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7 Runway Looks That’ll Rocket You Onto the Best-Dressed List

For Spring 2018 some fashion houses opted to continue the same conversation they’ve been building for seasons past. Cue Alessandro Michele‘s outlandish aristo-geek and Demna Gvasalia’s democratic re-ordering of premium fashion to collide with street cred at Balenciaga and Vetements. Meanwhile, the mainstream designers took the Spring 2018 season as an opportunity to have a riot of fun. So expect color (in a kaleidoscope of bold brights), feathers galore on outerwear and accessories (to channel the cast of Sesame Street – and why not?!), and a blatant commercial lust for logos.

The spring season is not hopeful, it’s defiantly joyful and positive. Perhaps to contrast the doom and gloom headlines that we’ve witnessed across the globe? So where there’s room for improvement in current affairs, there’s cause for fashion to lay heavy on the ball gowns (as seen at Giambattista Valli, Saint Laurent, Reem Acra) and add volume to the silhouettes of power suits (Off-White, Maison Rabih Kayrouz, Arwa Al Banawi).

Granted there’s no remake of the wheel here – you see the usual suspects line-up year-on-year for the warm weather trend forecast: pastel colors, brights, trench coats, and romantic dresses. But don’t be a style cynic. The treatment of these familiar trends is entirely different for 2018, and its understated too. The women who will steal the title for ‘best-dressed‘ this year will have an eye for these details and a mastery of sartorial nuance. Note pads at the ready.

Here are the seven trends from Spring 2018 you need to know:

#1: Desert at Dusk

spring 2018 trends

Above from left to right: Hermès, Coach 1971, Elie Saab, Acne Studios, and Bottega Veneta Spring 2018. Indigital

As seen at: Chloé, Altuzarra, Coach 1971, Bottega Veneta, Hermès, Tod’s, Elie Saab, Bottega Veneta, and Acne Studios.

The look: Collections were peppered with sandy bieges and golden blush hues that gave a nod to sun-drenched destinations and sweeping Arabian landscapes. Texture is key here so reach for homespun linens, peek-a-boo embroidered fabrics, and lush satins. And yes, you can wear all of the above fabrics in one look (because she who dares, wins).

How to wear it in the Middle East: Layer millennial pink with classic camel tones for an unexpected and so-2018 twist.

#2: Denim Redux

Above from left to right: Tibi, Nina Ricci, Max Mara, Calvin Klein, and Fendi Spring 2018. Indigital

As seen at: Fendi, Nina Ricci, Calvin Klein, Max Mara, Tom Ford, Versus, Kenzo, and Mugler.

The look: Double or even triple your denim for the new season. The classic off-duty thread is made relevant for around-the-clock dressing thanks to next-level tailoring (you can now sport a denim suit without looking like ’00s Britney and Justin). Note that Spring 2018’s denim is crisp. It’s not distressed or tatty – detailing is printed or two-tone, rather than urbane or love-worn.

How to wear it in the Middle East: Choose light-weight two-pieces that are breathable and style suiting with fresh cotton poplin key pieces. Nothing too fussy. Then your accessories can do the talking.

#3: Trench Dressing

Above from left to right: Alexander McQueen, Loewe, Maison Margiela, and Céline.

As seen at: Bottega Veneta, Simone Rocha, Y/Project, Maison Margiela, Burberry, Alexander McQueen, and Dries Van Noten.

The Look: Take the perennial classic trench coat and see it customised to dizzy new heights of cool for Spring 2018. The majority of the collections had their own fantastical or understatedly edgy trench coat, be it with asymmetric fringing or cover-ups embroidered across the canvas hemline, as though to emulate tattoo sketches.

How to wear it in the Middle East: Double up tonal layers of beige for a so-chic treatment of the trend or simply wear a new-season coat belted up with a double knot over your suit.

#4: Crayola Brights

Above from left to right: 3.1 Phillip Lim, Aquilano-Rimondi, Marni, and Versace Spring 2018. Indigital

As seen at: Roksanda, Christopher Kane, Versace, Elie Saab, Zuhair Murad, Maison Rabih Kayrouz, and 3.1 Phillip Lim.

The Look: Self empowerment can start at a woman’s wardrobe doors. And what better way to usher in a new day of positivity than to wear head-to-toe primary colors or artful layers of painterly prints that demand a good day of results?

How to wear it in the Middle East: If you want the layered look because cannot afford to overheat (any more than normal!) go for dresses from the likes of Roksanda or Maison Rabih Kayrouz that combine the colors for you in one garment. Clever.

#5: Return of the Ball Gown

Above from left to right: Comme des Garçons, Off-White, Alexander McQueen, and Giambattista Valli Spring 2018. Indigital

As seen at: Comme des Garçons, Maison Rabih Kayrouz, Erdem, Reem Acra, Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, and Off-White.

The Look: The more volume the better. The more ruffles and ruching, the more ticks you get on the trend check-list. There’s no better season to look, dress, and behave like the belle of the ball.

How to wear it in the Middle East: With no apologies made, please do wear the grandest gown you can muster up.

#6: Ice Cream Girl
spring 2018 trends

Above as seen at: Chanel, Sies Marjan, Hermès, Michael Kors, and Tom Ford Spring 2018. Indigital

As seen at: Chanel, Nina Ricci, Michael Kors, Helmut Lang, Tom Ford, and Sies Marjan.

The Look: With little to no surprise fashion’s penchant for candy-whipped hues in lemon sorbet and Parma Violets, candy-floss pink and pistachio green made an expected return to the runway. But the trend was more about the treatment of texture rather than color. Team chunky knits with flyaway silks, sequins with velvet, crisp suiting with leather accessories, or tulle with PVC.

How to wear it in the Middle East: Color block your favorite pastel hue and wear it head-to-toe to make a head-turning impact. Even when layered underneath a black cover-up, the symphony of color will put a spring in your step.

#7: Logo Mania
spring 2018 trends

Above from left to right: Balenciaga, Prada, Kenzo, and Loewe Spring 2018. Indigital

As seen at: Balmain, Prada, Fenty X Puma, Kenzo, Balenciaga, and Loewe.

The Look: Pledge your allegiance to your favorite brand with a so-90s approach to dressing. Wear your beloved logo on your heart, sleeve, handbag, and sneakers to make it clear which fashion tribe you belong to.

How to wear it in the Middle East: Say it once and say it well on a slogan T-shirt or dashed across your fringed kaftan.

Lead image: Moschino Spring 2018. Getty

Related Read: Walk on the wild side for Resort 2018

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