SPRING 2021 FASHION UPDATE

According to Marie Claire magazine, we will be seeing a plethora of florals, ruffles, mixed prints, skin-baring solids, feathers, and functional undergarments such as the bralette being exposed front and center. Wide-leg trousers are still around after re-surfacing late last fall. I haven't seen this trend take hold in my part of the world, however Europeans have embraced it wholeheartedly.

Spring often brings about feelings of release and this year sheers are going to do this for us. If you are shy about see-through, use them as layering pieces and you'll be just fine.

Elle magazine is telling us to go bold or go home in what they coin "chaotic clashing". However you view this, it's just what we need now to brighten our lives and give us a nudge. Look for bright yellow floral prints, cheery multicolours, crazy pattern combo's, stripes and polka dots.

Pantone's two-colour combination this year is a pale yellow shade they are calling "Illuminating" and a soft grey they have termed "Ultimate Grey". We will be seeing a lot of this colour pairing in patterned shirts and skirts.

If you have a Dramatic Style Personality you will definitely embrace the large bold prints we will be seeing in reds, blues and yellows that look like they were taken off those massive abstract murals on the sides of our urban buildings. There are also going to be some interesting prints inspired by the Chinese Emperor Dragon. If you admired the large padded shoulders in the shirts and blazers of the 1980's, you will love the new oversized bat-eared shoulders being introduced on the spring runways this year.

If you have a Creative Style Personality this is definitely going to be your year! Any combination of prints you pair together are going to be right on trend.

Should we continue to be locked down or relatively restricted until the end of 2021, for most people practicality will continue to be key. Comfortable knits, no-iron shirts, and sweats will be your go-to's. You don't have to choose black and grey as your couleurs-de-jour, though. Try choosing some more inspiring colours instead. Any of the pastels such as mint, coral, and baby blue can be really refreshing and easily mixed and matched, as can bolder colours such as scarlet, yellow and emerald. Wearing drab neutrals while you're locked down can affect your psyche negatively so add some colour to your wardrobe and see if it doesn't brighten your spirits. Other things you can try while at home are pairing together clothing items you normally wouldn't, such as satin camisoles or lace bralettes with jeans and a blazer. Or pair a ruffled shirt with your jeans or a long animal-print kimono. This will give you the confidence to wear new trends outdoors once the lockdown is over. Try styling your hair differently and adding a pretty scarf or headband. Get some oversized earrings, the bigger the better. Think outside the box and shake things up!

If you have more of a Classic Style Personality, Michael Kors always keeps things chic and simple. His 2021 Spring Runway Collection featured lots of easy-to-mix neutrals in oversized sweaters, floor-length skirts, handkerchief hems, kimono-style jackets, flowy floral-print midi dresses, sweater/skirt sets, and shirt dresses. Everything in the collection flowed and paired together perfectly and could be worn comfortably at home. This particular designer's collection was thought through well.

Harpers Bazaar has given us five jewelry trends they believe are worth their weight in the personality factor as well as the gold factor in 2021. Extra long gold chains with medieval pendants and charms, gold coins in bracelets and chokers, earrings depicting flames of fire, fire opal pendants, and rings and pendants depicting the female form which remind me of the Renaissance. On a lighter note, expect to see a lot of jewelry that will take you back to your childhood in the form of baby blue and pastel pink toy-inspired pendants and charms and candy-coloured faux gems. The oversized earrings I mentioned earlier will be paired with extra thick chains and extra long necklace lengths. They will be quite overwhelming for petite women but taller women will definitely be able to embrace the trend.

WHAT'S TRENDING IN HANDBAGS

Cosmopolitan magazine recently showcased some handbag trends to watch out for as we slowly get out and about. Lots of bright and quirky bags are being featured, such as the fluffy feather bags offered by Fendi, Loeffler Randall, and Pretty Little Thing; jewel-toned bags with large coloured chains from Versace; metallic chain-mail bags from Paco Rabanne and Kara; weaved bags from Bottega Veneta and Proenza Schouler; and of course the return of fringed bags such as the ones offered by Petit Kouraj. Picnic bags will be very popular this summer in natural weaves in totes and buckets and quilted faux leather bags will be huge. Something new to look for will be puffy bags that double as a pillow and excessively large totes that can double as luggage.

NEWS IN SHOES

Harpers Bazaar is reiterating the fact that our footwear choices will reflect the practicality of today's work-at-home environment. Of course, slippers will be our number one choice but designers have offered up some different options such as Alexander Wang's thong sandal and Bottega Veneta's spiral/thong sandal. Of course, loafers are going to be offered up as well (Givenchy) as you can comfortably wear them around the house. A lot of designers are offering Mary-Jane styles with lower heels (Proenza Schouler and Gucci). Kitten-heeled styles are also doable as house shoes and Francesco Russo has nailed it with a classic suede option.

Cosmopolitan magazine recently highlighted the cushiony flip flops being offered by Stella McCartney that can be worn inside and out of the house; and some by Ancient Greek Sandals which have a leather flip flop with a thick cushioned footbed. The dutch-style clogs we wore in the 1970's are back again this spring in a variety of platform thicknesses, although you may not want to clomp around in them on your hardwood floor! Personally, my choice would be a soft leather ballet flat, like the ones being offered by Mansur Gavriel.

Shopping for fashion may not be as easy as it once was but we can still enjoy it just as much by shopping online or taking the necessary precautions and updating our stay-home wardrobes with trendy new accessories and colours!