Spring’s long-awaited arrival is officially upon us, at least in terms of the fashion calendar. Before long we will be packing away our structured, heavy coats and knits, and making way for more lightweight, playful summer pieces. Dresses, lightweight denim, cotton and linen all play a key role in our spring looks, and softer neutrals will replace much of our dark, heavy winter staples. If this new-season changeover feels daunting, fear not: big high street stores play a key role in translating the new season trends into wearable, stylish looks at affordable prices, and none more so than M&S.

The high street stalwart has been gaining a fashion following (and market share) in recent seasons thanks to its valiant efforts at translating the major fashion trends and knowing what we want to wear and how we might want to wear it, including cropped trenches (back in stores and online today), viral suede loafers and the brilliant Jaeger kilt (which comes in cream cotton for spring). 

This week, M&S’s spring collection arrives into stores across the country and it’s an exciting line-up of elevated wardrobe staples (suede jackets, cropped trenches and new denim colours and finishes), key pieces that make a serious style statement (pistachio maxi dresses, voluminous red dresses and polka dot strapless dresses) and accessories that tie it all together, including neutral leather kitten heels, flat square-toe red pumps, versatile totes and fuss-free evening bags.

Airy, light fabrics and easy silhouettes that work for every occasion are major themes this season, and there are dresses – including a long-sleeved, light mustard linen maxi and a sleeveless stretchy pistachio dress – that will work for work and weekends, and from the city to the beach. There is drama in the dress edit too, with mini dresses with pretty details and a bold red dress that looks great with a matching shoulder bag and flat pumps.

Head-to-toe denim is what the people are wearing right now, and there’s a lot to love for denim lovers: barrel-leg jeans in an off-white unbleached tone as well as traditional light indigo and a new stretchy, seamless, wide-leg silhouette in a dark sand colour. 

As ever, there’s an abundance of elevated separates and co-ords. Think striped shirt and trouser sets, sequin-covered linen tops and mini skirts, and lace skirts and floaty tops in soft creams and earthy khakis. Cream square-toe sandals with gold-tone hardware and woven day clutches are the perfect finishing touch to smart spring looks while slogan beach bags and woven bucket hats in sunset shades are the perfect updates for your holiday wardrobe.

Images: M&S