[Fashion Alert] Spring Trends 2013 Part IV - SKULLS & CROSSES

Now THIS is a trend that I am totally falling for! 

This season skulls & crosses are gracing tops, dresses and accessories. And you don't have to be into dark gothic to dig this trend!

Read on for background and styling information!

~ Mary ~

SKULLS

First let me give you some background information:

Have you guys heard of the the DAY OF THE DEAD?

- No, no, no it's not a titel of some horror movie! 

The day of the dead is actually a Mexican holiday where people celebrate the deaths of their ancestors. If you hear day of the dead you would probably think of something dark and cheerless. 

However this holiday is quite the opposite. On the day of the dead you see a lot of very colourfully and prettily decorated skulls. People also paint these flowery skulls on their faces.

It's far from the classical skull image that you would know from horror movies and dark scenarios in stories.

Here is one of the very colourful day of the dead skulls.

Anyways, why did I tell you about this holiday?

- It's because seemingly people have taken day of the dead inspired skulls into the fashion world. 

Especially graphic t-shirts and sweatshirts with skulls have become bestsellers for this season.

What once used to be a scary symbol for death, is now a chic style icon. Skulls surrounded by colourful flowers or skulls with filigree ornaments can be seen on a lot of shirts.

CROSSES

It's pretty much the same thing with crosses.

Crosses have their very own original meaning as well. I assume you're all familiar with their strong religious meaning.

And yet they've also become a fashion icon. 

I'd say that blouses with crosses spread all over them are the most popular item.

They really give your everyday white/black blouse a unique twist.

In all means this year seems to be breaking traditional ways of thinking and seeing things. I've talked about the demolished borders between your classical colour and print palettes in the last few articles. Now we have 2 symbols that have gone from cultural, religious icon to fashion statement signs.

I personally really like the skull/cross theme. Partly because I have always had a weakness for mystic Gothic-inspired things. And partly because I think that crosses and skulls give off a tough, edgy yet classic vibe.

In order to show you some skull/crosses themed items and pairings, I went into H&M and put together the following outfit for you guys:

You can find all the items I'm wearing in H&M.
Here I paired one of those white crosses-all-over blouses with a edgy pleather vest.
I think that the whole cross/skull theme goes very well with pleather.

As for the bottom, I chose to go with this magenta skirt just to bring in some colour and femaleness but keep the tough, vampy look.
Accessories that would go well with the look: A skull-print light scarf and some cross earrings and you're totally with the trend!

What do you guys think about these icons?