After yesterday’s post on the seven trends that stood out on the Spring & Summer 2020 Ready-to-Wear runways, it’s on to colours and patterns. Imagine the colours in any wardrobe item, make-up colour, nail polish, or hair colour. Imagine the patterns in any wardrobe item or nail adornment. 

1.Blue

Blue in all its shades is the colour of the year. It was heavily represented in runway shows, and especially in denim, solids, and in patterns. From the palest of baby blue to the deepest ink blue, and everything in between. Think bright blues like turquoise and cobalt too. Blue is extremely versatile and can be combined with every neutral and non-neutral. Light blue shoes are a pretty fringe trend, and look smashing with a matching bag.

2.Neutrals

Since the ‘90s are trending, we’re going to see a lot of black clothing, footwear and accessories. Grey takes a backseat in lieu of shades of blue. Shades of white continue to exude a modern crispness, and the white footwear trend is here to stay. Neutrals like olive, khaki and shades of tan are strong, and are a nod to ‘90s Safari Chic.

3. Earth Tones

Earth tones continue to trend, and are a nod to the ‘70s component of the ‘90s trend. Think spice colours and all sorts of browns like mustard, turmeric, curry, rust, burnt orange, cognac, chestnut, saddle, toffee, coffee, cinnamon, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, tan, sand, taupe, khaki, stone, maize, oxblood, burgundy, bronze, tortoiseshell, gold, and animal patterns in these earthy shades. Remix earth tones with ANY palette.

4. Brights

The new Spring season has kicked off with my favourite sour brights and I’m not complaining. Tomato red, citron, lime green, apple green, chartreuse, orange, turquoise, watermelon and shocking pink are popular, and remixed with ANY palette, and with each other. They are remixed with ‘90s black, ‘80s white, and ‘70s earth tones as well as all sorts of pastels because — as I strongly believe — sour brights are versatile.

I see shades of lilac, purple, orchid, emerald, ruby red and teal coming through, so all is not lost for jewel tone lovers. There is blush and mint for pastel lovers too.

5. Neon

Neon brights in yellow, pink, green, orange and blue are there, but as a fringe trend, and often as an accessory, trim or sneaker. Head-to-toe neon is there, and quite yummy if you fancy bright outfits. It’s a lot more soothing on the eye when ONE neon colour is worn head-to-toe instead of two or three.

6. Polka Dots

Polka dots give stripes some competition. Polka dots in all sorts of variations are trending, although I think of them as an iconic classic in two-toned symmetrical neutrals. Large, small, irregular, symmetrical, neutral, non-neutral, two-toned, multi-toned — you name it and it’s there. Sport a polka dot accessory if wearing polka dot clothing is too much of a good thing.

7. Ditsy Florals and Small Quiet Prints

It wouldn’t be a ‘90s inspired season without a good dose of dainty ditsy florals, and small patterns in two or three subtle colours. You’ll see these types of patterns make their biggest statement in dresses, blouses, skirts, flowing wide pants, and scarves.

8. Tropical and Botanical

Tropical and botanical patterns are a nod to ‘90s Safari Chic, which is when we saw leaf and foliage patterns galore. These patterns can be loud and bold, or soft, quiet and subtle, neutral or non-neutral, so take your pick.

9. Pattern Mix

Pattern mixing has become an important part of our fashion era because it’s one way to be maximal, creative, look interesting, and make wardrobe items more versatile. You can pattern mix in subtle or bold ways, and remix exactly as you like. These days, most patterns can be worn together if there are cohesive elements in the outfit pulling the look together.

I like the colours for the season, which I know I say every year. I guess I can easily find my colours because the palette of my wardrobe is diverse. Although I wear some earth tones, I don’t like to wear them for Spring and Summer. I’m not into black, but I’m all over shades of blue. Blue is my colour of the year, so that’s fortuitous. Light blue, denim blue, turquoise, French blue, and navy are a big yes please. Sour brights make my mouth water and are my favourites, and I’m all for some neon. White is my favourite neutral and I like to see lots of it. I also bat for Team Polka Dots, but will say no thank you to ditsy florals and most botanical and tropical patterns. I do enjoy a pretty and bold floral though.

Over to you. What do you think of the season’s colours and patterns?

I’m going to report on the next six months of fashion in five separate posts instead of one extremely long and overwhelming one. That way the info is easier to digest and we can focus our conversations in the comments section. Let the trendy games begin.

I’ve seen many of the Ready-to-Wear collections for Spring 2020. Every season, a set of cohesive and interesting themes emerge through the chaos and drama that struts down the runway. Some of these themes have staying power for years, and sometimes even decades. Unfortunately, the lack of diversity across the body type and age of the runway models was disappointing, and looks dated. I am forever hopeful that this will change.

Here are seven trends that stood out.

1. Sustainability

Many designers used fabrics, trims, and accessories from past collections to minimize waste and promote the idea of upscaling, recycling, repurposing and repeating. Many designers made a point of using ethically sourced materials and manufacturing plants. Some designers pushed for a plant-based collection that was void of all animal products. These actions form part of an extremely important message about the question of sustainability and style.

Achieving sustainability is extremely complex. There are no easy solutions, and many compromises. But we have to think about sustainability because the problems won’t go away unless action is taken. Every small action counts, even if it’s just to ease your conscience. So these days, you have to think long and hard about what sustainability means for you and your style, and be vigilant about the sustainable actions that you can manage regularly. Sustainability means different things for different people, and some can manage it more easily than others. It’s not a contest, so by all means compare, but do not despair. As long as you’re making a point of being sustainable your way, it’s a good thing.

2. Do Your Own Thing (DYOT)

There is no one way to be stylish. Fashion is a melting pot of sartorial choices, and increasing diversity in fashion with each passing year means that there is something for everyone. Trends are no longer seasonal and fads no longer exist. Trends are becoming harder to define, and at some point they will be irrelevant. That’s why creating a signature style and evolving it over time is one of the most important and relevant trends of them all. Wear the trends, don’t wear them, remix them, repeat them, reinvent them — it’s all good. Do your own thing!

3. Practical Comfort

Our fast-paced world expects us to travel at the drop of a hat, multitask, and work long hours. This modern way of life demands comfort. That’s why it’s trendy to wear fashion or athletic sneakers with anything, and to throw on leggings with a blazer, dressy bag, and glam jewellery. Unstructured clothing, elastic waists, fabrics with stretch, machine-washable workwear, clothing with hidden pockets, dressy flats, trendy puffer coats, and the oh-so-popular juxtaposition of remixing casual with dressy pieces continues to make a strong statement in today’s fashion.

4. Celebrating Classics and Icons

Designers and retailers are making a point of giving modern classics and iconic items their fashionable moment. They are remixing them in new ways to prevent boredom and showcase versatility. Wear a dressy trench coat with joggers and sneakers. Throw on a blazer and Dr. Martens with anything. A baseball cap and Chucks can work with a ball dress, and a pencil skirt can be worn with your varsity sweatshirt. The trend is promoting sustainability because wearing an old item in a new way can be better than buying something new.

5. Happy Tension

The tension between opposing trends is more apparent than ever. Outfit Maximalism shakes hands with minimal looks. Oversized slouch, surrendered waistlines and architectural volume can live happily with busloads of structure, body-con and waist definition. Dressy pieces and uber-casual items are equally on-trend, and by all means remix them into one outfit. Neutrals and earth tones are as popular as brights and jewel tones. Pointy toes are as important as square toes, and stilettos look just as fab as block heels.

This type of happy trend tension creates fashion diversity and reinforces doing your own thing. It gives looks a higher longevity factor, making it harder and harder to call an item “dated”. It supports sustainability, and our need to be as diverse in fashion as we can be.

6. The ‘90s

With respect to silhouettes and outfit combinations, you’ll see a strong flashback to the ‘90s. The early ‘90s were a meaningful nod to the ’80s, and the mid ‘90s had lots of ‘70s appeal, so I see it as more of a flashback to three decades instead of one. This is another nod to sustainability, because it’s hip and fashionable to thrift and wear items that are several decades old instead of passing them on as dated looks.

7. Personal Slogans

Designers and retailers continue to use their influential platforms to make statements that are important to them and their brand. Many of the messages are political, but sometimes they’re light-hearted, funny, and take the mickey out of the ridiculous fashion industry. YLF is not a political blog, so the specifics of the messages are not the point. But the trend is something we can incorporate into our own styles by wearing slogans and outfit combinations that showcase a personal message. It can be subtle or bold, and executed your way.

It’s important to remember that despite what’s happening on the runways or in trend forecasts, retailers will continue to supply the market with items that they sell well at retail. Items will stick around for as long as consumers will buy them. Designers do not have the power to control trends as much as we do collectively as consumers. We are the ones in control.

This post is for Team Mustard. It’s been ages since we saw earth tones make a trendy statement, so I’m all for seeing them bask in their glory on those who enjoy wearing the shades. On to some fun mustard looks. 

1. Mustard, Cinnamon, Oats and Cream

This outfit combines four earth tones in trendy silhouettes, and the result is smashing. Pair a cream top and cinnamon pants. These wide legs are at the fashionable shorter full length with flats. Feel free to throw in a cinnamon skirt instead. Add oatmeal flats and a mustard topper. The drama of the maxi topper is elegant, and swooshes with the flare of the bottoms. Add a cinnamon, tan, cream or mustard bag and you’re done.

2. Column of Mustard

It’s hard to pull together this look unless you have the exact pieces. But for those who adore mustard, try combining a mustard patterned dress with a mustard topper. Throw in cream, tan or cognac footwear and bag. Nude-for-you hosiery is best for a little more insulation. Try a sheath dress and blazer if that’s more your thing.

3. Mustard Top, Blue Jeans and Snake

Combine a mustard top with blue jeans, and finish things off with snakeskin footwear and bag. The top needn’t be lace, and you can choose any animal pattern as an accent. The bag and shoes needn’t be the same animal print either. Or if that’s too much, throw in a solid bag and pair of shoes. Brown, navy, cream, tan, red or cinnamon come to mind.

4. Mustard, White and Cognac

This is my favourite of the four because white jeans are my thing. I LOVE how they add a crisp and modern integrity to vintage ‘70s mustard and earthy cognac boots. The cognac boots effectively bookend the model’s hair. If the model had black hair, black boots would work well too. The tight ribbed top and wide jeans are super trendy silhouettes at the moment, but by all means create a similar vibe with silhouettes that are more to your taste. Classic, bohemian, avant-garde, sporty, eclectic, romantic, retro – you name it, it’s all good. Add jewellery, watch and eyewear as desired.

What Fashion Week is like for Kristen Hammond, “the person behind New York Fashion Week.”

6 emerging designers to know this fashion month who are showing their collections in New York, London, Milan and Paris.

The Guardian rounds up 12 New York Fashion Week designers to watch.

An interesting read at Fashionista: “There is still plenty of exciting talent happening in New York, but without a captive, international audience, it will be hard for these brands to grow. “

Fab Links from Our Members

Slim Cat wanted to share this BBC article about the clothes that shook the world.

kkards thought this was an interesting read on the evolution of street wear and fashion weeks as we move into a new age.

She also enjoyed browsing these Oscars 2020 photos.

There are a lot of scarf tying videos out there. This one really appealed to Vildy as a short person because the suggestions seem to give more control over the volume.

Runcarla found it interesting how so many of these folks used vintage or thrifted clothing to create their looks for the first day of New York Fashion Week.

Suntiger directs us to the Pantone colours for Fall/Winter 2020.

Vildy suggests having a look at KarenBritchick’s video interview series if you are interested in non-commercial street style looks.

Suz liked this Guardian article on how to wear denim sustainably.

Shevia has not watched Netflix’s Next in Fashion, but found this story illuminating about how far we all still have to go.

Kari is loving this plus-sized NYFW collection by Rene Tyler, especially the floaty black & white gown, and the swingy sparkly gown. 

She is also super interested to see the MFIT Ballerina: Fashion’s Modern Muse exhibition.

Nuancedream found it fascinating how the constraints of the Victorian and Edwardian eras were finally discarded in the 1920s and how that influenced fashion.

Lesley loves Grown and Curvy Woman: “I basically want most of her wardrobe, and she puts things together delightfully. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we get to the place where the standard-sized (for lack of a better term) were jealous of plus-sized wardrobes for a change?”