Setting New Fashion Trends

STORES SHIFT By Lorie Beardsley-Heyn FOR SPRING STYLES

The coming of spring signals a renewal not only in the winter-weary world around us, but also in our wardrobes as we put away the darker and heavier clothes in anticipation of lighter and brighter fashion. and warmer blend of orange and yellow; green ash, a soft and pleasant pistachio green; cerulean blue, a milky pastel blue; and illuminating – Pantone’s color of the year – a vivid, cheerful yellow.

After a di cult 2020 and a dreary winter, lighter and brighter are defi nitely in vogue this spring. The color palette for the 2021 season has been described as “sorbet pastels.” Kassi Crawford, manager at the women’s clothing store Maurices in Adrian, echoed that sentiment, “We’re seeing brighter tones with more saturated colors.”

Pantone has released its colors for this season, among them are raspberry sorbet, a vibrant pink-purple color that evokes images of spring fl owers; burnt coral, a rich and soft peachy color; marigold orange, a deeper While the focus will shift to cheerful colors for spring, the trend in fabrics will continue from the fall. “The shift has very much been to comfort clothing,” Crawford said. Loungewear is still in demand, and soft fabrics will abound, in items ranging from tops to dresses.

Dresses are always a predominant spring clothing item. Bralette, babydoll, and A-line dresses in fl orals, grays, and pastels like baby pink will be on trend this season.

Erik Cha n, store manager at the “fast fashion’ retailer rue21 in Adrian, said that dresses will be in abundance at his store.

“Shoppers will fi nd styles appropriate for attending church, taking those Easter pictures, and creating that spring girl look by pairing a bralette dress with a jean cut-o jacket and a hat,” Cha n said.

As for denim, the trend will be toward more straight leg jeans. Graphic tees would be an ideal pairing. Crawford noted that graphic tees are on trend at Maurices, featuring messages about kindness and peace and other messages that refl ect the current culture.

Cha n also noted that the 90s remain on trend for spring with graphic tees at rue21 featuring designs from Disney, Sailor Moon, and 90s themed TV shows. The 90s theme appears on masks, as well as words and phrases, and plain color masks as well.

Crawford said that the masks available at Maurices, feature prettier and more delicate designs and the colors that people will be wearing this spring.

Photo Credit: Maurices Though masks continue to be an accessory in 2021 allowing for expressions of individuality, they also

conceal a great deal of one’s face, in some cases leading to changes in the way people choose to apply makeup. “I think people have learned to do something di erent with makeup,” Crawford said, “There is more focus on the eyes of course.”

A “reimagined cat eye” will be popular in 2021 according to Vogue. In continuing with the trend toward cheerful color, bold colors will also be prevalent in lipstick in particular for those who choose to apply lipsticks.

In addition to the colorful choices that will be available this spring, expect to see the classic neutral trend as well. The neutral trend can be worn in a variety of ways such as pairing grey pants with a soft, white tee, or camel chinos, which will defi nitely be on-trend this spring, with a classic white button-up shirt.

When it comes to the classic white button-up shirts, expect to see the oversized white shirt this spring. In addition to white, the oversized shirt will be available in colors like the soft blue.

Oversize jackets will also be in style this season, particular as layering pieces are part of an early spring wardrobe. Though comfort is on trend with more people working or attending classes from home, many people still have to go to work. When it comes to business casual attire, shoppers will fi nd a mix of both the softer fabrics and the more traditional fabrics. Crawford noted that this year’s colors will be making their way into business casual looks in the way of tops and blouses.

As for accessories, layered jewelry will also be a popular look this spring according to Cha n. The varying lengths of the pieces at rue21 make it an ideal choice for the lower necklines in tops and dresses. Crawford noted that the 90s trend can be seen in the jewelry as well, with their pieces featuring delicate charms and varying lengths of simple chains.

Spring footwear will follow the shift toward comfort. Crawford mentioned that wedge sneakers and sneakers in pretty colors will be in this season, but, of course, sandals will be part of the spring lineup as well.

Photo Credit: Rue 21 When it comes to a season’s varied trends, the prevailing advice is that fashion should be fun. Cha n agrees with that message, “You can wear anything. We have a lot of everything for everyone.” so take a note from the themes for spring 2021. Find enjoyable places to shop and brighten up your wardrobe with comfortable choices.