So you’ve rushed around the shops buying presents for the family, secretly wanting to buy yourself a little treat. Well now’s your chance as the sales are about to begin.
The past 12 months have seen some great trends emerge- sequins as day wear, the eighties, super-sized shoulders and optical prints. Wedge and over-the-knee boots appeared as the winter must have and colour wise it was all about teal, nude and violet.
Now those 50% off stickers are springing up everywhere it’s tempting to rush in and buy those items you’ve been coveting for the past few months. But hang on ladies- don’t waste your hard earned cash on a trend that isn’t going to see you through into spring/summer 2010. You need to spend your money wisely which is why I’ve rounded up some looks that will carry you forward until the sun starts shining!
- Make sure you leave the zips and studs that have characterised the punk-goth mood on the rails. Fashion is softening for spring, so go for floaty fabrics edged with pretty ruffles, à la Stella McCartney.
- Leggings have been a staple for most of us but instead of buying another pair get a jumpsuit instead- as seen at Lanvin, Ralph Lauren, RM by Roland Mouret and Moschino Cheap and Chic.
- While the mini will always be a wardrobe staple (particularly for the party season), if you are looking to buy a skirt in the sales, go for one that taps into spring/summer 2010’s grown-up, lady-like vibe. The new skirt length is one that sits somewhere between the knee and the ankle.
- Fur was an absolute must-have for winter. Leather, too, was everywhere. But there is only one that you must stick with and that’s leather. There will be plenty on the sale rails (try Nicole Farhi, DKNY, DSquared, Michael Kors,Prada, Pucci).
- Underwear as outerwear will be EVERYWHERE! Blame Lady Gaga. It hit the catwalks at Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier, Christopher Kane, Dolce & Gabbana.
- While red and purple were the on trend colours for autumn/winter 2009 things are more subdued colour-wise for spring/summer 2010. Seek out anything pastel - be it blush pink, mint green, lemon or baby blue - for a smart buy.
- Forget your boyfriend’s plaid oversized shirt- heavy tartans have been replaced as the hottest check of the season by gingham for spring/summer 2010. Christopher Kane did it big, putting prairie girls in Dorothy Gale dresses on his runway.
- Brocade won’t extend far beyond the end of 2009, so give it a wide berth. But if you can’t live without a bit of glitz, don’t fret - metallics are back with a vengeance to add a cool, ultra-modern edge to spring/summer 2010’s sweet-as-sugar aesthetic.
- Black is of course flattering and chic but when the sun shines you need to be in white. The spring/summer 2010 catwalks were a white-out, with a lot of designers using it as the basis for their entire collections.
- Finally put your killer thigh high boots to the back of that wardrobe. Opt instead towards a chic, mid-height heel, as championed by Anna Wintour and seen on the Chloé catwalk.
Happy Shopping and remember to sharpen those elbows!
