Topshop Unique Spring 2014 Runway Review

Topshop Unique is the higher-priced, upscale line from London’s high-street powerhouse. Extremely trend-driven, the line’s fashion week shows—so much more than a quick clothes-showing runway strut—are now a major draw. The spring line felt more cohesive than past seasons, with a clear point of view and clothing that really made sense all together—very deliberate, as if from a stand-alone design house and not so much as a multi-influence in-house line. That Topshop is competing with outside trends in their lower-priced offerings and also setting them could cause an identity crisis, but this collection seemed to silently address that.

For warmer weather, Topshop is feeling a geometric star print, which was splashed across all sorts of silhouettes and in different colorways. The looks themselves are slouchy but not unsophisticated: oversized tank dresses, oversized shirtdresses, oversized pajama sets, a forgiving jumpsuit. There was a pronounced elegance in this collection, though it wasn’t without its out-there trend bait: dress accents seemingly made of tinsel, a fringe-edged oversized poncho, a furry striped sweater dress and a group of striped denim pieces.

Rounding out the collection were some looks with staying power: easy open-knit sweaters, enough straightforward separates to wear for nearly a week straight. Topshop Unique’s spring collection is seemingly angling for the average Topshop customer’s slightly older sister—who should have enough dough to shell out for the upgrade.