by ASHLEY NIELSEN
For many people, Spring is the best season to express themselves through fashion. It’s a great opportunity to shed those heavy winter coats and reveal a fresh new style. In your free time, you probably want to take advantage of the warming weather to get back into your outdoor hobbies. During office hours, a spring fashion makeover can get you a head start on climbing the career ladder. Here are eight trends to shake up your wardrobe routine in the coming year.
Mocha is the New Black
Although we’re starting with the basics, Pantone’s Color of the Year is anything but boring. Some of Pantone’s picks have been hit or miss, but Mocha Mousse is a universally flattering warm brown. This neutral stands apart from the starkly monochrome looks of recent years. Pair it with either light creams or the darkest mahogany shades, and you’re building a fresh, cozy take on a business wardrobe.
People with more daring personal styles can make Mocha Mousse work, too. This particular brown plays nicely with the other trends on this list. It balances out bright colors and showcases bold patterns while holding its own in the overall look.
Boho Chic
You can’t talk about color and pattern without mentioning this next hot trend. Yes, Boho Chic is back. This year the emphasis is on the ‘chic’ part. There are plenty of prints and paisley to be found, but the patterns are small and have a narrower range of shades. Colors lean toward slightly muted or earthier versions of Boho staples, like gentle sunflower yellows and mossy greens. Don’t forget about layering sheer elements with different fabrics. This creates that signature Bohemian contrast of color, pattern, and finish.
Flowing Silhouettes
Spring’s upcoming silhouettes combine a little structure with a lot of movement (like in the Soft Suit trend below). It’s really apparent in flowing dresses and stylish blouses, which intersect with the up-and-coming Boho trend. They’re also high-impact pieces, which is good news for your wallet. You can have fun exploring those breezy silhouettes and paisley patterns without needing to buy a totally new closet of clothes.
Soft Suits
Tailoring is still the name of the game in the business world, but this year suits are a little more relaxed. Some designers are taking the trend’s name seriously and using buttery soft materials. Think chenille cocktail dresses, brushed cotton, and more in gentle colors like dove gray and denim blue. Other designers have released softly tailored looks that hug in one key place and have more relaxed lines elsewhere. This combines the polish of elements like asymmetrical hems with the comfort of clothes that move along with you.
A Moderate Take on Maximalism
The Maximalism trend was big, bigger, and biggest last year. Some forecasts predicted that the style pendulum would rapidly swing in the other direction, but people are still taking it to the Max everywhere from home spaces to the fashion world. However, even its biggest fans are pulling back on over-the-top looks to create something more
practical for everyday life. People continue to layer accessories and bag charms, but this year you can still see the bag underneath. For both professional and casual outfits, reach for one or two statement pieces and keep the rest clean and simple.
Animal Prints
These came back into the public eye as part of the unashamedly luxurious Maximalism trend. Now they’ve evolved into something you can wear outside of one of those ‘more is more’ looks. You’ll find a lot of old favorites here, like cheetah and snakeskin, along with slightly Boho-infused patterns like cowprint. Many spring fashions tone the print down into a more wearable version through a subtler color pattern. For instance, cheetah prints may use lower contrast golden and medium brown. Some designers are also taking inspiration from lynx fur, using areas of darker faux fur to highlight features like cuffs and collars.
Dip Your Toes into Aquatic Looks
The mermaid trend is making a small comeback this year. Few people are rocking head-to-toe nautical looks, but a couple of key pieces can add lovely detail to the whole outfit. Sheer layers are an easy way to incorporate iridescent sparkle, while softly deconstructed suits can work well with waving hemlines. People are also taking inspiration from life on the sea, not just underneath it. Cable knit sweaters, pea coats, and boat necks can keep you comfortable on chillier springtime days.
Sustainability Every Step of the Way
What unites all of spring’s different trends? A growing interest in sustainable clothing. Buyers don’t just want to look good; they want fashion that is doing at least a little bit of good. This earth-friendly trend is reflected on the consumers’ side as more people than ever hunt for special pieces in thrift shops and consignment stores. When they buy new, they’re looking for clothes that:
- integrate into the design eco-friendly materials like recycled polyester
- are made of sustainable fabrics like Lyocell, linen, and organic cotton
- come from brands that minimize textile waste, or factories that reduce and offset their carbon footprints
- are sewn by people working under ethical conditions for a fair wage
- come shipped in eco-friendly packages, with minimal extra plastic
Show Off the New You in the New Year
There’s no one trend leading the pack in this spring’s fashion cycle. Instead, there are a variety of takes on what a fresh modern look can be. Some trends combine reimagined neutrals with classic lines, while others bring color and whimsy to your wardrobe. However, although these styles look quite different on the surface, they mix and match well. It’s easy to add a focal point to your soft suit with a mermaid scale patterned scarf or incorporate the modern and very wearable animal prints with a chic Boho dress.
The one thread connecting all these different looks is a growing demand for ethical and sustainable clothing options. People don’t want to compromise their style, wallets, or the environment as they step out in bold new looks. This year’s designers are listening, and offer more options than ever at every price point.
Ashley Nielsen earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration Marketing at Point Loma Nazarene University. She is a freelance writer who loves to share knowledge about general business, marketing, lifestyle, wellness, and financial tips. During her free time, she enjoys being outside, staying active, reading a book, or diving deep into her favorite music.
