You never thought you would make it, but somehow, you stepped out of your morning class this week to be greeted by 60-degree weather. Now that everyone is taking time to hang out on the Spine between classes, you remember that you no longer have 12 layers of outerwear to disguise yourself from your peers. With that in mind, there is definitely a necessary transition between winter wear and spring style, and Pipe Dream is here to help.
In the haute couture world, pajamas have been making a comeback from fashion houses such as Dolce & Gabbana and Chanel. On the runway, sleepwear becomes daywear, which is fortunate for all students who do little more than roll out of bed to get to class each morning. But your 8:30 a.m. class look doesn’t have to be the only trend you take away from this season. From the runway to campus, this season brings distinct changes to this decade’s fashion in favor of comfortable clothing, a rare — and welcome — change.
One of the biggest noticeable shifts this semester is a change to more spacious clothing in women’s fashion. Showcased first from fashion houses like Alexander McQueen, Boss and Tome, billowing, soft-edged dresses with excessive fabric can now be found at every turn. Though fit-and-flare dresses are flattering on virtually every body type, as they emphasize a cinched waist opening out into an hourglass shape, they’ve been pushed aside for the time being in favor of the now-popular bohemian look. These outfits focus more on comfort than anything else — accompanying the trend of “athleisure,” or casual sportswear, the apparel is made to attain the same goal, but with style in mind.
In the same vein, women’s pants have sent their farewells to the reign of skinny jeans. Now, every designer from Balmain to Valentino is displaying wide-leg pants in their collections. The outcome that filtered into affordable brands are pants that flare out at either the waist or the knee, creating a gentle silhouette. The look is perfect for warmer weather, as fabric that stays too close to the body could become heated and uncomfortable.
As usual, floral prints accompany the warmer weather, though there are fewer pastel colors this spring than we’ve seen in years past — instead, bold, jewel-toned colors, like deep blues and reds, make an appearance on the runways of designers like Jason Wu and Oscar de la Renta. In addition to florals, loud geometric patterns are becoming popular, being the choice of print for leggings and shirts. The heightened color and contrast is sure to make an impact wherever you go, so be sure to stock up on these designs as you switch over your wardrobe.
Meanwhile, men’s fashion has stayed more consistent with trends that have been seen in previous years, though there are more patterned shorts in circulation — salmon shorts are no longer the go-to trend. Now, everything from American flag designs to sailboat-filled prints are being paraded around campus, so invest in a pair of these to ensure that you make your own statement.
One major shift, however, is that men’s fashion is beginning to look more toward the past for trends. Fashion designers like Raf Simons and Louis Vuitton are now looking toward the ’50s, with loose, relaxed shirts and tapered trousers. This trend follows what has already existed in women’s fashion for years, and is a fortunate shift away from the overly casual outfits that men have been wearing, such as ensembles that include basketball shorts.
Whatever you choose, make sure you are losing the scarves and the parkas and enjoying the outdoors, because if Punxsutawney Phil was right, then hopefully the warmth is here to stay.