1. What’s your pointe?
Haven’t worn ballet flats since Sienna and Kate made them cool in the early Noughties? Well, the prima ballerina is taking the stage once again this spring and this time she’s got bite. Look for square and almond-shaped toes, punchy colours and Mary Jane straps… and don’t go skimping on quality; a well-soled pump will have you pirouetting blissfully back to normality
2. The back is back
After a year of two-dimensional Zoom dressing when only our front halves counted, designers have embraced spine-showing ensembles that require IRL dance floor appreciation for spring 2021. From bum-skimming, scoop-back stretch jersey at Givenchy to shell-encrusted gowns at Gabriela Hearst and Victoria Beckham’s wafting silk beach dresses, the back is officially back. How low will you go?
3. Cuff love
Coin pendants, chain necklaces and chunky gold rings are all very lovely but when was the last time you lavished love on your wrists? This season it’s all about the gold cuff. Monogram iterations were seen at Louis Vuitton, crushed metals at Chloé, while Osman finished empowered looks with warrior-like golden wrist armour. Double down on carpal cuffing to show ’em who’s boss.
4. Going polo
As we judder, hesitantly, towards warmer weather, keep it cosy in a trans-seasonal spring knit. Button-up, collared, T-shirt styles were big at Fendi, Proenza Schouler and Drome, while Madeleine Thompson’s cashmere is cosy chic 101. You just met your ultimate work-to-weekend wardrobe staple.
5. Brights all right
There’s nothing like a neon yellow stiletto or an electric blue suit to lift the mood and, after the year we’ve all had, it’s time we re-energised with Stabilo highlighter hues. An oversized hot pink shirt stole the show at Valentino, while Molly Goddard paired apple green dresses with bubblegum pink stockings. There’s a time and a place for an LBD, and your post-pandemic party ain’t it.
6. Hot mesh
Keen to keep purchases to a minimum but looking to add some edge to your existing wardrobe? The meshy underlayer, seen at Sportmax, Miu Miu, Prada and Marine Serre, is a versatile spring staple that brings an unexpected element to more formal dresses and suits. Tie-dye and floral prints make for mesh that’s extra spesh.
7. Third base
I take last year’s bucket hat and raise you the humble baseball cap. Seen on Gigi Hadid, Kaia Gerber and every model at the Celine SS21 show, searches for caps are up 85 per cent since the start of the year, according to shopping platform Lyst. From retro Ralph Lauren Polo to vintage Lehman Brothers merch sourced on eBay — this one’s a game of the geekier and more ironic, the better. Someone pass the Von Dutch.
8. Cross-body cool
After all that time indoors there’s every chance you’ve not only forgotten how to make small talk at social events but also how to handle a handbag. Ease yourself back in with a chic cross-body that’s as perfect for park walks as it is parties — where it’ll leave you hands-free, ready to twiddle awkwardly with the canapés in the corner.
9. Hang loose
Good news: you might be migrating from your tracksuit but comfort still comes first, with high-rise, loose-fit jeans a focus for spring. From the pleat-front, pastel, wide-leg, Barbie pink options at Chanel to the ankle-pooling, ripped denim at Etro, this season’s jeans come high-wasted and wafty on the leg.
10. Midriff-flossing
After the least erotic year on record, sauciness is firmly back on the agenda for 2021, and a gentle midriff tease is the latest way to flash the flesh. Super-fine stomach straps have become a trademark of emerging designers such as Nensi Djoka, Supriya Lele and Christopher Esber, while London label Rejina Pyo’s bubblegum pink trousers offer a pared-back take on the tummy-tie trend. Best put down the Hobnobs.