Whether you're wandering around Shoreditch in the wee hours, or planning your escape route from the crowds of shoppers on Oxford Street, you can't help but notice how sartorially skilled [1] Londoners are. That's thanks to the duality of British style — it's part eccentric and avant-garde, and part traditional and quite smart.
During our daily commutes around the city, we've been seeing some patterns when it comes to fashion. We're well aware that Brits love a check print, but one of Scotland's traditional prints — houndstooth — has been leading the pack. When it comes to colour trends, lavender is a fresh choice [2]. Celebs have been a huge fan of purple's pastel cousin — Chloe Bailey, Dakota Fanning [3], and Alicia Keys [4] are recent fans of this flattering colour.
Silhouette-wise, the hourglass is coming back [5] strong this year. Some of our favourite stars, like Maya Jama, Rowan Blanchard, and Euphoria [6]'s Barbie Ferreira have been rocking these body-contouring bustiers on Instagram, and on the red carpet. Another seasonal winner is silk organza layering, which is one of our favourite Spring trends. It's an elegant way to add some airy lightness to a minimal look, like blue jeans and a white t-shirt.
On the note of Spring outerwear, there's a new transitional jacket in town — the shacket. "Shacket" is a portmanteau of the words "shirt" and "jacket", and a quick search in your favourite high street stores will offer dozens of options. It's basically an oversize overshirt that's usually made out of a wool-blend or pleather material — Londoners are loving this casual, versatile staple.
Then, there are some trends that seem to be trans-seasonal. Puff sleeves are continuing [7] strong since the prairie aesthetic captured the hearts of the style set well over a year ago. And what would 2020 vision be without a bit of sparkle in our eye? Diamanté, rhinestone, and crystal embellishments [8] are absolutely killing it, on the catwalk, the red carpet, and London's stylish pavements.
Keep reading ahead for 7 Spring trends that we've been seeing around the city, or check the links below:
• Spring 2020 Print Trend: Houndstooth [9]
• Spring 2020 Colour Trend: Lavender [10]
• Spring 2020 Silhouette Trend: Corset [11]
• Spring 2020 Layering Trend: Organza [12]
• Spring 2020 Outerwear Trend: Shacket [13]
• Spring 2020 Detail Trend: Diamanté [14]
• Spring 2020 Trans Seasonal Trend: Puff Sleeves [15]
Spring 2020 Print Trend: Houndstooth
If gingham is the sweet print of the check family, then houndstooth is ready for business. The classic black-and-white print also goes by the name "puppytooth," "dogstooth," and "shephard's check." We've been seeing a lot of it in London — on the catwalks, few have done it better than Area's Spring/Summer 2020 and Fall/Winter 2019 collections.
Spring 2020 Colour Trend: Lavender
The Spring 2020 catwalks loved a lavender look. The quintessential colour of next season carries a whimsical, feminine spirit which was best interpreted by Gucci, Loewe, and Marc Jacobs's Spring/Summer 2020 [17] collections.
Spring 2020 Silhouette Trend: Corset
A corset can totally transform a look by adding massive sex appeal with minimal effort. It's also a great way to add shape to a loose-fitting dress, or an oversized classic white oxford shirt.
Corsets don't always have to be sexy — they can also be architectural and sophisticated. The Spring 2020 season showed new ways to wear the corset, especially at Burberry, Acne, and Charlotte Knowles [18]'s Spring 2020 shows.
Spring 2020 Layering Trend: Organza
A silk organza trench is just so exceptionally fabulous. It's as glamorous as it is casual, and it's a great piece for transitioning between daytime to nighttime outfits. The best part? It helps you bear the elements a teeny tiny bit without covering up your great outfit.
Spring 2020 Outerwear Trend: Shacket
The ever-sophisticated longline blazer of last season has been replaced by the casual shacket of Spring 2020. This longline work shirt is very flattering because it adds an unfussed coolness to different body types. We're loving the offerings from Topshop, Monki, and & Other Stories.
Spring 2020 Detail Trend: Diamanté
We love diamanté detailing [19]. Ever since Area debuted its Autumn/Winter 2019 and Spring/Summer 2020 collections, the style set can't get enough of sparkling details. Above, Rotate Birger Christensen's creative director Jeanette Madsen shows us how to add a bit of glitz to a look without looking naff.
Spring 2020 Trans Seasonal Trend: Puff Sleeves
The trend that seems to live forever. The puff sleeve, bishop sleeve, or balloon sleeve ( depending on the length and volume) was the first official trend of the year, as we saw on the 2020 Golden Globes red carpet [20].