A new season is almost upon us but while stores and online retailers signal the change by ornamenting their rails with short skirts, camisole tops and sandals, for most of us the chilly weather still calls for chunky knits.

Nonetheless, the time has come to take stock of the forthcoming trends and start plotting your wardrobe for the coming season. But, instead of investing in high-summer items that will be relegated to the back of your closet for weeks, if not months, consider key items you can incorporate into your look right now.

Here, we take a look at the spring/summer 2018 trends you can wear now to really get ahead in the style stakes. 

Gelato moments

Sugary shades were on display at Céline (AFP/Getty)

While pastels are hardly innovative, this season’s ice cream hues come in a range of sugary shades that look good on everything from tiers of ruffles to sharp tailoring.

On the runway, Preen by Thornton Bregazzi demonstrated just how to nail the saccharine trend without sacrificing on power, with one-shouldered dresses and drapery in shades of pink and green. Meanwhile, Victoria Beckham opted for head-to-toe Parma Violet hues, and lemon sorbet was the order of the day at Hermès.

A great way to bring a little sunshine to your wintery ensembles, wear these delicate shades on chunky knits, two-piece suits or trendy berets.  

Checks please

The bright stuff: Sonia Rykiel took the classic design and made it bolder (AFP/Getty)

Heritage checks were huge for autumn winter and it looks like they’re here to stay. Seen on oversized coats at Balenciaga and feminine styles at Victoria Beckham these new looks prove that plaid can be worn all-year-round.

Aside from their traditional appeal, other designers like Sonia Rykiel and Mary Katrantzou opted for beautifully bright gingham and shopper-bag checks while British brand Burberry reignited its classic check print on everything from rain coats to baseball caps. 

Wear yours on blazers and tailored trousers or floaty midi skirts that can be paired with knee-high boots to keep out the cold. 

Crayola brights

Marni drew inspiration from the paintbox pallet (AFP/Getty)

Feeling brave? Then is the trend for you. While bright colours are nothing new when it comes to warmer climes, this time round the focus is on a paintbox palette of primary shades from tomato red and cobalt blue, to emerald green and Pantone’s Colour of the Year, Ultraviolet.

Seen on the runway at Christopher Kane, Roksanda Ilincic, Balenciaga and Marni, this is a trend that needs to be worn with confidence – be it with a dress layered over a long-sleeve top, a show-stopping pair of shoes or statement earrings. 

Acceptable in the Eighties

Saint Laurent wasn’t the only designer to embrace fashion’s worst decade (Getty)

The Eighties are back, again. An era dedicated to stylised excess and serious crimes against fashion, designers have developed a soft spot for the Eighties of late and luckily it doesn’t involve leg warmers.

This time round designers like Saint Laurent, Givenchy and Off-White – the latter of which was inspired by Princess Diana in her heyday – embraced the decade with everything from Working Girl-worthy prints, puff sleeved jackets, slouchy boots and boxy blouses.

Acceptable then and now, wear this trend by upgrading your going-out gear with a big-shouldered mini dress for a touch of Dynasty glamour.