Soft tailoring can still look sharp

WE might talk a lot about transitional pieces when it comes to our clothes shopping list but it can be a bit of a wishful thinking when faced with what is actually on offer in the shops.
The design houses might elude to a spring-summer collection but a lot of times their selections leaps right out of heavy winter woollies straight into sleeveless tops and dresses that would have you shivering even looking at them on the hanger.
One of the trends for the coming months is a mix and merger of a variety of looks – uniform, tailored and masculine. All of these have been whizzed in the style blitzer and have emerged quite differently depending on what shop you stop off in.
The tailored look is definitely a lot softer, in both fabric and colour palette. Blazers are less structured and a lot longer than we’ve seen in the past – these will take getting used to and there’s risk of looking swamped if you go too oversized.
Skinny and slim cut trousers remain hugely popular but skorts, culottes and relaxed luxe pants are also coming on stream in prints, pastels and dare I say the word – paisley!
March’s arrival at long last can mark the start of a new season in terms of style but we’re a long way off short sleeves and bare legs, no matter how tempting the bright shapes and prints are on the store shelves.
Long sleeved dresses in lighter fabrics may be a possibility within a few weeks but you’ll need to stock up on suitable cover ups for a month or two yet.