

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Sculptural Jewelry

Wear a piece of art on your wrist or around your neck, this season’s sculptural jewelry trend takes statement accessories to a whole new level with pieces sculpted out of metal and Lucite. The architectural and artistic feelings of these pieces go beyond the usual sparkle of your usual baubles.

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Reefer Jackets

This year’s big outerwear trend is inspired by the Navy uniform – let me introduce you to the 2016 reefer jacket. Double breasted with large lapels or collar, the reefer jacket, takes your outerwear game toward edgier territory.

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Vertical Stripes

While horizontal stripes play a place in every woman’s wardrobe, this year it’s vertical stripes that are taking center stage. Especially when in an in-your-face graphic pattern, these bold additions will increase clout of your fall/winter staples. Layer them under a turtleneck or wear over your black tights, vertical stripes lend any look  a thoroughly modern, arty feel.

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Vintage Chic Loafers

Grandpa’s trusty loafers are the inspiration for this fall’s must-have flat. Look for details like wide, intricate or prominent buckles and a pronounced square toe for maximum vintage appeal.

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SUMMER TRENDS

Slip Dresses

With the deluge of 90s trend comes the ultimate must-have defining piece of that decade—the slip dress. Worn on its own, underneath a jacket or over a top, there’s no denying the allure and innate sexiness of the slip dress. If you feel it too sexy, tone it down with earthy leather or with a white T-shirt.

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The Prairie Dress

This dress expresses a different type of bohemian aesthetic: they’re less fringe and crazy patterns, and more about braids, raw hems, and rustic florals. Consider the prairie dress your go-to frock for summer frolicking.

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Embroidered Denim

70s styles have been dominating street style blogs and designer runways for several seasons now, but this year we’ll see a resurgence of the 90s with embroidered denim. While floral motifs are still prevalent, you’ll also see clever graphic interpretations and they won’t be limited to jeans. You can opt to don your embroidery on your denim shirt, jacket or bag.

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Pajama Dressing

Laidback dressing is the mantra of this season and what could be more relaxed than pajamas? If you’re game this year’s pajama silhouettes can take you beyond the bedroom to downtown. If you can’t bring yourself to don the entire PJ ensemble, pair the top or bottom with luxe leather and statement sunnies.

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Neon Trainers

White sneakers are so last season. This summer, neon hues dominate the sneaker culture and will provide your casual looks with a punch of bold color. Embrace them and you’ll soon find your state of mind in sync with the color.

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YEAR ROUND TRENDS

Rose Quartz and Serenity: Color of The Year

I can’t make a trends list without adding Pantone’s colors of the year. In case you’re not in the know, every year color trend forecasting company Pantone pronounces its choice for color of the year. For 2016, it is all about rose quartz and serenity. These two hues invoke tranquility when worn on its own and when worn together. Both hues are already starting to dominate the market, and both are subtle enough to wear every day. Given both colors complement each other, the sartorial possibilities are endless.

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Flatforms

My pick for the footwear silhouette du jour for 2016 is the comfy flatform. Choose open-toe flatforms in metallic for summer or flatform oxfords or creepers for fall. This style echos the laid-back feel on the runways. From summer to winter, you can wear flatforms – it’s simply all in the styling.

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Bags with an Attitude

Fashion is increasingly becoming more and more expressive. This season, clutches and minaudiere come in all manner of cheeky shapes, sizes, colors, and themes. If you’re a fashionista or have a love for the quirky, you’ll be shivering with excitement to add one of these bags to your wardrobe.

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Palm Bracelet

Last year was all about midi rings, this time, around palm bracelets are ruling the accessory game. The palm bracelet is another in-between accessory that ups the glam of your arm candy. Well, in this case, it is, technically hand candy.

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Ann Reinten AICI CIP
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