In seasons past we were bombarded with colour, loaded down by accessories, and teetering on ice pick stilettos.  It’s all a bit exhausting isn’t it?  Seems like you’re not the only one thinking this, as spring fashion trends veer away from the dramatic and return to a more peaceful realm.  Spring’s fashion trends for this year are sunny, romantic, and downright comfortable. Think lazy walks under an avenue of cherry blossoms on your neighbourhood street, warm Saturdays trolling for vintage goods along SoMa, or just lying on the grass in QE Park.  If this all sounds appealing to you, then read on to get the lowdown on some of the hottest trends this season:

Florals

Left to right: Urban Renewal Blossom Pencil dress, $48 and Lucca Couture cropped jacket, $58 – both from Urban Outfitters

Continuing on from previous seasons, florals are big again for spring and why not? All of Nature is abloom and so why not you?  Prints this season are bold, complex, and big.  Small floral prints are still in, but are less prevalent.  Floral dresses are perennial favourites, but why not try a light floral jacket for something different?  Both pieces are no-brainers: simply throw on, or pair with your normal basics, and you’re good to go!

Nude

Left to right: American Apparel cotton-spandex reversible tunic, $35 and Urban Outfitters Silence & Noise Ponte tank dress, $48

As a backlash against all the extremeness of recent years’ rocker chic, this season hails a return to minimalism.  In this incarnation, minimalism takes on a slightly sexier edge with details like plunging necklines, accentuated waistlines, and easy on the eyes colours.  Nudes can be tricky to wear, so don’t pair exactly to your skin tone.  Instead, go for a shade slightly darker than your skin, unless your skin is darker, in which case go lighter; the idea here is to create a subtle contrast.  Alternately choose colours like blush, cream, or very soft taupes and greys to utilize this trend more easily.

Wedges & Booties

Left to right: Guess Eille, $125

Forever21 Buckled ankle boot, $31.80

Pour la Victoire Ida Wedge ankle boot, $153.97

Spring is an in-between season.  The weather in spring can range from chilly to warm, sunny to rainy – especially in Vancouver – so the best shoe philosophy to follow for spring is versatility.  Lucky for us, shoe fashion trends aim to please.  This season, it’s all about wedges and booties.  Booties are a fantastic style to invest in as they now come in such a huge range of styles.  When booties first came out, they were highly unflattering to anyone without chicken legs, but now anyone can find hot booties thanks to the variable shoe heights that can be found.  A rule of thumb is the thicker your calves, the lower the boot should extend up your leg.  Booties even let you cover multiple trends at once – just look at the 2 pairs here; one is both a bootie and in a cool taupe, and the other has a great covered wedge heel.

Wedges are super hot this spring as they give you height and comfort.  I know, it’s hard to believe! Indulge in a summery wedge sandal in an earthy material like cork or wood, or go ultra modern by getting a covered wedge like the bootie.  While the weather is still cool, pair the wedge sandals with similarly toned socks or tights!

Now that you’ve heard my assessment on trends for spring, what fashion trends will you be picking up this year?

Jordana Mah

Software developer by day, writer by night, Jordana works as a freelance writer for various online publications and blogs. You can usually find her glued to a keyboard either shopping online, blogging, or tweeting, but she occasionally ventures out for movies, food, shopping sales, and bubble tea.

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