Five Trends For 2018 You Need To Know About
Tina, here.
Even though I'm not one for hopping on the trend train and taking a ride, I do keep up with what all the cool kids are wearing because (a) it's great entertainment and (b) it's kinda my job. But great style cannot be had on trends alone. With any trend, a little goes a long way. Take the half tuck. (Be sure and follow me on Pinterest for more ideas on how to style your outfits.) I used to scoff at the half tuck. So contrived I thought. But guess who got on that train? Me, after I realized its merits: the half tuck keeps all our loose, oversized tops from swallowing us. But once you add ripped jeans and ankle booties to the half-tucked shirt ensemble, it becomes just plain silly. Pick one trend per outfit (if even), and then stop.
A lot of "trends" are actually rediscovered classics that feel new again, but really aren't new at all. That could not be more true of this year's "hottest looks." They are all throwbacks or references to a stylish moment in history. None more so than the hourglass or fit and flare dresses from the New Look made popular by Christian Dior after WWII. Oh I just love them! They are so pretty. So ladylike. And there haven't been too many styles we could say that of lately.
I've been craving skirts. I gave most of mine away after a closet purge and I'm very sad about that. (To read about how to clean out your closet and figure out what to get rid of and what to keep, check out this post.) If you love 1950's Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn style, this 2018 ladylike trend is for you. The dramatically full skirts, constructed from yards and yards of fabric, had been unthinkable a few years earlier during wartime rations. But it was 1947 and women were ready to feel feminine again. A cinched-in waist and rounded shoulders were the perfect foil to a full skirt, creating the ideal hourglass shape. I think it makes sense that we're seeing this ultra-feminine silhouette again this season after a few seasons of oversized clothing. It's fascinating. We went from the bondage dresses of the Kardashians to the oversized sweaters and joggers worn by street icons and now we're back to (thankfully!) pretty hourglass dresses. I have a lot of sheaths and pencil skirts, so I'm on the look out for some full skirts that I can tuck a crisp blouse into. I wouldn't mind some hourglass or fit and flare dresses, too. But there are a few more trends you need to know about for 2018.
The Five Trends You Need To Know About For 2018
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1. The Hourglass
One designer I think does a good job with fit and flare dresses is Lela Rose. If you're curvy, try this shape to play to your feminine curves! And if you wish you had more curves, this shape can create the illusion of an hourglass.
2. Japonica
There is a fascination with Asian design and fashion this Spring. You'll see Japanese-style floral prints, kimonos, obi belts and silk embroidery. My grandmother traveled to Asia many times in her lifetime, and brought this jacket back to my mother after one such trip. I used to play dress up in it because I loved the way it felt - it's a heavy, almost quilted silk. I think I could use it as a cocktail topper. Or heck I should wear it with jeans like everything else!
Just don't take this trend down your legs on your jeans. No.
3. Tess of the d'Ubervilles - French Country
This trend is hard to define for me, but I'm seeing a lot of tartan and plaid mixed in with romantic, "walking the moors" florals and ruffles. It's a mish-mash, really. Think part rough and tumble countryside and part sweet cottage life. It's not for everyone. But I've definitely seen an uptick in Laura Ashley-ish street stylers.
4. Gingham
The real headline here is gingham + floral. Gingham is a Spring favorite, but this Spring it is EVERYwhere, and it is paired up with florals for a fun play on pattern. The key, as with wearing any pattern, is to keep the scale in proportion to your frame and the patterns to each other. In other words, if you're a teeny petite thing, no large florals for you. And if you're buxom, no twee florals on your bust. And if you wear gingham with floral, keep their scales similar to each other.
5. Marabou Feathers
Fringe from a couple years ago morphed from tassels (last year) to feathers this year. Those wispy, fluffy feathers. They're so much fun. And as always, fake is even better. Don't overexpose yourself to this trend. If you have fringe from a few seasons ago, you can keep wearing it. But tassels feel a bit more passé.
Remember, go easy on the trends. You want to spend your real money on the classics. To see and shop all my favorite Winter / early Spring classics every woman needs, check out my list here. Thank you for visiting. And you can always visit our Shop to see more of my Latest Loves plus all the Guides and posts that are Insider exclusives!
Best,
Tina
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