How to Wear The 18 Trends You’ll Be Seeing *Everywhere* This Spring
With the fashion world finally parting ways with the likes of minimalism (kind of) and normcore (byeeee), the runways were alight with attention-grabbing trends during Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2016, most of which are wearable IRL. So if amping up your style in a major way was one of your New Year’s resolutions, you couldn’t have chosen a better time. What’s more, the runways featured something for everyone too. A revamp of the classic button-down is right up the traditionalist’s alley, while modern takes on retro silhouettes are perfect for the girl who loves throwback everything. Oh, and pajamas — the lazy-girl hero piece even gets the sartorial stamp of approval this season. Read on to get a full rundown of spring’s 18 top trends, plus tips on how to get a head start and wear them right now.
Cold Shoulders
Off-the-shoulder everything was a fashion fave in 2015, but the cold shoulder rules supreme in 2016. It packs all the shoulder-baring action you want with added support and a more architectural flair. Knits featuring the eye-catching cutout, like this Prabal Gurung stunner, become must-have pieces that make the transition from winter to spring absolutely effortless, while flowy dresses and classic tees develop subtle sex appeal.
How to Wear It Now: Cold shoulder sweaters are the most obvious choice while the temps are hovering near the freezing point, but even dresses can be deemed winter-ready with the addition of a long-sleeve or turtleneck tee. (Photo via Frazer Harrison/Getty)
2. Sheer Style: Airy organzas and lightweight chiffons are ready to infuse spring with ethereal elegance and drama. The dreamy trend infiltrated every aspect of fashion, reimagining everything from simple tops to playful frocks, epitomized in this Carolina Herrera number.
How to Wear It Now: Play with layers to create a more opaque look that feels anytime-appropriate, or pair them up with solids in bright hues for a modern, statement-making ensemble. (Photo via JP Yim/Getty)
3. Slip Dresses: A wave of ’90s energy ran through the collections this season, with the decade’s minimalist staple — the slip dress — making a strong showing. Unlike classic undergarments, these lingerie-inspired pieces are made to be seen, thanks to details like decorative lace, leather fabric, ruching and unexpected color.
How to Wear It Now: Pair more structured pieces, like this Rag & Bone leather slip, with layering turtlenecks and ankle boots or nail their pre-millenium vibe by teaming slinkier styles with chunky knit sweaters and flatform loafers. (Photo via Slaven Vlasic/Getty)
4. Aqua Eyes: While there were plenty of fresh-faced looks to ogle on the spring 2016 runway, it was shades of brilliant blue that really made an impression. Electric liner made peepers pop at Monique Lhuillier (pictured above) and Hugo Boss, while labels like Jill Stuart and Karen Walker took a more subtle pastel approach to the eye-catching look. Others were strategic with color placement, focusing splashes of the look-at-me pigment on the inner and outer corners of eyes, which offered a fun kick of color that didn’t feel over the top.
Solid Stripes
No spring collection is complete without a few stripes (we’ll take Dolce & Gabbana’s word for it), but these are anything but your average Breton bands. The stripe story for 2016 tells tales of playful graphics, vibrant color and scattered lines.
Pajama Party
Step aside, athleisure — pajama dressing is the latest way to indulge your inner lazy girl without letting your style sensibilities down. Two-piece sets like this one seen at the Thakoon show proved they have a place beyond the bedroom with elevated silhouettes and fabrics, next-level prints and runway-ready details.
How to Wear It Now: Ditch your go-to blazer and top off an on-the-clock ensemble with a longline robe, or tuck a silk pajama shirt into a pair of tailored trousers or a structural pencil skirt. (Photo via Arun Nevader/Getty)
7. Romantic Ruffles: The flirty embellishments don’t exactly scream chic — until now. Not all ruffles are created equal, and labels like Alexander McQueen, Gucci, Balenciaga and Jason Wu proved it with architectural interpretations in vivid colors and sexy halter sheaths with contemporary appeal.
Lips That Pop
Red lipstick is classic, but this season candy-colored shades of the iconic hue, whether matte, satin or lavishly lacquered, lent a fresh, modern feel to bare, glowing skin, a la the models at the DKNY show.
How to Wear It Now: Apply to lips with expert precision (lipliner is a must-have) and keep the rest of your makeup understated for maximum impact. (Photo via JP Yim/Getty)
9. High-Fashion Fringe: Fringe has been trending for the last few seasons, but after spotting it on the Edun (see their fringe-tastic efforts above), Anna Sui and Derek Lam runways, it’s clear to see it’s here to stay. This season, festival fringe is taking a backseat to wispy flapper-inspired renditions that adorn polished pieces like blazers, asymmetric sheaths and not-so-traditional trench coats. Consider this the working girl’s answer to the favored Coachella embellishment.
How to Wear It Now: Pair fringe-trimmed tops with clean-cut ankle trousers, embellished mules and a sleek blazer for a new take on standard suiting. Bold colors, whether sprinkled in or straight up, are an undisputed yes. (Photo via JP Yim/Getty)
10. Bomber Jackets: Your go-to leather jacket is going to have a little competition this season, with a slew of edgy bomber jackets making their way onto the shelves. The style is riding in on the back of the athleisure craze, with cropped, oversized and ornamental styles lending a sports-chic vibe to everything from flowy skirts to leather trousers. With one of these bad boys posting up in your closet, your warm-weather wardrobe is guaranteed to be the bomb.
How to Wear It Now: Opt for an element of surprise and use a bomber as the finishing touch on an ultra feminine ensemble, like on the Emilio Pucci runway. (Photo via Pietro D’Aprano/Getty)
11. Victorian Influences: The ’60s and ’70s have dominated fashion for the last few seasons, but now the industry is looking even further back for inspiration. Victorian styles could be seen everywhere, in dainty floral prints, high-collar necklines, longer hemlines and puffy sleeves.
Sunset Shadow
The new way to do neutrals? Soft shades of pink and peach create a warm, earthy beauty look that highlights features without a lot of fuss. The universally flattering look offers a more interesting alternative to more traditional shades of brown, beige and bronze. This ensemble from Altuzzara is so effortless-chic.
How to Wear It Now: Lightly layer shades of burnt orange and coral to create a warm terracotta hue that’s both on- and off-duty appropriate. (Photo via JP Yim/Getty)
13. New Age White Shirts: The closet essential gets a major makeover for spring with asymmetric fastenings, rad ruffles and skin-bearing slits. Your work wardrobe is about to get a whole lot more interesting, thanks to designers like Fyodor Golan.
How to Wear It Now: Skip the boyfriend button-down and dress up your favorite pair of denim or dress code-compliant bottoms with an oversized top in an off-the-shoulder or wrap-front silhouette. Already own one? Try buttoning or styling it in a brand new way. (Photo via Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty)
14. All Pleated Everything: Valentino helped transform the schoolgirl staple into one of this season’s hottest details. Overlaid graphic prints lent a 3D effect to modern maxi dresses, while artfully cut layers added structure and fluid movement.
How to Wear It Now: Chances are, you already have a pleated maxi skirt floating around in your closet. Whip it out and give it an of-the-moment makeover with a cold shoulder top, a warm turtleneck or a lace-up bodysuit. (Photo via Pascal Le Segretain/Getty)
15. Sequins Anytime: Spring 2016 is going to be big on bling, with sparkle-studded everything getting the seal of approval for both day and night attire. This is the trend you’ve been waiting for since, well, forever.
How to Wear It Now: For a fashion-forward office getup, pair a glitzy midi skirt with a sleeveless high-neck top (a la the Marni runway) and add a wrap-front blazer. Chunky-heeled ankle boots and a sleek hobo bag offer a chic alternative to classic pumps and totes. (Photo via Pietro D’Aprano)
16. Statement Lashes: Mascara is an everyday beauty essential for most women, but forthe last few seasons it’s largely been forsaken by makeup artists, who’ve opted for more unexpected looks instead. Embellished eyelashes were back in business this season, like these painted-on, doll-like lashes at Louis Vuitton, sky blue mascara at Mary Katrantzou and mod falsies at Marni.
How to Wear It Now: While painted-on looks might be a bit much for the everyday, a few swipes of dark blue, purple or green mascara will make eyes stand out, while staying within dress code limits. (Photo via Pascal Le Segretain/Getty)
17. Wrap Skirts: Pencil skirts are a workweek staple, but for spring 2016 they’re getting edgier. Subtle (or daring) slits show off a bit of leg without breaking dress code, while side-tie details add texture and movement. We love the sneaky sexiness of this Michael Kors skirt.
How to Wear It Now: Plunge-neck tops or lacy sleeveless blouses make the skirt feel perfect for date night, while button-downs, knits and sophisticated shirts are key for a nine-to-five look. (Photo via JP Yim/Getty)
18. So Retro: At the Maison Margiela show, the fab ’40s, ’50s and mod ’60s picked up where the ’70s left off, with beehives, embroidery, bow-neck blouses, peter pan collars and retro silhouettes — all jazzed up with contemporary flair — showing up in collections left and right. The trend is refreshing after seasons of disco-era duds, but doesn’t abandon the throwback vibes you’ve come to love.