Features - Spring Trends 2013

With Spring around the corner, it is essential to know what the designers have in store for us whether its prints, colours, textures or cuts, Absolute:ly are here to cover all your fashion needs for this season.

Hitting the catwalks this season, designers showed audiences a range of styles and key pieces incorporating monochromes, floral patterns, pastel colours, statement pieces and oriental inspired prints.

One of the first looks to return to the catwalk during London’s fashion week was monochrome; simple, elegant and yet timeless it is one of spring’s key trends to look out for. Monochrome is back due to its versatility and the ability to wear it head to toe without looking outdated. The catwalk boasted stripes, oversized checks with clean cut lines and smart tailoring keeping the look slightly androgynous yet beautifully chic. Chanel, Chloe and Louis Vuitton set the trend at Paris, opting for smart cropped jackets and tailored trousers all sporting black and white graphics. American designer Mark Jacobs also followed suit in New-York where he focused on bold monochrome prints, striking geometric patterns and 60’s inspired tailored pieces. One of the key items to invest in this spring is a white blouse, endlessly chic it can be worn with anything and never goes out of style. For an on trend look, pair with a black and white check trouser and add a crop jacket.

Whoever said embellishment is only for parties, think again. This year designers have gone mad for sequins, sparkles and iridescent materials using mirrors and fractured light as inspiration for their collections. The catwalk shone as Alberta Ferretti, Anne Valerie Hash and Louis Vuitton showcased their pieces incorporating statement styles such as pencil skirts and cropped tops. The pencil skirt is a key item for spring, elongating legs and cinching in at the waist it creates an elegant outline whilst embellishment keeps the look modern. Combine with a crop top if you’re feeling more daring or for the more demure pair with an oversized sheer top to add balance to the look. Bold, flattering and individual, don’t be afraid to mix up textures and shades, mix and match metallic with sequins and play around with tailoring, embellishment is all about experimenting and  seeing what works for you.

Inspired from Japan and showcased throughout London, Paris and New-York fashion week, oriental became a big hit as origami shapes, kimonos and silk inspired prints sashayed down the catwalk. Traditional Eastern prints with hints of Hanoi, Beijing and Tokyo were incorporated into designer’s collections who balanced traditional Asian dress with a Western spin. Prada, Emilio Pucci and Lanvin all used big, eye catching prints adorned with fire dragons, lotus flowers and hibiscus motifs creating a beautiful mix of patterns, colours and textures. Kimono inspired dresses, silk shirts and cropped trousers were a few of the key pieces to feature in the collection with simple tailoring, flowing fabrics and straight cut shapes it is easy to see why oriental is a top trend to follow.

Floral is a favourite when it comes to spring, and Milan, Paris and London catwalks were not to miss out when it came to this trend. Soft floral watercolour prints were one of the most popular designs to showcase this season, inspired by pastel shades, loose shapes and fresh spring flower patterns. The shift dress is a most have this spring, with straight cut seams that skim over hips and short hemlines that end mid-thigh; it’s a fun, flirty and frivolous statement that goes hand in hand with the season’s most popular print. To elongate legs add wedges in a contrasting pastel shade to duplicate this look straight off the catwalk. Whether it was sweet and girly or graphic and bold, floral was everywhere with designers such as Prada and Holly Fulton incorporating huge 3D blooms into their designs, adding a quirky and modern twist to their collections.

Bold, bright and making the biggest impression this year was orange, a key colour for spring 2013. Designers such as Matthew Williamson, Missoni, No 21 and David Koma all incorporated the colour in varying shades and tones in their collections. Often teamed with white to create a vivid contrast it was not one to miss, as shirts, palazzo trousers and tailored shorts all strutted elegantly down the runway creating a sophisticated yet passionate look. Teamed with silk scarves, gold accessories and brown leather it is the perfect daytime outfit that flatters and screams elegance.