Looks like someone has been playing with watercolors all over this season’s collections, and is such an invigorating change after the long, dark winter. A rainbow of soft pastel hues cheered up the spring-summer 2014 fashion runways, as some of the most established fashion houses embraced the youthful palette including Emporio Armani, Chanel, Versace and Calvin Klein. Burberry Prorsum showed their most romantic looking collection with sorbet colored signature trenches, sheer dresses and flower-covered handbags. Soothing and utterly feminine, pastel colors such as lavender, mint green, sky blue and also pale pink and light lemon were juxtaposed to vibrant brights: chili red, tropical orange, canary yellow, Klein blue, radiant purple and turquoise creating a more natural balance and making this season feel especially optimistic.
Some of the high fashion houses used pastel tints to rejuvenate woven fabrics like tweeds and jacquards, in simple, structured cuts, inspired by the timeless elegance of the 1960s. Others gave pastel a futuristic feel, using shiny materials like parachute silk, Plexiglas and leather. Pastel colors are the easiest way to embrace your femininity in a professional environment so don’t be afraid to wear a light-colored suit, jacket or blouse at work, it will have a positive effect on people around you. For a polished look, search for minimalist cuts and pair pastels with white, black or with this season’s neutrals, sand-beige and pearl grey. For evening glamour add metallic accessories to a pastel coloured outfit.
If you think pastels are for bridesmaids only, take a look at the spring collections of Alexander Wang, Christopher Kane or Jeremy Laing, fashion-forward labels that came up this season with luxe sportswear dipped in ice-cream hues: tee dresses, sweatshirts, baggy shorts; a unique combination of laid-back and pretty that is very up-to-date.
An effortless way to bring a modern twist to pastels is to pair them with brights, using related colours for a more harmonious look or complementary colours for a stunning contrast. Some pastels work as neutral base for other colours, especially on classic items such as a light blue chambray shirt or a blush pink spring coat; they are a great start for creative, joyful colour combination. What about you? Will you wear pastels this spring?
1. ZARA coat with pockets – Zara.com and Zara Stores- $159
2. PRISCIL tiered scallop edge dress – TedBaker.com and Ted Baker stores
3. ZARA trousers with slit at the hem – Zara.com and Zara Strores - $59.90
4. CHIEL regency houses print scarf – TedBaker.com and Ted Baker Stores – $120
5. O’2nd Blouse, HoltRenfrew.com and Holt Renfrew stores – $1275
6. BALLARI asymmetric leather jacket, Tedbaker.com and Ted Baker stores – $640
7. CAAREEN sling back court shoes, TedBaker.com and Ted Baker Stores
8. COLE HAAN Berkely Convertible Crossbody, thebay.com and The Bay stores – $210
9. Look from the Jeremy Laing S/S 2014 runway show – See jeremylaing.com for store list.