It’s definitely been one of those winters that likely made you feel like throwing up your hands 
and exclaiming, “I give up!” Hibernation, excessive snow shoveling, and super low temperatures can make just about all of us give up on fashion and run screaming for our sweat pants and bulky cable sweaters: but the end is near and spring fashion is promising to be an eclectic mix of colour, embellishments and a nineties revival to boost your bruised winter soul!
Colour, colour, colour!
It will be everywhere you look this spring, referred to by the fashion gurus as a way to achieve “emotional and artistic equilibrium.” Experiment bravely with colourful combinations you wouldn’t normally place together. Orange is the new black and this year’s pantone colour is radiant orchid. Black and white combinations still hold steady, however.
Pastels are back with a vengeance: pair breezy mints, icy cotton candy colours and muted yellows with dramatic and vibrant hues like red, cobalt blue, sage green and sangria. This season, everything goes when it comes to colour!
Metallics
Molten metallics from deep gold to shimmery silver dominate this season and they’re not just for evening wear. Bronze metals add a sophisticated edge to skirts and tanks. Metallic shoes and purses take a futuristic spin and can be worn with everything from feminine and flirty dresses to jeans and a T-shirt on the weekend.
Metal Embellished Denim
Remember those stud kits you could buy at the local craft store to add interesting flourishes to your denim jeans and skirts? Metal embellished denim is back in a big way. Since it’s not likely you still have the items you so carefully crafted ten years ago, look for pieces at your favourite local boutiques.
Sheer Fabrics
What’s the next best thing to bare backs and midriffs without over-exposing yourself? Sheer stripes and other see-through sections (like
sleeves), remixed with patterns and other materials take tops from mundane to magnificent this year.
The Button-Up
Button-ups were all over the fashion runways for spring. Colours, mixed patterns, loose fitting or tightly tailored – it doesn’t really matter. Just make sure you do the buttons all the way up. The androgynous vibe is hotter than ever!
The Shift Blouse
Menswear-inspired shirts get a fresh twist this spring with boxy, loose cuts great for tucking into super skinny jeans or wearing loose and flowing. The shift blouse comes cropped to the waist with wide collars to accentuate the neckline.
Cropped Jackets
Boxy, cropped jackets work with everything. Wear them with a tailored dress or any style of fitted or flared skirt. Be sure to dress for your body type, though. Boxier, fuller jackets should be balanced with fitted bottoms. Wear the fitted crop jacket with loose and flowing pants.
Wide-Legged Pants
Wide-legged pants are the go-to piece this spring and will work well with cropped jackets and boxy, oversized shift blouses. Pair them with your button-up shirt for a polished look. Make sure they fit well at the top and wear them with high heels to lengthen your legs.
Culottes (knee length trousers)
Finally, they may not have been your cup of tea last time around, but this time culottes have an edgy, flowing feel that will work well with button-up collared shirts for the office. Also find them in a cuffed, tailored style that pair great with an oversized coat hitting just above where the culottes end. Stick to neutral tones to keep the look polished and modern.
Local Shopping Guide
Zahara’s Boutique
Oakville
zaharasboutique.com
Joelle’s
Burlington
joelles.com
Jupe
Oakville
jupestores.com
My Girlfriend’s Closet
Burlington
mygirlfriendsclosetburlington.ca
Mirella’s Ladies Boutique
Burlington
mirellas.ca
Article written by Sherine Mansour
