Spring/Summer 2018 Fashion Preview

Sleeveless Matrix Flip Top and Tube Skirt by Sympli

Despite a bitter cold still haunting the air, the gentle whisper of springtime flowers and salty summer air lurk patiently around the corner. With a new season comes new fashion trends designers are ready to set loose, and this year is no different with head-to-toe pastels, and an update to the good old-fashioned “Canadian tuxedo” (denim-on-denim).

Pastels have long been a spring trend with their soft hues of pink, blue and green allowing us to match nature’s abundant bouquets in a rainbow of colours. This year, however, a slight adaptation has been made; rather than simply one item of clothing being a soft hue of violet or yellow, designers in 2018 (like Michael Kors, Chanel and Alexander McQueen) have opted for a tip-to-toe ensemble.

Now don’t panic — it may seem like an overwhelming decision to cover yourself completely in a subdued red, but it is incredibly workable and a fashion-forward choice, if you’re keeping the clothing tidy, tailored, and focused on texture.

Alexander McQueen and Chanel, for example, opted for longer dresses in a single pastel hue, but managed to keep the looks modern by emphasizing numerous textures.

Let’s pretend you want to follow this trend by wearing a pastel blue jacket, t-shirt and pants. If all your pieces are plain linen or cotton, you’re going to look washed-out, rather than the daring fashionista you are. However, if the jacket is covered in a short fringe, the t-shirt is a simple cotton and your pants are denim, you’ve successfully compensated for the monochromatic statement by breaking up your look into cohesive segments.

Another trend coming back this year is a staple no Canadian should be unfamiliar with: denim. Unlike previous years, however, where the fabric was distressed, bleached and oversized, denim in 2018 is working to elevate itself from backyard barbecue to borderline formal wear.

Designers (like Mugler, Nina Ricci and Tom Ford) have opted for slim-fit, dark-wash denim that’s cut and tailored to fit your body like a glove. Unlike the resurgence of the ’90s trend of “grunge” denim in recent years, this year’s denim is designed with working women in mind. Meant to provide a casual edge, it still maintains a professional, clean silhouette.

If you’re looking to rock this trend, it’s important to keep the “fit” in mind (no “mom jeans” allowed!). For pants, straight-leg styles are often flattering on any body type, and can be paired with nearly any kind of top, sweater or jacket.

If a skirt is more your style, straight or pencil cuts will likely be the most flattering as they compliment the natural shape of a woman and often end somewhere around the knees.

Those in the market for a jean-jacket should be prepared to see lots of collars and tailoring, which is the key to turning denim from casual to chic. Keep an eye out for slim-cut jackets that skim your hips while emphasizing your natural waistline to really stand out in this crowd this year.

It’s never too late to try new trends, and 2018’s are here for the bold and the brazen to stand out with simplicity.

 

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