Fresh Pastels to Ring in the Spring

It's been impossible not to notice that pastels are the big colour story for spring. This is good news if you love ice cream shades and are a fan of mint green, one of my most favourite colours, which doesn't show up much outside of this particular cyclical trend. I'm especially eating up the pastel jeans which are available not only in a couple shades of blue, pink, green and yellow, but the whole spectrum of pales to brights and every tint in between including peaches, aquas (my other love) and lilacs. And as far as colour trends go, pastels are far more wearable and enduring than the neons (unless you are needing to be visible on the streets at midnight). 

The jeans I picked out, above, are from New Look, in a super-skinny style which come with a good amount of stretch and can take the place of a legging if you're looking for the comfort and the streamlined look, but want to appear a little more 'dressed'. (And unlike leggings, it's not considered indecent if you wear a hip-length top with them!)

My favourite topper for these colour-saturated skinny jeans is a blazer in an equally cheery dessert shade, like this pale pink waterfall lapel style (right), also from New Look, which balances and complements the harder look of the denim skinnies with its soft cuts and colouring. It works equally well with tailored trousers or shorts, paired with a high heeled court shoe or flats. The great thing about the blazer is it's a piece that will hold its appeal through the years. I've got a fitted blazer that I bought about 13 years ago, and I never got rid of it because the colour is a gorgeous blush pink that never feels dated and works with just about anything, and almost any blazer style can be relevant again if you just wait a bit, this one included. If the lapel is a bit wide or skinny for current trends, that's when a gorgeous silk or cotton scarf comes in handy! Blazers and jackets are the wardrobe category that should be thrown out last - buy wisely and style creatively, and you will always be able to work the pieces into your seasonal rotation. 

 

 

To complete the outfit, I picked out a few more pieces that will maximise the pastel look. The beauty of these pieces is that they not only look gorgeous together, but they can add a sweet pop of colour when worn with creams, beiges, greys, navy and even blacks - mint and lilac-pinks work especially well against navy - and mixing it up with neutral tones and darks will help you avoid looking like a walking candy store. Not that there's anything wrong with that!

Clockwise from top left, all from New Look: Blue metal trim bow pumps; Pieces Gisella pastel green printed snood; Vero Moda mint green patent wristlet; Tokyo Doll green ruffle neck blouse; gold pretty bird stud earrings, and soft pink sports watch.