It’s set to be a hot, colorful season! The Spring/Summer 2019 shows held towards the end of last year featured vibrant collections and hard-to-ignore trends. While the fashion houses create ranges heavily influenced by current socio-political happenings, the rest of us merely want to express ourselves and enjoy our clothing. The prescribed theme of “you do you” allowed much room to play, with most designers focusing on ways to assert female empowerment.
The faces and bodies gracing the runways were as diverse and inclusive as the garments they displayed. There is still a divide between how designers envisage women, and how women see themselves. The secret is to pick out the trends that reflect your truth so that you can do you.
NYFW’s colour palette featured a range of intense shades grounded by a handful of neutrals. Festive reds, turmeric and coral contrast with theatrical pinks, vibrant yellow-green, and majestic royal blue. Intense golden yellows frolic beside toffee browns and mossy greens, tempered by gentle lilacs. Neutrals include a midnight blue, buttery corn, and brown granite.
Look out for these favorites on your local high street or spoil yourself with a timeless classic direct from your favorite house.
Some of us hoped that the Biker shorts trend would be short-lived, but this season Chanel, Stella McCartney, Prada, and Fendi – among others – have teamed them with blazers and structured jackets, adding an element of summer sizzle to the brightly hued and finely tailored suits that are popular in the office corridors for Spring.
The likes of R13, Nicole Miller, and Tom Ford included animal prints in bold colors, in everything from party wear to formal. Leopard spots will be a popular choice for street fashionistas this season. Over-sized tartan print, tie-dye (yes, believe it!) and patchwork are fun options if leopard print is not your thing. Check out the R13, John Elliott, Prabal Gutung, Eckhaus Latta, and Stella McCartney collections for inspiration.
Boiler suits are in – brights, prints and neutrals; tailored or flowy; in fabric weights for every kind of weather – its never been easier to pick an outfit than with this all-in-one trend. Add a bucket hat in this season’s neon “highlighter” colors and finish off your look with a belt-handbag with pouches for all your must-have accessories.
Brock Collection, Rodarte, Saint Laurent, and Mara Hoffman have gone big with puffy shoulders and loads of tight pleats. Hopefully, the weather co-operates because wearing a jacket won’t be an option. Playing with dimensions, throw on an enormous floppy-brimmed hat to keep you cool, and carry a really tiny handbag. The Jacquemus Mini Le Chiquito bag that made such an impression at the Paris Fashion Week may be just a little too small to be practical, so find one that can hold your phone and a credit card, and you’re good to go.
Amid the fiesta of tutti-frutti colours brightening the streets this season, marigold yellow is a firm favorite. Carolina Herrera, Pyer Moss, Oscar de la Renta, and Brandon Maxwell lit up the runway with their cheerfully-bright creations. We can’t all carry off a pure yellow, so look out for a shade – from turmeric to ginger and anything in between – that suits your skin tone.
Find your favorite look from among these trends, or throw caution to the wind by combining pieces to create something that shouts “This is me!” Add sequins, feathers or fringing for a dramatic swish. Anything goes for Spring and Summer 2019.
