Fashion

Spring 2014's Most Dubious Trends: To Wear or Not to Wear?

We're more than excited about the approach of spring and the new fashion trends it brings. However, the Spring 2014 runways proposed a few fads that seem... awkward, overly ostentatious, or simply impossible to take from the runway to real life. We took a closer look at spring's toughest trends, and came up with a few easy ways to wear them, and some we hope we never see off the runway.

If you're going to do spring's trends, here's how to do them without looking insane.

by Tyler Atwood

Sheer Skirt Don't: Burberry Spring 2014

Unless you’re vacationing beachside or appearing on a Jersey Shore reboot, a completely sheer skirt that shows off your skivvies is not going to earn you any popularity points.

Ian Gavan/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Sheer Skirt Do: Rosie Huntington Whiteley

When wearing a sheer skirt out on the town, make sure that the transparent portion expose anything above mid-thigh. A half slip or body con mini skirt will do the trick, under a diaphanous sheer skirt. Rosie Huntington Whiteley rocks the sheer skirt trend in a peekaboo black ensemble.

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Fringe Don't: Britney Spears

Britney Spears gives us a perfect, cringeworthy example of why we shouldn’t wear an ensemble that is made of fringe. When wearing the trend, you don’t want to look as if a beloved pet took its claws to your outfit, or, in Britney’s case, as if half of the ensemble was left at home.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Fringe Do: Stella McCartney Fall 2014

When wearing the trend, focus on one fringe-accented garment instead of an entire ensemble. A little goes a long way, and the style works best when paired with less ostentatious pieces.

Francois Durand/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Pleated Pants Don't: Jennifer Lawrence

Sorry, Jennifer: your Christian Dior ensembles have been predominately flattering, but these pleated gaucho pants aren’t working. Typically, pleated pants should not resemble gauchos if the desired effect is body-flattering.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Pleated Pants Do: Penelope Cruz

Though we wouldn’t suggest cuffing a pair at the ankle like Penelope Cruz’s pleated pants, the straight cut and exquisite tailoring create a long, lean line that is universally flattering.

Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Metallic Don't: Lanvin Spring 2014

Unless you wish to look like the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz, forego a head-to-toe metallic ensemble. The effect could be blinding to observers.

Dominique Charriau/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Metallic Do: Proenza Schouler Spring 2014

It’s easy to overdose on metallics, so limit yourself to one glossy piece per ensemble, pairing it with other pieces in pastels or neutral shades. Take a cue from Proenza Schouler’s Spring 2014 pleated skirt, accented by subtle silver panels.

Peter Michael Dills/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Crop Top Don't: Tommy Hilfiger Spring 2014

Unless you’d like to evoke your middle school self with your crop top, refrain from pairing the trend with short shorts.

Peter Michael Dills/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Crop Top Do: Odette Annable

Crop tops tend to bare more skin than your average blouse or tee, so to offset the style, pair it with a prim pencil skirt, midi skirt, or high-waisted pants for a chic look.

Angela Weiss/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
110