With 2014 upon us, it’s time to start thinking about the many ways you can amp up your wardrobe in the New Year! If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to take a few more fashion risks, here are five fabulous trends you should definitely try.
1. Wide-Leg Pants
This coming year, “wide-leg pants are everything,” says fashion expert Dawn Del Russo. Wide-leg pants were shown on the runways of BCBG Max Azria, Trina Turk and Rosie Assoulin.
The key to working a wide-leg pant is to maintain the balance of your ensemble with more streamlined pieces on top. Del Russo recommends sticking with clean and crisp shirt styles such as “simple white button-downs and lightweight knits.”
Cropped Wide Leg Pants, ASOS, $39.93
World Traveler Wide-Leg Pants, Forever 21, $19.80
Showing Leg Pants, Tobi, $48
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2. Bomber Jackets
As the temperature rises and coat weather turns to jacket weather, bomber jackets, seen on the runways of Marc by Marc Jacobs, Milly and Tracy Reese, will be a great trend to try. “It is one of those great jackets to have in your wardrobe to throw on over different pieces for a more edgy look,” Del Russo says.
Del Russo suggests two different ways to pull off this stylish piece: “Ironically, a bomber jacket looks cute styled over a bodycon dress, but for a more classic look, wear it with dark-wash skinny jeans and [a] tee.”
Street-Chic Bomber Jacket, Forever 21, $39.80
On The Edge Bomber Jacket, Tobi, $76
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3. Tea-Length Skirts
A dramatic and retro trend featured in the 2014 collections of Christian Siriano, Alice + Olivia and Proenza Schouler is tea-length skirts. As with wide-leg pants, it’s important to balance the fullness at the base of the look with a more fitted top. A snug sweater can keep the look cool and casual while it’s colder. When the weather gets warmer, Del Russo says that tea-length skirts pair well with crop tops, which is a doubly trendy combination!
Midi Skirt in Pointe With Sheer Panels, ASOS, $63.52
Prom Skirt, Urban Outfitters, $49
Tulle Princess Skirt, Forever 21, $22.80
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4. Pastels
The spring 2014 runway collections of Jason Wu, Prabal Gurung and Rebecca Taylor all emphasized the importance of pastels this year. Of the plethora of these pretty colors dominating the runways, Del Russo recommends two in particular: “Lilac and minty green are delightful colors … for spring,” she says.
A unique way to add edge to this demure color palette is to search for spring leathers in these tones. Del Russo says a great way to tie this look together is “pairing minty-green leather pants with a basic white tee.”
Waterfall Cardigan, ASOS, $35.39
Slim-Fit Pants, H&M, $24.95
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5. Crop Tops
If you have yet to rock the crop top trend that was all the rage this past summer, you definitely haven’t missed the chance to try what Del Russo describes as the biggest trend of spring 2014, shown in the collections of Tod’s, Marni and Jil Sander. You don’t have to wait for spring weather to take on this trend. You can work a crop top without showing too much skin by sporting a long-sleeve crop top with a high-waisted skirt.
Lace Crop Top, Forever 21, $13.80
Double Strap Crop Top, ASOS, $10.89
Cut-Out Crop Top, Zara, $39.99
While not all trends are for everyone, each of these trends can help you make a stylish statement this New Year. By knowing how to work each of these trends in advance, you can get a jump-start on shopping for a fashionable and fabulous 2014!