Spring trends and how to wear them

After months of dull, drab winter woollies, finally the new season has arrived. It’s time to make room in your wardrobe for the new colours, textures and shapes of spring.  Here’s my pick of the top trends, along with advice on how to adapt them for your body shape to ensure they work for you.

Painting by numbers

Colour blocking is big again this season, and can work for everyone. Imagine each article of clothing as an opportunity to inject some colour into your outfit, and go as bold as you like with your choices, whatever your shape.

For curves: Contrasting colours can actually be very slimming so even if you tend to try to hide behind blacks or neutrals, don’t dismiss the idea of colour blocking too quickly.

Use neutral shades to minimise the parts you want to disguise and use bold colours to enhance your best bits. For instance, to draw attention away from your bottom half, team a bold colour top with a neutral bottom.

If you are petite: make sure you choose pieces with relatively equal distance between colours so that you don’t look completely swamped by one colour. A sudden shock of colour will segment the body, which has a shortening effect and can leave your proportions off-kilter. This shift dress from Warehouse is very on trend, and flattering for a slighter silhouette.
 
Prints charming

Spring 2012 is all about textile prints, and the brighter the better: not for the faint-hearted, but surprisingly wearable when you know how. Just look for pieces that incorporate a statement print onto a delicate fabric if you want to keep it soft.
 
For curves: Again, don’t shy away from prints if you’re curvaceous. In fact, use them to flaunt the parts of your body you love - try a printed pencil skirt like this flourishing tropical print version from Karen Millen. Be sure to keep your accessories minimal and neat to avoid looking cluttered and maintain focus on the statement print.
 
If you are petite: Opt for fine detail on your chosen print rather than big and bold designs. The colours don’t have to be subdued but for a lengthening effect expose some limb! Cutaway sleeves, a shorter hemline or cropped trousers can help give a lengthening effect.  Contrasting prints should be avoided in favour of a carefully picked, impactful one. This python-print tunic dress will serve you well through the Summer months.
 
Pastel palette

Pretty pastel shades dominated the SS12 catwalks and now they’re doing the same on the high street.

The great news about this trend is that beautiful blues, yellows, peach, and pale pink are perfect for most skin and hair tones.

For everyone: For the perfect daytime look, go for the never-fail blouse and skinny jeans combo, in fresh pastel colours and floral prints. These gorgeous cherry-kissed jeans from Oasis are slightly cropped to ease you from spring into summer too.
 
This look can, of course, be easily transformed from day to night with a light blazer, wedges and a simple clutch.

For curves: Choose a floral blazer and team this with a cute cami, pretty dress or swishy skirt for ladylike chic. This blazer from Urban Outfitters is relaxed, lightweight and will transform an everyday outfit into something more special. It will instantly make you look smarter, but don’t feel that you have to be able to do up all of the buttons - an open blazer is more on trend and will have a slimming effect on your silhouette. Be sure that the style skims your body and nips in at the right point.
 
If you are petite: Work pastel-on-pastel for a dazzling look. The sheer blouse by Niche at ASOS is exquisitely tailored in a vanilla ice-cream shade and beautifully embellished with leaf embroidery on the shoulders. Pair this blouse with high-waisted pastel shorts.

For further information about Nicky Hambleton-Jones visit www.nhjstyle.com and www.themakeoverqueen.co.uk.