Fashion is finally blessing us with fresh trends to wear now! We'd been holding out for spring's arrival to don the runway-inspired looks we witnessed on the designer catwalks back in September last year, but the high street is filling the trans-seasonal gap in more ways than one.
See Next's yellow stripe smocked collared short sleeve top that ticks off two of the biggest trends du jour.
Crafted from 100% cotton, this blouse features an all-over textured smocked bodice for a flattering fit. Further feminine design details like the delicate ruffle-trimmed pointed collar and short puff sleeves that gather into smocked cuffs elevate the classic-masculine button-down silhouette and subtle striped print.
Shirred and smocked designs effortlessly tap into the gothic romance aesthetic popularised most recently by the costumes in Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights, particularly those worn by Cathy (played by Margot Robbie), whose milkmaid look of a billowing white blouse layered under a lace-up bustier is instantly iconic.
The second trend this Next design delivers on is its colourway. Lemon yellow is the soft and surprisingly wearable hue giving wardrobes an instant mood boost this spring, thanks to its sunshine connections. Something we're all desperately longing for...
When it comes to styling, we'd keep the rest of your ensemble simple to let this charming smocked top take centre stage. Dark-wash denim will provide a nice contrast against the pale shade, or try a white linen midi skirt once the temperature warms up.
Yep, this beauty is set to become a regular feature in your outfit rotation now through to summer.
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Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there’s nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she’s passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!
