Let’s Go Retro: Top Trends for Spring 2014

There were some clear trends for Spring 2014. It’s finally time to put away all that neon you’ve been collecting over the past few seasons.
Let’s Go Retro: Top Trends for Spring 2014
A model walks the runway at the Marc By Marc Jacobs fashion show during New York Fashion Week, Sept. 10. (Peter Michael Dills/Getty Images)
10/9/2013
Updated:
10/11/2013

We’re happy to announce that, unlike the New York Fall Fashion Week earlier this year, there was no major drama to report for Spring 2014. No blizzard. No controversial designer appointments. No major first or last designer collections. 

The only distraction? The celebrities were back in full-force holding court once again in the front row where fashion bloggers recently reigned. We spotted Sarah Jessica Parker, Kerry Washington, Nicole Kidman, Katie Holmes, Nicki Minaj, Heidi Klum, Kanye West, Ciara, Julianne Moore, Drew Barrymore, Rooney Mara, Alicia Keys, Justin Beiber, Rihanna, David Beckham, Jessica Alba, Solange Knowles, Olsen Twins, Alexander Skarsgård, Lady Gaga, Jessica Biel, and many more.

There were some clear trends for Spring 2014. It’s finally time to put away all that neon you’ve been collecting over the past few seasons. Fashion has finally left the ‘80s and continues into the ‘90s. We’ve seen this influence play out on the runways in faux-flannel plaid, logos, overalls, sheer paneling, slip dresses, and crop tops. 

But this spring it has taken on a decidedly more romantic and lady-like turn. So, during the holidays, when you’re back at your childhood home, we suggest digging into your closets for these ‘90s trends while kicking back with some old school Nirvana, ‘Nsync, or Naughy by Nature. Choose your poison. 

Here’s a more in-depth look at the top trends for Spring 2014.

Trend 1: The One Piece

Whether it’s a romper, jumpsuit or overalls, this is one piece that you will need for the Spring. Sure it’s a throw back to the ‘90s, but it’s updated and feminine at Diane von Furstenberg, Marc by Marc Jacobs, and DKNY. These pieces are not only playful and sexy, but also wearable for an evening out. So, channel your inner Fresh Prince when your “chilling out, maxing, relaxing all cool.” Oh, and you get extra brownie points if you borrow from LL Cool J and roll one leg up.

Trend 2: The Classic Black and White

Not surprising, we witnessed a strong number of delicate pastels and solid whites that are ubiquitous color trends during the Spring seasons. However, this current fall trend continues as most New York designers sent high-impact black and white ensembles down the Spring runways. This classic color combination can be seen in sophisticated geometric prints, minimal dresses and graphic logo designs across catwalks including Herve Leger, Ralph Lauren and Prabal Gurung.

Trend 3: Tex-Mex Flavor

The tribal prints that dominated the New York runways for the past few seasons seem to be cooling down for Spring. Instead, colorful graphics took a decidedly southwestern twist with fringes, embroidery, and Aztec prints in an array of colors. So, bring out that inner Frida Kahlo this spring and get festive with Mexican inspired pieces from Donna Karan, 3.1 Phillip Lim, and Rebecca Minkoff.

Trend 4: Dressed Up Denim

Denim is always on-trend. In recent seasons, the focus has been on dark-washed skinny jeans. For Spring, mid-to-light denim and chambray made a visible appearance. These materials were worked into button-down blouses, baggy trousers, flirty skirts, deconstructed dresses, and patchwork blazers across the runways of Michael Kors, Altuzarra, and Peter Som.

Trend 5: The Mighty Midriff

No time to hibernate those ab rollers, the crop top remains a major trend again for Spring. We saw it cropping up across runways including eveningwear designs from Monique L’huillier and Christian Siriano. Before you start panicking at the thought of baring your not-so-toned abs, relax (a little) much of what we’ve seen was refined, paired with high-waisted bottoms, and covered with sheer paneling.

Trend 6: Slip Into Sultry

Innerwear has graduated to outerwear this Spring as the delicate slip dresses made popular by Muiccia Prada in the late ‘90s has reemerged on the runways. They were mostly sheer with thin straps but the proportions were varied from floor-length to knee-length at Jason Wu, Narcisco Rodriguez, and Marchesa. Caution: these silky numbers are not shy to highlight all of your womanly assets, so proceed with confidence.

Pialy Aditya and Sonaly Aditya are fashion-tech entrepreneurs in the New York startup scene. Reach them @pialyaditya and @sonalyaditya