THESE days, boutiques in the Klang Valley are filled with colourful outfits. Colourful attire and bold prints are all the rage right now.

To give you a better idea of what’s out there, here are a few of this season’s trends you simply must try, before fashion moves on to the next big thing.

Be bold

Cheerful hues are in, and daring colour-blocking is the way to go this season. Spice up casual clothing like loose pants, cardigans, long skirts and wrap dresses by wearing them in solid colours.

It’ll be a challenge to not come out looking like a circus clown, so try and limit yourself to wearing only three colours all at once. Think coral, sage green and tangerine, or a red-black-brown combo, or even hot pink, brown and teal – these colour combinations will give your casual gear a glam twist.

You don’t even have to restrict this trend to your casual dressing – experiment with multi-coloured bodycon dresses, chic skirts in different colours and tiered blouses.

Peplum plus

This trend, although a little tricky for those with wider hips and waists, is everywhere. Stars like Emma Stone have rocked the look on the red carpet.

Anything with a short flared ruffle that sits on your waist is what defines the look – it’s on dresses, skirts and even shirts.

Just remember that with this trend you must wear heels, as it can make you look a little stumpy. Also, choose your colours wisely – perhaps colour-blocking with peplum can wait until next season, as Stone’s red top and hot pink skirt was a little too daring a combo!

Go big or go home

In the spirit of living large and sporting cheerful trends this season, bold prints are making their way into our stores fast.

From crazy geometric shapes to art deco graphics (think early screensavers/wallpapers) to huge floral patterns to exaggerated animal prints, these bursts of pattern can go on shirts, blazers, bags, skirts and even tights.

For the conservative dresser, this trend may take a little getting used to, so start small – maybe experiment with a vibrant print top or bottom, but not together (at first). When you’re used to the idea, let loose by mixing and matching pieces with bold prints.

Loungewear
Wearing your pajamas to class/work? It is somewhat acceptable this season, as many designers had their models walking down runways in what looked like collections inspired by pajamas and bathrobes. In short, stuff you wouldn’t normally want to be seen wearing in public.

For those of us who love our polka dot and stripe-y pajama pants, it is now alright to wear them outside the house, as long as they’re paired with a sleek shirt and perhaps, a belt to finish the look.

Even onesies aren’t restricted to infants anymore, although they really don’t flatter most shapes.