It’s not pitch black when you wake up in the morning, and there’s a hint of sunlight left when you pull into the drive after a long day at work. Spring is officially on its away. Warmer climes offer an excuse to add some spring style to our homes and wardrobes. If you’re a fashion lover, here are some new season styling tips to ensure you look and feel fabulous in the sunshine.
Dressing for your shape
Dressing for your shape is a golden rule for every season. In the autumn and winter months, when it’s cold outside, we tend to favour thicker fabrics and more structured pieces, which can pull us in and trim us down in all the right places. As spring/summer approaches, there’s a focus on lighter materials and a looser, more floaty fit. As the days get lighter, don’t lose sight of the importance of flattering your figure and dressing to make yourself feel more confident. If you’re keen to add curves, go for detailing on the hips or tops and jackets that cut you off at the hip. If you’re eager to flatter curves and create a more streamlined silhouette, avoid oversized styles. Use belts to enhance a small waist and v-necks to compliment a larger bust.
If you’re unsure what suits you, try a variety of styles, and look for tips in magazines and gives articles like http://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/trends/g936/clothes-for-your-body-type/ a read. We have all a body shape, and once you learn how to dress for your figure, rather than trying to tick off every trend, you should find shopping much more enjoyable. Not every look du jour will suit you, and that’s fine. You don’t have to love every must-have item. If you’re conscious about your hips, for example, you might prefer to go for a straight or relaxed fit pair of jeans rather than skinny jeans or opt for A-line skirts, which are fitted at the waist and then flare out to give a really flattering shape. If you’ve got a bigger bust, you may want to avoid tops that emphasise it even more, such as high neck blouses and polo neck jumpers.
Image from https://pixabay.com/en/fashion-woman-female-girl-yellow-731827/
What’s hot for spring?
It’s that wonderful time of year when colourful displays of flowers start popping up, and it’s legal to stash your black dresses, tops, and trousers away for a few months. Gone are the days of velvet, jewel tones, and animal print. Now, it’s time to embrace these key spring/summer looks:
Pink
Pink is the hottest colour around at the moment. If you’re not a girly girl, don’t freak out. You don’t have to fill your wardrobe with pink vests, skirts, blouses, and jeans. You can be as subtle or as in your face as your like with this trend. If you’re not usually a fan of pink, you can break yourself in gently with a statement accessory, such as a bag or a pair of shoes, or some simple basics. Match a pink blouse with fitted indigo jeans and nude accessories for a simple, chic evening look, for example. If you’re feeling a bit bolder, you could look for an eye-catching pink dress for a day at the races or a summer wedding or steal the show with a tailored pink blazer thrown casually over a basic tee and some cigarette pants. When you’re shopping for pink clothing, opt for items that suit your skin tone. There are all kinds of shades of pink on offer from hot pink to blush. If you have golden or olive skin, pinks with a hint of coral or peach work really well. If you have dark skin, bright shades look amazing. If you have fair skin with a cool undertone, opt for rosy shades. Blush is a perfect match for those with light to medium skin tones. 
Image by https://pixabay.com/en/clothing-loading-figure-coat-pink-977395/
Rose gold
Rose gold is having a moment in both the fashion and interior worlds. This trend is all about the accessories, and there are some stunning pieces on offer. Rose gold flatters all skin tones, and it adds a luxe vibe to any outfit, whilst also retaining a bit of edge. It’s not quite as traditional and conventional as gold and silver, and you can inject a bit of fun into your look. Depending on your budget, you can opt for costume jewellery to add interest to casual or smart outfits or invest in a piece, such as a watch, which will ensure you’re en vogue for years to come. If you’re looking for inspiration, have a look around some jewellers and accessories stores and search sites like frost nyc online. If you’re into quirky jewels, and you’re looking for something a bit different, take a trip to the market or visit some vintage stores. You can often pick up one-off items for affordable prices. This season, earrings are stealing the limelight, so kill two birds with one stone and invest in some rose gold studs and hoops. The more eclectic the mix, the better. 
Image credit https://pixabay.com/en/clock-ladies-pocket-watch-time-2133825/
Gingham
The sun’s out, and it’s time to embrace that old favourite, gingham. The plaid trend seems to crop up every few years, so if you’ve got still got some items hanging around from summers gone by, it’s time to dust them off and pop them on. Gingham is great because there’s something for everyone. You can keep it low-key in oversized checked shirts and jeans or dress up in blouses teamed with plaid pencil skirts or printed Bardot tops with maxi skirts. Gingham is a fantastic choice if you’re heading to a festival this summer, as it has that country vibe. If you’re looking for a simple get-up, go for cut-off denim shorts and a plaid cami or a basic maxi dress with a checked shirt.
Frills and ruffles
Frills and ruffles are everywhere, and you can go as far as you like with this trend. Indulge it with ruffled flamenco-style dresses for summer weddings or keep it simple in ruffled sweaters and tees with a delicate frill on the shoulder. Ruffles are a great way to add shape, so choose your items carefully. If you want to show off your curves, go for detailing on the chest and hips. If you’re keen to take the eye away from problem areas, opt for frills on different parts of the body. If, for example, you want people to look at your waist rather than your hips, avoid skirts with ruffles on the hips. 
Image sourced from https://www.flickr.com/photos/ilikie/5751139683
The raincoat
Even in the summer, you can never be sure that a vivid blue sky won’t preempt a rain shower, so it’s wise to give this season’s hero piece, the rain coat, a runout. There are some really stylish options out there, so don’t think that you have to resign yourself to wearing a cagoule worthy of school trips when you were a child. Opt for pastel shades or bright yellows or blues for a stylish spin on a classic piece.
90’s revival
If you’re a child of the 90’s, the catwalks bring good news! The 90’s are back! So, Steps have announced a reunion, and it’s time to channel your inner Spice Girl with crop tops, branded tracksuits and sweater, and dungarees. Swap skinny jeans for mom jeans, and add a choker to finish off any ensemble. Caps are back, and if you’re looking for hot brands, look no further than Tommy Hilfiger, Ellesse, and Ralph Lauren. Add a scrunchie to your hair and swap a leather biker jacket for a stonewash denim version. 
Image courtesy of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spice_Girls
Dressing for the weather
Once you’ve got your spring wish list sorted, you can start building a capsule wardrobe that will see you through the season. When you’re choosing what to wear, don’t just consider your body shape. Think about what you’re doing, where you’re going, and what the weather is like. At this time of year, it can be really tricky to put an outfit together, as the weather is so unpredictable. You can go through four seasons in a day, and a day of bright sunshine will often be followed by heavy downpours and strong winds. Swap heavy coats for macs, trench coats and cute raincoats, and layer up. If it drops cold, you can always take a layer off. Try and resist the temptation to be too optimistic when the sun is out. You probably don’t want to be wandering around in shorts and a t-shirt in March. 
Image via https://pixabay.com/en/photos/iphone/?cat=fashion
Spring is finally upon us, and it’s time to think about shaking up that wardrobe, and trying some new looks for size. This season, embrace colour, travel back in time to the 90’s and check out the gingham trend. Take elements you love and don’t be afraid to mix and match. Put your individual spin on each look, and create a capsule wardrobe that will cater for all eventualities. Learn what suits your shape, and don’t forget to bear the weather forecast in mind. Nobody wants to be trudging around town with soaking wet feet.
