Fresh cut flowers for spring wardrobes
Renata Espinosa

NEW YORK—Though you can’t quite pack the winter coat away yet, spring collections have started arriving in stores. Here are the top trends for this spring that debuted on the runways a few months ago. Even if Balenciaga or Prada aren’t on your the shopping list this season, you’ll want to pay attention to the key looks from these trend-setting labels as you update or simply re-style your wardrobe.
Flower Power
Without a doubt, spring’s strongest trend is anything floral. Combine it a flower print with a kicky dress, and you’ve got a home run for the season on your hands. But we’re not talking Laura Ashley Balenciaga looked to the digital age with their cutting edge prints, with blown-up, Photoshop-like layering while Prada’s flower power called to mind Art Nouveau swirls. Watercolours by Jeremiah Goodman inspired Carolina Herrera’s pretty, feminine designs, with a flowers standing out on a white background. Likewise at Gucci, flowers got a graphic treatment of black on white with just a hint of colour. Ralph Lauren, always a classicist, went for full-floral effect on his Central Park garden-worthy gowns.
Rainbow Bright
If flowers aren’t your thing, but you’re still a fan of brightly coloured prints, you’re in luck. Bright, almost neon colours showed up everywhere, from Alexander McQueen’s colours-of-the-rainbow diaphanous gowns to splashy abstract colour prints at Channel and in Karl Lagerfeld’s own label. Ralph Lauren turned to uniforms in this case, horse jockey’s for his colour inspiration on equestrian-themed jackets, while Chloe showed abstract painting-worthy prints in bold colour blocks.
Transparency
If the thought of wearing something see-through sends you running, don’t fret. This runway trend, exemplified by Marc Jacobs’ sexy inner-is-outer collection, can still be adapted with the a few deft styling choices, namely, through layering. Pair thick tights, leggings, or even a unitard underneath a sheer skirt or dress that’s when American Apparel comes in handy or a double up with two sheer blouses in two different colours.
Tribal If you’re noticing that the big trend for spring is anything and everything printed, then here’s one more reason to forgo minimalism and trade in your monochromatic threads tribal-inspired prints showed up on the runways of two fashion legends, Oscar de la Renta and Diane von Furstenberg, so safari chic is definitely here to stay, while hip duo Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler who last year shared the bill of CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year with de la Renta showed chic safari jackets and zebra-patterned dresses. Matthew Williamson took a more literal approach, with Southwest-influenced beading (a la Zuni Indian) on sheer caftans and gowns.