A new fashion season brings ways to try something new, refresh your wardrobe and update your style. As always, I’m excited to see new collections hit stores and can’t wait to get stuck in with my clients, and to try on new items myself. Here are the top trends for Spring 2014, some new and some that have been going for a while. 

1. Fluid and Oversized Fits

Wearing your clothes a little looser is one of the most effective ways to create a more modern and updated silhouette. There is less emphasis on body con fits. And tailored fits, which are looser than body con fits and more fitted than fluid and oversized fits, are always in style. Often it’s fab to combine a tailored fit with a fluid or oversized fit in one outfit. 

2. Pretty Pastels

Pastels are trending across all wardrobe items. Wear them with light neutrals like white, taupe, caramel, grey and metallics. Wear them with black and white. Wear them with dark neutrals like navy, ink blue and charcoal. Or wear them with brights and other pastels. Wear pastel accessories if pastel clothing or footwear feels like too much of a commitment. 

Spring can be cold, so think of cashmere, merino wool, and wool coats in pastels. White and light blue jeans. Footwear in light neutrals, and leather jackets in pale shades. 

3. Knitwear

There is no stopping the knitwear trend. The sweater is the top to wear with bottoms. Think pullovers in all sorts of styles, colours and weights, and match them with all styles of bottom. Thick and cozy Spring cashmere for when it’s cold. Lightweight, gauzy cotton and linen blends for when it’s hot. Dressy or casual. Chunky or fine gauge. Patterned or Solid. Tailored, fluid or oversized. Welted or swing. Layered or standalone. Tucked or partially tucked. High-low hemlines, multiple sleeve lengths, and any neckline. Think of knitwear before you think of blouses, shirts and T-shirts. 

4. Cropped Pants

Cropped pants, in both skinny and slouchy silhouettes, are once again a huge trend. From extra tight jeans and roomier rolled up boyfriend styles, to silky track pants and straight legs. Cropped bootcut styles are fringe trending. It’s all about showcasing those ankles. If you prefer full length trousers and jeans, grab them when you see them because they will be scarce over the next six months.

The ankle strap pump, sandal or sandal bootie complements this trend. Showcase the ankle by wearing a pretty strap that’s positioned just above the ankle bone. 

5. Cropped Boxy Jackets

This shape started coming through last season. The silhouette is short and boxy. Fabrications range from tweed, wool, ponte knit and cotton blends, to leather and mixed media variations. It’s angular and shapeless, and will not be your cup of tea if you prefer tailored fits with waist definition. That said, the look can be quite flattering when worn over a loose fitting top with slim fit bottoms, and/or over a column of colour. It can also be effective at camouflaging muffin top. The cropped length of the jacket gives it structure, so don’t rule out the shape before you’ve tried it with the right combination of items. 

6. Crop Tops

Cropped knitwear, T-shirts, shirts or blouses are on trend. The first trick is to wear them in fluid or oversized fits to offset the shorter length. They also don’t need to be all that short. The second trick is to wear them with roomier bottoms. So combine them with boyfriend jeans, harem pants, slouchies, baggy shorts and full skirts. Furthermore, crop tops aren’t midriff-baring when layered over shirts, tees and blouses. Think of them as a third piece instead of a top if you’re after more coverage.

7. Sporty-Luxe

This trend is defying the odds and gaining even more popularity. Think bomber jackets, upscale sweatshirts and track pants, haute baseball caps, fashionable backpacks, mesh inserts, and sassy sneakers. Combine sporty pieces with dressy pieces for a fashion forward and dramatic juxtaposition. 

8. Midis and Full Skirts

Full skirts trended strongly last year, but most of them were mini length. Catwalks have been showing midi lengths for a couple of seasons, both in straight and flared styles, so we should see them filter down to retail this season. Think paneled skirts, pleats, mermaid styles, and trumpet styles.  

9. Tuxedo Striping 

This trend has been going for a while. Think tuxedo striping down the sides of jeans, tailored trousers and upscale track pants, both in high and low contrast colours, in narrow and broad stripes, across dressy and casual pant silhouettes. 

10. Wider Pant Legs 

Voluminous and soft wide leg pants are trending, both in dressy and casual styles, and some of the lengths will be cropped. Culottes are there too. Full-length bootcut jeans and trousers, which are more streamlined than wide leg styles, are making a comeback. We absolutely need this variation of jeans and trousers alongside sausage-casing-skinnies.

11. Non-Black Biker Jackets 

Biker or moto jackets have been trending for several seasons, but essentially, they’re a classic. A tailored fit is great, although a boxier fluid and oversized fit is more fashion forward. Think beyond black and go for one in another neutral, a bright, a pastel or a jewel tone. 

12. Sheer Panels 

We’ll see inset panels in sheer fabrications on skirts, tops, shorts and dresses. The placement of these panels can be modest so don’t be put off too quickly. It’s a pretty look that is quite alluring. 

13. Shift Blouse

This item is also called the “silk tee”. It’s a woven blouse with a silky integrity, cut in the shape of a T-shirt. It usually has a short sleeve and boxy fit. Sometimes there’s a breast pocket. Think solids and patterns, and regular or cropped lengths. 

14. Flats

Flat oxfords (laced and laceless), slipper flats and loafers are stronger than ever. D’Orsay styles, flat forms, Beatle booties and slip-on sneakers are gaining popularity. Round-toe ballet flats and gladiators are a classic and in style every season.

15. Pointy Toes

Another trend that is still going strong. Think pointy toe booties, flats, pumps, d’Orsay styles, slipper flats, ankle strap styles and loafers. Choose an almond toe for a less severe look. 

Graphic patterns, classic prints, and abstract florals are in style every season. Collarless coats and jackets, contrast collars on shirts and blouses, “new” shape short sleeves and long tunic blouses are other trends to follow. Masculine dressing, heeled peep-toe booties, peplums, blazers with low stances and narrow lapels, conversational prints, drape-front blouses, clutches, satchels, utility jackets, kimono jackets, mixed media, and Spring leather in wardrobe items like pants, shorts, skirts and tops are still going strong. 

All 15 trends speak to me, but some more strongly than others. I am all over fluid and oversized fits, knitwear, pointy toes, flats, boyfriend jeans, midis and non-black leather jackets. I like some pastels, tuxedo striping, shift blouses and slouchy trousers. And I unexpectedly embraced the sporty-luxe trend last season, which still appeals to me. 

Over to you. Let us know in the comments what you think of these trends.

New stores opening, an iconic brand expanding its horizons, and two interesting collaborations to watch out for. Here’s our selection from this week’s fashion news.

• Sarah Jessica Parker is working with Hallmark on a series of greeting cards and stationery, in stores this month.
• We are curious to see the expanded line (outerwear, knitwear and accessories) Hunter is coming out with for F/W 2014.
• The CFDA announced its new strategy, and intends to focus on four areas: New York Fashion Week, education, partnerships and local manufacturing.
• Victoria Beckham will open her first stand-alone brick-and-mortar store this Fall in London, which will house all the collections that fall under the Victoria Beckham umbrella.
• This week, Dior invited fashion students to a tour of the ateliers and a special viewing of the haute couture S/S 2014 collection.
• For New York Fashion Week, Tommy Hilfiger is planning the first runway show InstaMeet, allowing 20 local Instagrammers to document the action.
• What do you think of Ralph Lauren’s Team USA Olympic uniforms?
• Good news for British Club Monaco fans: this Fall the retailer plans to open a second store in London.
• There’s a colourful collection on the horizon. Banana Republic has teamed up with Finnish lifestyle brand Marimekko.

On YLF, we wrote about an amazing initiative in Cape Town: a pop-up sidewalk store for the poor.

This outfit formula is more about the mix of colours than the actual items. It’s about lightening up and softening an outfit. To keep things easy I’ve combined very simple and casual, updated modern classics with the odd pastel piece. Of course, feel free to use non-classic pieces if that’s more to your taste. The point is to get a handle on how to mix pastels into an outfit in a more subtle way. 

Some tips to get you started: 

• Light blue denim and light blue chambray can function as pastels and might be easier to wear if pastels aren’t your cup of tea. Think of these pieces as “pastel light”. 
• Keep most of the neutrals a light colour. Think shades of white, caramel and taupe. Chestnut is another option that is a little darker than caramel.
• If dark neutrals are essential, think ink blue, navy and charcoal instead of black because they have a softer visual effect against the pastels. 
• Pastel pieces can be incorporated by adding a bag, belt, scarf, eyewear or footwear in a pastel of your choice. Think lilac, light pink, baby blue, mint, lemon, peach or apricot. 
• Metallic footwear is a great way to lighten up an outfit. 

Here are the components:

Bottoms: White, stone, tan, light grey, and light blue jeans are a slam dunk. But dark blue jeans, navy or grey trousers are another way to go. 

Top: A striped tee, pullover or sweatshirt with a white stripe lightens the entire outfit, and picks up the white in the jeans. A light blue chambray shirt is another option. But if you prefer wearing dark colours on top, stick to dark blue or grey. Wear a belt if you’re fully or partially tucking the top.

Topper: Any topper in a light neutral is an option, whether it’s a trench coat, wool coat, utility jacket, blazer or leather jacket. 

Footwear: Caramel, chestnut or taupe booties is one way to go. Shades of white or metallic is another. Ink blue and grey if you prefer dark footwear. Or wear a shade of pastel on your feet. Slipper flats, oxfords, Converse and pumps are footwear alternatives. 

Accessories: This is where you can add more low-impact pastels to the outfit, like I’ve shown with the bags, scarf, belt and eyewear in this ensemble. Add jewellery and watch as desired. 

Matching the colour of the belt with the footwear, the bag with the belt, the scarf with the belt, or the scarf with the bag, are ways of pulling the outfit together. 

Adding a pastel accessory to your wardrobe is one way to give pastels a go without breaking the bank or committing to a clothing item. I have a light blue or blush pink bag on my shopping list because I’ve found these specific pastels quite versatile. And since they work well with the black and white ensembles that I wear frequently, I know they’ll get lots of use.

BuzzFeed takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the best specs wearers at the 2014 Golden Globes.

Alison makes the case for spending a bit more on good-quality sunnies. And if you like the idea of upcycled accessories, then have a look at these sunnies made from repurposed wine barrels.

Still browsing for the perfect specs? Then check out Refinery29’s roundup of two-toned glasses, or their list of the 19 best shades out there right now.

Fab Links from Our Members

Both April and Angie would like to direct us to Sally’s post on Closet Organization Pros and Cons because, as she interestingly points out, every tip for making your closet more functional also has a downside.

American Apparel is at it again, says MuseumGal, this time with mannequins adorned with pubic hair.

Coletterie, a sewing blog, has begun a Wardrobe Architect series that E thinks will be fun to follow, even for those who don’t sew.

Joy reports that Citizens of Humanity is coming out with a twenty piece collection based on past jeans styles from the ’40s through the ’90s, many with a roomy fit and higher rise.

After Angie’s new specs post, Laurinda started wondering why glasses are so expensive. She was shocked to learn that one Italian manufacturer makes most designer eyeglass brands and also owns the major retailers. Speaking of specs, Vildy also wanted to share this advisory that recommends not to donate old glasses, but to give ten dollars instead.

Krishnidoux enjoyed reading this Guardian article stating that learning languages is the fashion industry’s latest thing.

Vildy recommends this Rewire article on Sherlock Fashion, in which Sally explores how the way we wear our clothes tells a lot about our personality and approach to life.

Alecia found another reason to love Cate Blanchett: the way she called out the red carpet camera at the SAG Awards. It made Alecia wonder how her love of looking at the dresses might contribute to this objectifying camera gaze.