By: Shannon Ryan
Taking a stroll down memory lane this week, we rewind back to September 2012, when the elitists of the fashion industry unveiled their ideas for what spring wardrobes should look like.
Sifting through the images of layered fabric, obtuse prints and fine-lipped models that littered the catwalk during the spring/summer 2013 fashion weeks, it was notable that the designers’ inspirations were just as varied as the 100-plus collections that were shown, from photographer Helmut Newton to Japanese designer Hanae Mori and Mother Nature herself.
A few common themes recurred among the collections, birthing the trends of the upcoming season. Ditch the routine bubblegum and pastel palette of spring in favor of a more refined and femme moderne aesthetic.
Bold stripes
Whether they were horizontal or vertical, thick or thin, stripes made a bold statement on the catwalks of Tommy Hilfiger, Marc Jacobs, Oscar de la Renta and numerous others. The geometric pattern paraded the runway in the form of knit sweaters, cotton Bermuda shorts and blazers, to note a few, each form allowing an inventive vibe for the wearer. With navy horizontal, they are nautical-nice; with printed denim, they are all-American familiar; and with head-to-toe coverage, they are statement worthy. This trend is accessible and a pleasant recycle from previous seasons, perhaps a lovely surprise already housed in your closet.
Black and white mixtures
In previous spring/summer collections, oversize florals and pretty paisleys composed the majority of print and color palettes, but this year designers delighted eyes with a juxtaposing mixture of black and white to dominate this season’s palette.
From mild mixtures at Jason Wu to head-to-toe contrast at Alexander Wang and geometric-print-palette opposites at Marc Jacobs, designers proved unexpected color pairings can live in perfect garment harmony during the springtime. This is a combination easily discoverable within your current wardrobe, making it one of the most wearable trends of the season.
Bermuda shorts
The fam-friendly Bermuda short adds length, slouch and insouciance, making it the premiere short of the season. In lieu of last season’s Instagram favorite cheek-baring denim cutoffs, these ultra cool-girl shorts covered the New York runways, making appearances on Peter Som, Rag and Bone and DKNY. This is an office-appropriate trend and a delightful opposition to last season’s derriere exposure. Pair with a crisp collared shirt for an androgynous vibe, a cropped tank for midriff play or an unopened blazer for a sophisticated modern summer suit edge.
Other major trends to note before finalizing your shopping list are unexpected cutouts notable at DVF and Cushnie et Ochs; sheer sleeves and dashes seen at Nicole Miller and Jill Stuart; sporty A-line dresses prominent in Victoria Beckham and Rag and Bone’s collections; and intricate beading as seen on the runways of Joseph Altuzarra and Oscar de la Renta.
The forecast for spring looks to be a comfortable and sharp one.