
Photo by Anthea Simms

Photo by Anthea Simms

Photo by Anthea Simms

Photo by Anthea Simms

Photo by Anthea Simms

Photo by Anthea Simms
I always draw up my seasonal must-have list early. Thanks to the advance research I do at fashion week, I know exactly what my wardrobe needs. I can often scoop up some end of season buys knowing that with a handful of accessories, the look will keep going strong for another six months. Here are the pieces that I’m coveting for spring:
Stripes
One of my favourite pieces was the graphic striped jacket at Givenchy. I’ve got my eye on something similar at Pink Tartan. If a jacket isn’t your thing, pick up a couple of boat neck striped tees or tunics. It’s a classic Jean Paul Gaultier look that works with jeans and minis.
Military jacket
I love the work day / weekend appeal of a military jacket. I’m not talking about a bandleader jacket like last year’s Balmain blockbuster hits but more of a safari jacket like the ones shown at Marc Jacobs, Chloe and Gaultier. I found a great cotton design at Gap earlier this month for $88. I’ll replace the fabric belt with a woven leather number to upgrade the look.
Quirky accessories
I love accessories—a great necklace, conversational heels, and a knockout bag is my favourite way to kick up a look. This season, I loved the playful street-inspired looks at Louis Vuitton. I’ll pass on the lamb-fur tasseled clogs but will definitely pick up one of the satchels.
Lingerie lace
A sliver of lace is the perfect way to soften an office look. I love love love Stella McCartney’s simple sleeveless lace tops. Plus, I liked the new crop of fuss-free ruffles. Might sound like an oxymoron but the simple stacked pleats at Givenchy and Giambattista Valli looked fresh and womanly, not too girly.
Prints
It’s about time that I welcomed some prints into my mainly solid coloured closet. I’m not a flowery person but I loved the lush florals at Dolce & Gabbana and Erdem. Alexander McQueen’s computer generated prints for his nature-themed show were stunning, too.
Minimalism
For all of the season’s quirky fantasy looks, I was enthralled at the Celine show. Phoebe Philo’s debut dished up lots of pieces that will slip perfectly into my work wardrobe. What I really want is a simple leather t-shirt in a salty caramel shade. Perfection!
Check out our full spring runway report in the February issue of FLARE.
In the meantime, you can follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/lisatant