PERSONAL STYLIST TIPS: FASHION TRENDS FOR SPRING 2024 AND DRESSING FOR YOUR BODY SHAPE

Understanding our body shape is not just about embracing who we are; it's also about empowering ourselves through fashion choices that highlight our best features. As we step into Spring 2024, it's the perfect time to refresh our wardrobes with the latest trends while staying true to our unique silhouettes. Let's explore the fusion of fashion and body positivity to create looks that exude confidence.

But before diving into the spring trends, let's revisit the fundamentals of body shapes. From Triangle and Inverted Triangle to the Neat and Full Hourglass, each silhouette tells a unique story. Rectangles boast balanced shoulders and hips with a straight waist, while Ovals embrace curves around the middle. Meanwhile, Triangles and Inverted Triangles play with the interplay of wider hips or shoulders, defining their distinctive contours. Let’s explore the upcoming trends and how these can complement the different body shapes.

Spring 2024 Fashion Trends

Let's unveil the top trends dominating the Spring 2024 runways and explore how to tailor them to your body shape:

1. Crisp Lines and Geometric Patterns:

• Angular Body Types (such as Inverted Triangles, angular Rectangles and Neat Hourglass) can embrace structured shapes and geometric patterns to complement their features.

• Top Tip: Opt for crisp fabrics and constructed silhouettes to add enhance your look. Embrace stripes, checks, and angular designs for a modern edge.

Source: Cosmopolitan

2. Soft Fabrics and Romantic Patterns:

• Curvilinear Body Types (Like Full Hourglass, Triangle, and Oval) thrive in soft, fluid fabrics and romantic patterns that enhance their natural curves.

• Top Tip: Choose fabrics that drape gracefully over your figure, such as silk and jersey, viscose or soft knitwear, and embrace floral motifs, paisleys, and polka dots to complement your body features.

Source: Vogue

3. Deconstructed Shapes and Fluid Layers:

• Oval and Curvilinear Rectangle Body Types can explore deconstructed shapes and fluid layers at the top, to create the illusion of longer torso, and create interesting looks without adding too much unnecessary volume.

• Top Tip: Opt for cardigans, waterfall jackets, and wrap tops in soft, flowing fabrics. Keep the lines straight and simple to flatter your silhouette.

Source: Harpers Bazaar

4. Short Shorts:

• Inverted triangles can add volume to their lower half with shorts that have larger pockets or are a paper-bag style; while hourglass shapes can taper in at the waist with a belt.

• Top Tip: Pop on a pair of tights in the same colour as your shoes to elongate your legs, or pop on a pair of nude shoes for the same effect.

Source: Vogue

5. High Rise Trousers:

• Super flattering for many body types, this high rise trouser trend can be worn at work or for play. For triangles, opt for a wide-leg that glides down past your hips; while for rectangles and inverted triangles you can opt for a cargo-style pant to add some definition to your hips.

• Top Tip: if you are wearing a wide leg or baggier style, look for a tighter top to bring you in at the waist.

Image source: Vogue

6. Metallics

• Depending on your skintone, you can play with rose gold, silver, gold, or bronze. As a general rule of thumb, gold tones are best for warm-toned skin, while silvers complement cooler tones.

• Top Tip: You can go all out with the trend and dress up in a metallic gown (perfect for a special night out), while touches of the trend can be added to your look through accessories such as hair bands, your purse, shoes, or layering.

Image from: Net-a-porter.com

Dressing for Your Body Shape

Now that we've decoded the trends, let's discuss how to dress for your specific body shape:

• Neat Hourglass: Emphasise your defined waist with clothes that highlight your mid-section and natural overall proportions. Opt for waist-defining pieces and avoid shapeless garments.

• Full Hourglass: Follow your body's natural curves with soft, flowing fabrics and gentle silhouettes, while enhancing your waistline. Avoid heavy or stiff materials that may constrict your figure or oversized and boxy shapes that would add unnecessary volume, hiding your natural body balance.

• Oval: Create the illusion of verticality with long coats and jackets, and create vertical lines with your clothes. Choose straight clothing lines and soft fabrics to minimize bulkiness around the middle. Focus the attention to your face and top bust, and to your legs and feet through the use of colours, accessories, and jewellery.

• Rectangle: Add subtle details to create the appearance of curves, and go for shapes that create the illusion of a longer bust. Minimise the details and volumes at the central torso, while focusing on hip and bottom with colours and details.

• Inverted Triangle: Highlight your hips and bottom to balance your silhouette, playing with fabrics, volumes and details, while keeping your shoulder details minimal and opt for clean, sharp lines in your clothing.

• Triangle: Draw attention to your upper body with voluminous shapes and bold patterns and colours, as well as accessories and jewellery, and balance your figure with structured tops and more streamlined bottoms, to complement your curves. Waist is usually very defined in triangles, so highlight it as much as possible, as your point of strength.

As we embrace the fashion trends of Spring 2024, let's celebrate our individuality by dressing for our unique body shapes. Whether you're a Triangle, Oval, or anything in between, confidence is the ultimate accessory.

Remember, fashion is not about fitting in; it's about standing out and owning your style with pride.

So, let's step into the new season with a renewed sense of self-assurance and flair!

PERSONAL SHOPPER TIPS: SPRING OUTFIT INSPIRATION 2022

Spring is such a beautiful time for inspiration for our wardrobes – out go the grey and dark days, and in come the beautiful colours of pinks, purples, greens and yellows.

If you are looking for what to wear this spring and how to add a touch of colour, then here are my personal styling tips for your spring wardrobe!

Adding colour with your shoes

One of the fun, effective, and most approachable ways to add colour to an outfit, in my opinion, is through the shoes! Why? 

Because you can choose to show just a flash of the shoe when you are wearing flares or longer jeans, or show off the full shoe when you wear skirts, cropped jeans, or dresses – which are a great outfit choice for the warmer days. With these shorter hemlines, you can truly bring out your colour personality, but without feeling like you have overdone it with the outfit.

From finding a pair of beautiful heels in a spring-perfect green or pink, to wearing a pair of sneakers in a bright orange or pattern you love, the world is your oyster when it comes to colourful shoes available. 

To truly show off your beautiful shoes, you may want to try out cropped trousers or jeans! 

What I love about cropped jeans is that they not only allow you to show off your favourite shoes, they are also an easy to wear item that still feels fashion-forward. If you prefer to wear trousers or want to try out the cropped look at work, you can find several styles of cropped trousers in a variety of colours. 

Why not go all out and bring in the springtime with a pair of cropped culottes in green (Spring 2022's top colour choice!) or even a pattern (best if your body shape is wider at the shoulders to bring definition to your leaner legs). 

Adding a colourful spring bag to your outfit

A colourful bag can be a great way to transform a more neutral look, as it isn’t taking up your full body, but brings just a spark of colour to the look.

When looking for a colourful bag, you'll want to make sure it is practical as well as beautiful. Consider what you will be using it for, which items you need to fit in the bag, and where you want to wear it (will it be an "every day", "work", "special occasions"?) this will help you find the perfect bag for you.

A few spring bags to add to your wardrobe are this gorgeous pink and orange small shoulder bag for just carrying your essentials; this Kurt Geiger rainbow shoulder bag; or this slightly larger crossover pink bag from Aldo.

Colourful clothes for spring

We're now onto the big addition to your colour journey - the clothing!

When you want to bring those springtime feelings to your wardrobe using colour, you can truly transform your mood with the colours you bring to your outfit. 

If a full suit is perhaps a little too much, why not try a skirt? While I love dresses, and if you feel the same way, I'd recommend adding a spring dress to your wardrobe at this time of year, skirts are often overlooked!

Spring/Summer 2022 runways saw the return of the mini skirt, and if you are ready to try out a trend that feels young, and fresh, then I'd highly recommend getting a mini skirt for this spring. Whether it's an asymmetrical orange skirt or a quirky colourful patterned a-lined skirt, now is a great season to try them out. They will help you embrace & get used to the shorter hemline as you can wear tights if you would feel more comfortable.

If miniskirts just aren't your "thing" then a midi skirt matched with a tee or a blouse is also a fantastic option to add to your spring wardrobe. Try a multi-functional option in a colour block or even a pleated easy-to-wear option to throw on and upgrade your jeans and a tee style this spring.

Depending on your style, you can pair it with a pair of heels, platform trainers, or even combat boots - and you'll feel ready to take on the sunshine. 

Admittedly, it can seem daunting to create a fully monochromatic outfit with a bright colour, so take gentle steps if you're someone who is new to the colourful game. Tone down a suit with a neutral blouse underneath, add a neutral tee to your colourful skirt, or wear a colourful jacket over a neutral outfit below. 

Start by finding the colours of spring (greens, purples, pinks, oranges) and then make sure they are in your colour wheel, and then enjoy the springtime vibes!

If the changing of the seasons is a daunting time for you, and you’d love to welcome them with open arms, or an updated wardrobe that you can treat yourself to with confidence, I’d love to help. I provide a bespoke personal shopping experience to help you find the right pieces to add to your current wardrobe, or even a personal styling session so you can discover your personal style.