Spring ‘08 Newsletter

This season it’s all about the Four F’s – Floaty, Floral, Feminine and Flirty. The High Street will be taking its cue from some of the prettiest looks we’ve seen on the catwalk for years…

Floral Fantasy – Florals are huge this spring and one of the major trends that are set to carry on right through to the summer. You’ll find everything from vintage looking, whimsical prints, through to bold tropical blooms – there will be something to cater to everybody’s taste.This look is utterly feminine, especially when teamed with this Spring’s key fabrics of silks and chiffons. Look our for beautiful floaty dresses in floral prints for a head-to-toe girly look, or opt for a floral blouse or skirt and team with plain, solid-coloured garments for a simpler look.

Soft Tailoring – For those of you who prefer a less feminine look, the new tailoring trend is all about well-cut, great-fitting clothes in softer, flimsy fabrics. The Blazer is the key element of this look, and last season’s popular Tuxedo Jacket is loosened up a little with a softer lapel and looser fit. Slim-fitting trousers, softly-structured pencil skirts, and open-necked shirts all ensure that this look is slouchy and feline.Neutral colours are important in this trend, so look for tailoring that comes in fresh white, french navy, black and light camel. When wearing this look, remember to keep an eye on your proportions: if you’re wearing a looser fitting garment on your top half, make sure that the bottom half is slim-fitting and vice versa.

Maritime – What would spring be without a nautical trend? This classic look emerges every January to cleanse our fashion palette and bridge the gap between winter and spring. This season, the stores are already filling up with a fresh palette of red, white and blue. Look out for naval style blazers that can be teamed with jeans, slouchy men’s trousers, crisp white shirts, and of course, the classic stripy tee.Add bright red accessories such as ballet pumps, chunky beads or a handbag to give your look a splash of colour. Nautical is a look that can be done by any age group, but stick to a few elements – a stripy t-shirt with a pair of jeans and a well-cut blazer is a stylish look that can be worn by anyone without looking over done.

Sheer Bliss – This season, fabrics are sheer and sexy. Expect to see the stores full of delicate looking clothes made from layers of barely there fabrics such as organza and chiffon. Wispy dresses, frilled shirts and ruffled blouses in nude shades and cloud white are some of the key looks in this trend.The “barely there” look is a difficult one to wear especially for those of us who a little body conscious, therefore the key to this look is layering. If a blouse or dress leaves you feeling too exposed, wear a solid coloured vest or slip underneath it in a tonal shade. This a great trend for petite women but can look a little over done, so tone down the look but wearing a sheer garment with a solid one.

Art School – This spring, designers have taken artistic license by channeling the influences of modern art. The garment becomes the canvas as splashy prints and blurred water colours are all applied to simple modernist shapes for a truly abstract look. Expect to see stiffer fabrics such as organzas and raw silks which give clothes a more structured look. This is great look for injecting some colour into your wardrobe and the big, bold prints in stiffer fabrics and structured shapes are great for the fuller figure.

Soft Volume – Volume remains a big trend for spring ’08, however it’s fused with a more romantic look, making it softer and more draped. Full skirts featured large unstructured pleats, dresses flare out at the waist, coats are loose cocoon shapes, and trousers are swishy and slouchy for a modern and carefree look. Team voluminous garments with fitted ones for a balanced and proportioned look.

So, Those Are The Trends, But What About The Colours?

Lilac – Purple lightens up for spring in romantic shades of lilac. Steer clear of very pale or pastel shades if you are fair as these work better on dark and olive skins. Instead, opt for clean deeper colours that will provide a wonderful contrast to your skin and hair.

Citrus – Yellows and oranges warm up the High Streets with shades ranging from lemon to satsuma. Blondes should be careful of yellows and make sure that they choose a shade with a warm base, while deep oranges work well on brunettes.

Neutrals – Crisp white, nude pink, warm beige and black are the perfect backdrop for Spring ‘08’s palette. Add a twist by adding a splash of bold colour to a neutral outfit for a fresh, modern look.

Hot Pink – This colour started to filter through last season, but expect to see an explosion of it this spring.

Light Denim – It’s time to put away those indigos and get out the bleach, as denim gets washed out into the palest of blues this Spring.

True Blue – Yves Klein blue, aquamarine and soft emerald are the hot blues this Spring and compliment fair skins beautifully.

Hot Buys – What Your Wardrobe Simply Cannot Do Without In Spring ‘08

A Dress – Dresses continue to be the Number One fashion item, and there’s something to suit every shape and size, from flimsy, romantic dresses to structured, modernist shapes. If you’re petite, then a layered, chiffon number will sit well on your small frame, while curvy girls should look for a full-skirted one with a slim fitting bodice to really make the most of their shape.

A Blazer – Choose from a double-breasted naval style, a nautical shape, or an unstructured slouchier style.

Slouchy Trousers – Loose-fitting, comfy and relaxed, these are a great trouser shape for curvier girls. However, don’t go for styles that are shapeless, as these will just make you look shapeless. Instead, look for soft tailoring that will give you beautiful shape.

A Pretty Blouse – A sheer or floral blouse will instantly feminize your wardrobe. Ruffles on the chest are a great way to boost your assets, while elbow length sleeves hide bingo wings.

Worn-in Jeans – Denim gets bleached down and ripped up for Spring ’08, but this isn’t a return to the ‘80’s look. Think, instead, washed-in and worn out ie. your favorite jeans bleached out by the sun. This is a very young look, so if you feel it isn’t quite you, opt for a more mature looking mid blue.

The Jump Suit – Not an easy one to wear, but it was all over the catwalks so it won’t be long before it’s all over the High Street! The most flattering looking ones are those that are shaped and fitted around the torso and then flare out into a fuller leg trouser. Team with a chunky belt, statement jewelry and wedges for instant glam appeal.

Stars – Stars are one of the hottest print trends around and the shops have already picked up on this. Look for black and white chiffon shirts and flimsy dresses as an alternative to florals.

A Swishy Skirt – In keeping with the volume trend, full skirts are a hot item. These can be great on slimmer girls as they add curves in all the right places. Wear with a slim-fitting top and a nipped-in waist.

Big Bangles – Chunky bangles are mixed and matched for an eclectic look. These look great for those with bigger arms.

Written by Carla Leenders