After a winter that has gone on well into April, what could be more cheerful than the sight of ice blue sweaters, blush pink blouses, pale yellow jackets and lavender capris?
Apparently that’s exactly what fashion designers had in mind for spring 2018 when they filled their runways with a parade of pastel fashions.
I can already hear the snorts and sneers from my NYC pals whose color of choice is black. Ice-cream shades for spring. How groundbreaking!
Park the cynicism. Take a look at Phoebe Philo’s spring collection for Celine—I’m talking about that pale-yellow asymmetric pleated skirt paired with a purple top underneath a long pink blazer and beige booties. Then there’s Gabriela Hearst’s pearl-pink satin evening pantsuit and layers of sorbet yellow at Hermes.
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Celine
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Paul Costelloe
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Think of these pastel colors as a palette cleanser after all the somber hues of winter. But how to avoid the saccharine-sweet, prim associations? One answer: Think beyond the baby-blue twinset.
You can mix and stack pastel fashions very easily, just like a multi-scoop ice cream cone. Pair a persimmon halter top, pale-pink belted jacket and hot pink purse with jeans a la Brandon Maxwell. Victoria Beckham recently wore her own collection’s trouser suit in tonal lavender accented with celadon green pumps, dark tortoise sunglasses and a beige cross-body bag. Oft-photographed Amal Clooney topped off her cheetah-print dress with a powder-blue coat and fur collar, black stilettos, designer bag and oversize shades.
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Brandon Maxwell
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Victoria Beckham
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Still, if you can’t just see plunging into pink—or yellow–take a dip with an accessory. Sunglasses, sneakers, sandals and handbags come in plein-air pastels this season and can put a welcome shot of spring into your step.
Shop Pastel Fashions
Burberry Small Supple Leather Bucket Bag, $1,690
Malone Souliers Marlene Leather Sandals, $595
Gabriela Hearst Reeves Velvet Wraparound Sandals, $595
PUMA Low-Top Suede Sneakers, $120
Peter Pilotto Medium Double-Hoop Earrings, $305
Vince Classic Cashmere Sweater, $295
Michael Kors Button-Front Tweed Trench Coat, $2,995
Dior So Real Pop Monochromatic Sunglasses, $395
Joie Jun Straight-Leg Cotton-Linen Pants, $248
Sensi Studio M’O Exclusive Long Brim Crochet Visera, $162
Michael Kors V-Neck Rib Knit Sweater Dress, $175
Marc Jacobs Rib Trim Metallic Sweater, $350
Victoria Beckham Stretch Silk Organza Sheath Dress, $1,985
Simon Miller Nubuck Bonsai 15cm With Strap, $490
Joie Mehira Linen Blazer, $278
