Last spring was all about color blocking. This year, the spring 2013 Ready-to-Wear shows have taken a more simple approach to couture with a nod to mod. Mixing shapes, styles, and fabrics, designers featured a trend towards black and white styles. Basic black and white is back; but with an updated geometric edge and a variety of silhouettes.
Here are a few of our favorite looks from Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Oscar de la Renta and Balmain.
From Marc Jacobs, whose models rocked looks inspired by sixties icon Edie Sedgwick – actress, model, socialite, and muse of Andy Warhol, to Balmain, who incorporated basket-woven raffia into his looks, black and white provided a base open for experimentation.
Oscar de la Renta went formal with a striped gown of black and white diagonals paired with horizontals and Michael Kors toyed with stripes of different sizes to add dimension.
Although these looks seem to center around the use of panels, checks, stripes, and parallel lines, black and white blocking is always an option (see the Lisa Perry dress and J.Crew shoes below).
If you choose to play with your stripes, keep in mind, there is a level of simplicity associated with black and white so go with what looks great on you and compliments your shape and style. Not comfortable going all out? Accessorizing with black and white is another way to add a trendy touch to your look (see Kate Spade and Milly below).
Finally, the real beauty in simplicity lies in the variety of price points! Below, our black and white picks to get your spring wardrobe started:
From left to right: KATE SPADE Skinny Mini Bow Studs $48 | ILLESTEVA Leonard Round-Frame Acetate Sunglasses $260 | KATE SPADE Paper Bangles Check Bangle $148 | MAIYET Sophie Leather Shoulder Bag $1,250 | J.CREW Etta Canvas Stripe Pumps $250 and Collection Contessa Snaskeskin-Bow Pumps $278 | LISA PERRY Sleeveless A-Line Swirl Dress $795 | MILLY Kiera Clutch $335 | TOP SHOP Spot Print Straight Trousers $84 | TOP SHOP Houndstooth Pleat Shorts $70 | KATE SPADE Wide Contrast Keeper Belt $88 | MARC BY MARC JACOBS Scooter Striped Satin-Twill Skirt $260
