We haven’t had much of a winter here – the least amount of snow maybe ever in a winter in Boston – so spring feels a bit anti-climactic (at least to me). But, it’s always nice to leave the threat of snow behind and look at clothes for warm weather.
As I’m going through the spring/summer trends I’m noticing a wide variety of styles that span from beautiful and wearable to downright wacky…maybe even more than recent past seasons. The good thing about that is that it’s even more fun to write this because there has been lots of eye-rolling on my part.
Thankfully, there are enough lovely trends to make shopping and getting dressed feel exciting. And, as usual, some of the crazier trends are so ridiculous that they are not making it to mainstream stores.
As usual I’ll share my favorites with a few examples below as well as what’s either bewildering or bothersome. Let’s see what’s happening in style this season!
BEWITCHED
Spring Colors
The spring colors are what you’d expect…mostly ranging from pastels to super bright (think acid lime green and shocking pink!). It’s a bit harder to find the mid-tones or deeper colors, but they are still out there (like the color of the year: magenta) so don’t despair if those are your chosen colors. This bubble gum pink is particularly hot:
You’ll also see lots of lavender – some of it so pale that it will wash most people out. And, there’s a wide variety of pinks from blush to cotton candy pink. The citrus colors like blood orange, sunshine yellow and lime green are here and a beautiful robin’s egg blue. There’s even a nod to olive green which is more typically seen in the fall.
For fun, you’ll also see metallics, especially silver.
Monochromatic Dressing
This has been popular for a while now and it is everywhere in bright colors. This can be an easy way to pull together an outfit and always feel elegant (and it doesn’t have to be only in bright colors). Take a look at this pretty example:
Denim
We can’t seem to get enough of denim and, of course, it’s always in style. This season there are a few changes happening. While I personally am not a fan of low rise jeans, I know some of you are and they are coming back. Thankfully, we can still find mid- and high-rise jeans as well. Why they don’t keep all of them as an option forever is beyond me!
Denim on denim is still ‘in,’ so don’t be afraid to match your denims in whatever combination you want.
Denim dresses (can you tell that denim is hot!) are everywhere and in every conceivable style, length and fit. It could be fun to explore if this idea appeals to you.
And that’s not all. Denim maxi skirts are in with a straight cut. Denim tends to be fairly stiff so if you have a curvy lower half, you probably won’t feel comfortable in this look because it won’t fit properly although some designers are mixing fabrics to make denim softer. I know I’ll be skipping it, but I kept it here in case you are excited by it!
There are so many options when it comes to denim. This is one that is super fun:
Dresses
Spring is a time when dresses are most popular because they keep you cool and feel fun, comfortable and sometimes flirty. There are too many styles to name, which is great, so there’s something for everyone. There’s just one that you’ll see in the ‘Bothered’ section below, but it won’t be bothersome for everyone. Otherwise, have fun with them. This dress is a gorgeous color that looks good on a lot of people and comes in a range of sizes.
Florals
Yes, florals are hot this spring. It would be more of a surprise if they weren’t in style! But I understand the obsession with flowers in the spring and summer and there are some really pretty florals out there (although the trend, supposedly, is for huge florals…thankfully, I’m seeing other options as well). This pretty floral blouse is a perfect spring addition to any wardrobe!
If you want to add a touch of floral in soft colors under a jacket or cardigan (or wear it alone!), this one is so pretty (and bra-friendly).
Bold Ballet Flats
The idea of ballet flats is not new, but taking them one step further to something a bit more bold makes them even more on trend. Why not get ballet flats in one of your favorite spring colors. Here’s an example in lavender and it comes in 12 other colors
Sculptured Statement Earrings
Wearing jewelry that speaks to who you are (your inner beauty) is critical to creating a look you love. Everyone’s interpretation of ‘statement’ earrings is different. This season’s sculptured statement earrings are hot. Here’s a very delicate but fun statement option:
BOTHERED
Bubble Hems
The bubble hem style can be really difficult to wear. I still have a bubble hem teal trench coat by Samuel Dong that is beautiful. But this season, it is mostly done in super short lengths which tends to look best on very young women or teens (or pre-teens!). Cute, but unless cute is one of your inner beauty words and you can handle the super short length, I’d say skip it. See what I mean below:
Drop Waist Dresses
This is actually a pretty style, but it’s mostly designed for a very straight body. For the rest of us it will tug and pull in places, especially at the seam of the dropped waist and be uncomfortable. If this style sounds right for you, this is a really pretty one:
Mini Skirts
Again, there is nothing wrong with mini-skirts (I’m talking mid-thigh or above). That short length can often feel too revealing as we get older. This one might be just long enough for some women to feel comfortable (and if there’s a slight hem it would be easy to take down a bit).
Sheer Everything
Spring and summer are the perfect seasons to incorporate some sheer options into your dressing since you don’t have to worry as much about feeling cold. They give coverage without feeling heavy or overwhelming. This season, however, sheer has gone to a whole new level—sometimes too far?
I doubt that most of us will be wearing the extremes they’ve shown like this one:
But there are ways to incorporate some sheerness to your wardrobe without revealing all…like this pretty dress:
BEWILDERED
Denim
Yes, denim is here as well as in the bewitched category. What’s popular (said with a touch of disbelief) is baggy, slouchy and low-rise jeans. Yes, they are probably super comfortable and I know there are some people who can pull off these jeans and look cool, but I’m absolutely not one of them. I just look and feel messy and feel frumpy. So, you get to decide for yourself, as always.
Denim boots…yes, you read that right…are in. These are a fad and won’t last. Not to mention that they are tricky to style without looking weird or like you’re a rebellious teenager.
Oh, and another denim look supposedly growing in popularity is wide-leg jeans that ‘puddle’ on the ground. Good luck with that!
Oversized Blazers
I have never understood the obsession with this trend and this is not the first time the trend has surfaced. To be swallowed up in shapeless, oversized fabric makes no sense to me, but I know some people are really into it so I’ll leave it to them…or you?
Slouchy Cargo Pants
As if there isn’t enough going on with cargo pants having all those pockets on our thighs, they add a level of droopiness to it. Go figure! This is one pair I found that is a more refined cargo pant – I know…I know…some of you love the casualness of the basic cargo pant and that’s great and I bet you look amazing in them. I love that this pair offers another option as well.
Ruffles, Bows, Hearts & Rosettes
You might be wondering why I added this to the bewildered category and the answer is simple. Why do they (whoever THEY are!) assume we ALL want to wear fussy details on ALL our clothes. I have no problem with ruffles, bows, hearts and rosettes (although you’ll see very little if any of those things in my wardrobe), but do they have to be on nearly everything? If you add ‘florals’ to this list, that’s a huge percentage of what you see available when you shop in the spring and summer.
So I don’t seem like a total spoil-sport (and I know some of you rock those fun details), I love that this sweater has ruffles, but it’s in a stronger color so the overall feeling is not quite as sweet as many ruffled tops are.
There you have it! These are some of the key trends this season. Have fun shopping and exploring and adding to your wardrobe. Or see what you have already in your closet that’s now a hot trend…you just never know!
As always, never settle for good enough when you are buying something new or putting together an outfit from what you own. Figure out (on your own or with my help) what brings you the greatest joy (whether it includes one of these current trends or not) and create a wardrobe full of THAT! Then getting dressed becomes fun and easy.
Enjoy!
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NEED HELP? If you aren’t sure which trends suit you or even if you should add any. Or, if you’re overwhelmed with what you already have never mind adding something new, join me in my next ‘Create Your Personal Style in 6 Weeks‘ class and get your questions answered and my personalized support!
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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