Spring is here!
Winter 2010 was all about camel coats, nude-tones and creating a minimalistic, neutral look for our daily wardrobes. I welcomed the sleek Chloe-inspired tailoring that came with this trend as I’m a huge fan of tailored clothing for women. Yet, come mid-winter I was starting to tire of the soft hues, the outfits were starting to feel muted and I was sensing a need for something new and exciting.
When I saw the Spring/Summer 2011 catwalks bursting with honeysuckle pink thrown against peapod green and clashed with citrus yellow, I was overwhelmed…..overjoyed and so over those neutrals! ‘New and exciting’ were here and it was in the form of ‘pops of colour’!
Prada, Gucci, Christopher Kane
Images courtesy of Style.com
As I type, this trend is on its way to the high street and our wardrobes so you may be wondering how to make this trend work for you. The fashion world is saying this trend is all about wearing bright colours in block format, as perfectly displayed by Gucci above.
Bearing this in mind, I turn my attention to consider how real women are going to be wearing colour this season? How can this daring trend be made more accessible to my clients? For me, there is only one way I’ll be wearing this trend. I love the colours, I love the boldness, but less….is always more! So here’s how I’ll be wearing ‘pops of colour’ as perfectly displayed by a recent photo shoot I styled (see my facebook page for more pictures http://www.facebook.com/pages/Newcastle-upon-Tyne-United-Kingdom/Noreen-Elizabeth-Styling/185394161504606)
What are my rules for ‘pops of colour’?
Easy does it
It’s so easy to get this trend wrong so don’t go crazy by wearing every colour in your wardrobe as you risk the possibility of looking like a children’s entertainer. Ease yourself into this trend by starting off with vibrant accessories.
Really make them ‘POP’
Take your vibrant accessories and wear them against your minimalistic neutrals from winter. This will make the colour stand out even more and create an instant eye-catching outfit, while also making your winter hues a spring necessity.
Keep it in the family
If you’re feeling adventurous and want to try wearing different colours together, go for different shades from the same colour family. For example: in this outfit, I chose to mix the vivid orange detailing in the scarf (worn as belt) with shoes in a rich, slightly pink, shade of coral. The different shades work in harmony rather than clashing harshly, it gives the same effect, but it’s easier on the eye.
Brighter is not necessarily better
Don’t invest in brightly coloured garments just because they’re bright. Find a colour that’s flattering on you and wear it with confidence.
Where’s best to buy colour on the high street?
So now you know how to wear it, where are you going to buy your colour pieces from? Without a doubt it has to be River Island. They have stuck with the sleek tailoring from winter ’10 and the colour palettes they used are more vibrant than any of the other high street stores. For me, this gives the garments an overall more expensive and polished finish. What more could you ask for? I would recommend you make it your first port of call for Saturday shopping!
What’s next?
Vogue is calling 'it' "spring’s new wonder piece!" ..... Find out what ‘it’ is in my next blog post.
Noreen
