Melbourne hosted one hell of a spring fashion soiree at Melbourne Spring Fashion Week 2014. Local and international designers showcased their Spring/Summer 2014 collections throughout the CBD some making their debut whilst other industry faves and more established designers previewed pieces that are dropping in stores as we speak.

The Melbourne Spring Fashion Week vibe was electric. Swanston Street was transformed into a veritable playground for the well-heeled, high heeled and sartorially inclined, with runway shows, exhibitions and parties going from day to night. As for me, I was being a very serious reporter type – promise! So here are my top 5 takeaways from Melbourne Spring Fashion Week 2014, just for you.

1. Precious metals

Metallic fabrications were rife on the runways. Saba served us a silver tee and matching tailored tracksuit pant combo, Thurley turned heads with exquisite statement embellishments while Jayson Brunsden brought metallic dresses to the fore.

2. Coordinated separates

Coordinated separates will be going strong into summer. The crop top is this season’s staple, perfectly paired with leg pants and pencils skirts in coordinated colours and prints. Yeojin Bae has this season’s midi skirt and crop top combination – that pastel pink shade had me swooning, along with off the shoulder details, open backs and cross over straps .

3. Loud and proud

Prints a plenty, and no apologies, thanks. Wear them head to toe or mix and match. Arthur Galan went back to the future with starkly contrasting graphic black and white prints while Jayson Brunsden combined classic green and gold brocade. Cue was a mix of modern florals and long length skirts – statement making but always office appropriate.

4. ladylike

Long live long lines! Long, lean, dropped hemlines is the silhouette for summer. Almost every runway gave a salute to the feminine, mid calf or ankle skimming skirt or dress.

5. Culottes

Culottes, culottes, culottes, culottes, oh, and, culottes! It is a pant, is it a skirt? Take my word for it. Culottes are going to be everywhere this summer. On the top of my list will be tailored and ultra wide leg, at below the knee lengths.

So what did you think about Melbourne Spring Fashion Week this year?