New year, new fashion! Though some of the trends that will be big in 2016 already made a head-start last season, there’s an update for everything. Halter necklines and off/cold shoulders are definitely here to stay; you’ll be hard pressed to find a single designer or red carpet rockstar that isn’t sporting this style. This spring it’s about innovative, overstated sleeves while fringes and ruffles add swish and flow. There’s a lot of sparkles in the offing and blue seems to be the colour of the season when it comes to eye make-up. This and much more, let’s dig in!

No Bare Necks

This year it’s all about all about the neck. We saw the revival of halter-tops last year with the likes of Elan, Maheen Karim and Sana Safinaz bringing sexy back in bridal fashion, as well as international couturiers such as Proenza Schouler and Jason Wu who reintroduced the racy neckline for their Spring 2016 collections. We’re expecting to see a lot more of this silhouette this year, including variation in pret and luxury formals. But it’s not just about halter tops or slinky necklines, this season even the accessories cater towards neck-wear. From chokers to scarves and even thin strips of ribbon, the IT accessory will have you collared. The era of the statement necklace and the ear cuff is over; embellished ribbons tied around the neck a la Dior or thin scarves layered together, as seen at Rodarte are the latest fad. If you’re looking for a local designer who called it first, look no further than our very own Zohra Rehman who created two tone chokers for HSY’s bridal showcase at the PFDC L’Oreal

 

The Cold Shoulder

Off-shoulders are here to stay and everyone agrees. From Nomi Ansari to Ammara Khan, Rosie Assoulin to Racheal Zoe, 2016 will feature shoulders as the second most highlighted body part after necks. This season though designers will likely kick up their obsession with bare shoulders and play around with the silhouette, adding knotted, fringed or ruffled detailing (more on this later). You can expect to see this trend permeate high street and high end fashion alike with celebrities, street style stars and fashionistas all giving the cold shoulder. Halter necks, off shoulders, cut-outs; they all go hand in hand if you ask us!

 

An Exaggerated Affair

From British romanticism to Spanish drama, this season is all about the flair and it’ll continue through 2016. Expect to see a lot of exaggerated sleeves that play on halters and cold shoulders sure, but also be ready for a revival of the quintessential 70’s style, the bell sleeve, Victorian inspired poofy shoulders and cuffs. There’s also another element of dramatic glamour headed our way in the form of ruffles. From Balmain to Oscar de La Renta, loose and flowy to stiff and structured, there are plenty of feathers to ruffle this season.

 

In All Sequins-ness

Metallics, glitter and sequin are back to ruling the roost. The runway was filled with metallic detailing; liquid chrome pants, glitter eye liner, head to toe sequin embellished outfits and even the return of moonlight material. Makeup and beauty also got a gleaming update; shimmer and glitter are making a comeback after the long reign of matte lipsticks and dewy skin. Think Delpozo’s subtly sparkling eye or Creatures of the Wild’s extravagant tinsel eyeshadow.  After seasons of minimalism dominating everything from beauty looks to hair and apparel, bling and unabashed maximalism is back in fashion.

 

Cerulean State of Mind

If there’s one beauty update we’re calling it has to be blue for the eyes. From major trendsetters such as Chanel to Missoni, Marc Jacobs, Diane von Furstenberg and Sonia Rykiel, the international runway was replete with inspiration for blue eye makeup. Whether you opt for blue mascara to bring out the whiteness of your pupils or a metallic smoky eye, you can’t go wrong with a cyan hue this season.