Let Me Be Your Personal Shopper: 8 Spring Trends From Zara, H&M, and Nordstrom
When a flood of new arrivals reaches your favorite retailers at the start of the season, it's hard not to get ahead of yourself. After months of seeing the same things over and over, being inundated with fresh options is exciting—sometimes too exciting. It can be so overwhelming, in fact, that you (i.e., me), go a tad overboard and, in turn, over budget.
In order to keep you from making the same mistake I did when I started shopping for spring—blowing my entire wardrobe allotment for the season on a few splurge items—I'm offering up some free personal shopping services. Ahead, I handpicked eight spring trends available at Zara, H&M, and Nordstrom that will make your wardrobe a success without breaking the bank before the season even begins. Even better, none of my selects will cost you more than $150.
Menswear Inspired
Take it from someone who shops in the men's department almost as much as the women's one: This trend is *it.* From tailored Bermuda shorts and oversize blazers to baggy trousers and waistcoats, pretty much all of today's biggest trends have ties to menswear.
It's Giving Edgy
Showcased at Prada and Alexander McQueen's S/S 22 shows, the "rough around the edges" trend (as I like to call it) is going to be huge come spring. In fact, Hailey Bieber and Rihanna are already getting on board.
This jacket has been in my cart for months, and I think it's finally time to press purchase.
Ribbed and Ready
Nothing says refined luxury and comfort quite like a rib-knit, well, anything. If you want to feel cozy while looking expensive, go for a rib-knit piece, from dresses to matching sets.
I have a dress just like this one, and I wear it constantly.
Microscopic
Look around. Clothes are shrinking. In the place of midi skirts and dresses with puff sleeves are micro minis, cutout dresses, and bra tops. And as the weather warms up, fashion is only going to get smaller and more revealing. Bring it on.
The '90s Called
It might be 2022, but by the looks of the top fashion trends of the year, it could easily be any year between 1990 and 1999. With leather blazers, Levi's, tiny shoulder bags, and maxi skirts, we're living in a '90s world, sartorially at least.
Super Saturated
Goodbye, neutrals; hello bright, vibrant colors. According to S/S 22 runway collections by Versace, Valentino, and Brandon Maxwell, spring is all about saturated shades.
The Lowdown
Whether or not you're ready for low-rise jeans and trousers to return to vogue, they are coming, so you might as well prepare for their arrival. Luckily, the styles below are both on-budget and not as scary as you might think.
Academia
Ever since The Crown's fourth season, focused primarily on Princess Diana, came out in 2020, the fashion crowd has been steadfast in re-creating the people's princess's collegiate style. Think varsity jackets, oversize button-downs, and stripes.
Next: By Far, These Are the 10 Most Important Trends for Spring 2022
Eliza Huber is an NYC-based senior fashion editor who specializes in trend reporting, brand discovery, and the intersection of sports and fashion. She joined Who What Wear in 2021 from Refinery29, the job she took after graduating with a business degree from the University of Iowa. She's launched two columns, Let's Get a Room and Ways to Wear; profiled Dakota Fanning, Diane Kruger, Katie Holmes, Gracie Abrams, and Sabrina Carpenter; and reported on everything from the relationship between Formula One and fashion to the top runway trends each season. Eliza lives on the Upper West Side and spends her free time researching F1 fashion imagery for her side Instagram accounts @thepinnacleoffashion and @f1paddockfits, watching WNBA games, and scouring The RealReal for discounted Prada.
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