Spring is a season that allows for some of the most creativity and diversity when it comes to fashion — it’s not so cold that you have to bundle up in a parka and not so hot that you have no choice but to wear a tank top and shorts (or even a bathing suit). There are plenty of opportunities for people to show off their unique style, still being able to layer and mix and match pieces of different lengths and sizes.
Welcome back to “Trendsetter,” where I take a deep dive into pop culture’s most recent trends. Between everyday fashion and festival outfits, some distinct dressing choices have begun to gain popularity.
Sporty chic is an aesthetic that I predict will be very big this spring and summer. Now, the term has been around for decades, typically referring to 2000s inspired matching tracksuits or tennis skirts and zip ups. However, today, the term places less emphasis on athletic practicality and is more tailored to chicness, with designs and elements of sports attire.
One of the things I love most about this trend is the mixing and matching of dressy pieces with more athletic ones. For example, many fashion influencers have been wearing sports capris, either leggings or in parachute style, with going out tops, like halter necks and tube tops. I have also seen skirts, mini and long, made of mesh, mocking scrimmage vests or “pinnies.”
Shoes are probably the most exciting part of this trend, however, namely crossovers between sneakers and ballet flats. Brands such as Puma and Adidas have created models of this shoe, like the Puma Speedcat Ballet sneakers and Catch Soleil Ballet Flat, and the Adidas Taekwondo Mei Shoes. These shoes are not only super cute but are much more comfortable for day trips or city walking (or any walking) than a typical ballet flat.
Switching spheres to festival style, Coachella, one of the largest music festivals in the world, wrapped up its final weekend of performances just a few days ago. A common theme amongst attendees was boho fashion. And I am not talking about hippie-inspired flowery dresses; people were dressing in boho-chic maximalism.
Over the top boho festival fashion was a trend in the early to mid 2010s, toward the end of the Tumblr era. People online seem to be mistakenly associating boho trends with 2016, instead of with a slightly earlier period of heavy fringe, flower crown headbands and excessively large jewelry — mixed metals of giant bangles, layered necklaces and dangling geometric earrings. Many of these styles not only have ties to the “peace and love” hippies from the 1969 Woodstock music festival but were originally influenced by traditional Indigenous clothing.
The best festival outfits are the ones constructed out of authentic pieces from over a decade ago, rather than those relying on fast fashion. Opting for a vintage (if you would call it that) Anthropologie or Free People fringe dress is a much more sustainable and realistic way to build your own look rather than buying a cheaper dupe on sites like Shein. I am not saying that Anthropologie and Free People are the most environmentally friendly options either, but second-hand is definitely the way to go if you are trying to accurately recreate any of these looks with better quality pieces.
As the weather heats up, will people begin to ditch heavy woven and fringed pieces and opt for a simple bikini top and shorts combo instead? The next few months will decide if boho fashion continues to dominate as other festivals like The Governors Ball and Lollapalooza take place over summer.