Fashion Garments

 Spring is just around the corner, and that’s an exciting time for fashion lovers.

It’s when black and grey move to the back of the wardrobe, and brighter colours and patterns emerge. It’s the season where merino skivvies make way for sheer floaty fabrics, relaxed cottons and pretty sandals.

Ladies; it’s almost time to throw off the winter coat, put aside the fur-lined boots and embrace spring style.

This week we’ve pored through the latest looks for spring/ summer 2010/2011 for trends, and tips on how to wear them.

Ra-ra-romance

Who said romance was dead? It’s certainly not when it comes to fashion trends, from florals to pastel shades and ruffle-front tops.

It’s probably no surprise that spring is so strongly linked to flowers. Soon bulbs will be sprouting in gardens all around the Waikato, with fragrant daffodils and jonquils marking a change of season.

So, too, florals are in vogue in fashion this spring, with beautiful blossom prints decorating dresses, jackets, scarves and even headbands.

Soft, feminine shades evoke a girlish innocence, and you will find some pretty floral strapless dresses and colourful cocktail frocks in store this spring. If pastel pinks, peaches and cornflower blues aren’t your cup of tea, don’t despair. Plenty of floral styles are bold and dramatic, with contrasting vibrant patterns reminiscent of fireworks.

As with every trend, find a version for you and personalise with key accessories  whether a necklace, hairpiece, belt or funky sandals.

Ruffles are also big for spring, popping up on shirt fronts, shoulders and decorating dresses. Sheer is everywhere, and sheer tops and long, floating dresses create beautiful silhouettes.

Soft draping fabrics, and muted pastels, neutrals and whites also fit the romantic theme.

Bold stripes

There’s no getting away from bold stripes this spring, they are everywhere. From nautical-inspired tops to psychedelic dresses, stripes have been seen on the runway courtesy of Kirrily Johnston (Australia), Annah Stretton (Morrinsville), Nyne (Hamilton) and even at good old Farmers.

When a trend hits the chain stores, you know it’s not just a designer fancy, and despite popular opinion anyone can wear stripes.
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Skinny horizontal stripes can be relatively slimming, unlike thick fat horizontal stripes. The wonderful thing is they also have the power to create the illusion of curves where there are none, and draping, asymmetrical or diagonal stripes can be very flattering.

Many designers are using stripes and bold black and white patterns to create eye-popping optical illusions.

Tribal style

International designers have referenced world cultures on the catwalk this year, with Egyptian wall paintings and Balinese prints influencing garments.

Closer to home Australian designer Kirrily Johnston has gone tribal with aspects of her spring/summer collection, and even Miss Australia Jesinta Campbell was on trend with her vibrant national costume seen in the Miss Universe contest in La Vegas last week.

The gown featured patterns and textures inspired by Aboriginal cave paintings. In New Zealand, Maori designers and patterns are coming to the fashion fore, and Tempo looks forward to seeing garments from seven young Maori designers at the Miromoda show at New Zealand Fashion Week next month, including Waikato’s Aroha Wikotu from Shikoba.

The long and short of it

Whether you want to show off your tanned, lean legs, or you want to cover up from top to toe, there is a look for you this spring.

Maxidresses are big news again for spring and summer, and the news from Australia is everyone is wearing them, which of course means that most chain stores here will have them soon. For curvy and pear-shaped women, maxidresses are feminine, flattering and can be dressed up or down.

Soft, billowing fabric is perfect for hot summer days, and you will feel fabulous and look right on trend. Cambridge designer Ooby Ryn has some gorgeous examples, full of colour – you won’t get lost in a crowd wearing one of her gowns, (far right).

Short shorts are hugely popular overseas, from tailored to tight hot pants. Depending on your age, confidence and fitness, find a style to suit you. Young folk can do hot pants, perhaps with tank tops or floaty tunic tops and vests. They are the perfect thing to wear clubbing on hot summer nights.

For those of us that shudder at the thought, there are longer and looser options.

Harem pants (right), knee-length shorts or three-quarter pants (cuffed above the ankle) are all great options, especially if you wear longer wrap tops or tunics up tops. Be careful of wearing three-quarter styles if you are short or have large calves, as the hem line may cut your legs at their largest point, which is not as flattering as at the knee.

Colour me beautiful

While black and white shades are dominant for spring, there are still bright bursts of colour. Soft pastel and fruity shades will get you in the summer mood. Think of Fruju iceblocks: bold mandarin orange and pineapple/lemon tones are perfect.

Softer shades are also prevalent, from peachy nudes and beiges to muted greys and icy cornflower blues. Crisp, vibrant white is another huge colour trend to watch out for this spring and summer. It can look very elegant and sophisticated, especially with tailored jackets and pants; but also works well with loose kaftans and tops, evoking lazy days by the pool.

Obviously it’s not a look for those who have little kids or are prone to spillage. White pants in particular are hot, and look great with a nude or beige heel. In terms of jewellery, beautiful azure blues and turquoise shades are desirable for summer, seen in this stylish necklace by New Zealand label Kagi.

Graphic patterns

Some designers are making their mark with original prints, including bold graphic tees and tops, a look that is impacting menswear and streetwear in particular.

Graphics can add humour and personality to T-shirts. In womenswear, bold prints can take a dress from okay to wow. Don’t forget to look out for polka-dots, which seem to have made a resurgence from high street to the department store window.