Spring fashion tips

Welcome to 2023, yes I am slightly late to the party but this will be my first article of the year for Rochdale Style Magazine.

If you are new here, I am Mollie, owner and founder of Pretty Parade, women’s clothing and accessories boutiques located in the villages of Littleborough and Ramsbottom, plus you can find us online too. I live and breathe Pretty Parade, it's been my baby for the last six years.

My day to day consists of hand selecting lovely new collections for the boutique’s and helping our amazing customers in any way I can from styling, to building capsule wardrobes to just being a friendly face to chat with. This means I get to see and analyse all the trends for the season ahead early and then I can pass on my tips and tricks to you lovely readers.

Spring / Summer 23 is in full bloom, as we welcome the longer days and the warmer weather is just around the corner, which means many of us are starting to book our summer holidays and thinking about a wardrobe refresh ready for the new season. It’s always at this time of year, where we are all becoming fed up with the chunky knits and darker colours and are ready to lift our wardrobes with pops of colour and pretty prints. However the switch from warm and cosy to lightweight and floaty is not always an easy one but I am here to guide you through this fun and inspiring season ahead.

Green is BACK - Once again, I know lots of you will be happy to hear this! Nearly every shade of green is making the most amazing comeback, the richer tones are really strong and will be here to stay for a while! Which is perfect for those who made a big investment into this colour last year, as it simply means you can add a few new key pieces to your collection for a refresh!

Although I am beyond excited, as we are seeing two other major colour ways making a statement this season, which is so refreshing after a heavy season last Spring/Summer of simply green!

The two other key colours to keep your eyes peeled for our Blue and Pink. One of the strongest colour stories to come into fashion this season is Blue, and there is a shade of blue out there for everyone.

Thanks to our love of denim, blue can very much work as a neutral and will also work well teamed with almost any other colour also, making blue this season's easiest trend to follow! A cobalt blue has been a particular favourite for spring, this colour can seem bright at first, but it is actually subtle enough to be styled into daily wear, as it can be teamed with darker tones and monochrome look. Also lots of association with orange and pink which is perfect for the season ahead. It is the type of blue that will excite you!

Pink is always a favourite, season after season! If you are like me, you will forever hold a love for pink. After all on “Wednesday’s we wear Pink’... if you know, you know! This season we are seeing a return of soft feminine pink, this tone is perfect for printed fabricespecially small floral prints, for a pretty spring look.

Too much floral - Can there ever really be too much floral in Spring/Summer? The answer is no, floral prints are back for yet another season! They don’t seem to be going anywhere, especially a dainty floral print which is this season's favourite. When it comes to styling a floral dress, the possibilities are endless. From creating a laid back look with a denim jacket, and cute trainer or dressing up with chic accessories for a spring wedding. A staple floral dress will carry you through the season, and trust me you will 100% get your wear out of it.

The trainer is here to STAY - we are all beyond happy to hear this! If you are like me, comfort is key which means trainers are a must have piece for your wardrobe. They are easy to wear, and will literally go with anything, and everything especially a white trainer, they are timeless! If you haven’t tried the trainer and dress combo you absolutely need too, it will be a game changer for you and your wardrobe.

As always remember to shop local, shop small and shop happy!

Thank you so much for reading, Mollie x

Instagram @mollieb_