To say that we’re excited about spring would be a gargantuan understatement. With weddings back on the agenda (the sort that bears a striking resemblance to those held prior to 2020), holidays on the horizon, and the general enthusiasm that comes with brighter, warmer days, spring is all we can talk about right now. And with it, a large portion of our conversations centre around what we’ll be wearing this spring.
Like anyone else, each of our editors has their own unique aesthetic, honed by the things which they, of course, like, but also defined by the things they don’t. What you choose not to wear says just as much about you as the things you do, and our editors are no exception to this rule.
Curious to find out what they’ll actually be wearing this spring, I asked my colleagues to share the spring fashion trends they’ll be backing in 2022 and, just as importantly, the trends they won’t be wearing. Please, however, don’t take it to heart if one of our editors is bypassing the trend you subscribe to most—this is all personal preference, and the last thing we want to do is take away from yours. Honestly? Even I was surprised at some of the trends my teammates have decided to skip, but then again, life would be pretty dull if we all dressed the same, wouldn’t it?
Scroll on to see the seven spring trends our editors are skipping, balanced out by the seven they’ll be wearing instead.
Skipping: Loafers. Wearing: Mary Janes. “As much as I love the idea of being that chic, carefree girl in shiny flat shoes, the reality is blisters, flat feet that don’t take kindly to super-flat shoes, and a constant reminder that I’m short and look better in heels! So I’ll be going for another footwear choice of the French set: Mary Janes. For me, they’ll be my go-to shoe for midi dresses, skirts, jeans and cropped trousers very nicely, and I’m particularly interested in pairs with a platform right now. And maybe, just maybe, I’d even go so far as to buy a flat pair!”
The ideal way to fresh up your outfits is with a white shoe, and these Mary Janes are more than up to the challenge.
Tick off two major shoe trends in one with a platform-sole Mary Jane.
Tan shoes are just as versatile as black.
Skipping: Floral Dresses. Wearing: Statement Trousers. “I’ve had an up and down relationship with prints over the years, and while I’ve learned to love some styles, I’ve never been able to get on board with florals. Every spring floral dresses flood the high-street, and no matter how many times I experiment with different colourways, silhouettes and lengths, they’ve never felt very ‘me’. Instead, I’ll be going full steam ahead with graphic prints – I’m thinking leopard print, stripes and swirls – specifically in trouser form. Despite their extraversion, I find that printed trousers require relatively little effort to style, as they always look great with the basic tops and jumpers in my wardrobe. Easy, personality-filled and feel-good: The dream.”
Chain prints always feel authentically ‘70s—a decade that was prevalent on the spring/summer 2022 runways.
The knitted fabric makes these feel even more retro.
Nanushka always delivers on statement prints.
Skipping: Breton Stripes. Wearing: Animal Print. “Although classic Breton stripes are an essential to most, they do become noticeably on-trend once spring comes along, and I just haven’t got behind them yet. Reason being the nautical vibe they tend to exude isn’t quite my style in general. On the other-hand, I’ve been adding a few animal print pieces into my wardrobe lately – especially zebra. Animal prints definitely add a fun and quirky element to my wardrobe – so I can’t wait to style them more throughout spring!”
This will look cute styled with white socks and chunky loafers.
I can’t get enough of mesh fabrications as it is, let alone animal print mesh fabrications.
Beaded bags are going to be big news this occasionwear season.
Skipping: Naked Dresses. Wearing: Columns of Colour. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m very much in support of anyone brave enough to try the ‘new naked’ trend— those Nensi Dojaka string tops and cut out dresses aren’t for the faint hearted. But I’ll be leaving that trend to the supermodels this season and instead I’ll be embracing something else out of my comfort zone: colour. And not just a hint of it, I’m talking top-to-toe columns of colour as seen on the catwalks of Proenza Schouler and McQueen to name just a few. Although it might seem bold, wearing all one colour seems easier to me than colour blocking different shades, and it’s also a sure-fire way to look polished. COS and Arket will be my first stops on the high street to try out the trend!”
This dress comes in so many chic colours, but the yellow might just be my favourite.
The suit every editor on our team is currently smitten with.
A two-piece that looks so expensive?
Skipping: Slip Dresses. Wearing: Midi Dresses. “After two kids, the idea of wearing slip dresses fills be with sheer dread—though I admire them on others, even my collection of SKIMS can’t convince me to buy into the trend. What I do love—and can’t wait for the spring weather to make an appearance so I can enjoy—is volumised midi dresses. My go-to look is often a midi styled with trainers and a light jacket.”
You need to see the back of this dress to truly understand its beauty.
Florals are still very much on my radar.
This colour taps into the periwinkle trend.
Skipping: Clashing Colours. Wearing: Intricate Embroidery. “While I really love the bright colours seen on the spring/summer runways from afar, when it comes to the pieces I wear, I like them to be a little bit quieter. I respond to anything nostalgic, so, naturally I’m already gravitating towards homespun embroidery for spring; floral needlepoint being my preference. Just add a basket bag and I’m in heaven.”
Me in a dress.
The jumper that’s currently following me on social media.
I’d wear this just like the model—with high-rise jeans and tan accessories.
Skipping: Low-rise Anything . Wearing: Dopamine Dressing. “I predict orange and magenta are going to be the big colour trends this season especially thanks to Maison Valentino’s entirely pink show. But I have a real penchant for brilliant blue and green hues. Also seen on the recent runway from Jacquemus. Green (I affectionately call Bottega Green) was a huge trend last year—I already have a staple linen shirt I am thrilled to wear with pride again this spring/summer.”
This is how I like my greens.
Jacquemus is my go-to for statement pieces.
This would look so pretty paired with the matching bra top.
Next Up, Spring/Summer 2022 Trends: The Only 17 Looks You Need to Know About
