How to wear SS18’s biggest trends while it’s still cold
Spring is on the way (sort of). Surely Pancake Day and Valentine’s Day are milestones which means freezing faces...and fingers...and toes...are soon to be things of the past? And although the weather is still not as balmy as we’d all like, now is the best time to power ahead with your spring wardrobe. Here’s how to navigate the upcoming trends for the current climate (adding sunshine later).
A forever trench
First stop, the trench: this age-old outerwear style is key for SS18. The joy of the piece is that it will never really be off-trend, so investing is failsafe, and while the shops are flooded with varying styles, now is a great time to find your perfect piece. This season’s runway trenches offered variations on a theme, though the camel classic still tops our wishlist. Trenches are innately transitional - made to wear open over a flimsy summer dress and slides, and equally at home belted over a chunky knit.
Lady in lilac
The colour of SS18, standing out in a seasonal wave of pastels, was undoubtedly lilac. Sherbet shades are a spring-time stalwart - soft tones heralding a lighter, brighter season, and this year’s lavender adds a note of sophistication to your palette.
Surprisingly versatile, lilac goes brilliantly with denim, black, white and khaki - so a lot of what's already in your wardrobe. The excellent thing about lilac is that it has a distinctly season-less feel. The SS18 runway was awash with lilac dresses, though, for now, a lilac coat feels more fitting - it will lift your cold-weather wardrobe, and take you through to the summer.
Sequins for day
Traditionally a fabric which only twinkles under the synthetic lights of after-dark, for SS18 sequins are made for all day. But before the February clouds give way to sunshine, there’s still a place for them in your wardrobe - in fact, they’re just the thing to brighten gloomy days. Opt for a skirt, and you’ll tick off two trends for the price of one (SS18 is partial to pencil skirts). If you’re feeling brave, go bare legged, layering over a slip - for warmth, as much as for the nonchalant glimpse of lace. Then add a dose of toughness via a biker jacket and chunky boots. Come summer, a white tee, slides and sunshine are all the style needs to sparkle.
The trouser suit
It’s the tailoring trend which has held sway for several seasons - trousers suits are making a convincing case for an evolution from trend to staple, and for good reason. The coordinating duo looks polished, no matter what the occasion, and can be dressed up or down.
Spring’s sleekest styles come in pastel shades and neutrals, and are perfect buttoned over bare skin, or worn open over a simple cami for summer weddings. On colder days, simply add layers - a skinny fit roll-neck (opt for a nude and it will barely register) or long sleeved top underneath. Add a long-line coat, depending on the wind chill factor.
Plastic power
Clear plastic is perhaps an unlikely catwalk star, and yet it appeared in various guises for SS18. Overcoats, and this season’s trench, were popular options: yes, the plastic mac is back - and extremely practical for now, given February’s propensity to rain. But perhaps the most wearable way to add it to your wardrobe, now and later, is via a PVC bag. Opt for a style which combines leather paneling to elevate the wipe-clean fabric, and avoid putting your daily essentials on show. The transparent material looks slick and modern paired with a sophisticated palette and other elegant accessories - think gold jewels and a cashmere scarf.
Check in
Another trend which comes and goes (without ever really going) is checks. For SS18, plaid struck a heritage note, with houndstooth and Prince of Wales recurring patterns taking centre stage. Silhouettes remained streamlined and crisply tailored. Happily, it’s not warm weather-dependent, meaning you can get maximum mileage from your new-season checks. Right now, try check on check - doubling up gives the print modern edge (and adds a vital extra layer). Keep the rest of your look understated in neutrals and denim, letting the plaid pack a punch.
White out
Top-to-toe white was ubiquitous on the SS18 runways. Effortlessly elegant - as long as you don’t need to go anywhere (ie navigate the tube/bus/train/city/countryside). A speedy (and less washing-heavy) route to this trend is white accessories. This also happens to work very well while the skies are still grey and the mercury knocking on rock bottom. A soupcon of white boots/shoes/scarf/bag will lift your look, instantly heralding spring. The perfect neutral, white pairs with everything - denim or tailoring, bold colour or pastels, and, as the weather warms up, white accessories are the perfect partners for summer dresses, or bare legs and a pencil skirt.
Ready when you are, spring.