Now that the fashion weeks from New York, London, Milan, and Paris have wrapped up for those of us who follow along, it’s time to look at some of the trend predictions as we head into spring.
The following trends range from real-life wearability to outright ridiculous. But that’s part of the fun and fantasy.
Will I be sporting a Twisted Satin Capelet from Moda Operandi that costs $395 for Easter dinner? Of course not, but it’s still enjoyable to think about capes!
And speaking of capes, they aren’t just for superheroes. From last year’s scarf coats and sweaters, this year, the trend has literally extended into cape coats and jackets. Sam Edelman’s Double Breasted Cape Coat (currently on sale at Nordstrom) comes in modern ivory to breathe some fresh air into your transitional dressing and can be worn just as easily with jeans as with wide-leg trousers. Or check out Amazon seller Kissonic’s Oversized Scarf Jacket Shawl Peacoat in neutrals such as brown, gray, or light khaki to add an extra layer of cozy to your look. You can also interpret the cape coat trend with ponchos, shawls, or oversized scarves for a sense of laid-back elegance.
Another elegant trend to experiment with is soft suiting. The oversized blazers of previous years have given way to more drapey fits. Everlane’s The Drapey Blazer delivers on its name in navy or black. The lapels are still sharp, but the double-breasted silhouette gives a nonchalance vibe to standard office wear, especially when paired with their Draper Pleated Pant for a head-to-toe look. Universal Standard’s Bianca Double Breasted Ponte Blazer in sizes ranging from 00-40 will speak to this trend. I’d pair this with their Stephanie Wide Leg Ponte Pants with a t-shirt and sneakers for a very modern, cool-girl vibe.
Next are the new neutrals. Tired are the standard blacks, whites, grays, and navy of seasons’ past. Now, there’s a saturation of earth tones like camel, chocolate, buttery yellow, and burgundy. You can wear these shades in a tone-on-tone or monochromatic look or contrast them with the old neutrals aforementioned. This trend is by far the most accessible and can be easily shopped for in your current closet. However, if you are in need of a new neutral, then look to Uniqlo’s UV Protection Cardigan in yellow. The soft material and bonus of UV protection make this knit a trending and functional piece for your spring/summer wardrobe. Also, this trend lends itself to accessories, like camel boots, dark brown leather handbags, as well as outerwear.
This next trend hits more in the ridiculous range. The bubble skirt. Yes, this ’80s relic is having an unlikely comeback moment. Of course, not all bubble skirts are ridiculous to the same degree. American Eagle’s Bubble Mini skirt in black, white, or violet is not a garment I would recommend for anyone over the age of 25. However, Aritzia’s Bubbly Poplin Skirt in grove green or black with its midi length is something an adult, dare I suggest even a mature woman, could definitely wear. The bubbled hem, while not something I gravitate toward, is more wearable the longer the length. Aim for something that hits between the bottom of the knee to mid-shin, and you have a greater chance of pulling this off with a tank top and sandals come summer.
Another hard-to-tackle trend that, at times, can be controversial is the sheer trend. Transparent skirts, shirts, and full dresses have been around the high-fashion block for a while now but are making their way into the mainstream as of late. Surprisingly, sheer can be interpreted in various forms. At Gap, they have a Lace Midi Skirt that provides coverage while playing on the sheer trend. Wear this with its matching lace top and a camisole or with an oversized sweater. Linen is another form of sheer; look to Garnet Hill’s Easy Linen Button-Down Shirt in sand or white to give a hint of sheerness to a casual spring look when worn with jeans or khakis. Sheer dresses can make for fun beach coverups, allowing you a bit of coverage while showing off a cute suit. Coverage and layering are key for this trend, so outfit cautiously so as not to become a fashion victim with an unintended peek-a-boo moment.
Going back to more palpable styles is sporty spice. Athleisure, a concept that started with twentysomethings wearing leggings and hoodies outside of the gym, has evolved into standard wear for everyday life. This means that color-blocked windbreakers like Loft’s Lou & Gray Wanderweave jacket can pair beautifully with either joggers if working from home or jeans hauling around kids. Meanwhile, you can easily pair a polo shirt, like Lands’ End’s Lightweight Jersey Embellished Polo, with either track or office separates for a sporty chic look.
While not every trend is suited to everyone, if you do find yourself gravitating to one or two this season, hopefully, this rundown helps. This, like every trend report, should be read with a grain of salt, and please stay away from any sheer, mini bubble skirts.
