5 Easy, inexpensive style trends for spring 2017

Whether or not the temperatures have actually inched up in your home town this month, spring has officially begun. So it’s time to rearrange the closet and start thinking about what to wear on warmer days.

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Want to keep up with what’s trending, but don’t want to splurge on a new wardrobe? We’ve picked out this spring’s five biggest trends that aren’t difficult to follow using what you probably already have in your closet — or just by buying one or two accessories.

1. The return of the 80s

If you (or your mother) have an inner hoarder … congratulations! At the back of your closet, you’ll probably find everything you need to be the trendiest woman of the season. Designers are going back to wide belts, big ruffles, leggings, everything metallic, oversized accessories, and yes, even those huge shoulder pads you feared might reappear someday. These blasts from the past are setting the tone this season.

But it’s the “rocker” side of that decade that you’ll see most, so don’t be afraid to use your leather jacket, and even your red tights (which many fashion bloggers advise wearing under torn jeans, to make them less daring). You can avoid the perm, though; there’s no need to look like you’re wearing a costume.

2. Happy (not mellow) yellow

When it comes to colors, yellow sets the tone this spring — and that’s fabulous, because it signifies happiness and optimism. (Basically it’s the kind of color we should all wear every Monday morning to keep morale up). Yellow can be a tricky color to wear, but there’s an ideal tone for each kind of skin, you just need to find yours. If you are very fair-skinned, you can choose something tending more towards mustard; if you are darker-skinned, it can be a more fluorescent tone.

Plus, yellow combines nicely with tons of other colors. Some designers have combined it with neutral colors like khaki; others have been more daring, combining it with fuchsia to do some color-blocking. Everything depends on your personal style and how you feel that day! (But gray or blue is your safest bet if you’re really stumped.) Still having doubts? Look for a striking yellow accessory instead, like this J.Crew leather handbag in Sunset Gold.

3. Stripes

We’re not talking about those typical sailor stripes (though nautical is still in, too). This spring, you can also dare to play it a little riskier with stripes of different sizes and colors on the same piece of clothing, achieving a more geometrical and modern look. Depending on the shape of your body, you can play with the orientation and position of the stripes so you can look fuller or thinner. Take advantage of the visual effects they offer!

4. T-shirts with a message

Fashion is a powerful language in itself, but this year women are invited to be more direct with phrases on their t-shirts.

Many high-fashion brands are betting on feminist messages, but really it’s an opportunity to express yourself, or your position on any issue publicly. You can even have a t-shirt custom made, and wear it with a pretty jacket or pleated skirt; but remember, a woman with class is always respectful, so let your personality show from a positive and tolerant perspective.

5. Flower power

Florals in the spring … I know, it’s not very original or “groundbreaking,” as the character of

. Even so, it continues to be one of the strongest trends every year (which means, by the way, that we can recycle some articles of clothing year after year). Discover your “groovier” side with a retro style floral, or simply show off your more feminine side with a romantic flowing floral dress.

For 2017, you’ll also see a lot of florals combined with patches or fruit prints, and not just for daytime, but also for the evening, with long dresses or on black backgrounds. So this spring florals can go wherever you do.

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Of course, there are other trends, too, but the five we chose aren’t just the most popular, but also the easiest to adopt. That said, take all the trends you see with a grain of salt because the important thing is that you never feel enslaved to them. The purpose of fashion is for you to have fun, and wear what looks best on you. So if you look in the mirror and don’t like what you see, move on to the next trend until you find something that makes you feel beautiful, inside and out.

This article was originally published in the Spanish edition of Aleteia.