1. Silk shirt with side buckles, Zara.
2. Lena pink slip-on trainers, Whistles.
3. Handmade acetate sunglasses, ASOS.
4. Suede clutch with fringes, H&M.
5. Cube ring, Whistles.
6. Lace pencil skirt, Next.
7. Large spot shirt, Topshop.
8. Leather-look double-strap sandals, ASOS.
9. Diamond-print culottes, Topshop.
10. Geometric bangle, COS.
As summer approaches and the sun starts to makes short but glorious appearances in the sky, it is inevitable that we would eventually start to dream of our summer holidays and new wardrobes. With beautiful beaches, soft sand and delicate breezes on our minds, it’s time to ditch the warm layering and chunky coats.
Lightweight fabrics in petal-coloured hues of pink, blue and yellow make for the perfect spring wardrobe which will see you right through to summer. Zara’s refreshing take on the classic white blouse with the chunky side buckles adds an instant cool and the loose fit looks great worn with short shorts or tapered trousers in silk, turned up twice or three times for an effortless look.
With macaroon violets, pinks and blues making a major appearance on the catwalks this season, it’s these pastel hues that will become your classic tans, camels and greys. Look no further than Next – this pencil skirt in powdery blue lace is hitting all the trends in one and costs just £20. Wear it with a dotted blouse like this one from Topshop to channel Burberry.
Culottes (pronounces kouh-lott, no ‘s’!) are the item for Spring. Whether in slinky crepe or structured cotton, keep them midi (under the knee) and wear them with a loose shirt or cropped knit and high-heeled mules. They are sure to take you right through to A/W 2014 – you can wear them with mid-shin boots à la Chanel and an oversized turtleneck in off-white. Also, don’t be afraid to try them in prints like these wide-leg ones from Topshop which cost £45. Think of culottes as your new flare skirt but with the added benefit of more activities. Kind of like a tennis skort, except way longer.
Your must-haves for Spring are flats. Flat sandals, flat trainers, flat boots – flats are everywhere – we have Phoebe Philo to thank for this. Whistles’ dusty pink slip-ons combine the pastel trend with Céline knock-offs – without the crazy splurge. Similarly, these “man sandals” from ASOS can be worn with pretty much anything; think Alexander Wang or Jil Sander – except you can get these for £35! In metallic silver, they spruce up any outfit and look great worn with pastels (but they come in black, too!). Pair them with boyfriend jeans, distressed shorts in black denim or wear them with a monochrome slip dress for the ultimate minimalism.
Gucci’s S/S 14 fringed it-bag is undoubtedly on all women’s minds this season. One of the most covetable items, this baby is boho cool with suede fringes and comes in all sorts of gorgeous colours. Get the look with H&M’s suede fringed clutch in soft beige – it’s stunning and definitely gets the Sienna Miller approval. Wear it with skinny jeans in acid-wash grey and a fedora or with ivory lace and beige ankle boots for the ultimate Coachella look. Add a pair of marble-effect sunnies like these from ASOS to finish off your look. They are light and handmade – plus, they are super stylish Miu Miu look-alikes and the classic tortoiseshell/marble look means you will wear them again and again and regardless of the season.
Lastly, don’t forget to accessorise with jewellery. Keep it simple with COS and Whistles’ geometric shapes which are discreet but edgy. Layer cuff bracelets or stack block rings for extra style points.
Happy shopping!
