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Fashion is weird. Right now is no exception, as hyper-femininity and questionable outfits shape the scene, making me really wonder WTF is going on. To be fair, this is all coming from someone who either wears Shyannes or Vans on any given day and has zero legitimate merit to speak on the fashion industry. I’m more of a casual fashion enjoyer; frankly, I think an average person’s opinion on fashion is more relatable than anyone who actually understands the industry. So, with that out of the way, let’s talk shop.
Angelina Ballerina: Off-Duty Ballerina Athleisure
Some of you really seem to think it’s OK to style athleisure with anything and everything. By some of you, I mean you heathens who are wearing Lululemon and heels together. (Don’t believe me? I didn’t either – look it up on TikTok, and you’ll understand.)
After the rise of ballet flats toward the end of 2024, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that people started to style them with athleisure. (Because, again, some of you are really wearing athleisure with anything.) Luckily for my eyes and your dignity, the ballet flats actually work with athleisure. It seems like a natural pairing to mix lowkey, girly athletic wear with shoes inspired by a hyper-feminine sport. I can’t say I’m surprised by this, though; over the course of the past year or two, fashion has been priming the pump for a wave of Angelina Ballerinas to run amuck. Athleisure itself has been holding its own as a style segment, particularly with yoga- and pilates-based brands like Lululemon and Alo on the frontlines. A patchwork collection of hyper-feminine trends has bulked up the clothing industry as well, with coquette, tradwife, Barbiecore and the like being a few of the guilty parties. So, the crossover of athleisure and hyper-femininity comes without much shock or objection.
That being said, I won’t be purchasing a pair of ballet flats anytime soon, but those of you who lean toward clean girl and coquette aesthetics will pull this trend off excellently.
Outfit Inspiration
[Top row, L to R: Photo by Lululemon, Rat Boi, Prada, C Paravano, Wear Bracha and Kendra Scott. / Bottom row, L to R: Photo by Hollister, Vera Bradley, Mugler and Enewton Design.]
NYC Princess Fairytale
On a similar note as the hyper-feminine ballet core, fairytale aesthetics are clocking in as the next big trend. Corsets, lace and constructed bodices have been slowly peeking their heads onto the runway. But now they’re ready to go for this spring, and frankly, it’s the perfect time. Princess pastels and lightweight lace are the cream of the crop for spring’s warming temperatures and blooming flowers. For those of you who aren’t blessed to live in sunny Florida and still have to fight the cold, you can easily opt for royal jewel colors.
If you’ve been wanting to host a tea party like a little kid again, now’s your chance! Rally up your favorite ladies for an organized, classy dorm tea party, and experience the true fairytale aesthetic. Or, if you’re a little more of an exiled princess, grab a bottle of Crown and tell the girls to pull up in their finest princess attire. (Bonus points if you just do it all and serve spiked tea.)
Regardless of how you take your tea, fairytale fashion is brewing for this spring. TBH, I’m fully prepared to feel like a pretty princess all spring. But I can’t see myself rocking heels and silk every day, so I have a feeling I’ll end up being a redneck princess. I don’t think there’s a better way to describe my essence than redneck princess, but the princess of the sticks vibe isn’t for everyone, so I rounded up a few fairytale pieces that will make you look like a NYC or London princess.
Outfit Inspiration
[Top row, L to R: Photo by Peppermayo, Nordstrom and Vendula London. / Bottom row, L to R: Van Cleef, Van Cleef, Van Cleef and Charles Keith.]
Mama, A Nara Smith Behind You: Tradwife Tweed
OK, we’re still on a roll here with the hyper-femininity! But jumpscare: Nara Smith is taking over this spring. Somehow, she has everything to do with this and nothing to do with this. Smith’s hand in the popularity of tradwife aesthetics aside, let’s break this down, starting with the tradwife situation. If you live under a rock and don’t know who Nara Smith is, she’s a wildly popular content creator who has blown up for her cooking and lifestyle content. Her shtick is that she’s very traditional and homely. Think sourdough, bubblegum and yogurt from scratch with a side of being married to a male model. There’s been an overall uproar in interest in the tradwife and homestead aesthetics, and you know what happens when a topic becomes popular – it finds its way into fashion.
Tweed popped into the NYFW runway to say hello, marking its seasonal entrance for designers like L’Agence and Ralph Lauren. It does mesh with some other runway trends – like officewear and prep school style – so it seemed to fit in quite well with the mix. And honestly? I’m not mad about it. Much like the other trends on this list, I’m not going to be showing up to class in head-to-toe tweed anytime soon (nor am I likely to purchase tweed at all), but I like the idea of it. In conjunction with the officewear influence throughout FW, I can actually see this having a longer life expectancy than other spring trends. Especially as a college student transitioning into career life, figuring out what to wear can be a challenge, so I don’t mind getting to play around with my work clothes in daily life. If you’re ready to be mistaken for Jackie O or Nara Smith, here’s some inspo for you.
Outfit Inspiration
[Top row, L to R: Photo by Hello Molly, Oh Polly, Reluxe Vintage and Missoma. Bottom row, L to R: Dolce Vita and Aspinal of London.]
Go Fish: Reel-y Weird, Fin-sane & Off the Scales Style
Alright, it’s time to reel it in and talk about the final trend on my list. I know, I know; I’ve been baiting you a little bit on this one. WTF (What the Fish) are we waiting for? Let’s talk maritime, baby!
Chances are, you’ve probably heard the rumors on social media of the fisherman aesthetic making waves. Maybe you’ve felt like a fish out of water (OK, I promise I’m done with the nautical puns) trying to figure out what the hell ‘fisherman aesthetic’ is and why it’s trending. And, well… Same. But I did my research on this mysterious trend, and strangely, I think this is going to be the trend that we see the most this spring. I still have no idea who came up with the term fisherman aesthetic or why, but here’s what I’ve gathered.
Let’s be clear: we’re not roleplaying The Old Man and the Sea by any means. Fisherman aesthetic is a Frankenstein of PNW/New England summer, granola girl and your grandfather’s closet. We’re talking Boston Birks, chunky knit sweaters, soft-shell jackets, baggy pants, beanies, striped boxers, etc. Time to raid Nautica and Vineyard Vines! It’s cozy, it’s weather-appropriate, it’s lowkey – and you know what? I like it.
I can’t catch any sharks dressed like this, but I can look cute and nautical on my way to class. I think that works super well in coastal environments, and it’s comfy, so how could you go wrong with this?
Outfit Inspiration
[Top row, L to R: Photo by Vineyard Vines, Nordstrom and American Eagle. / Bottom row, L to R: Amazon, Revolve, LoveShackFancy, Birkenstock and Knockaround.]
I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to look like a professional fishing princess all spring. The trend combinations are a little wacky this season, for sure, but I’m excited to see how everyone approaches them.
Anyway, I’m off to catch some fish in a princess gown – good luck this season, soldier.