3 Spring 2014 Trends to Wear Now

Spring is officially less than a month away, but in most places, it’s still pretty darn cold. However, even though the weather is less than ideal, you can still test out some spring trends!

Below, we’ve rounded up three hot spring 2014 trends that you can wear right now. Scroll down to see them all:

1. Oxford Shirts

It seems like every designer, from Alexander Wang to Valentino, is showcasing the timeless oxford shirt this spring. Although this crisp button-down is “trendy” at the moment, it’s a total classic. Invest in a good one and you’ll wear it for years to come.

However, if you want to go the ultra-trendy route, leave a few buttons undone, or buy one with unique embellishments or sheer panels, similar to the runway looks featured above.

Outfit Idea:

We think an oxford shirt would look classically chic with shorts and wedges for spring, but you can wear this trend right now, too! Create a class-appropriate outfit by pairing a blue oxford with red skinny jeans. The combination is cute and polished, while the colors are fun and modern.

Maintain the classic vibe with a trench coat, then add a pair of lace-up booties. For the finishing touch, glam it up a bit with some gold midi rings.

2. Cropped Jackets

I love it when runway trends are easy to translate into an everyday look, and that’s exactly the case with cropped jackets. These jackets are oh-so simple to throw on over jeans, dresses, and skirts, and instantly makes any getup look stylish and put-together. This season, boxy shapes and unique prints are really “in”, so look for one of those elements if you want to stay super-current.

Outfit Idea:

For this look, I decided to go with a cropped jacket that features a bold print, which I think would transition really well into spring and summer. To style it, try wearing it with a solid-colored dress; this short-sleeved shift dress has such an effortlessly chic vibe.

Rock it on a night out by pairing it with on-trend metallic booties and a blue-hued statement necklace. Don’t forget to put on a pair of opaque tights!

3. Wide Leg Pants

Say sayonara to your favorite skinnies, because this spring is all about the wide-legged trouser. From palazzo pants and voluminous cropped trousers to retro-inspired wide leg jeans, designers kept this season’s offerings comfy and loose-fitting.

This trend is definitely bold, but the key to making it work in the real world is to pair these types of pants with fitted tops to create a balanced look.

Outfit Idea:

If you want to go all-out with this trend, opt for a pair of printed wide leg pants – they’ll look so fab when worn with a sleeveless blouse and sandals come springtime. For now, wear them with a fitted gray sweater, then layer on an edgy moto jacket.

Cut-out ankle boots continue the trendy vibe, while a green cross-body bag complements the trousers perfectly. Accessorize with a pair of gold earrings to complete the ensemble.

Spring/summer 2014 hair trends

1. Wet Look Hair

Grease was the word at Gucci, Rag & Bone, Mulberry and 3.1 Phillip Lim, which saw models cascade down the catwalk with a new wet-look. A standout alternative to the pretty summer style we're used to, oily coifs came in various incarnations: from clean centre-partings, to windswept side fringes and just-out-of-the-sea damp curls.

2. Make Waves

Summer's favourite haphazard beachy lengths and shapes plunged deep into the ocean to reveal softer, romantic mermaid-like waves, seen at Calvin Klein Collection and Diane Von Furstenberg. Meanwhile slept-in movement was at its best at Christopher Kane and triumphed at Mulberry, together with the wet look; which saw models don wash-and-go hair for nonchalant natural waves.

3. Poker Straight

If it was straight, it was poker straight. As seen in ironed super shiny silk lengths at Chloé, Donna Karan and Miu Miu.

4. The Super Low Pony Show

Jason Wu, Victoria Beckham and Helmet Lang gave the pony a low update. Possibly one of the easiest trends to master, just make sure hair is poker straight to keep the look fresh for spring, and position at the nape of the neck for the ultimate streamlined show pony finish.

5. Spring Plaits

The braid is back, again, in all its guises for spring. Championed by Giles, Calla Paris and Nicole Miller, it doesn't matter if it's hailo, milkmaid, a classic chunky version or a elegant French plait, just keep it unkempt.

6. Deep Side Partings

Extreme side partings inched even further afield at Stella McCartney, Jil Sander and Missoni. Our tip: place your index finger where the eyebrow tempers and trace it upwards though your hairline. This way you'll never get it wrong.

7. The Edgy Bob

At both Chanel and Marc Jacobs, models got wiggy with it in a series of flicked out bobs with chopped into fringes, in platinum, brunette and rebellious black. Elsewhere, hair stylist Sam McKnight sparked a further wig revolution with his bespoke, bowl cut headpieces for Fendi.

8. Disco Curls

Holly Fulton and Maria Grachvogel took models on a retro twirl around the catwalk with disco-inspired bombshell curls. Fulton drew inspiration from 'woozy summer days', sending models down the catwalk with scooped to the side, brushed through curls, while Grachvogel's approach was reminiscent of Diana Ross circa Studio 54 days. Either way, they both got us longing for summer.

9. Hair Accessories

Hair was styled with accessories aplenty during the spring/summer 2014 circuit. Roksanda Ilincic set the standard for the modern revival of pretty bows, while Valentino's low, centre-parted ponytails were punctuated with studded headbands. Similarly, Dolce & Gabbana continued the trend with floral garlands and gilded coins set upon a textured up-do and last but certainly not least, emphasis was placed on hair at Rodarte, with meticulously detailed pheasant-inspired pieces woven into the hair.

10. Twisted Up 'Dos

Tom Ford, Rochas and Giambattista Valli were among the throng of designers to forgo the bun this season, opting instead for twisted up-dos, with lackadaisical flyaway textures. Get the look by separating small strands of the hair into a birds nest of tousles, set with lashings of hairspray, unravel and pull back into a messy chignon - fastened with bobby pins.

Class to Night Out: Lace Skirt

Do you struggle with transforming your outfits from day to night? Don’t worry, CF is here to help turn that daily annoyance into a fun challenge. Class to Night Out focuses on one piece per week, and aims to help you take your look from study sessions in the library to dancing the night away.

No matter what time of year, lace is a fabric that can always be found on the runways. There are endless possibilities when it comes to wearing lace, which is why lace pieces are among my personal wardrobe favorites. Depending on the color and how you style it, a lace skirt can look edgy, ultra-girly, or prim and proper.

In this post, I’ll show you how I would style a lace skirt for both class and a night out. Keep on reading for some ideas that could revive your winter wardrobe!

Lace Skirt: Class

To give this burgundy lace pleated miniskirt a classic feel, pair it with an off-white cable knit sweater and a scarf. This gorgeous printed scarf has hints of burgundy in it, which complements the lace skirt perfectly. Adding a pair of brown leather Chelsea boots gives the outfit a trendy touch, while still keeping with the classic vibe.

Dark pink studs, a slim gold bangle, and red fingernails add a touch of sparkle and keep the look polished. Add some tights to make the cold walk to class more bearable, then grab a sleek brown leather tote and you’re good to go!

Lace Skirt: Night Out

Leopard is practically a neutral, right? I just love the combination of leopard and burgundy, which is why I paired these leopard print stiletto booties with this skirt for a fun night out look. Since the focus of this ensemble is the skirt and booties, I kept the top half relatively simple, with a black linen muscle tank and a leather jacket. The combination of leather and lace brings a wonderful edge to this outfit.


Again, tights are a necessity for these cold winter nights! Finish the look off with a gold chain necklace for a hint of shine, a matching leopard print crossbody bag, and a bold plum lip.

20 shots of holiday shoppers in clever cold-weather layers

Street Style, Vancouver: 20 shots of holiday shoppers in clever cold-weather layers

When they’re not ice-covered, the Canadian streets have been alive with festive spirit over the past few months, with holiday shopping top of mind for most. And while it may officially be time for winter dressing, the fashion conscious aren’t letting their style game suffer. After all, layers are an opportunity to let your inner statement-maker get creative.


To help keep you inspired through the colder months, we hunted down some of Vancouver’s stylish holiday shoppers who’ve one-upped the chill with style to spare.Natalie Lang is keeping warm outside of Secret Location in an Antipodium bomber jacket and turtleneck strategically layered underneath her Michael Roberts for One T-Shirt. Meanwhile, Elisa Kosonen of EDK PR is protecting herself from the elements in a perfectly oversized and beautifully textured scarf and contrast sleeve coat. The braver fashion souls are sporting more minimal layers for those warmer weather days that Vancouver tends to grace us with. Amaly Narong of Today You Are Special boutique is wearing a lace insert dress, and has her Maison Scotch topper and angora check scarf on hand in case the Vancouver temps throw a curveball at her. Cinday Ma is dressed in a holiday-appropriate sweater and flouncy leather skirt by H&M, perfect for the festive parties we’ve been frequenting. Meanwhile, men are starting to up the ante on their style game with mixed prints and textures, ombre sweaters, and even fringe hoodies. Here, our picks for holiday shopping, parties, and beyond.