by Debra Lewis –
Now that the holidays are behind us, thoughts turn to spring. Warmer weather may seem far away, but spring fashions begin to break ground in January and you will find some harbingers amidst the sale racks.
The Spring Summer 2019 runways featured new looks and familiar favourites in brights and neutrals. Athleisure remains current but for the spring took a turn towards California-inspired beach wear. In a trend bridging safari and utility there were jumpsuits, belted trousers and jackets in many shades of khaki. Tie-dye was popular top and bottom in T-shirts, sweaters and jackets as well as skirts and dresses. Scarf prints in clothing and accessories carried through from autumn 2018, but in spring 2019 colours. And for the more daring there were designs in netting, tulle and feather, as well as ’70s and ’80s-inspired nostalgia designs like biker shorts and even puka shells. Remember those?
Shirley Millar of Beautiful You Image Consulting advises that spring fashion colours, like nature’s palette, tend to be warm and clear. Spring 2019 colours veered away from pastels to bolder shades: royal blue; orange-red, turmeric and coral; lilac and hot pink; chartreuse and moss green. If one colour predominated it was yellow, in all shades from buttercup to gold . Neutrals included midnight blue and earth tones in cream to toffee, sand to granite-brown. In patterns, black and white polka dots replaced stripes.
So what will you find in store for the spring?
Geraldene Coates, owner of Sidney’s own Marmalade Tart Boutique, says: “Blue is a big spring colour for us, in all shades, from royal to pale blue. We also have some black pieces coming in – black has been hard to find for a while – as well as some beautiful creams and soft whites.” Items popular from year to year are their selection of linens, in simple tailored and more oversized styles, and their one-of-a-kind handmade pearl necklaces, which “sell out almost overnight when they come into the store.” Geraldene is finding more choices available from European makers, and is excited about a new line coming from Greece, which includes “some beautiful soft knits.”
Claudia Knoglinger is the owner of Bernstein and Gold on Yates Street in downtown Victoria. Her store specializes in select clothing, jewelry and other accessories from both local and international designers. On spring 2019, Claudia says: “Brighter colours are making a comeback. Foil metallics, cherry red, pops of yellow are all exciting. And lilac is a neutral now.” Her selection of classic, clean denim is popular, as is the emphasis on sustainability, with companies looking for more sustainable ways of producing and dying denim. But she adds: “People have their denim and they’re wanting other fabrics, too. We’re selling a lot of corduroy.” Boyfriend jeans are “more fitted yet still playful.” The skinny jean remains relevant, but “the emerging trend is ‘the new ’90s’ – pleats, more relaxed lines, higher waist and the shorter, ankle length.” In athleisure wear, she adds, the sports stripe continues through to next year. While jeans and pants will always be popular, Claudia adds: “This is the year of the dress – mid to ankle length. We’ll all be wearing them, for both day and evening.”
It seems there is a lot to look forward to in 2019!
