Spring 2019 Fashion Forecast

We’ve had a pretty cold winter here in southeastern Arizona, including a few days of snow. And it definitely still feels like winter outside right now. But as soon as I had put away the last Christmas decoration, I began sniffing out spring! What about you? Well whether we’re ready for spring or not, we’ve got a while to wait. But while we wait, why don’t we go ahead a look at what’s on the horizon as far as fashion? Today I have a spring 2019 fashion forecast for you!

For the sake of keeping the post at a readable length, this is definitely an abbreviated forecast. There are many more trends on the horizon than what I’m highlighting here. But I’ve chosen a few that I think are interesting and some I’d consider the most practical for most of us. Let’s get started!

The Colors of the Season

Living Coral

Living Coral has been deemed the 2019 color of the year. It’s a true, soft coral with gold undertones. I think it’s a very pretty color, but I don’t know that I’ll be wearing it much. Time will tell.

Both of the tops above could certainly represent Living Coral. Of course, coral is usually a warm color, so it looks best on women with warm undertones.

How do you know the undertones in your skin? Look at the underside of your wrist. Do you see blue or purple veins, greenish veins or both? If your veins are decidedly blue or even deep purple, you have cool undertones. If they are green, your undertones are warm. And if your veins are neither distinctly blue or green or they are a combination of the two, you have neutral undertones. Women with either warm or neutral undertones will have an easier time wearing the 2019 color of the year.

However, if you just love coral and want to wear it despite your cool undertones, go right ahead. You might do best to wear it on the lower half of your body or in accessories such as a belt or handbag, however. I’m definitely more prone to wear the shorts below than the tops I’m showing here, even though I have neutral undertones.

I have to say, I didn’t really see this one coming. But then I didn’t see lavender on the horizon for last year either. Come to think of it, I don’t think lavender really took off the way they forecasted it would. So what do you think? Are you a fan of Living Coral? Will you be wearing it?

Pressed Rose

Well, it’s not the color of the year, but Pressed Rose is also predicted to trend this spring and summer. This is a light, blush pink. This one I can get behind.

If you want to get ahead of the game, you might want to check out some of these beautiful transition pieces in shades of Pressed Rose.

And if you have warm undertones, you might prefer to wear this pretty shade of pink in your pants, like the ones below. I think they’re really cute.

Toffee (and leather or faux leather)

Another beautiful color predicted to trend this spring is toffee, a rich, yummy, dark caramel. Think Werther’s caramels or maybe just a tad deeper even.

We’ll probably be seeing this shade in pants and jackets, too, but I decided to switch gears and display this color in these rich, leather handbags. Leather and faux leather is expected to continue to trend this year as well. In fact, I think that’s where we’ll see this color the most, in leather handbags, belts and shoes.

Jester Red

This top is the closest I could find to what they’re calling Jester Red. This hue has a lot of bright pink in it. It’s really a rich, deep cross between fuchsia and red. And even if you don’t find that exact color either, the trend in red is going to be toward a deep, pinkish tone. Really a brilliant jewel tone. I think it’s lovely. What do you think?

This wrap style top would make a beautiful addition to a winter wardrobe for transitioning into warmer weather. Of course, this color is a cool red. But Pantone has also predicted that Fiesta, a beautiful red orange will show up in a lot of fashions this year.

Handbags

I found so many trending details I could share with you about handbags. Some I love, some I could do without. The circle bags popular last year will continue to trend this season. And they insist that belt bags, or what most of us have known as fanny packs, are trending. Have you used or worn one?

Metallics will continue on the scene, as will animal prints and textures, such as crocodile and snakeskin. Also, we keep hearing that feathers will adorn handbags, as well as shoes and clothing, but I haven’t really seen that on the streets much. Have you? Of course, I live on the edge of the earth. Maybe there are more feathers flying elsewhere!

But two of the trends I really love in handbags for this season are the top handles and bows. I love the femininity of both of these elements.

You probably noticed that most, if not all, of the above bags can double as crossbody or shoulder bags. So we’ll continue to see dual duty bags, too. And the straw bag will definitely make it’s annual appearance for the warmer months.

The bags above are a variety of price points. I just wanted to show you good examples of the top handle trend along with some of the other details these bags have. But I really like all four of these.

Utility Dressing

Okay. I thought this trend was interesting and worth introducing to you. Utility dressing is anything that resembles a uniform. So think jumpsuits that look like a handyman or mechanic might wear them, waitress dresses, utility jackets, etc.

Guess what? I ordered this jumpsuit and one other. Yes, I did. So we’ll see! I just thought it would be worth experimenting with.

If you’d like to see more examples of this trend, you might want to check out this utility shirtdress, this a-line utility skirt, this cotton twill military vest (vests are predicted to be big, too) or these popper utility trousers.

Tie Dye

Right now I feel about tie-dye about the same way I did about camo this time last year. I’m just not sure I want to go there again. But eventually I bought these camo pants and have really enjoyed wearing them. So maybe I’ll do the tie-dye thing in a small dose. Actually I already own a tie-dye t-shirt from a couple of years ago. It’s a nice purple tee, but now that I think about it I may have donated it after neglecting to wear it last summer.

Anyhow, if you’re as hesitant as I am about tie-dye, you might want to try it in small doses, too. I tried to select examples of tie-dye that felt safe and more authentic to me. For instance, I think a swimsuit is a great place for tie-dye and this one is really cute. And the leggings above would work well for workout clothing.

80s Puffed Sleeves

They’re ba-ack!!! When I see sleeves like these I think of Princess Diana’s wedding dress. Of course, puffed sleeves have been making an appearance this fall and winter, too. But honestly, I’m just not that into puffed sleeves. So I was hoping they were disappearing. Then again, I don’t mind the subtly puffed ones.

And yes, did I mention that leopard print and other animal prints will continue to be in style? In fact, they say that there will just be more and more of it. And we’ll see leopard print layered in with spring and summer florals. Interesting.

Crochet

Crochet and other craft work looking textures are really in. And in large doses. So I’m showing you a dress that is almost all crochet, and it’s pretty pricey. As in ridiculous pricey. But I’m really just showing this dress so you can see the extent of the trend. I think this is another one I’ll just dip my toe into. Maybe with something like the crochet edging on the shrug below.

Also, we’re suppose to see crochet and fishnet detailing on shoes, especially sandals and such, too. We’ll see… But hey, the more I look at that cardigan above, the more I like that! So a little crochet embellishment might really be nice.

Teva Sandals

I know some gals who are going to be happy to hear about this trending sandal! (Look, Abigail!!) Yes, Tevas and other sports sandals have been around a while, but they are going to have their season in the sunlight this year. Move over pool shoes, these Tevas are trending big time. And y’all, if you’re cool enough (and I’m not) you can even wear socks with them and be in style!

Of course, Teva and the other sports sandal creators make plenty of more colorful and creative looking sandals, but I get the feeling that this year the more basic the better.

A few more worthy notes

You also might like to know that ruffles are going to be going out. They’ll be replaced with more fluid, languid embellishments. So clothing will continue to display feminine characteristics, but we just won’r see as many frilly, layered ruffles as before.

Oversized jackets are supposed to be replaced with more fitted ones. Oh, and here’s a biggy! The cold shoulder and off the shoulder trend is on its way out. I know some of you love that style, but I just never got into it. So I didn’t participate. The cold shoulder and off the shoulder silhouette will be replaced with more one strap or strapless tops. Well, I probably won’t participate in that either. Nothing wrong with it, by any means. But I just don’t have that much confidence in my shoulder area. But you never know!

Finally, we’ll continue to see a lot of ruching in tops and dresses. I love that. Ruching helps hide a multitude of sins and is generally flattering on all of us. So that’s a win!

I’m sure I’ll be sharing about more trends as they start to unfold, but I thought these were plenty to start with. Let me know your first impressions.

Blessed for My Day

Yesterday I had the opportunity to hear Susan Miller of Just Moved Ministries speak at a women’s event. She spoke about encouragement and, well, encouraged us to be good encouragers. One of the things she suggested that would help us be encouragers was to “carry AAA cards.” As we seek to be helpful and come alongside others who need a boost, she reminded us to be available, accessible and authentic. I love that. Susan went on to remind us that those three words perfectly describe Jesus’ ministry…to the Samaritan woman, the woman caught in adultery, Zaccheus and so many others. Jesus truly was available, accessible – even to the little children – and completely authentic.

Today let’s check to see if we’re carrying a AAA card. Do we need to put some white space in our calendars so we’re more available? Do we need stop talking so much about being busy in order for others to see us as accessible? And what about authenticity? I think that begins with humility and refusing to hide behind masks of pretense.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together…but let us encourage one another. ~ Hebrews 10:24,25