If you have been inside the Topshop in Meadowhall recently you could not have failed to notice that half of the shop has been overrun with pastel shades.
At first I groaned at the sight of them all, but on further inspection I have decided that they are definitely worth a try.
Your first thought of pastel colours may also conjure images of 1960s and 70s paisley printed gypsey tops – accompanied by straggly long blonde hair and a full length denim skirt.
You can buy these items in Topshop at the moment, though they are only for the brave – or those seriously reminiscent of the hippie period.
However, to conquer this dainty look you don’t necessarily have to go all out. The beauty of this particular trend is that it works well with items that you already have in your wardrobe.
This means that the poor students of Sheffield can create themselves a totally new look for as little as twenty pounds.
You already have copious amounts of jeans and leggings, I am sure. Therefore, a key piece for this trend is what you are after. Whether that is a flowery t-shirt dress or a pastel-coloured cardigan, it doesn’t matter.
Purchase something that can be worn as part of loads of different looks. A statement cardigan or jacket is always as winner as they can be worn numerous times with jeans, dresses, shorts or skirts.
Dresses or long t-shirts can be transformed each time by teaming them with jeans, tights, cardigans, scarves and jewellery.
As pastel colours are what Spring 2010 is all about, it’s also worth buying a few basic vests in those key colours. You might even have some already; thus being even more economical by encorporating a wardrobe-staple into your new look.
Vests teamed with flowery or floaty skirts mean that you can pull off the casual-cool look any time of the day. That’s another thing that is great about pastel colours: they are suitable for day and night wear.
This means that you can lessen the guilt of any buys. Assure yourself they can be worn day or night; lunch date or a club; meet the parents or down the pub; lecture or late night film.
By Hannah O’Connell