Brought to you by Opera Lane. 

When was the last time you updated your look?

If your wardrobe has remained unchanged since the last pre-pandemic party you attended, the time has come to inject some newness into your life.

And boy is now a good time to get on it.

The excitement is returning to fashion at last with a flurry of fun new trends to try on for size this spring.

From fit and flare jeans that will take you back to your school days to pops of pastel purple, preppy skirts, and chic Eighties-style suits, the choice is overwhelming and there’s something fabulous to suit everyone.

We asked Opera Lane stylist Breeda O’Connell to break down her top five trends to look out for:

1. The Y2K trend

“In a nutshell, this trend is a revival of the clothes we wore circa 1995 to 2005 so lots of low rise jeans, fit and flare styles, swirl prints, cutouts, crop tops (and if you want to go there, maybe some silver eyeshadow!

Think Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, All Saints (all khaki joggers and racer vests) and you’ll start to get the picture.

SHOP THE LOOK: Black flared leggings: €14.99, H&M, Opera Lane

2. Pastels

“There’s nothing revolutionary about pastels for spring, but this year, pink and purple stand out from the crowd, brighter and sweeter than the rest.

Pantone’s colour of the year is ‘Veri Peri’ so it’s no surprise that this shade and variants of it will be everywhere. While there are pastel pinks on offer, the options go further to include bold shades that Barbie herself would be proud of.

SHOP THE LOOK: Pink cardigan: €64, River Island, Opera Lane

3. Green

“The song says that there are 50 shades of green and most of them are represented on Opera Lane right now, where you’ll see everything from soft sage to sharp mint classic Kelly Green.

The shade of the moment is what’s known in fashion circles as ‘Bottega green’, after the quilted bag that is synonymous with the colour. This unmissable green is almost a neutral at this stage; it goes beautifully with nearly every neutral from whites through to navy, black, camel, chocolate brown, and charcoal grey

Maximalists will love it paired with other equally loud shades like orange, cobalt blue, or hot pink. You can also create a ‘column of colour’ by wearing the shade head to toe.

SHOP THE LOOK: Green Midi: €33.99, New Look 

4. Preppy

“Preppy and its sister Clueless, are very similar, and also have lots in common with both the sporty and varsity trends. All have a definite high school/college ‘uniform’ aesthetic

We’ll see lots of A-line and pleated mini skirts, blazers, stripes, graphic sweatshirts and boxy cardigans. Look out for the signature check and houndstooth prints we associate with this style, in both monochromatic and pastel colour combos.

SHOP THE LOOK: Alpaca V-Neck Vest: €139.90, Tommy Hilfiger, Opera Lane 

5. 1980s suiting 

“No longer just for office wear, this season’s gorgeous suiting comes in soft, draping fabrics and relaxed silhouettes; making them as wearable on a Saturday afternoon with graphic tee and trainers as they are in the boardroom with court shoes and a cami or blouse.

When it comes to colour, there’s something for everyone, with lots of bright and sharp blues. oranges and greens; and equal choice in more traditional neutral and soft pastel shades.”

SHOP THE LOOK: Oversized Blazer: €87, River Island 

Need help creating a capsule wardrobe for spring? To book a one-hour Express Service with Senior Stylist Breeda O’Connell on Opera Lane, visit the website.