There is something about light nights and Spring air that gets you excited for new beginnings, as well as new fashion. With this in mind, I was delighted to be invited along to the #intuMKBlogger event and given the task of hunting down my fashion picks for the Spring season.
Task One: The White Shirt
Let’s rewind back to my previous post: Karen Millen: White Shirt Project, which gave you the heads up on one of this season’s hottest styles: the white shirt. A white shirt is a staple in any wardrobe, though the Karen Millen white shirts are far from boring. With gorgeous feminine cuts, pussy-bows, bell sleeves and ruffles; these shirts will take you from the boardroom to the bar. Classic transitional styling, giving this wardrobe staple a well-needed makeover.
As you can tell from my Karen Millen post, my favourite has to be the pussy bow shirt with the ruffle edging, which I understand is now sold out in the Milton Keynes store. I am not surprised, there were only two left on their white shirt project event launch as the MK team had a phenomenal sales day.
Task Two – Key Styles for SS17
Gingham
There is one pattern, in particular, that is everywhere this season and it is gingham. It is not surprising it can be seen in all the top fashion retailers at intu MK.
My first stop…Zara.
It has to be said, Zara is one of my favourite shops as their styles are always on point and you can find a style to suit, whether you are after a bargain or a particular item on the high street of a higher quality.
Zara has a variety of gingham items in store from tailored trousers, ruffled tops and dresses with many embossed with floral designs. Transitioning last season’s popular Winter florals into Spring.
Zara – Embroidered gingham blouse
Zara – Gingham embroidered top
My favourite of the gingham collection has to be this beautiful khaki trench coat with detailed gingham lining.
Zara – Khaki Trench with gingham lining
H&M followed suit with a twist. The gingham items from H&M have patched designs of birds, flamingos and butterflies. As well as feminine off the shoulder sleeves and ruffle hems.
H&M Gingam cold shoulder dress
H&M Gingham Shirt with appliqués
I particularly love their ruffle ra-ra skirt, which has a bit of glam factor to it rather than the country farm girl look normally associated with gingham.
Debenhams have a blue cross sale section, which includes this cut-out shoulder gingham top for the bargain price of £11. A great buy if you want to stay on trend without breaking the bank.
One of my favourite gingham styles has to be these Topshop tailored trousers with ruffle frill ankle detail. Such a feminine style and ideal for day into evening wear, paired with a nice pair of pointy heels.
Topshop Gingham Frill Trousers
Blush Pink
I adored the baby pink styles in AW16, so I couldn’t be more pleased pink is popular for Spring with the styles taking more of a blush tone this season.
Zara – Organza Top with embroidery
Topshop Floral Sling-back block heels
Miss Selfridge – Blush Paper Bag Trousers
Miss Selfridge and Zara have some beautiful long-line tailored suit jackets with matching trousers.
Zara – Roll-up sleeve pink jacket
Miss Selfridge Pink Trouser-Suit Co-Ord
Miss Selfridge Blush Matt and Shine Duster Coat
The tie detail sleeves of this Miss Selfridge jacket gives the oversized boyfriend cut added femininity.
Miss Selfridge Bow Sleeve Blazer
Whilst we have had some warm sunny days, there is still a chill in the air. One item of light knitwear I love is this Nine by Savannah Miller jumper found in Debenhams. I love the colour and frill detail across the front. This would look great paired with the gingham frill tailored trousers from Topshop.
Nine By Savannah Miller – Pink Frill Knitted Jumper
Nine by Savannah Miller also have a great selection of blush items ideal to wear for a Spring wedding.
Nine By Savannah Miller – Pink Frill Skirt
Karen Millen has the Spring wedding outfit with accessories already laid out – taking the stress out of finding your perfect outfit.
Karen Millen – Blossom Print Pencil Dress
Stripes
The popular winter florals from AW16 have transitioned into spring styling, giving classic shirts including pinstripe added femininity.
Zara – Stripe and flowers skirt
Miss Selfridge Stripe Lace Sundress
Miss Selfridge Stripe Ruffle Sundress
Karen Millen – Fine Stripe Knit Dress
Similar to the revamp of the classic white shirts found in Karen Millen, the striped shirts found at intu MK are ideal for work or casual day-to-evening outfits. My favourite picks are found below and I think they would look gorgeous with blue denim – if you want added style pick out some fishnet tights to wear underneath ripped jeans. All of these styles would look stunning with white jeans and such a look makes me feel like I’m in the Med rather than Milton Keynes!
Karen Millen – Stripe Bardot Top
Karen Millen – Santa Monica Red Bag
Karen Millen has a fantastic range of striped handbags if you want to keep your outfit simple and let your bag do the talking…
Tropical
Flower power remains strong with a tropical trend also making an impact this season. Think playsuits, frill off-the-shoulder tops with fruit embossed clothing and accessories.
Zara – flowing shirt with fruit embroidery
The tropical trend is key in stores such as Zara and Karen Millen, with the khaki and military style jackets the perfect accessory while the weather is cooler.
Zara – leaves tropical jumpsuit
Warehouse (in Debenhams) – Magnolia culottes
Talking of perfect accessories, how cute is this pineapple bag from Zara!
Zara – mini cross-body bag with pineapple detail
Tropical trends make me excited for warm summer nights, festivals and holiday styling.
Zara – Tropical emboidered bodysuit
Star by Julian McDonald – Tropical Bubble Top
Karen Millen – Lily Print Pencil Dress
Oasis – Tropical placement midi dress
With this in mind, Miss Selfridge are already there. Your perfect holiday and festival wardrobe awaits you in store…
Miss Selfridge – Khaki Floral Tie Wrap Blouse
Task Three: SS17 Accessories
Loafers
Loafers are this season’s hottest shoes, particularly the slingback styles. Topshop has a black pair that caught my eye.
Miss Selfridge has a metallic pair, which are on offer.
Miss Selfridge Metallic backless mules
Metallics like blush pinks are another popular trend from last season. These metallic mules are a great pick from Miss Selfridge.
Miss Selfridge Metallic Cody Mule Sandals
Though, my favourite of the slingback loafers has to be this blush pink pair from H&M.
Shoestring Chokers
With the popular 90s styling in AW16, chokers came back in a big way. You may remember the black shoestring chokers from last season? Well, they have blossomed into a variety of spring colours, these pastel beauties are from Topshop and Miss Selfridge.
Miss Selfridge Mint Bow Choker
Task Four: Luscious locks
You may remember the gorgeous hair styling provided by Jodie from Rush MK featured in the Find Your Star Karen Millen post and more recently in my Karen Millen White Shirt Project Post.
My final task for intu MK was to pop into Rush to find key items to keep my hair looking glossy.
Jodie pointed out some of the popular Kerastase products before showing me the GHD Curve curling wand she demonstrated at the Karen Millen events.
The salon is beautifully decorated, therefore I may have to pop back to get my hair curled by Jodie as she proved way too popular in Karen Millen!
It was so lovely to be invited back by intu following my Sleigh intu Christmas Winter post. Anyone who knows me, knows I love an excuse to shop!
Thanks so much to intu MK and the brands that contributed to my gorgeous gift bag.
Special mention goes to Erin Lever for her excellent customer service in Miss Selfridge and for picking out some key trend items. I used to work in the Miss Selfridge MK store whilst at uni, it was great to meet Erin and witness her passion for the brand, which made me reminiscent of a younger me.
I hope you found some inspiration from my Spring fashion picks.
Let me know your favourites from the post and your fashion picks this season in the comments box below.
Thanks for reading,
Jaz
Xoxo
