As we look towards the official start of spring, and as the weather slowly turns over its leaves, we can start thinking about warmer-weather dressing and this season’s trends.
To be honest, I’ve never been someone to follow trends blindly. I much prefer pieces that stand the test of time and quality staples that speak to my personal style.
However, it’s always fun to check in on trends, see what resonates with said personal style, and how I can maybe freshen up those timeless classics and staples with a new twist or trick.
I also think you can utilize trends to reframe your current wardrobe and shop your closet to switch up how you wear the clothes you already own. So, with that framework in mind, here are some spring trends to consider.
First up, bright color combinations. If you generally gravitate towards neutrals, color-pairing trends can act as a soft launch means of incorporating brighter shades into your outfits. For spring this year, some colorways gaining ground are various combinations of blue, pink, brown, and red shades. Think ballet pink and cherry red, espresso brown and cerulean blue, scarlet red and cobalt blue, bubblegum pink and chestnut brown, or burgundy and ice blue. You are likely to already have garments in some variations of these shades that you may not normally wear together. Let these combinations (or come up with one of your own) direct you to put together a new outfit formula from your current closet. And don’t restrict color combos to tops, bottoms, and jackets; you can also create pairings with accessories, like tights, scarves, and bags.
Speaking of accessories, each year when the days get longer and the sun feels brighter, sunglasses become part of the daily uniform. Sunglass trends cycle through the usual suspects of aviator, cat’s eye, round lenses, and tortoiseshell frames. This year, black oversized sunglasses are back in fashion. The right pair can feel like an outfit on its own when worn with simple basics. If you already have a pair, great, be sure to clean them off before popping them on. If you’re in the market for a pair, there’s Quince’s Cartagena Polarized Acetate Sunglasses with black frames and grey gradient lenses. For something a bit more retro, check out Free People’s Polly Oversized Square Sunglasses. I love popping on an almost ridiculously oversized pair of black sunglasses to add a bit of glamour to less-than-glamorous days when I’m skipping eye makeup or sporting second-day hair.
Some seasonal trends aren’t really trends at all; they are more so garments and styles that just come back around as the calendar progresses and then recede as the year moves forward. For spring, an example of this is trench coats. Again, trends come and go, but this classic is always in style as March becomes April (it also comes back as September turns into October). I’ve had the same GAP trench for over a decade, and their current Icon Trench Coat comes in khaki or black and with a sleek silhouette that is just as fashionable as it is water-repellent and functional. Of course, you can switch this classic up with a cropped cut, pattern, or non-traditional color. Macy’s offerings from London Fog include several varieties of trench coats, like their Women’s Single-Breasted Hooded Belted Trench in smoky dusky pink, which hits both the staple of a trench and gives you the option for some interesting color pairings. I can see this pink coat working over a brown dress and brown knee-high boots for a low-key, yet fresh springtime outfit.
Similar to trench coats, cardigans will always have a place in a springtime wardrobe. Spring is basically the other sweater weather of the year after fall, and cardigans are ideal for the shifting temperatures of April and May days. A black cashmere cardigan is perfect to wear on its own or have on hand as an extra layer. You can also wear it as an accessory when draped or tied around the shoulders. Quince’s Mongolian Cashmere Cardigan Sweater comes in standard black and grey. Conveniently, on trend, it also comes in shades of red, brown, and blue for another opportunity to experiment with color combos this spring. I like how you can throw a cardigan of any shade over a grey tee and dark wash jeans to feel pulled-together for whatever your day holds.
Lastly, if you’re looking to add more visual interest to your Spring outfits, then consider asymmetrical cut silhouettes, which are trending. Even the simplest dress, skirt, or top feels more interesting when it’s asymmetrical. If you’re a bit light on asymmetry in your wardrobe, check out Loft’s Heathered Asymmetrical Neck Ribbed Top or H&M’s Asymmetric Top in dark taupe, black, or white. The intentionally irregular neckline of these knits elevates them from simple pullovers to something with a bit more polish. You can also do asymmetry in skirt form with White House Black Market’s Asymmetrical Faux-Wrap Pencil skirt. Wear this with a crisp white blouse for a chic, yet edgy look. If you already have asymmetrical pieces or want to experiment with this trend, keep it to one asymmetrical garment per outfit. Having both a skewed top and bottom may have you looking like you’re about to fall over, and there’s nothing trendy or fashionable about falling down.
