Spring Fashion 2014: 194 photos of the top 10 trends of the season

By FASHION Staff

Date February 6, 2014

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References to hibernation aside, spring always feels like a reawakening. This season’s runways offered a series of wake-up calls by way of unique pairings, new approaches to femininity and dramatic looks.

The constantly re-emerging athletic trend has gone straight up hood, with street-approved jerseys, retro bombers and low-slung pants giving it new life. Tommy Hilfiger and DKNY were bastions of the trend, going head-to-toe in neoprene and nylon. Marni, The Row and Steven Tai accessorized with sports flair, bringing glammed up baseball hats to the forefront. A plain ole Yankees ball cap will simply not do (unless it’s a Yonce version).

Prints, specifically art-inspired ones, were all the rage in Spring fashion’s 2014 MO. Big graphic prints stole the shows at Céline, Chanel and Christian Dior, each creating vibrant pieces in homage to the modernist aesthetic. And it would be a mistake to omit Prada’s graphic coats, heralding back the colours of Roy Lichtenstein in custom-done designs by modern artists. Valentino and Dolce & Gabbana kept things old school, preferring to pay respects to the renaissance aesthetic of rich embroidery, details and iconography, made contemporary through sheer fabrics and bare skin. In both cases, an art-inspired statement proved bold and unexpected.

While pastels are something that we normally associate with spring, they were given new life thanks to the textured ensembles sent out by Burberry and Barbara Bui. Oscar de la Renta and Prabal Gurung showed evening gowns in unexpected cerulean. Why go for a sprinkling of blue when the whole outfit will do?

Metallics and shine were also hits, often blended in combination looks. Altuzzara’s skirts in liquid metallic hues were amongst the most buzzworthy looks of the season---not only because of their fluidity but also because of their styling with a striped silk shirt. Marc by Marc Jacobs and Lanvin both sent out sequined jumpsuits, a glammed up version of a casual evening wear staple.

And while some of last year’s trends carried over, Spring fashion circa 2014 was all-new. The 1990s reappeared for its third season in a row, this time done up with minimalist flair.

Perhaps this season is yet another post-modern mix: Mod tribal print sportswear? Liquid gold skirts? Pastel crop tops? Skin baring outfits in head to toe pastels? Why not!