Spring is in the air! And you know what that means....legs!! I have waited patiently all winter for the slightest hint of warmth, and although I will admit that this week it is still not quite warm enough for my liking (I won't bare skin until we're way over 30°C/86°F!!) I know it won't be long now.
I'm in full swing of preparing my Spring wardrobe, so I thought I would share some Spring Dress trends for those of you planning evening cocktails with your man, girl's nights out, or even very special occasions like a friend's wedding.
I've made a resolution this year to show more leg (bare with me, and mind the pun!) so this round up is dedicated to Spring party dresses that are cocktail length or over the knee to elongate the body and show off some skin!
Bright Florals
Although I loved the dark floral trend this winter, nothing says Spring like bright, beautiful florals. Combining this season's structured skirts and pastel hues with a bold Hawaiian or tropical floral print is a great way to update your cocktail look and go beyond the little black dress.
The Retro Vibe
Have you heard of my undying love for all things retro this spring? From the 70s to the 90s, let's bring back all those incredible fashion moments that should have never gone in the first place. The mini, the suede, the fringes, the button down skirts, the high waists....I love them all!!
Pair a fun overall dress with boots and a turtleneck for a great transitional outfit for the first few weeks of Spring when it is still a little chilly.
Denim Denim Denim
I am SO INTO denim for Spring. I just bought a short 1950s cut collared dress in denim, two denim cropped box tops and a pair of culottes. I never tire of denim because it is always perfect for any casual occasion like a weekend walk, kid's birthday party, patio drinks or ....life!
A denim dress is a great way to get away from always wearing "jeans and a top" while not feeling overly dressed up, plus it goes well with any other color of accessories and is absolutely ON TREND!
White Lace is White Hot
One of this season's key party dress trends is white lace. A carry over from last year, this Spring you'll see the trend interpreted with a modern twist with geometric patters, modern cut outs and symmetrical minimalism. I love the high and plunging necklines, tailored shoulders and simple cuts to contrast the intricate patterns of the lace.
Jersey Girl
Who says that springs dress trends have to be overly fancy, why not bare those legs for your first weekend at the cottage or at a BBQ with friends. Get a casual look with a knit or jersey dress in the early spring when you don't feel confident enough to wear shorts but it is too warm for pants.
Personally, I love the long sleeved options because I think the contrast between covered arms and exposed legs is very sexy without being overly revealing. This is perfect for a relaxed night of snuggling up with your man with a cup of hot tea and some good music playing on your 1960s stereo...can you picture it?
Off The Shoulder
Have you heard of Spring's biggest party dress and top trend for 2016? OFF THE SHOULDER. It is feminine, sexy, makes great tan lines and shows off that youthful décolleté you work so hard to maintain.
My husband loves when I wear off the shoulder because he says it shows off my neck and shoulders which are usually covered 90% of the year. I would actually STAY AWAY from over accessorizing or wearing necklaces and let your natural beauty take centre stage with this cut. The best way to accessorize is with a SIMPLE pair of earrings, or nothing at all.
Boho
Similar to the 70s retro revival, boho entices that easy going spirit that we all begin to crave once the days grow longer, sunnier and hotter. Some people naturally have "boho" inside them (I do not), and others needs to work to achieve the look in a natural way.
Don't over think it by choosing an easy spring dress with a fringe in a suede and pairing with delicate gold accessories.
Flow With It
If you thought that you needed to wear a long, ankle length dress to get that "flowy" look, you're wrong! There are so many beautiful options for this spring that are billowy and flowing that also elongate your legs instead of burying you in fabric (as is my case at a petite 4'10")!!
Minimal Chic
I wish I could be that cool girl with a minimal wardrobe in black and white with simple accents and the perfect mix of grey....but I'm not. I do, however, want to embody the look for a night or two on the perfect occasion and this season's new minimal chic selection of dresses for spring is perfect.
Look for clean lines without any superfluous details, stitching or contouring, the idea being that you show off your slim and sublime figure while simultaneously hiding it through geometric and asymmetrical cuts.
Black Lace
Yesterday my man took me on an all day date to the seaside where we went to one of Italy's largest vintage markets and I found a STUNNING 3/4 length black lace strapless dress in perfect condition that fits me like a glove. I am on the HUNT for an occasion to wear it to, just hoping that someone gets married this year!
Whereas in the past wearing black to a wedding was taboo, not it is perfectly acceptable especially for the modern cocktail weddings that do not adhere to the formality. Other occasions that are perfect for a black lace dress are important openings at the theatre, fundraisers, charity balls and luxe date nights.
Nothing says elegance and sophistication like a meticulously crafted black lace dress, that adds a new dimension of femininity to the simple LBD. Paired with a pair of simple black or nude heels and minimal accessories and you will be the epitome of a lady.
I'm so excited about my new resolution to inject a bit more femininity into my wardrobe with fun spring dresses. These styles are some of my favorites from the Australian fashion destination The Iconic, which is a huge source of inspiration for my outfits because of their aesthetic which is minimal but very curated.
