When I was a teen, I was besotted with the runway and a stickler for fashion forecasts. Perhaps it was one too many re-runs of The Hills, but I became fixated on the artistry of designers and used that to dictate my fashion choices. Marvelling at designer creations taking place centre stage became my favourite pastime and although that piece hasn’t changed, my shopping habits certainly have.
As I became more attuned to my personal style and a more conscious shopper, I noticed a discrepancy between the trends that were showing up and the way I preferred to dress in day-to-day life, so in time I separated my affinity for the runway from my personal style.
Nowadays, I report on trends and it’s not too often that I buy into them, as I’m more discerning about the clothing I acquire. This season, however, the trends are speaking to me as many of the influences coincide with my pre-existing collection. Therefore it’s allowing me to celebrate my personal style and invest in cuts that have served me well over the past decade.
Although I consider the way I acquire clothing under the umbrella of a capsule wardrobe, my style is nuanced. There are varied influences – from a Parisian essence to a bohemian and modern lilt. Therefore, I’m extracting the pieces I most admire from the trend pool, be it sweeping fabrications or pearlescent jewels.
This season, there’s a catalogue of trends to take our fancy – from bold statements, inspired by Haute Couture, to the subdued ready-to-wear runways and micro trends. Take the silk scarf, for example, it feels inherently Parisian. The same goes for full skirts, which my love of never diminishes and maxi length styles that are no longer solely associated with light cotton voiles worn whilst holidaying. Now the offerings are grown-up, directional pieces you can wear in place of trousers.
Keep scrolling for some of the spring and summer 2023 trends that will slot seamlessly into a capsule wardrobe. From denim to column skirting, there are many pieces with a timeless appeal. If you’re a conscious shopper like me, these are the styles that have my stamp of approval. They just so happen to be on-trend.
We saw the reintroduction of the bandeau silhouette last year but its prevalence still lives on in the style we’re seeing ahead of spring and summer 2023. As a person who rarely wears miniskirts, I adore décolletage-bearing clothing like bandeau tops and dresses instead. I’m particularly enjoying the juxtaposition between sculpted buster details with wafty fabrics, as it offers a romantic element. The options for 2023 are aplenty, whether you’re looking for a light-hued bandeau top or something whimsical.
From a pared-back bridal dress to a holiday wardrobe, you can make this classic cut work hard.
I search high and low for plus-size pieces that have forever appeal and I’m so impressed with the shaping of this bandeau. It also comes with matching trousers.
I fell head over heels in love with this Tove dress in summer 2022, so I’m so overjoyed to see it back!
Whimsical and romantic designs are landing, just in time for warm weather days.
Simply gorgeous.
I immediately gravitated towards this dress. I adore the colour, nipped-in waist detail and length.
There’s nothing that grants a romantic element quite like shirring. Enter Arkitaip’s newest offering. Pair it with tailored trousers and sling-back heels for a relaxed evening ensemble.
The double-denim look has garnered fans over the years and served us with iconic pop culture moments and major celeb kudos. This is intriguing considering denim is perhaps the most simple fabrication that we likely all possess in our midst. You may have seen the colloquial term Canadian Tuxedo flying around: it refers to the full denim looks which were once deemed inappropriate but now we can’t get enough. I’m enjoying the rigid offerings composed of 100% cotton, in hues that air on the side of indigo, as it has a richer, vintage (and not to mention timeless) element, as opposed to supple denim. This season, I’ll be offsetting double-denim looks with slingback heels and gold jewels aplenty, to tie in with my personal style.
Mango’s denim collection produced many gems but perhaps my favourite is this maxi skirt. The patchwork detail, front splice and deeper-hued trim add some intrigue to this skirt.
With Nothing Underneath’s newly released denim is the perfect vintage-inspired hue. This is a piece new to my wardrobe and I can already tell it’ll age beautifully.
This shirt/coat hybrid is one of the nicest denim pieces I’ve seen on the high street. This grainy colourway always looks inspired.
Due to my height, whenever I’m wearing denim, I feel most comfortable in less ‘boyish’ frames. Team this with a black denim maxi skirt for a classic yet fashion-forward look.
If I didn’t already have a denim dress, this is one I’d consider for some variation in my wardrobe. Although I’m not usually a mini girl, something about this style will work. Add a camel coat over the top and knee-high boots while it’s still chilly.
Deeply hued panelled denim has entered the chat and it’s definitely here to stay.
This offering by Ulla Johnson is straight from the runway to your own catwalk. This season we’re seeing vertical stitching on denim but this horizontal tiering grants us a fresh take.
Many moons ago I become obsessed with the ’50s style fit and flare, so the pronounced skirt trend has a nostalgic appeal. Though I’m a minimalist in terms of my clothing acquirements, my capsule doesn’t just consist of svelte shapes. I also enjoy exaggerated shaping in neutral colourways.
If ever you’re looking for a modern-day romantic frock, look to Aje. The v-shaped pleated detail gives this skirt an even fuller shape. Wear it with a form-fitting top tucked into the waistband or a cropped style.
Pronounced skirts in light voiles scream spring.
This impressive skirt has a weighty drop and a full skirt without any additional taffeta. Don it with a cropped knit, or ‘going out’ top.
Each spring and summer I go weak for Matteau designs. This is one of my favourite pieces for summer 2023.
Massimo Dutti have produced a lightweight offering for the summer.
It may be trend inspired but this is a piece I would treasure forever. From the flared skirt to the tailored waistband, it’s nothing short of perfection.
The best thing about trend-led pallets is that you can easily decipher whether it fits into your preferred colour wheel (if you ascribe to that way of dressing, of course). As someone who prefers neutral tones (with pops of green, brown and yellow), crisp white hues are something I always revert to. Whether fashioned as a poplin shirt or floaty dress, white is a shade I fall back on come spring. I interchange the fabrications I wear, depending on the season.
You can always rely on Deiji Studios for delicately sweet and understated designs. These pieces will forever be relevant.
This white textured bandeau has a romantic element. Pair it with a full-swing skirt to commit to the whimsical look.
An ode to ’60s shaping with a modern update thanks to the sheeny silk. Add a pair of mules and a miniature clutch for a party look.
Like the denim mini you pull every summer without faith, this skirt will serve you on many occasions.
Skirts like this have the same appeal every spring, making it a fail-safe investment.
A summery white dress with a cut-out back. The loveliest feature is the side ruching.
From on-the-knee skirts to free-flowing maxi dresses, sweeping styles are dominating. Extended hemlines have been part of my capsule for a decade and nine times out of ten you’ll find me in some form of midi or maxi. Although it may be an unconventional way of dressing for someone with a petite frame, I don’t ascribe to the notion of flattery. I appreciate excess fabrics and their ability to make us feel emboldened.
The well-considered construction of this dress means you can transition it for many occasions and forecasts. Pair it with trainers for an off-duty look, or heeled pumps for a night look. You’re guaranteed so much wear out of this classic Totême number.
I have a similar skirt I recently retrieved from my storage. Pair white linen with knitwear, for now but pretty top ensembles are on the horizon.
I’m not the biggest fan of low-waisted styles but I’m swayed by this classic column skirt that doesn’t appear too low.
I recommend black and cream maxi dresses to everyone I know. Whether you belt, wear it free-flowing or accessorise it, it’s a piece you can add your unique stamp on and decorate with careless abandon.
Simple, elegant and sexy – you can’t dispute the many characteristics of this dress, which makes it a worthwhile investment.
A modern Grecian affair.
I was marvelling at this stunning design for quite some time until I realised we share the same name. A twist of fate, perhaps?
As a person who likes to carry ‘everything but the kitchen sink’, I appreciate a fuss-free bag you can house everything in for practicality purposes, so I’m pleased with the roomier models on offer. Come the evening, I opt for dainty bags to compliment streamlined outfits, but you can’t go wrong with a big Sac De Jour when going about your daily errands.
Classic, timeless and best of all oversized. It’ll work from school to the office and your supermarket shop.
Bottega Veneta is well known for its slouched iterations of the woven handbag, but the addition of gold hardware and a slim handle makes their newer offering appropriate for both day and night wear.
This buttery colourway never fails to look premium. Click the link to see just how big it is.
COS is bridging the gap between high street and higher-end luxury with sensibly priced bags that have a designer feel.
This style is worn by women across Paris and aptly named the ‘big bag’. It comes in 2 additional colourways. This is the newly released cocoa.
It may be on pre-order, but I assure you it’s worth the wait.
The Mary Jane revival has coincided with the resurgence of down-to-earth ballet flats (courtesy of Miu Miu), so this season has birthed the amalgamation of flat-footed mary-janes and I’m certainly not complaining. There’s an air of nostalgia about them that I very much welcome.
You can tell how supple the fabrication is from the photograph alone. Keep your eyes peeled for the restock coming soon!
Lemaire’s take has a bohemian lilt due to the wooden sole.
If you’re taken with the mary-jane trend but find it’s too classic for you, opt for a modern squared-off toe.
This milky camel makes a change to the ecru variations we’ve seen of late.
This modern ballet flat alludes to the mary-jane trend because of the crossover lacing.
At first, I was convinced this was a designer piece.
This buttery hue compliments the gold buckle accent. The micro heel is also perfect for me as I’m 5 ft 4.
I’m sure we’ll all agree that pearls are timeless, but they have also taken centre stage over the last few seasons and it’s a trend I very much favour. Everyone who knows me will know that pearls are part of my uniform. What I love most about the newer releases is that they’re less regal in appeal. Instead, they come in jaunty, organic shapes, and are mixed with metals for a modern lift.
I’ll forever appreciate the juxtaposition of angular metals and iridescent pearls.
Discreetly placed pearls with a gold accent. This combination always wins.
This pearl-encrusted ring has a modern feel due to the oversized beads. It’s one to have on your radar if you’re looking for a change from cubic zirconia crystals.
The holiday season is upon us and I adore the bikini and pearl anklet look.
The textured brass with the rounded pearl gives a typically regal stone a modern lift.
Kiri & Belle will appease all of your pearl needs. Here’s a daintier offering compared to the chunky styles.
Pair these drop hoops with raglan knitwear for an instantly elevated look.
Bashed metals + pearls is a well-suited combination.
By Malene Birger was one of the forerunners when it comes to textured knitwear. Both high street and designers have followed suit with iterations of their looped yarn two-piece. Last year was all about widely gaped crochet knits, but this year styles are more subdued, bobbled variations that can be worn throughout all four seasons with apt styling choices and layered as appropriate. 2023 weaves are raised, fuzzier and often bear mixed textures on a single piece.
Peek-a-boo and crochet knits took the fashion world by storm last year, so this marries a pre-existing trend with this year’s hue of choice.
Two weave techniques in one to create this showstopper of a dress.
If you’re inspired by cost-per-wear items then look no further. This will work as a daytime dress, evening wear and a holiday coverup.
Perforated knits and grainy textures are high on my radar as we transition seasons. The Lynea cardigan and matching dress are a match to behold.
Accessories are the best way to dip into trends. They’re likely to be cost-effective as compared to apparel and classic accents like the silk tie never date. I inherited one of my mum’s silk scarf from the ’80s and it slots into today’s trend forecast. When it comes to scarves, I prefer monochrome tones as it slots seamlessly into my existing wardrobe. Although 2023 is in favour of a necktie, you can fashion it as a twilly or hair tie in years to come – the style possibilities are endless.
An abstract monochrome motif. Why not commit to the look in its entirety and add the matching slip?
Although this was designed for bridalwear, don it with frocks as a springtime neckerchief.
This 100% silk scarf will go with everything in your wardrobe.
A beautiful and high-quality scarf that will last you for decades irrespective of trends.
Many Totême designs have a timeless appeal, so their pieces are great for conscious shoppers who intend on wearing and loving their pieces for years.
It’s been some time since we witnessed the resurgence of noughties-inspired illusion frocks by the likes of Totême, Jacquemus and Maison Margiela. It may seem like a contemporary design but it dates right back to the ’90s and Jean Paul Gaultier’s cult dresses. Although I’m not accustomed to mesh dresses, I appreciate sheer textures in doses and with clever placement. Tulle, organza styles and overlays (especially on the arms) are designs I appreciate for eveningwear.
This COS dress goes down as one of my favourite pieces of the year so far (and one I’ve spent many hours twirling in). Between the taught bustier element, semi-sheer skirting and pleats it’s exceptional. Due to its popularity, it goes in and out of stock, so keep your eyes peeled.
This full frock is a perfect example of how to adapt to the sheer trend to other silhouettes. The organza loans it a romantic feel. Kjinsens’ designs are available for petite frames in sizes 4-20. Be sure to email their team if this gorgeous design is not available in your size.
Totême offers a delicate sheer blouse for those experimenting with less risqué designs.
This dress exudes ’90s glamour. It’s understated but intentional.
I can’t quite see myself in the likes of the ‘naked dress’. I would consider a sheer overlay, however. This may look daunting but fret not, you can pair it with a slip dress if you don’t wish to commit to the exposed underwear look. Keep it in your arsenal as the standout piece.
