FASHION THREADS & TRENDS | SS23

• SUNSET HUES. WATERCOLOR PRINTS. PAINTERLY FLORALS.  TIE DYE.Embracing the sunset hues of pinks, reds, oranges and corals, this season features dresses, skirts, tops and shirts in flowing ombre hues. These floaty silhouettes with abstract or soft-painterly floral prints evoke a warm evening holiday feel. Beach to bar dresses in watercolor prints feature heavily, perfect for summer vacations, and are worn with beachy bead necklaces and raffia bucket-style hats, a style that carried over from last year. A-line, button-through and soft-wrap silhouettes create flattering and easy to wear high-summer outfits. 

• LAYERED SHEERS. SHEER OVERLAYS. CUT-OUT PANELS. LACE WORK.Sheer looks are back in a big way this season, particularly with sheer dresses. Layering is key to keeping this look wearable, pairing see-through blouses and tops with simple vest tops or wearing a silk slip under a sheer shift dress. Match colors for a more ‘put together’ look or clash for an edgier 90s inspired look. Sheer skirts bring some Hollywood glamour with layers of tulle and layered A-line skirts. Look out for layered sheer, sheer overlays, sheer panelling, sheer vests and layered tulle. 

• TEXTURE MIX. SOFT & FLOWING LOOKS. STATEMENT ACCESSORIES. NEUTRAL TONES.Tonal looks are a highlight of casual and smart-casual dressing this season and will be a key look for workwear this spring, either through the use of matching sets or tonal separates. The look is kept interesting through mixing textures, for example combining leather/leather-look bottoms with silky floaty tops and outerwear in soft silhouettes in matching hues. Jersey dresses can also be toned with matching jackets or duster coats. Keeping accessories in neutral or matching tones will keep the look both refined and low key.Use fringing, lace, laser cut-out, metallic and sheer fabrics to enhance your tonal texture mix. 

• LASER CUT-OUT/PERFORATION. 3D FABRIC. BOWS. FRINGING. RUFFLES. Detailing and texture are seen extensively across the different trends, offering a host of ways to add interest to your look. Laser cuts, ruffles and fringing are all particularly effective in adding textures to tonal looks. Use the information from your House of Colour style consultation to identify the right details and scale for your personal style, for example choosing between geometric cut-outs or floral lace work. 

• POCKETS. SOFT/SILKY FABRICS. CARGO TROUSERS. COLUMN SKIRTS. FUNCTIONAL TIES. Pockets are a key detail of this season, prominent and oversized. Seen across tops, utility belts and an abundance of cargo pants, these are combined with soft/silky fabrics in keeping with the sensuality of the season to create a Soft Utility look. Soft and dusty colour palettes are offset with neon accessories for contrast. Solid color and diffused florals also feature in this look. HERO PIECESTHE CARGO PANT. Carrying over from last summer, soft utility trousers are a key look this season, although moving to a low-rise cut in line with the 90s undercurrent. These are paired with simple tank tops for a laid-back look and also paired with stilettos for a more dressed up look. Extra soft cottons and silks feature heavily, keeping pants comfortable. THE COLUMN SKIRT. The midi skirt makes a comeback in this trend in a simple silhouette with a laid-back feel. Embrace paired back styling if it suits your personal style or add detail through faux-wrap belts and pockets.HOW TO STYLE IT. Pick one piece with utility detailing, such as pockets or drawstrings, and make that the feature of your outfit, pairing it with simple separates. Mixing textures keeps the look interesting and elevated. For example, pair a silky cargo pant with a classic cotton tank, or a cotton cargo skirt with a soft knit top. Accessories set the tone, with sandals or trainers keeping the look casual or add heels, statement jewellery and a clutch for an evening look.

• BODYCON LOOKS. SHEER FABRIC & EMBELLISHMENT MIX. THIGH-HIGH SLITS. STATEMENT ACCESSORIES. CUT-OUTS & PEEK-A-BOO DETAILING.This season, soft jersey bodycon looks and sensual sheer fabrics create a sensual summer look. A ruched soft jersey dress encapsulates this look, combining sexiness with comfort. Slip dresses with sheer layers also feature heavily in this look. Cut-outs continue to be an on-trend feature and were seen in gowns as well as peek-a-boo tops. Statement earrings, oversized sunglasses and mini-bags are key accessories, all in a range of textures from soft macrame to denim to neon rubberised texture. HERO PIECESTHE SUMMER SENSUAL DRESS. The slip dress has made a major comeback thanks to its nostalgic feel and versatile styling. Look for cowl or square necks, bias cuts and lace details. Layer with sheer tops or shirts tied at the waist. Pair your dress with simple slicked back hair and a pair of statement earrings. The stretch-jersey maxi is another sensual alternative. Ruching and cut-outs keep this on-trend, as does styling this piece in a tonal look with a jacket or duster coat in a similar hue.PEEK-A-BOO TOP. Cut-outs continue to feature heavily across the catwalks this season with peak-a-boo tops creating a great way to add this to your look through separates. Look for rib-height cut-outs or sheer panels as well as use of buttons and ties to allow you to adjust how much skin you show. HOW TO STYLE IT Maxi-length dresses were styled with bold necklaces and earrings as well as large cuffs/stacked bracelets to add drama to these looks with supersized floral motifs and a creative use of resin. For a more delicate look, body chains and multi-layered thin chains also feature. 

• SOFT SEPARATES. SHEER TEXTURE MIX. SOFT NEUTRAL COLOR PALETTE. DRAWSTRING DETAILS. STATEMENT JEWELLERY.Bleisure (business leisure) continues the soft business styling we have seen in the last year, as hybrid working lifestyles become the norm and consumers continue to prioritize comfort in workwear. This look combines soft tailoring with tonal looks, pulling heavily on the tonal flow thread. A focus on soft wider silhouette pants continues across business and casual wear and into denim with wide-leg jeans returning. Tops will be less formal with a rise in collarless necklines, funnel and band collars. Key fabrics for this trend include silk, sheers, jersey and cotton. HERO PIECESTHE MODERN SHIRT DRESS. This trend brings a relaxed and modern take on the shirt dress with minimalist silhouettes, perfect for warm weather, work and smart-casual looks. Look for styles with updated details such as asymmetric fastenings and belts, simple ruching and drawstrings that allow for adjustment. Cut-out details will also feature. Prints are understated with the use of watercolour prints or some soft painterly florals.THE WRAP BLOUSE. Hints of ballet styling appear in this trend, with the wrap blouse bringing a feminine dance studio feel to the look. Fluid cottons and satins combined with soft blouson sleeves provide a feminine silhouette whilst cropped lengths and peek-a-boo details in crisp cotton offer a nod to the 90s styling. The dance theme extends through into accessories with a return of the ballet flat, combined with a slightly more rugged sole to evolve into a more practical commuter shoe.HOW TO STYLE IT. Mix and match separates to create new Bleisure combinations from your existing wardrobe. Review your pieces and consider adding a collarless blouse to update existing suits. Incorporate sheer fabrics or wrap tops to create a softer feminine look. A soft trench or duster coat in your best neutral will finish off the look along with a smarter bag, channelling the return of the classic leather bag. 

• WHIMSICAL. SOFT & FLOATY. VOLUME HIPS. THEATRICAL.Soft texture creates a floaty and whimsical feel this season, particularly in party wear. Feathers and tassels, soft texture, ruching and generous fringing evoke a modern take on 1920s glamour. Soft ruffles with watercolor florals and prints make for dreamy skirts and dresses. Skirts, in particular, feature theatrical flounce with farthingales and petticoats. Trains also feature with short at the front/long at the back skirts, as well as trains worn over shorts and pants. HERO PIECESTHE THIGH SLIT DRESS. Combine thigh high slits with theatre and exuberance, whether in volume, texture or fabric. Definitely a dressier hero piece, try pairing with a casual jacket and boots to create a glamorous smart-casual look, or with sandals for a more relaxed vibe. THE FRILL DRESS. A long or short dress with ruffle details encapsulates this look and provides a perfect one-piece occasion outfit. Make sure the amount and size of the frills accentuates your personal style, rather than overwhelming you. A simple single ruffle across the shoulder or hemline can provide a nod to the trend.  HOW TO STYLE IT More is more with this trend so accessorize to your heart's content. Play with skirt lengths and silhouettes to find what suits your shape and embrace sheer fabrics. Wear a long floaty shirt dress buttoned from the waist up over shorts, mini-skirts or slimline pants to create a modern sophisticated version of this look.