It’s spring again and what a difference a year makes! Last spring everything was completely shut down and fashion played a tiny (if any) role in many women’s lives.
This year, while we have not returned to pre-COVID, things are slowly opening and with the nice weather coming, we’re able to be out and about more.
The question then arises…what are you going to wear?
The pandemic took (and continues to take) a huge toll on the fashion industry. What people wore changed overnight and even last Fall when stores needed to place their spring orders they had no idea what the world would look like and many played it very conservatively.
Understandably so.
Not only that, but many stores have closed or are closing so in-person shopping looks and feels different in major ways.
That said, fashion has not stood still.
There are still trends surfacing for the spring and summer. The curious thing (or maybe really not all that curious) is that even though I have found declarations of what the spring trends are, I’m not finding many of them in the stores. Trying to find examples of the upcoming trends has not been easy!
As usual, however, I will divide the trends I am finding into 3 categories, Bewitched, Bothered & Bewildered and share my thoughts on why I put them in the category I did. The important thing, as always, is that you find clothing and styles that make your heart sing. Perhaps incorporating a trend or two will add a bit of pizzazz to your ‘venturing out’ wardrobe!
Bewitched
Wide Leg Pants & Relaxed Jeans
Once a trend goes to the extreme (think ultra skinny pants) things start to move in the opposite direction and that’s exactly what is happening. Skinny pants and jeans have been popular for so long (and most people still wear them). Now, in order for the trend to move forward pant legs have to get wider since they can’t get any skinnier. And that’s what is happening now. Wide leg pants are super comfortable, but it’s also easy to look like you’re drowning in fabric so making sure your overall look is not too flowy is important.
Monochromatic
A truly elegant look, wearing a color head to toe or even tone-on-tone color is a lovely way to keep dressing simple and sophisticated without doing anything super fancy. One of the easiest ways to do that is with a solid colored jump suit like this one.
Button-down Shirts
Nothing is more classic than a button-down shirt. What has changed now is that they are everywhere, worn by everyone and there are a variety of colors, styles and fabrics. Even if you haven’t considered yourself a button-down kind of gal, this could be a season to check them out again. Here’s one example that has lovely details.
Midi & Maxi Dresses
Still a seasonal favorite, longer dresses are everywhere. Whether you choose a mid-calf length (be careful…these can be fu,n but they can sometimes border on frumpy) or full-length maxi, you can have beauty and ease and comfort as you head into the warmer months. This print is SO beautiful and it comes in regular, petite, tall and plus sizes!
Matching Sets
This is a very interesting trend. For years we were cautioned against being too matchy-matchy wearing the same print top and bottom. Now it’s all the rage. That said, it can also make us look dated (weird how that can happen) unless we have the ‘cool’ attitude to pull it off. I know I don’t have that most of the time, but I suspect some of you do. Also, the matching sets range from professional work clothes to sweats and many also incorporate tie dye which is still hot this season. Here’s one that is rather interesting (and, don’t worry, you can forgo the heels!).
Cut-Outs
As the weather gets warmer, cut out details can be a fun way to stay cool and be cool! This blouse is particularly lovely and comes in 3 colors.
Sheer Blouses
For obvious reasons, sheer fabrics are popular during the spring and summer, but they can sometimes be tricky to style. Too sheer and you feel exposed, but if you wear something under it, you can feel like you’re defeating the airy purpose of the sheerness of the garment. What can be lovely is when only the sleeves are sheer. Problem solved!
Tapestry Jackets
Why not add a little textile art to your wardrobe this season with a beautiful cotton tapestry jacket like this one.
Tracksuits
Track suits have taken on a new life! They are much more fun and pretty. If you’re going to wear one out and about, why not have it feel special as well as being functional. Like this one:
Shackets
Who comes up with these names? This one makes sense, but it is a weird word. Shackets refer to ‘shirt jackets.’ They are often slightly heavier than an actual button down shirt and many of them are oversized (so beware – they can be very boxy and unflattering). This one is a beautiful color and doesn’t look as oversized.
Bothered
Slippers Worn Everywhere
I know that comfort trumps everything these days, but in this case I think we’ve gone too far!
Built in G-strings
This one boggles my mind! These are pants that give the illusion of visible underwear. Thankfully I haven’t seen it in my online travels around the stores, but perhaps they are available in super trendy stores? I’m just as happy not to see them anywhere.
Bewildered
Slouchy Suits
Unless you are super cool and very tall, you’ll simply look like you’re drowning in fabric when both top and bottom are ‘slouchy.’ I’d recommend skipping this trend!
Pastels
Every spring they try to force pastel colors on us. While they are lovely and light they make many of us feel pasty and dreary. If they are not your best color, but you feel you want to wear one, be sure to pair your pastel with a color in which you look truly magnificent.
Statement Collars
Oversized collars seem like a good idea until you put one on. They are so often combined with cute puffy sleeves which can make them feel too sweet and child-like overall (like the one below). Or, the collar is so oversized the proportions feel wrong. This is not an impossible trend, but you’ll want to be very selective or mix the sweetness with something edgier. Of course, it all depends on your personality (inner beauty words) and what truly feels like you.
As always, no matter what you choose or what you need in your wardrobe, be sure you choose colors that look stunning on you (why settle for good enough when you can have great), clothes that fit beautifully and outfits that truly reflect who you are. All, of course, combined with comfy fabrics so getting dressed is a joy.
Have fun with it, and if you need help, be sure to let me know or check out my upcoming ‘Create Your Personal Style in 6 Weeks’ class starting April 7.
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A Note About the Clothes: All of the garments pictured here are vegan (made from fabrics that did not harm any animals). Please note that I am passionate about ending animal suffering and choosing cruelty-free clothing is just one aspect of a vegan lifestyle. If you have any questions about being vegan or what fabrics are vegan please let me know. I am happy to help and will answer any questions with kindness and compassion.
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