Spring 2018 Trend Report and Style Shopping Guide

Have you started your Spring Wardrobe shopping yet?

You've probably noticed the racks are full of fresh colors and airy fabrics. In fact, they've been for the past month. No doubt there's a lot to choose from but don't worry-- I'm here to help you narrow it down!

I've put together this in depth Illustrated SS18 trend report to simplify things for the trend-savy Spring shopper. These key trends are designer-insider knowledge and pulled right from my own Spring development trend board. All of these colors were referenced directly from the industry standard Pantone library's SS18 Color Report  

Let's get started!

The Track Stripe:

Feeling nostalgic? The track stripe is making a reappearance. While you'll find it adorned on many the pant leg, this versatile stripe has upped its application to necklines, trimming and virtually anywhere it can fit! It's unlimited color and texture options give it the ability to span from 'work out wear' to 'work wear'. Pair it with a carefully selected top to either dress it up or dress it down!

Woven shirts are still strong for spring. Ruffles continue to be a key detail. Cropped bells are a fresh alternative to the skinny jean.

The Pantone Colors used above are: Coconut Milk, Cherry Tomato, Little Boy Blue and Sailor Blue

The Every Day Athleisure

Athleisure isn't going anywhere any time soon. (Who would argue with comfort being in stlye?!) Oversized sweatshirts are elevated with ruffles and fun arm details. Applique pearls dust sleeves and necklines. Activewear leggings continue to play a key role in streetwear. 

Mini backpacks make a comeback and replace the reigning purse.

Woven Shirtings

Woven shirtings really hit hard last summer and are continuing into this spring. The classic shirting stripe takes on new weights and textures as sleeves become more voluminous. Try mixing knits and woven for new layered combinations. *Clean layering is key. Uneven hemlines hit tops and bottoms alike.  

The straight leg replaces the skinny. Raw edges continue to show.

The Pantone colors used above are: Harbor Mist, Blooming Dahlia and Warm Sand

Ribbing and Wraps

Ribbing evolves from cuff and hemline details and takes the shape of all over ribbed fabrics. Minimal silhouettes pair with strong textures and statement jewelry.

Wrap and Mock-Wrap tops, bottoms and dresses create the illusion of layering without the bulk. *Mock wraps are a great alternative for those who find the excess fabric of a true wrap to be an unflattering fit.

Do any of these Spring Trends speak to you? Any colors that you can't wait to try? Tell me in the comments!

Out with the old and in with the new

          One of my favorite ways to celebrate the changing year is by starting a fresh calendar. I like to switch it up each time. For 2017, I had a New England Fall Foliage Photography calendar hanging. It was beautiful but this year I was looking to take another direction. I want 2018 to be different.

My cover girl is armed with coffee and ready to take on the new year!

          Some time last winter I began tossing around the idea of creating a Fashion Illustrated calendar. I enjoy sketching mini collections and series and although art is fun to hang alone, I'm all about functionality. Putting together the pieces in a monthly calendar gives them purpose.

May is on her way to a music festival.

          As this year went on I continued to sketch pieces for the calendar here and there, and in between other projects. Some of pages were designed specifically with a month or a season in mind. Others fell into place by coincidence afterwards. I actually had a few different options I was playing with for July but in the end, I chose the piece that fit in best with the style of the other months.

July's channeling beach vibes in a flowy summer dress.

          My favorite sketch in this calendar is probably October's. I'm partial to the colorful leaves and the layering. This one started as a pencil sketch. I scanned it and digitally went over with my bamboo tablet in Photoshop. October's sketch actually wasn't made with the calendar in mind but it fit right in.

Pumpkin spice latte in hand!

       There are a few different drawing methods sprinkled through out the months. January, July, April, September and November were digital drawings done completely on a tablet using the Autodesk Sketchbook program. This is a new style of sketch I just started experimenting with this year. It's a bit quicker and cleaner than the traditional way. I intend to explore it more in 2018.    

The September group is ready for Fashion week

         Through the entire process I was constantly showing the calendar to friends and getting feedback. I came to the conclusion that not everyone hangs a wall calendar. Some people stick to an office desk calendar. Others keep a planner instead. I wanted to make my calendar relevant for those friends as well so I reworked it into a few additional formats. 

The stand alone Easel Calendar features each month on an individual card. The cards sit together in a wooden base.

          I also added a printable planner download and formatted it to fit most standard planners. There's a download for 8 x 10 printing too for those who aren't planner savvy. 

All of the formats are available in my Etsy 's calendars tab

I want to know what your 2018 calendar looks like? Share in the comments below!

FASHION WEEK TYPES

There are a million things I love about September~ One of those being the runway shows! New York Fashion Week kicks off the season every year and is followed by London, Milan and then Paris. 

I miss the days when NYFW was held in the tents in Bryant Park but many of the shows are still held around the area. Working at a design office in midtown NY, I always get to experience the excited buzz that seems to sweep over the city each runway season.

The streets are always brimming with high fashion but its especially easy to spot the trend savy stepping their style game up a notch just for fashion week.

I did a quick sketch series on my 4 favorite Fashion Week types.

The Fashion Blogger:

Phone charged and ready to go! This girl's dressed head to toe in designer pieces and is always at the right place at the right time. Here she's styled in a chic black and white combo, adorned in one of the seasons prevalent trends: ruffles.

Next up, The Fashion Editor:

Front row seats come with a price. (In this case, the price is a strong 'style know how')

She's repping that bold sleeve detail in flared, raw edged, tiered denim belted with a sash.

The Fashion Photographer

Even the photographers are dressed to a T; a casual chic aesthetic with a ton of pockets and the flex needed to get that perfect angle.

Last but totally not least, The Fashion Assistant

Chaos! but the show couldn't go on without her! Dressed in an on-trend button front jean and a basic tee; No heels here--she's been on her feet all day. (Though she'd typically be dressed in all black as per the usual FW backstage dress code)

Whats your dream fashion week role? Which Fashion week blogs do you follow? Comment below!