I apologise to my Estonian and other Nordic readers, who probably feel it’s too early to talk about spring clothes. In Brussels, it’s getting properly warm and new season apparel is arriving in stores, so I think it’s a good time to start at least planning your purchases, even if you are not actually buying anything yet. I’m exited for spring style in general, because it’s just easier to look good when it’s warm outside. I’m excited for this spring specifically, because it continues with many trends that I already like and own.

So yeah, perversely for a style blogger, I’m telling you it’s great that there’s a lot of same old stuff out there. But seriously, I think it’s excellent to have an evolution of trends, rather than pressure to buy a whole new wardrobe every three months. Things like animal print (especially everything that isn’t leopard, but leopard will do as well), neutrals, neon and scarf print are not going anywhere. Big sneakers, pleated skirts, masculine blazers and cropped jeans have pretty much become modern classics that you can keep wearing and wearing without looking dated. I will, however, still pick a few trends out for you, because what else are lifestyle blogs for if not for making those lists.

1. Everything beige. Head-to-toe neutrals are probably the biggest trend of the season and beige is the biggest trend among the neutrals. I’m delighted with that, as I love beige, especially for work. The good news is there are many shades of beige (see the Burberry show for proof), so there will be one that suits your skin tone. If there isn’t, or you just hate beige, you can pick any shade between white and brown – cream, sand, stone, khaki, tan, rust, chestnut would all fit the bill. While wearing just one colour is the most impactful way of doing this trend, mixing and matching works well, too.

2. Pretty colours. If neutrals make you feel like all the joy has been sucked out of life and replaced with a PowerPoint presentation, have no fear. There are other options. Yellow is going to be big for spring, especially a pale lemony/bananay shade that I find very fetching. If you have any mustard-coloured pieces from previous seasons (ahem), don’t throw these away either, they will fit nicely with the earthy-sunset colour trend that is led by coral, with a little help from Pantone. There is also lots of blue, with the paler shades again being my favourites. And while not a colour, I will slot the polka dot trend here as well, as it often comes either in yellow or blue and is certainly pretty.

3. Puff sleeves. This is obviously a 80s throw-back and is not going to be as popular as buying some nice neutrals. It is much more fashion and hence also more difficult to pull off. Batsheva is the brand worn by the cool girls who either manage to look good in these folk-dress-meets-Princess-Di-wedding-gown pieces or are too cool to care whether they look good. Personally, I admit being rather partial to this Zara dress – if you have a certain type of a body and get the proportions right, puffy shoulders can make your hips look much narrower. Plus this one is also pale yellow, so double points.

4. Shorts. Talking about trends that are difficult for mere mortals, biker shorts definitely qualify. It’s not strictly a new trend, the more fashiony quarters of Instagram have been at it for a while, but it looks set to go mainstream this spring. Fortunately, there are people sitting in the marketing departments of fashion houses who realise that you and me need shorts, too. So there will be more user-friendly short options around this spring, with the longer, Bermuda-ish versions being especially prominent.

5. Shiny leather. I admit this is one trend I see more in retail rather than runway, but shops is in the end where we get our clothes. It isn’t a new one, either: leather trousers and skirts have been around for many seasons now. I wanted to mention it, however, because this year there is lots of fake leather and coated fabrics around. And this, I’m quite sure, is the influence of veganism and plant-based lifestyle. I already own a wonderful orange leather-like skirt by Inga Vatsk-Laasner, but I also have my eye on this (beige!) beauty from The Frankie Shop. Also, do you remember that trench??

6. Satin skirts. Yes, yes, I know, this isn’t new either – I told you many of these trends have been around for some time. I could not leave this out, however, as I think the midi-length slip skirt is going to be ubiquitous this spring. The pleated midi has been around for so long now*(almost 10 years??) that we need something similar that feels fresher. Also, that satin type fabric looks GREAT in beiges and caramels and coffee colours. Slip dresses aren’t going anywhere either and if you have some already in your wardrobe, I recommend wearing them with knits, giving you that skirt look and multiplying your styling options.

7. The 90s sandal. Staying with the 90s influence, the barely there, strappy sandal is in my view the most exciting shoe trend for spring. There are many other things going on that I’ll happily wear – I’m still dedicated to sneakers, I wouldn’t mind a good low cowboy boot, there are feathers, there’s perspex -, but something like this really looks fresh to me and beautiful with both jeans and midi skirts (and they are much nicer on the foot than they are on the pictures). You can of course also go for something more classic and super elegant with a higher heel. In any case, very Carolyn Bassette Kennedy.

8. Big earrings. Hi, 80s again. Or maybe early 90s. Anyway, after years of dainty jewellery, I think big earrings are well and truly back. It started with the big gold hoops and they are still here, a la Sade. My own favourites are these gold chain earrings from Zara that give me major Linda Evangelista in Versace vibe and I’d wear them all the time if I didn’t fear they’d fall off.

9. Hair accessories. Of all the trends I’ve mentioned, I think the current craze for hair clips and headbands is the newest and also closest to how we usually think of trends – something that doesn’t have much longevity and is maybe a bit silly. It is fortunately also the cheapest. You can, of course, decide to buy the original Prada satin headband and spend 200 euros, but you don’t have to – there are plenty of options on the high street. Note regarding hair clips: you need to wear several at once to be really trendily on trend.

Are any of the 2019 trends speaking to you? Anything important that I left off my list (I’m aware that I’m missing things like crochet and tie-dye, but they don’t speak to me much)? What are you planning to buy for spring?

*Not that pleated skirts are going to disappear either: look at this Mango scarf print one, for example.

Photo by Burberry.