As I sit at my desk to write this trend review, the snow is softly falling outside, coating the barren tree limbs just outside my window with a white blanket.  As I look over the top of downtown buildings from my loft, steam is rising in multiple places in a Dickensian scene.  It seems a bit strange to be thinking spring, but the store is full of new spring arrivals and bright pops of color, and March is only a few weeks away.

Having just returned from market in Las Vegas, my mind is filled with the new colors and styles that will be dominating fashion for this upcoming season.  I always feel excited to see the seasons change, even when they change faster in the store than they do outside!

The spring/summer color palate is a combination of bold, bright colors and earthy neutrals. From bold Flame Scarlet on the left to Biscay Green (mint) on the top right and Orange Peel (tangerine) in the middle, these colors will have you feeling cheerful and flirty.  And, since balance is the key to life, you’ll also be able to choose from Chive green, Saffron, Cinnamon and Lavender on those days when earthy colors suit your mood better.

After looking through some trend reviews, it’s pretty easy to see there are some trends that will likely never make it to Wyoming.  Things like Bermuda short suits, hot pants, corsets, blazers and bra tops, or feather shirts are just a bit too edgy for us out here in the west.  There are other trends, however, that I feel confident we will see here on our streets.  The following are my top 10 trends for spring:

1. Ultra feminine dresses: This will definitely be a season of dresses.  Look for everything from ribbed sweater mini dresses to classic shirt waist styles and all over floral maxi styles.  Other dress trends you will be seeing are all over 60’s wallpaper prints, tiered dresses, and ultra feminine touches like ruffles, peplums and frills.
2. Tie waist pants: Look for these especially in striped linen or linen looking fabrics.  Many of these pants have a ruffle detail at the top of the waist and then a belt that you tie in front.  Because of the focus on the waist, you will want to pair these pants with solid tuck in tops or cropped tops that don’t hide the waist.
3. Gauchos: Again, by in large, the trendiest styles have horizontal stripes and can be found in a variety of fabrics.  The trick with a gaucho is to balance out the wide, cropped leg with a tight fitting top.  Tuck in tops or cropped tops are also good choices here.  For shoes, try a wedge sandal with a bit of a heel.  Adding length to your calf will help you pull off the wide leg.
4. Neon: Even though neon colors were not included in the Pantone color forecast, they are everywhere in the market.  Think highlighter colors.  Use these as pops of color.  Maybe a lime top under a black blazer, as an example.  Neon colors also work great in scarves and accessories.
5. Raw edge, embellished, clipped front bottoms: Everything is about the ankle pant right now, so designers are drawing attention to this trendy length by adding fun details at the hemline.  Look for everything from embroidery, stones, raw and un-hemmed edges to clipped front details (as if someone clipped out a square from the front of the pant at the hemline).  Remember, to make an ankle pant work, it should hit you an inch above your ankle bone.  If you are short, it helps if you wear a wedge sandal or something with a heel to elongate your calf.
6. Jean jackets: From colored denim to vintage washes, the jean jacket has been re-imagined in all its glory.  Pair them with dresses, striped pants, gauchos….the sky is the limit.
7. Floral printed and vintage wash denim: This season, denim is playing a strong role again, but the washes have lightened up with vintage washes taking center stage.  If you’ve been only buying dark denim, this is the season to work some lighter denim into your wardrobe.  Also look for floral printed denim, especially in jean jackets.
8. The Front Tuck: With the emergence of the over-sized sweater last season, you will now be seeing light, over-sized sweaters paired with everything from skirts to pants.  What makes them trendy is the “front tuck” or simply tucking one part of the hem into your waist and letting the rest fall out.  This trick tames the over-sized nature of these tops.
9. Polka Dots: We’ve seen this print be strong now for 2 seasons, but I especially love it as a spring/summer trend.  Polka Dots just seem happy to me.  Black and white is, by far, the most common way to do this trend, but I’ve seen it used with other color combinations as well.
10. Color Blocking: Take two or three colors and put them together in geometrical squares, and you have a color blocked print.  This trend was also strong for fall and winter 2019 and continues to be strong for this spring.  It brings a bit of the “mod” to this season, and is a clean and bold style.

To see some examples of these colors and styles, watch my video on our Fashion Crossroads Facebook Page.  If you read my last blog post, I finished part 3 of my 3 part closet clean out video series.  In that post, I recommended making a “trends I want to buy” section to your buying list.  This would be a great time to start that list.  For some added inspiration, check out our Latest Trends Collection on our website.