Dear Mattie:
What colours are in fashion this spring?
— Loving New Colours in Deep Cove
Dear New Colours:
This spring there are colour options for everyone and their fashion needs. Soft pastels are trendy. Icy tones of the pastels are also popular. Neutrals are used as a bridge from one colour range to another. Explore the trendy colours that suit you best.
The biggest trend this season is the ombré look. It is when you wear many shades of one colour from lightest to darkest. This can be done in every colour. White, grey and black is the easiest combination to carry this ombré look.
If you want to tread lightly, then pastel pink to red and light blue to electric blue are the most popular ombré colour graduations to start with.
The look is to have the range of a soft colour to a bold colour. It is a jump from the colour blocking popular in previous seasons. Three to four shades are best. Any less looks too simple. Any more looks too busy. You can find pieces from tops to bottoms with the ombré look, or you can create the look with solid colour pieces. Belts, scarves and shoes are a great way to add a third colour to your outfit.
Other colours that can create the ombré look are yellow, orange, mint green and lavender. As long as you like the idea of coloured bottoms, these ombré colour varieties can be quite bold.
Although neutrals are not in style this year, they are being used to bridge the pastels with the brights without having the ombré look. Medium grey, sand and khaki green are warm and earthy and a great option for ladies who don’t want to wear ombré from neck to toe.
As much as ombré is trendy, so is the pop art look. Prints that have an artistic abstract or graphic image are popular. This is also referred to as the “art studio” look, because the piece has a white background — like a clean canvas with a print on top. The print can be a Picasso face, a Pollock splatter of paint or a Lichtenstein comic strip with words.
The colours used in these prints are not necessarily trendy. It is the print that is trendy. I am seeing funky prints in tops, bottoms, shoes and handbags. It’s cool, fun and sophisticated with a street art style.
There is also a floral trend for a soft feminine look, which uses the ombré colours. The look features tone on tone petals, large and small. This is a great option for ladies who like prints and want to stay in fashion.
A super trendy look is to mix a pattern piece with an ombré piece. It is easier to pull off with fewer and similar colours. But, if you have a strong fashion sense, then contrasting the pieces is the biggest, boldest statement this season.
Since there are so many colour and print options, I suggest you look at yourself in the mirror longer. If your first impression is that you have too much going on, then pare back. Better safe than sorry.
Adieu,
Mattie
Mattie is a freelance writer and fashion expert. Reach her on her Facebook page or follow her on Pinterest at Mattie a la Mode.
