It’s time to say goodbye to the gloom and focus on the brighter days ahead as ESP’s resident style and fashion expert Karen Miller looks at the latest trends heading our way this spring and summer…
So here we are, February 2021, heading out of what has been without doubt one of the most challenging years we have all had and whilst what you wear may well have been the last thing on your mind, I wanted to re-focus on the joy of getting dressed with a selection of some of the most wearable trends for 2021, the optimism of getting dressed up and leaving the house to get back to all of the things that we enjoy (I think I can still just about walk in my heels!!).
Here’s a little round up of the most wearable trends for spring/summer 2021, there are many other trends that are more ‘out there’ but in scouring Vogue, Who What Wear and Sheer-Luxe these are (in my view) the easiest trends to incorporate into your current wardrobe.
Outfits are current and available from H&M and other stores
Whilst the little black dress is a staple piece in many wardrobes for evening and work wear, this year has seen designers of the LBD take on a more daytime, dressed down feel. Many designers played around with cut out details, embellished necklines and slinky knitwear styles that can be dressed up or down with ease. There’s a great selection for all price points from designer to high street and if black isn’t a good colour for you, lift it with accessories, a silk scarf or a bright sweater.
Outfits are available from Mango UK
Pantone colour institute highlights the top seasonal runway colours, and every year selects Pantones colour of the year, this influences product development and purchasing decisions in multiple industries, including fashion, home furnishings, and industrial design along with many others. The colours selected for 2021 are yellow and grey, the symbolism behind this colour way includes regeneration and new beginnings, for 2021 we couldn’t surely ask for more!
Not everyone can wear every shade of yellow or even grey, but finding the right depth and tone for you needn’t be a headache, if you know your colours then great, if you don’t, a simple tip is to try different shades of both colours and see which one works well with your natural hair, eye and skin tone. If you ‘see’ the colour it’s the wrong one for you, if it makes your eyes ‘pop’ and your skin glow, then that’s the colour for you! I’m over-simplifying here but in general that’s how it works.
Outfits are available from Mango UK and Zara UK
Who’s mastered the art of dressing for working from home – endless Zoom calls requiring us to be dressed up on our top halves and comfortable on the bottom half. Well thankfully we don’t need to throw out those cool jersey joggers, just learn how to wear them differently for a more dressed up, dressed down look! The trend for easy to wear, stylish pieces continues into 2021, above are some of my favourite looks that combine the trend for comfortable yet stylish dressing.
Outfits are available from Zara
Sequins aren’t just for Christmas!
This is definitely one of my fav trends for 2021, I personally believe ‘sequins are for life, not just Christmas’! And thankfully the designers agree with me this year. We may have missed out on all those nights out over Christmas, but we can bring out the trend for 2021 and make it versatile enough to dress down during the day. Teaming a sweatshirt with a sequin skirt and trainers or a sequinned blazer with jeans will take you anywhere (you won’t even look out of place for the weekly supermarket shop).
Outfits are all current and are available from H&M and Zara
Continuing on the more relaxed theme, simple layering is one of the time-tested ways to transition your wardrobe from winter into spring without having to buy a whole new wardrobe. Now is the time to take a really good look at your wardrobe, at those summer dresses from last year that you can team with a long sleeved ‘t’ shirt underneath and boots. Pull out those leather jackets and team them with a sleeveless wool long waistcoat to give you a versatile look when it starts to get warmer. Shirt dresses over trousers are a highly versatile trend and don’t forget to add some colour, you will be amazed at the difference it can make to your mindset. If you’re tall and slim, longer fluid layers can work well for you, however if you are more curvy just make sure you add a belt or slightly more fitted layers, this will help to ensure you don’t look swamped in fabric.
Outfits are all current and are available from Zara.
One of the key trouser shapes for spring / summer is the wide leg. Now, if you’re someone who is wedded to your straight leg or skinny trousers fear not, they aren’t going anywhere, but if you want to embrace an easy to wear on trend look then the wide leg is definitely worth a try. They can be super versatile and in the main are flattering to most body shapes. I would urge caution if you are petite (5ft 5’’ or less) because too much fabric and too wide will drown you, if you’re pear shaped avoid anything with pockets on the hips and if you have an hourglass body type make sure you cinch in the waist either with a belt or tucked into the waistband of the trousers.
For more style advice head to Karen’s website www.in-styleconsulting.com or follow her on Instagram: in_styleconsulting