Spring 2014 Fashion Trends at Topshop

It's late February, and that means I'm just back from several days in Las Vegas for MAGIC Market Week. When in Vegas, I always make a point to stop in Topshop for fashion inspiration, trendspotting, and of course, some good old fashioned shopping. UK-based Topshop has a knack for bringing trends to the retail floor before many American fast fashion competitors, and their visuals often stop me in my tracks. Below, gingham pants are paired with graphic tees and preppy footwear for retro-modern mix.



A pastel coat and bunny sweater lend sweetness to checked pieces.



Texture adds visual interest to a key spring 2014 silhouette - the full midi skirt.



The on-trend buckle strap sandal gets an update with a platform sole and bright blue floral print. For a tamer version, try these black sandals.



I spotted many 3-D florals on the trade show floor, and these fun flower earrings by Freedom at Topshop confirm the strength of the trend.



Crop tops are still going strong this spring, and this angular version combines another key trend for spring 2014 - tropical prints. 



Skirts in midi lengths get busy with printed treatments, such as on this Persian rug print skirt.



Mirror prints and cat memes merge on this far-from-boring tube skirt. I'd pair it with a structured black tee or ivory cable knit and black pumps.



Snake prints are slithering all over the place this spring, and although I'm not a fan, I still found this tee interesting with its bold mix of stripes.



The tropical print pops up again, this time on a skort. I think it would be great with a crop top, strappy wedges, and denim jacket.



I tried on a few pieces, mainly in sorbet shades. This fluffy jumper was a top pick for its soft texture and pretty shade of lavender. 



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Fall 2013 Fashion Trends at Topshop

No trip to Las Vegas for Magic Market Week is complete without a visit to British fast fashion favorite Topshop. After days of attending trend forecasting seminars, visiting booths, and scouting trends, I'm inspired by all of the apparel and footwear on the trade show floor, and despite being exhausted at the end of each day at the trade shows, all I wanted to do is go shopping at Topshop. 

Few stores have visual merchandising that compares to Topshop, and I always find myself inspired by their unexpected styling combined with their knack for being far ahead of American fast fashion chains on the trend cycle. So what trends are they showcasing for fall 2013? Here are a few things that stopped me in my tracks at the Fashion Show Mall location. 



Photoreal prints, like the one on this skirt above, are still going strong. I love the vintage vibe of this one on a modern fabric and slim silhouette. They even have a panda version. The fuzzy pink sweater on the right is styled so sweetly with a satchel and textured mini, but I can also imagine wearing it with plaid skinny jeans and biker boots for a tough, grunge vibe.



I'm always a fan of mixed prints, and the pairing of leopard with tartan is one that I find intriguing. It's certainly not for the shy. The trick to pulling this off? Keep accessories simple and neutral while opting for great fit and quality fabrics that will last.



Metallic footwear is a trend I spotted repeatedly on the trade show floor, and the block heel on these sandals (here's another Topshop style I like) makes them sturdy and stable. How pretty would these heels be with a burgundy or deep purple pedicure?



Two ways to style a sweater for fall: with an eyelet midi skirt (alternative version) for a feminine look, or with cropped printed trousers and loafers for a preppy and work appropriate angle. 



Buckle and strap details on cut out footwear lend a chic update to flats for fall.



Quilted dog print sweatpants? Yes, why not? The print is adorable, and quilting detail is right on trend moving into spring 2014. Plus, they look super comfortable.



I'm not usually a full midi skirt type of person, but after spotting this floral skirt on the racks near a crop top, I thought they'd make a perfect pair. I'd just add heels to elongate the leg.



Lace trim ankle socks are an ultra feminine way to update pastel pumps or modern metallic sandals. From a practical perspective, they also keep your toes warm when temperatures drop in the fall. 

From plaids to pastels and buckled shoes to bold heels, Topshop's take on fall 2013 impressed and inspired me. For more fashion trend coverage, click on over to my other blog The Key To Chic to read about the four key fashion trends for fall 2014 and winter 2015. The season may sound far away, but it'll be here before you know it!

Spring 2013 Paris Fashion Trends

Paris is considered by many to be the fashion capital of the world. Naturally, one of the many reasons I've always wanted to visit Paris is to absorb the street style, shop the stores, and observe the trends. One of my first stops after arriving in Paris last week was the Galeries Lafayette department store. Even in my jet-lagged state of mind, I was immediately impressed and awakened by the opulence and creativity of the visual displays. Everything oozed over-the-top luxury.  Later in the week, I browsed at department store Au Printemps, which was equally impressive. Scroll down for a closer look at some of the fashion trends and displays that caught my eye.












So what trends did I see? Stores stocked an abundance of African prints, jungle motifs, printed harem pants, bold graphics, peasant tops, bohemian accessories, and destroyed denim. In terms of color trends, coral and cobalt really took center stage. 

The top budget-friendly stores that I enjoyed shopping at included Etam, Promod, Bershka, and Monoprix (which is similar to Target). When it comes to shopping, my Paris trip taught me that the French are better at luxury shopping than fast fashion. They appreciate classic, well-made pieces that endure the test of time. Many of the women that I observed while I was shopping in stores and walking the streets of Paris carried designer handbags. In general, the women I spotted also wore minimal makeup, had natural hair, and carried themselves with a quiet confidence that I admired. I also noticed that trench coats and scarves were key items for the rainy May weather. I saw so many women wearing scarves that I was inspired to wear a scarf on each day of my trip. You can see more of my Paris vacation photos and personal style on The Key To Chic. 

Whenever I return home from a trip, I realize that traveling inspires me and offers me a fresh perspective on culture, fashion, food, and history. I also realized how much I missed the warm and sunny California weather! 

Spring Summer 2013 Trends at Topshop and Zara

In terms of fast fashion, I always look to both Topshop and Zara as key barometers of emerging trends. So when the opportunity arose to visit both stores in the same day (at the Fashion Show Mall in Las Vegas), I wasted no time in documenting their take on spring 2013 trends. 

Scroll down for a look at my favorite finds mixed in with pieces that caught my eye from a trend forecasting perspective, and don't forget to visit my other blog, The Key To Chic, for a look at the spring and summer 2014 fashion trend forecast that I recently published.



The brocade skater dress gets romantic in a soft shade of blue in the Topshop windows.



Mixed material pumps make a bold statement by merging cobalt and a chunky woven platform heel.



These Perspex pumps are a nod to the mod days of the 1960s. These were a particular favorite at Topshop, and I recall that Zara had a similar style two seasons ago.



Sporty color blocking and an interesting mix of colors livens up these vertiginous wedges.



Above and below are examples of how Topshop remixes '90s streetwear elements in a fun and offbeat manner.



The cartoon trend plays loud and clear on this body-con dress best made for the younger customer who does not shy away from attention.



The cowgirl ankle boot continues as a strong spring footwear contender with updates such as tonal stitching, Western shapes, a block heel, and metallic tips. These really stood out to me, as I can imagine wearing them as staple boots with quite a few things in my closet.



Photoreal prints continue for spring, and this one by Tee and Cake is a whole new take on space travel.



Colorful geometrics and prints inspired by the Southwest are perfect for the music festival days of spring.



These leopard heels would have come home with me if they'd stocked my size. The lace-up details and slim heel are a fresh update from all the chunky footwear shapes we've been seeing.



Below is another geometric/Southwest print as seen at Zara. I love the idea of wearing this skirt with a breezy ivory chiffon blouse and tan ankle boots for an effortless, chic look.



Black and white is a key color and print trend for spring/summer 2013 and moving forward into spring/summer 2014. These Zara wedges encapsulate the mod 1960s looks that will gain momentum in the coming months.

Fall 2012 Trends at Topshop

This week I spent a few days in Las Vegas for the semi-annual convergence of the fashion industry at the WWDMAGIC trade show. Having been a fan of Topshop's ahead-of-the-trend-cycle merchandise since 2008, every visit to Las Vegas demands an extended shopping trip to their Fashion Show mall outpost. Running on about four hours of sleep due to the blur of activity that surrounds Las Vegas during WWDMAGIC, I got a little snap-happy with my camera as I was scouting fall trends. Here's a peek at a few pieces that stood out to me. 



A studded denim tunic is layered unexpectedly over a lace midi skirt for a slight nod to grunge.



A whimsical duck motif adorns these gathered shorts. 



This pajama-esque top really caught my attention with its enlarged paisley print.



I came really close to buying this scarf print skater dress. I can imagine it being worn under a biker jacket and with dark tights for winter.



Shiny textures and tough outerwear add visual interest to Topshop's windows. From looking at the selection of chunky knits and jackets in the store, you'd never know that it was over 100 degrees outside that day.  

Keep an eye out for more photos from my trip, as well as tips and fall 2012/spring 2013 trend information.

© 2012 http://fashiontrendguide.blogspot.com. 

Western Wear

As we inch closer to fall, one of my favorite trends (spurred on by Isabel Marant) is Western wear. Think cowboy boots, embroidered blouses, Native American-inspired prints, and plaid mixed with denim.  Such pieces are easy to incorporate into casual wardrobes, and work well for adding special details to weekend looks. A pair of harness boots, a plaid top with skinny jeans, and a bevy of bangles is just the type of thing I'd throw on for a lazy Saturday.

Pictured above from the top: printed BDG top at Urban Outfitters, embroidered cowgirl boots, plaid and denim at Wet Seal, printed Mossimo Kalea cowgirl boots, embroidered Roper blouse, and White Mountain harness boots.