What We're Wearing: SS 22

This year’s fashion weeks hit all audience with a sense of nostalgia. Trends from the 90’s and 00’s continue to loop back around and we’re seeing more of them rise to popularity yet again. I experienced a wide range of emotions while researching the spring and summer lines that premiered at fashion weeks all around the world and I’m here to give you a recap.

I’ve narrowed down the top 10 trends seen across all designers and have listed them into 4 categories: Invest, Thrift, DIY, and Skip. Some of them have more than one category depending on what articles of clothing I believe the trend will cater to the most.

Skips:

Micro Skirts:

The new mini skirt, but quite literally cut in half. Most of the shows in which I saw these skirts walk the runway, the items had raw hems making them look like the designers literally cut off the bottom half of the skirt. These skirts are a homage to the 90’s with an extremely low waist, but the 2022 version ends right at the same place as your butt. You can’t bend over, squat, or sit in these without flashing everyone.

I’m skipping out on the Micro Skirt because I simply find it impractical. I can’t think of any kind of event these would be appropriate for, let alone any situation in which I would feel comfortable wearing this item.

Cutouts:

Clothing with cutouts have been around a while, and never really went away. But cutouts are coming in strong to spring/summer 2022 and they are one thing: revealing. Designers are finding more and more ways to remove more and more fabric. We’re seeing a lot of ribcage, under-boob, sternum, chest, and thigh this season…and personally I’m opting out.

Don’t get me wrong, I love a fun open back, but these cutout tops and dresses are borderline lingerie. The only skin that seems to be covered is the skin that you’d get arrested for showing in public. Also – how the heck do you wear a bra with these things?

Thrifts + Invests + DIYS:

Crochet:

That’s right ladies, crochet is back. But here’s the difference. A few years ago, we saw crochet rise to fame in the swimwear department, but now it’s everything. Shirts, pants, skirts, dresses, etc. My one problem with this is that nothing is lined – it’s all see-through. Unless you’re going to wear pants under your crochet pants…then HELLO BOOTY. Also, crochet can look very lace-y, causing some pieces to look more like fancy underwear than swimwear. If I were you, I’d be mindful of the crochet patterns your picking out so that your fellow beach-goers don’t think you mixed up your bra for a bikini top.

I do like crochet, and there’s three articles of clothing I like it for: sweaters, swimsuits, and cover-ups. I’m putting this trend in the Thrift and Invest categories for one reason each.

Thrift – Go find those grandma sweaters at your local thrift stores.

Invest—this is the second time we’ve seen crochet swimwear in the past 6 years, it most likely will come around again in the next decade.

I suggest thrifting your sweaters, and potentially coverups, and investing in a nice quality crochet swimsuit that will last a while.

My one swimsuit recommendation is to find one that still has a lining. That way you’ll avoid any irritation or wardrobe malfunctions.

The Power Blazer:

Every woman knows that a good blazer boosts confidence. Blazers have been trickling back in for the past few seasons but are now, according to fashion week, officially back in. We’re seeing blazers with suit sets (we’ll get to that later), blazers with sweatpants, blazers with jeans; We’re seeing blazers with everything.

Blazers can take any outfit and automatically make it fancier. Whether it’s a business meeting, a day at the office, an interview, brunch with the girls, dinner with your man, or a night out on the town…a blazer gives you a one up. I love this trend.

I advise you to invest by thrift. Because these blazers are such a huge trend, brands are charging big dollars for them. I suggest the men’s section at any thrift store. The women’s section may have them too but you’re going to be able to find that oversized look in the men’s section easier. There are all kinds, fits, and brands to choose from and you will save SO much money. We’re talking $200 vs $10 for the same look.

Maxi Hemlines:

The maxi has made her return. I’m combining two trends here – maxis and layering. The layering trend is sticking to the maxi dress, using things like sweaters and belts over the dresses to give them that skirt/casual look. This also is beneficial for weather that is colder even in the spring season.

The maxi skirts are coming back in HOT. They’re not as maxi as we remember but not as tea-length as the midis on the market. Hitting right between the ankle and lower calf, these skirts give you an opportunity to show off a cute shoe. I love that this trend is coming back because maxis are so easy to style and throw on. Not to mention on a hot day they are perfect for staying cool while looking cute.

I’m suggesting you thrift these babies. We’ve seen them before, and we got rid of them in the past 2-3 years, and now they’re back. Your thrift store will have them, trust me. I recently got 2 from a thrift store that I LOVE!!

Monochrome:

If you’ve been watching the fashion world, you’ve been seeing this look creep up the past few months. We’re going monochrome, specifically with neutrals and layers galore. I’m talking a tan sweatpant with a tan crop top with a tan jacket and tan shoes and a tan purse. The only things not matching the single-color-palette with these outfits are the jewelry.

I suggest investing in this trend for one main reason: when the trend ends, you have neutral-toned pieces that will go with anything. When the next season’s trends appear, you’ll have basics that will be necessary for any outfit. Stick with layering basics for this trend so that you can reuse them forever.

Stone/Neutral Suits:

We’re slowly going back to the office, and with that comes office-wear. Designers understood the assignment completely by throwing stone colored/neutral tone suits into their look books for the spring/summer.

This is another trend I say to invest in. These suits have never really gone out of style and honestly never will. People will always work, and we will always need business-casual clothing.

Thrift your blazers – like we’ve covered. Invest in your pants. You want a well-fitted and comfortable suit pant. Take a day and shop around or order a bunch of different styles and return what doesn’t work. Find the style that flatters your body shape and makes you feel comfortable.

Platform/Chunky Shoes:

The last time we saw chunky shoes was the 90s. The dad sneakers, chunky heels and the boots. Most people relate this kind of chunky shoe with the 60s-70s (with the go-go boot) but that’s just your Halloween stores trying to make you spend money.

Invest. Invest. Invest. The 90s styles will always come back, because they already have. Just like we’re copying the 90s now, in 30 years people will say they’re copying the 2020’s when they’re just copying the copying of the 90s. Most popular sneaker brands are making chunky/platform shoes. Converse, Vans, Nike, Puma, take your pick. I even have a pair of platform high-tops that are converse look-a-likes from TJ Maxx for $25.

We’re seeing platform heels too. These have the faux 70s look while also giving a bit of a plastic-Barbie shoe vibe. Not my style but cute.

Layered Chains:

Invest. That’s all.

Chain necklaces have never gone out of style. Designers have only “brought them back” by changing the way that we style them. This season, it’s layering. But here’s why I advise you to invest. Jewelry lasts forever. For now the trend is to layer and next year it may be to be simple, but you’re going to need the necklaces anyway.

You don’t need to go out and spend thousands of dollars but get some high-quality jewelry. These pieces can be worn forever and then even passed down. For example, I have a gold snake chain necklace that was my grandmothers, and more chains that belonged to my Nana. Get something that isn’t going to turn you green. We are classy ladies, not the grinch.

Pearls on Pearls on Pearls:

The pearl has once again been washed ashore, and this time she’s taking over everything. We’re seeing the early 00’s trend of pearl embellishments on clothing rise up. For this – DIY it honey. Go to Hobby Lobby or Michael’s and get some faux pearl buttons to sew onto your cardigans. Get some pearl beads to embellish your sweaters. Feel free to use this trend as an excuse to buy a new top, but there’s really no reason to do so. You can DIY this trend for less than $5 and then if it ends, simply remove the sewn-on pearls.

When it comes to pearl accessories, we’re mixing them with gold. I’m going to repeat what I said in the previous trend breakdown, invest. Pearls, like necklaces, will never go out of style. So, buy yourself a nice pearl necklace or pearl earrings. Embrace your inner Audrey Hepburn and adorn yourself with those pearls.