Spring is here and it's not just about blooming flowers, chirping birds and warmer weather. It's a time of renewal, and that part of the year where we begin to alter our mindsets, rearrange our goals, create new ones and ultimately embrace change. What better way to reflect this than outwardly through fashion. We put away our heavy sweaters and keep the lighter ones close by, give away our knits that have seen too many Winters and opt for breathable fabrics for the warmer seasons, in colours that are bright, light and cheerful. 

So here is this Seasons Key Colour Trends:

1. Khaki, 
2. nude, 
3. bold red, 
4. orange, 
5. blues, 
6. yellow

1. Khaki 

A classic, and back on trend this season, in all hues and textures, form satin to suede, in more elegant forms, including smart safari to military. How about a Khaki lace skirt or satin dress? or perhaps bring out those camo or khaki cargos...Mr. Price Sport currently stocks these and I'm pretty sure they are a staple at JEEP and Cape Union Mart stores. 

Liviana Conti S/S 2015 

Ralph Lauren S/S 2015

Marc Jacobs S/S 2015

Chanel RTW S/S 2015

3 ways to wear khaki

* Pair khaki utility or Cargo pants with a more feminine top in chiffon or lace and wear strappy sandals or block heels.

* pair a khaki shirt knotted at the front with a grey t shirt maxi dress and converse takkies

* try khaki accessories: a fringed khaki kimono will hit 2 trends in one go, khaki sun hat, large bag, military jacket, or scarf paired.

Perfectly paired khaki:

Try it with grey, nudes, coral, red and even aquamarine and denim.

Jessica Alba

2. Nudes

Nudes such as cream, beige, white tones, blush and dusty pinks, and earthy stone colours have been on trend for a while now and still going strong into Summer. They are feminine, glamourous with minimal effort exude luxury. Nudes are easy to pair with existing items in your wardrobe as they are not an overpowering palette and can be mixed with other trends. My go to on this trend is to pair nude seperates and accessories such as nude shoes, belts, bags, cardis or scarves to mix with my current wardrobe staples. Consider Nude chiffon skirts, Flowy nude sweaters and dresses, and longer length culottes (think wide leg extra flare pants).

Haider Ackermann S/S 2015

Stella McCartney RTW Spring 2015

3 ways to wear Nudes

* pair pastel or brightly coloured outfits with nude shoes

* use nude shoes with nude pants to elongate a petite figure and make your legs look longer

* pair an all white ensemble with nude heels, clutch, and scarf or belt.

Perfectly paired Nudes:

Have fun with nude shades they are as basic as you can get and play nicely with all colours. Remember though that nude paired with cooler colours are perfect for warm weather.

3. Red and orange 

Popping up subtly in our blushes, lipsticks and even bags. This season they are celebrated in dresses, sunglasses, shoes, and pretty much every piece you can wear from head to toe. Red is overwhelming for the majority of us, so try pops of red in your scarf prints or elements on your bags, clothing or jewellery..think red pom pom key chains, red floral prints and red stone jewellery. The bold will love red skirts, dresses, stilettos or takkies (this seasons "it" shoe)...whatever it is, it is worth a try!

Balmain Spring 2015

Zuhair Murad S/S 2015

3 ways to wear Red:

* try a red shoe with a black ensemble to start out, then pair with nude. 

* Colour block Red shoes with a cobalt blue dress and yellow accents like a belt and black as a neutral colour in your bag, scarf and elements on your dress like a black zip, buttons or a panels.

* Red compliments green, try a red plaid shirt with a khaki scarf or utility jacket.

Perfectly paired Red:

4. Blue

I doubt there is a wardrobe that lacks this colour, whether it's nautical stripes of navy blue and white, blue floral prints, marine blues touching on green, or denim in different shades of blue. 

Chloe S/S 2015

pic courtesy of Style mag

Elie Saab S/S 2015

pic courtesy of Vogue.com

3 ways to wear Blue

* blue skinny jeans with a loose asymmetrical cut or high low hem white shirt and fringed red, tan or teal clutch or wristlet bag

* try a denim skirt with button down front and a red, yellow or nude boxy shirt half tucked in at the the front

* pair a bright blue scarf with a nude ensemble and a yellow clutch

Perfectly paired blue:

This polka dot number hits so many trends in one

5. Yellow

The colour of sunshine, used by colour therapists to energise and reawaken enthusiasm and confidence, it's one of my favourite colours. This colour is not usually widely available but being on trend means you are going to see alot of it....yey!

3 Ways to wear yellow

* Try a yellow cardi or floral kimono over blue, grey, denim, nude or a purple dress or t and jeans.
*  Full length maxi in yellow paired with red, tan, turquoise, purple or nude heels or strappy flats looks amazing.
* for a more subtle approach try buttercup or pale yellow in scarves, belts, bags and jewellery.

Perfectly paired Yellow:
  

Hope you enjoyed this!;)....Please note, that this post mostly serves to inspire you to combine colours and create combinations that you will add to or make hijab appropriate and are ofcourse not entirely hijab appropriate on its own....next up is current trends,  and how to incorporate them in Hijab, finally some feedback on our amazing sponsors and the hijab workshop and hijab styling as a career, the magnetic pin craze and the lady who started it all, spa that is altering the way we see wellness, an adventure safely tucked away in Fourways thats great for the whole family,...and a whole lot more..InshaaAllah till next time;)

Ramadaan is quickly approaching (Yippppee!) and many muslimahs will take to wearing hijab. Insha'Allah (Allah willing) they will continue wearing it even way after Ramadaan has left us. We all know hijab is not just about what you are wearing, it includes your conduct, the morals you adhere to and what you do.

Hijab also immediately reflects to those around us, primarily strangers, that we are Muslims and definitely distinguishes us from others. They will naturally lead others to a realization of our numbers. Islam is currently ranked the second largest religion in the world, but when you look around you...you are baffled as to where we are.

I strongly believe, and this is purely my own opinion, hijab is also a key that will lead the Muslim Ummah to unity. If we can recognise each other, we can acknowledge each other and surely more Islamic relationships can ignite from this spark.

It also makes raising awareness on Islam alot easier, as strangers on seeing the hijab and due to a natural curiosity, approach you on their own, to enquire about Islam and it's fundamentals. You will be surprised by both how much others know at one end and how misunderstood Islam is on the other.

I wish to clearly state though that wearing hijab is definitely not an indication of the status of one's imaan...That knowledge is with Allah(SWT) alone. We must never forget the primary reason for wearing hijab which is ultimately for the pleasure of Allah (SWT).

I hope to make transitioning towards hijab easier and to add more versatility to the wardrobe of muslimahs who have adopted hijab and to negate excuses we use in the name of fashion to not wear one. Here are some ideas on how to dress up your abaya or maxi dress to get more outfit combinations....Feel free to save these pics for future reference on what to wear:)

Here are a few more random ideas for styling that abaya or maxi....

Denim Jackets are a classic and always in style, pair it with a slim maxi or flared abaya if your jacket is a tailored rather than loose fit.

Long cardigans are a muslimah's wardrobe staple, bright or nude colors, plain or printed- pair it with your slim cut abaya if loose and your flared abaya if more slim line to avoid being disproportionate. Alternatively wear a loose cardigan with your loose abaya belted at the waist before you put on your cardigan as per denim look above;)

Shirt dresses can be paired just like cardigans and be left open or closed with a belted waist.

Batwing sleeved abayas get an update with belts.

Faux Fur vests and gillets are fast becoming popular to pair with maxi and abayas- consider this your trend alert!

 Jazak'Allah for reading! Hope you enjoyed this post and have fun with choosing your combinations!

Look forward to more versatility with your maxi skirts and new hijab styles and tutorials coming soon, including Iridescence's new Catalogue scheduled for release after Ramadaan, a ridiculously easy recipe for Italian hot chocolate and lots more...Insha'Allah!

Love these cute pashmina hijab looks? get them all here @ Hijabi Style Fashion Shop!!!