No shortage of stripes out there

It’s easy to identify the big trends of the season, the ones seen all over the runways which then filter down to the high street but what I’m really interested in are those mircrotrends.

Somewhat less featured but really quite niche and more often than not it’s the items that more of us will take to our hearts and our wardrobes and can be much more easily adapted to our own style.

So, while the fashion editors are shouting from the roof tops about low slung jeans, in reality what we are all really wearing are those super flattering high waist jeans with a ‘70s vibe or instead of this season’s red and blue, we are all in real life quite taken with buttercup yellow.

I was out on Opera Lane styling looks for an event the other day and one item I noticed that was having a moment is the very ‘90s off the shoulder top. Mainly in mesh or light wool fabrics, this top shows just a hint of skin works perfectly with high waist loose flowing trousers.

The look can take you from day to night and is also a top to wear now and which transition you easily into summer. It also seems to mainly come in neutral tones like the ever-popular latte and it’s makes a nice change from the one shoulder styles of past seasons.

Now it may come as no surprise to some, but I was bowled over by the sheer amount of stripes out on the high street at the moment. It’s a trend that might not have been huge on the catwalk but is certainly one that there’s no shortage of.

Everywhere I went there was such a choice with everything from chunky bold stripes in knits to pinstripe blazers and light striped neutral co-ords that were perhaps a little bit too on the pyjamas side even for a dedicated pjs as clothing wearer such as myself!

Although to be fair I have seen light blue and white striped trousers styled with an oversized knit and tee worn with ballet flat and a beautiful leather cross body bag and I may just need to recreate the look myself.

I think if in doubt then just split up the co-ord and wear as day time separates. Stripes just have such a universal appeal and instantly smarten up any look.

It’s not rocket science but adding a striped Breton t-shirt to high waist jean and a blazer is just so, so chic.

If you’d like another print option and a stripe just isn’t for you, then look no further than another microtrend which is leopard print. I mean it is a neutral and the people must be given what they want which is a leopard print for all seasons.

I have particularly been spotting the ever-popular print in footwear and it’s made me realise I have a fab pair of leopard Mary Janes flats somewhere in my wardrobe which I need to find immediately.

The leopard shoe is perfection when styled with denim and a classic white shirt or t-shirt. It also refreshes my memory on a t-shirt I bought last year in the print and which I don’t think I’ve even worn yet, so now I’m off to shop my wardrobe for some microtrends.