The Top Trends of Spring 2013
It’s truly amazing how runway show after runway show, season after season, distinct trends tend to simultaneously surface. It’s as if the designers all convened and decided what was going to be in for the upcoming year! Of course this doesn’t really happen, but it is interesting to observe the evolution of trends as well as the emergence of new looks that feel fresh and new for one’s wardrobe.
For spring 2013 there is quite a bit of rollover from last year’s favorites, as well as the welcome inception of new styles that will be quickly snapped up once they hit stores. Here are the top five trends that come springtime, you will see everywhere – and hopefully will try yourself!
Neon Accents
It’s hard to completely get away from such a strong trend in 2012, so for the upcoming year, you will be able to enjoy the electricity and vibrancy of neon shades, with an update: as an accent, instead of solid, ubiquitous spread of the shades.
The look is best when used as an adornment or trim, and paired with neutrals or blush shades. Some of the best demonstrations were found on dresses at Milly, running along the button line at Clover Canyon, and on the eyelids at Betsey Johnson!
Bare Your Midriff
It’s time to start eating healthy and do more sit-ups: showing off your midriff is officially back in fashion. With higher-waisted pants and skirts becoming a la mode again, it was only natural that the length of blouses and tops also began to retract.
Many shows this season displayed midriff or bralette tops that were either form-fitting, loose, gauzy cotton or stiffly woven. Both looks had one mission in mind: to show off that tummy! Some favorites came from Candela, Monika Chiang, and Charlotte Ronson, which paired the trend with flowing and/or pencil skirts.
Bejeweled Clothing
Certain to be big come spring will be clothing that already has jewels delicately sewn into them. It was seen on everything from gowns to jacket sleeves, filmy silk blouses and tank tops. An added bonus of this look is that you can keep your jewelry paired down, opting for simple studs and no necklace or bracelet to give your clothing the attention it deserves.
If you’re good at DIY projects, you can easily give this one a try! Larger crystal or sequin pieces in repeating patterns tend to be the essence of re-creating the look. The best examples of this aesthetic came from Reem Acra and Jenny Packham, who are known for working with heavily laden jewels with their eponymous eveningwear labels.
Lace Dresses
It seems that any and all shapes go for spring 2013 when it comes to lace dresses. The collections showed stellar examples of ultra-feminine, high quality and specially crafted lace dresses that appeared in shades or red, vibrant green, cream, and beige. Many designers opted for guipure lace, a very openwork lace that feels straight out of the Belle Époque or Victorian periods. Masterful displays of lace were found at Tadashi Shoji, Lela Rose, and Catherine Malandrino.
See-Through, Peek-a-Boo, Clothing
Cut outs, paneling, and actual sheer, translucent or transparent fabrics were details hard to miss this season. From garments that possessed a thick, plastic or jelly-like texture, to fragile fabrications like chiffon made of silk, rayon, or nylon, almost anything goes for this new look.
Some dresses featured triangular cutouts right below the ribs, but the most popular use was of layered sheers over a mini skirt, or in the bodice cutouts or sleeves, reminiscent of ‘90s fashion. It looked ultra-fresh and modern when presented for spring by Vivienne Tam, Rachel Antonoff, Fotini, Pamella Roland, and Nicole Miller.
About Julia DiNardo:
DiNardo, a Pittsburgh native and New York City resident, has covered New York and LA Fashion Weeks for the past nine years while penning articles for a myriad of publications, including Clear, Primo, Redbook, and GQ Magazines, AM New York, The New York Sun, BagSnob.com, CoutureSnob.com, AOL StyleList.com, RunningwithHeels.com, StyleCaster.com, BeautyHigh.com, Makeup.com and held the title of Editor at Stylenotes.com. Ms. DiNardo has appeared on New York’s WPIX 11 News as a fashion and beauty expert, has her own web series, “Street Peek” on StyleCoalition.TV, and has been recognized for her editorial work in fashion and beauty by The New York Times, Fast Company, and The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette amongst others. For more info or to work with Fashion Pulse, please email Julia at: julia@fashionpulsedaily.com.
*Writer has received compensation for blog post, however, opinions expressed are the writers’ own.
