With summer just around the corner, March is a difficult month for fashion-followers. We’re eager to get into the new season’s outfits, but are somewhat challenged by the spring chill. One minute it can be gorgeous and sunny, and the next minute you’re soaked by a burst of April showers. Don’t be fooled by those small rays of sunshine: it is always colder than you think. You find yourself torn between donning your floral maxi-skirt or the black jeans you’ve worn all winter. And most items of clothing on the high-street seem to be completely unsuitable for this time of year (we shudder to think of wearing denim shorts and crop tops, and don’t get us started on bikinis.) So if you want to fight off the mid-term blues and still stay warm, revive your wardrobe with these spring trends fresh from the runway.
1) Monochrome
Monochrome was a hit on the SS/13 catwalk, so inject some sharp prints to liven up a practical outfit. Black is the most wintery of colours and white is the most summery, so it seems that monochrome is the most suitable trend to bridge the winter-summer gap: to quote the March issue of Vogue, ‘cool monochrome in super-modern cuts is now creating plenty of heat’. Topshop are sporting a range of monochrome leggings of various prints and patterns for £28, which are the perfect alternative to a skirt on a night out, and also offer full coverage. By pairing them with a vest top and a leather jacket you’ve perfectly combined both seasons’ looks. This monochrome blazer (£35.00) from River Island is also so on trend and will keep you warm for events such as society balls and end of season dinners.
[pagebreak]
2) The Crop Top
Now the crop top is a tricky one for this time of year. The high-street is full of pretty little cropped numbers which seem to be begging you to pack them into a suitcase and whisk them away for an Easter getaway; however most of us will be stuck in England with our heads in books. Yet this does not mean that we can’t also sport the summery look; crop tops are perfect accompanied with high-waisted trousers, leggings or a skirt, and if that band of midriff is the only bit of flesh you’ve got on show then you won’t be feeling too chilly. What’s more, shorts with tights should never be ruled out, and a classic summer look can instantly be transformed into a suitable March night-time outfit.
3) Colour Pop
Summer collections are always bursting with colour compared to the winter season, so update your winter wardrobe with a splash of colour. Simply by wearing light denim jeans such as these from New Look for £15.99 with a vibrant jumper (sophisticated neon is very in vogue at the minute) you will feel much more summery and it will raise your spirits and your mood enormously. However for those who tend to avoid bright colours unless you have a suitable tan and sunshine to match, the grunge trend is still very much in this season. This means layers of chiffon, lace, silk and other gauzy fabrics. Also the grunge trend has a much more feminine side this year, which makes it even more suitable for the spring months. So a silk shirt like this from River Island (£35.00) and an angora cardigan can be layered over a delicate crop top, resulting in the perfect spring ensemble. Fabrics can denote summer just as much as colour can, so if you’re not feeling ready to sport corals and sky blues, instead layer lighter, softer fabrics and you’ll instantly feel refreshed and revitalised.
So unfortunately we’ll have to wait for summer until we can really experiment with the new seasons’ collections. But in the meantime don’t be afraid of trying out spring trends to uplift a wintery ensemble, and freshen up your look with some well-chosen colours and prints.
Photo credits: