2012 Spring Fashion Trends | Youthink
Image credit:  Textured dress (left) by Banana Republic.

Spring Trend Report

by Ariel Lee – Johnston Heights Secondary, Surrey BC Apr 2, 2012

As spring brings a new freshness to the air, give your wardrobe a well-deserved freshen up too.

Luckily, it does not take much this season to take your outfits from winter to spring. From textured fabrics to unexpected spins on timeless classics, these trends will keep you looking fab straight through to summer.

Texture

From chunky knits to wrinkled cotton dresses, unique textures are what take an outfit from zero to 60 in mere seconds. When wearing textures, don’t be afraid to experiment. Wear one textured piece or try a combination – you can be as subtle or as bold as you like.
Textured clutch by Banana Republic


The classics

Timeless pieces such as blazers, button-up shirts and army jackets are always in style in their original state, but this spring spruce them up by wearing pieces made with an unconventional fabric, pattern or altered shape. One of the biggest change-ups this year is the collarless jacket. These small details help breathe new life into old favourites.
Wilfred blazer available at Aritzia

Loose but fitting

Gone are the days of clingy, skin-tight clothing. Spring is all about loose fits, especially with pants. Although clothes are looser, make sure they still have shape and fit your body nicely or you’ll look like you’re wearing a tent. If a shirt or jacket seems too shapeless, add a belt to take in the extra material and create a more flattering silhouette.
Flowy blouse by Banana Republic

A splash of colour and pattern

There are two colour palettes to choose from this season that will flatter anybody: earthy tones and soft pastels. To take it up a notch, wear a pattern instead – tribal, floral and geometric patterns are especially popular right now. If patterns seem a little too daunting, try colour blocking and contrasting your pieces to make a statement.
Talula floral dress available at Aritzia

Light materials

Replace the heavy jackets and sweaters of winter with lighter, flowing pieces. While last season featured stiff, structured pieces, your spring clothing should drape over your body and have a slightly softer, unstructured look, which adds femininity.
Wilfred trench available at Aritzia

Mixing it up

It’s all about adding some edge to your outfit with a combination of several different styles, such as preppy with grunge. Another popular combo is the girly dress with a leather jacket. This trend is perfect for those wanting to try out a new style with accessories, such as earrings or leggings, which can be incorporated to create a cool contrast to your overall look.
Flower earrings by Banana Republic

Single statement pieces

Don’t go overboard with your accessories or your new-found love for all things bright. Keep your outfit simple and choose one statement piece to pull everything together, whether it’s a patterned blazer or a hot pink clutch. Try not to pick more than two statement pieces as they can easily clash if not chosen well. But don’t be shy to experiment as you’ll be surprised at what can unexpectedly end up being a perfect match!
Pink clutch by Aldo
Comments (0)
Login or register to post comments. All comments have to go through a queue for approval to keep the nasty stuff out, but we'll post yours as soon as we can.
Current Issue
table of contents
May/June: Youthink Magazine
In this Issue
Past Issues
Lunch bites under $10 | Youthink
Lunch Bites Under $10
There are plenty of great places all around town serving delicious food for those on a budget.
Tips for working in a group | Youthink
How To Successfully Work in a Group
Six tips that will make working in a group a positive experience for you and your group members.
Summer camp leader | Community volunteer | Youthink
Five Ways to Give Back to Your Community This Summer
Keep your summer vacation fresh and productive by giving back to your community.