With spring right around the corner, it’s time to bring your flip-flops out and put your pea coats away. This spring there is something out there for everyone. The biggest trends this year are color blocking, athletic clothing, and peplum.
The first trend that is not leaving this spring is color blocking. If you don’t know what that means, the trick is to stay simple. Take your standard color wheel and pick two colors that are either directly across from the color wheel, complimentary or make a small T when picking them. Add a third color by pairing them with nudes, blacks or whites.
The color of the season is tangerine and it took full force on the runway with designers Vivienne Tam, Jill Stuart and even Project Runway’s Christian Siriano. The color is best used with a hint of pink or even black. If you are afraid of the bright hue any shade of orange will do.
If you are not as bold, you might want to try the minimalist pastels trend. The colors were worn on the runway with dressed up business casual looks. Try wearing shorts, blazers and button-up blouses for a fun way to mix it up for a job interview. Take some clues from Carolina Herrera and Calvin Klein who did it right this season if you still want some ideas for how to wear pastels.
If you are trying to feel more inspired to go the gym to get that summer body then don’t worry because athletic clothing is in. This spring saw a lot of windbreaker jackets, spandex-like pants, and anoraks in playful and feminine ways. Jazz up your gym gear by adding some flair from designers like Rag and Bone, Helmut Lang and Marc Jacobs.
Designers set their sights on Africa this year for a fun Safari trend as opposed to a more traditional jungle theme. Michael Kors is leading the pack with cheetah prints, khakis, brown belts and gorgeous accessories inspired by the landscape. If you are feeling more risqué and want to play with more color trends that remind you of this region, look to the masters of color Proenza Schouler.
As far as decades go, we are looking at two trends coming back this year. The 20s and peplum, which is reminiscent of the 40s and 50s, are both making comebacks. For both trends body shapes are something you might want to consider. Peplums are hard to wear but extremely flirty and can give you so much Hollywood glamour.
Marc Jacobs once again proved that bold can be wearable if done right when he graced the catwalk with Gatsby-inspired dresses influenced by the 20s. They were seen with sequins and stones or simpler styles for the less coquette Daisies out there. The Olsen twins took the hint and incorporated this trend into their signature collection The Row, as did Tory Burch and Oscar de la Renta.
So remember, spring is the perfect time to embrace color, prints and flirtier, feminine trends. Put your grays, blacks, and browns away unless you are pairing them with these trends.
Nayeli Carillo is a senior journalism major and a contributing writer for the Daily 49er.