9 Easy to wear runway trends for spring

What is spring? Spring is the transition from white, blank landscapes to a warm, summery oasis. Spring is when new colors and shapes are cultivated. In nature, this spring has begun to make an appearance but in the realm of fashion, spring sprang a while ago. With it came trends, some of which made an appearance before, and some of which are exotic, seemingly carried by the wind from another land. Here are a few.

  1.  Military green: the utility jacket is a familiar shade of green, a trend that emerged last year. Its return is attributable to its sheer functionality and versatility.

    This Marc Jacobs look features the military green trend.
    Fair use image Marc Jacobs website
    This Marc Jacobs look features the military green trend.
  2.  Viva España: Images of graceful flamenco dancers and intrepid toreros come to life on the runways of designers like Dolce and Gabanna (whose spring/summer campaign places a particular emphasis on the woman’s power in the family) , Delpozo, and Rosie Assoulin. The trend is marked by regal reds, golds, blacks, and whites mixed with ruffled skirts and elaborate swirl designs.
    This Delpozo look represents the Spanish Influence trend seen on Dolce and Gabanna's runway.
    Fair use image Delpozo website
    This Delpozo look represents the Spanish Influence trend seen on Dolce and Gabanna’s runway.
    This Dolce and Gabanna look is a feminist twist on a Spanish Torero outfit.
    Fair use image Dolce and Gabanna website
    This Dolce and Gabanna look is a feminist twist on a Spanish Torero outfit.
    This Rosie Assoulin skirt is reminiscent of a flamenco dress, in the trendy color of bright red.
    Fair use image Rosie Assoulin website
    This Rosie Assoulin skirt is reminiscent of a flamenco dress, in the trendy color of bright red.

    Dolce and Gabanna displayed many Spanish-influenced looks.
    Fair use image Dolce and Gabanna website
    Dolce and Gabanna displayed many Spanish-influenced looks.
  3. Gingham: the checked print makes an appearance in the usual spring pastels from designers like Oscar de la Renta and Diane von Furstenberg.
    Diane Von Furstenberg's runway loooks included this gingham print dress.
    Fair use image Diane von Furstenberg website
    Diane Von Furstenberg’s runway loooks included this gingham print dress.

    Marc Jacobs mixes prints and patterns in a look that includes two trends: gingham prints and patchwork.
    Fair use image Marc Jacobs website
    Marc Jacobs mixes prints and patterns in a look that includes two trends: gingham prints and patchwork.
  4. Mermaid: Shimmery scales, glittery sequins,  and flowy tails mark the birth of a new trend that pays homage to the mysterious mythical creatures of the sea.

    This Rodarte look epitomizes the mermaid trend
    Fair use image Rodarte website
    This Rodarte look epitomizes the mermaid trend
  5. Sports Luxe: Game day? No time to change before getting on the bus? No problem.The trend started last year and has been anything but stagnant since then. The epitome of style meets comfort, sports-themed getups marked by mesh, zippers, and tennis shoes were especially popular with Alexander Wang. A specific look characterized by a jersey and a flannel button up tied around the hips was spotted in Lacoste and Stella Jean’s collections, and makes for an easy, comfortable outfit for school.
    Stella Jean embraced the sports look with a jersey and a flannel shirt tied around the waist.
    Fair use image Stella Jean website
    Stella Jean embraced the sports look with a jersey and a flannel shirt tied around the waist.
    Sports shoes are paired with a dress on Marni's runway, in accordance with the sports luxe trend.
    Fair use image Marni website
    Sports shoes are paired with a dress on Marni’s runway, in accordance with the sports luxe trend.
    Alexander Wang infiltrates tennis apparel into the sports luxe trend.
    Fair use image Alexander Wang website
    Alexander Wang infiltrates tennis apparel into the sports luxe trend.
    Reed Krakoff dominated the sports luxe look.
    Fair use image Reed Krakoff website
    Reed Krakoff dominated the sports luxe look.

    Reed Krakoff, like Alexander Wang, used mesh to emphasize the sports luxe trend.
    Fair use image Reed Krakoff website
    Reed Krakoff, like Alexander Wang, used mesh to emphasize the sports luxe trend.
  6.   Bold red: Need more be said? Although red could be pop to a monochromatic outfit, but this year’s trend is go big or go home with this vibrant hue. “I’ve seen lots of bright colors and patterns,” model and St. Paul Academy and Summit School graduate ‘08 Louise Parker said.

    This Miu Miu outfit features a bold, red jacket.
    Fair use image Miu Miu website
    This Miu Miu outfit features a bold, red jacket.
  7. Polka dots: The runner up to stripes, black and white polka dots may be the most immortal pattern, a favorite of Marc Jacobs and Dolce and Gabanna.

    Polka dots make an appearance on the Marc Jacobs runway.
    Fair use image Marc Jacobs website
    Polka dots make an appearance on the Marc Jacobs runway.
  8. Denim: There’s never been a shortage of denim in street fashion, but jeans were especially popular on spring runways, usually worn head-to-toe, a departure from the bottoms-only denim look (although Coach flaunted flare light wash jeans with graphic sweaters).
  9.  Patchwork Chic: Marc Jacobs and Chanel mixed textures and colors to demonstrate an expertly crafted chaos in runway looks. So next time you can’t find anything to match that blazer, throw caution to the wind and call it haute.
    A Dries Van Noten look that features the patchwork look.
    Fair use image Dries Van Noten website
    A Dries Van Noten look that features the patchwork look.

    A Chanel look that embraces the patchwork look.
    Fair use image Chanel website
    A Chanel look that embraces the patchwork look.