I don’t know about you, but even the words spring and summer evoke happiness within me. Particularly at this current moment in time as we push past our cold, bitter memories of Storm Emma. Oh, also Storm Emma, volume 2. Looking ahead to (slightly) sunnier times is exciting. Perhaps you are even lucky enough to escape our shores and travel further afield. Family holidays, getaways with friends or working abroad all bring the possibilities of sand between our toes and rays of sunshine on our skin. Since Irish people tend to spend about 99.9% of our time wrapped in varying woollen fabrics, figuring out how to dress in the spring and summer months can sometimes be challenging. Lucky for you, I have picked out some of my favourite trends for the seasons ahead.
Straw/Raffia/Wicker Accessories
I’m not going to lie. This one took me a little while to get on board with. However, as I saw more and more outfits being accessorised with these quirky pieces, I quickly fell in love. They add something beautiful but also casual to your outfit, very French-girl chic. In fact, if you look at old photos of the English-French style icon Jane Birkin, you can see she carries a bag just like the ones currently on trend. They are the perfect bag to take you from the beach to lunch. From Ralph Lauren to Dolce & Gabbana, the spring runways were full of straw and wicker bags incorporating details like chain straps and leather accents. High-street shops have quickly caught on to this must have season piece, however many styles sell out extremely quickly so you have to keep an eye out. Topshop have some great dupes for about €30. Zara have the greatest selection I have seen however, ranging in price from about €30-40.
Vintage florals
In the Devil Wears Prada, Miranda Presley played by Meryl Streep memorably quotes “Florals-for spring? Ground-breaking”. It remains one of my favourite of her witty, cold-hearted one-liners. This spring/ summer however, vintage floral prints are definitely a thing. Dolce & Gabbana, Marc Jacobs & Gucci all channelled this timeless print in their collections. The key to this trend is to embrace the most retro elements of this style. You may feel like you have robbed your granny’s wardrobe, but if you keep things fresh and light you won’t run into this issue. Think flowy summer dresses and light feminine blouses. If you want to treat yourself, & Other Stories have some of my favourite vintage floral shirts and dresses right now. For a more affordable option, try online retailers like ASOS and Missguided.
Trouser suits
For this trend, you need to have a little courage. Wear it the right way however, and you will stand out from the crowd and make a statement. Think power-woman dressing. Dior and Chloe have been the leaders in rolling out the trouser suit this season. If you decide on one of the subtler designs you can even integrate this into your work-wear wardrobe. When Emily Ratajkowski got married last month at City Hall New York she decided to wear a trouser suit of her own. Her pleated yellow trousers and belted jacket were from Zara and cost about €130 together. If you are on a budget, I have spotted a few suits online at Pretty Little Thing that cost about €45 together. You can also use your student discount to make this price even lower.
Linens & raw edges
Think linens and sawn-off edges in colours like creams and off-whites. Again, this look was featured on the runways of Altuzarra and Loewe. This trend has been worn on its own as a look, with khaki coloured hues and also embellished with large brown vintage inspired buttons. This look is perfect for hot weather as it will keep you feeling cool in the sun. When I see this trend, I can’t help but think of a classy lady on safari.
Yellow
If there’s one colour this spring/summer to buy a statement piece in, it’s yellow. Not a muted yellow, but a bright canary yellow. Yes, you will be the centre of attention and that’s okay. This is definitely a stand-out colour to wear. Tibi and Calvin Klein featured this prominently on their runways. The most popular way to wear this trend is as a bright yellow dress. Luxury boutiques around the world have seen sales of yellow dresses spiking this year, and more are coming to satisfy demand. Not only will wearing a yellow dress make you on trend, it might also just make your rainy days that little bit brighter. My pick for affordable yellow dresses on a budget comes from online retailer ASOS.
There you have it, a selection of some of my favourite looks for spring & summer 2018. You can dip your toe in these trends or commit completely, the choice is yours. Happy shopping!
Fiona Keveney – Fashion Writer
