Say Goodbye To Skinnies: What’s In & What’s Out For Spring/Summer 2021

By now, most of you have seen (or heard about) the hysterical Holderness Family video mocking skinny jeans and side parts. Although these trends were bound to become extinct at some point (they have been around for over a century), it's leaving a lot of question marks out there for millennials, gen X (ahem), and hip baby boomers. Why does Gen Z get to make all the rules, and how accurate are they with these trends? Here's what I've uncovered...

As we step back into our closets, and (slowly) back out into the world, we notice how drastically fashion has changed over the past year. It’s even taken me a minute to wrap my head around it. What I’ve learned, is that it’s gone in a very different direction, and, sadly skinny jeans is part of the downward trend. The good news: I think most are going to really embrace these new looks and changes, and eventually find them easier to wear than past styles. As it comes to no surprise, comfort is everything these days.

That's So 2020...

Before we get to what’s on the “in” list for spring/summer let’s start with what’s “out.” My motto is always start at home. You can’t go shopping until you know exactly what you have, what should be purged and what to keep (think Sex and the City movie when the girls help Carrie clean out her closet and hold up signs, while sipping champagne). Ok, so..it's definitely not that much fun, but it's a necessary task if you want to stay current.

1. SKINNY JEANS & SKINNY TROUSERS (matchstick, and super skinny/second skin styles especially) source: multiple

2. SKINNY LEATHER PANTS (please don't kill the messenger; although these pants are on a downward trend, leather will never really go out. Def don't purge your leather leggings (or leather anything), maybe just put them at the bottom of the pile, for now) source: Brunette From Wallstreet

3. BIKER SHORTS (personally, I was never a huge fan. This is another moving trend, however, still deemed 'acceptable,' in the meantime) source: multiple

4. COLD SHOULDER, OFF-SHOULDER, & ONE-SHOULDER TOPS (sigh) source: multiple

5. NEON COLORS (pretty sure no one is crying over this) source: multiple

6. GIANT IN YOUR FACE LOGOS (It's more about simplicity. Designers are dropping intricate patterns and overly complicated fonts. Opting, instead for minimalist designs, disappearing letters, , clean and/or repeating text, and strong statements says Bonfire.com and justcreative.com)

7. HEAD TO TOE TIE-DYE (don't fret, tie-dye isn't going anywhere, it's just about breaking up the look now, according to Caroline Maguire, fashion director at Shopbop, and TZR)

8. TUNIC SWEATERS OVER LEGGINGS (another "sigh," but it's time. However, if I was pregnant right now, this would NOT fly. I basically lived in tunics and leggings for 9 months) source: Who What Wear

9. TIGHT OVER-THE-KNEE BOOTS (as much as I love this look, tall boots have seen their time, but they will be back, better than ever--my predication) source: Who What Wear

Now The Fun Part: WHAT'S IN!?

When its time to go shopping in, or outside of your closet, here's what to look for:

1. FLARE LEG, WIDE LEG & STRAIGHT LEG JEANS/PANTS (skinny-esque jeans, aka not so tight that they leave a seam mark on your leg, are OK as long as there is some fraying/detail at the bottom--this is MY rule, anyway) P.S. Destroyed jeans in any of the above styles are also hotter than ever

2. WAIST DETAIL & LOW-RISE (gasp!) JEANS/PANTS/SHORTS (don't worry high-waisted is still very much a thing--we just have a choice now (not a difficult one if you ask me)

3. CROPPED EVERYTHING (blazers, jeans/pants, tees...)

4. BOYFRIEND EVERYTHING " "

5. LOUNGEWEAR/ATHLEISURE WEAR

6. MINI SKIRTS (I always loved mini's, and thankful the over 30 rule is history)

8. COMFORT SHOES/SANDALS

9. SANDALS WITH BIG BUCKLES

10. MAXI DRESSES (loving this one shown below from Violet's of Saratoga)

11. PUFFED SLEEVES/SHOULDER PADS

12. PLATFORM BLOCK HEELS (yes, this 70's style is back, and there are not enough hearts)

13. OVERSIZED LIGHTWEIGHT SWEATERS & BUTTON-DOWNS

14. BRIGHT, HUED COLORS (really in love with these, so comforting and warm for spring/summer months)

15. BELTS (ok, so they were only out for a hot second, but belts (of most shapes and sizes) are really back now: skinny, big, scarf, knot fastening (leave out the bows), embellished, you can break them all out again--whoop! Personally, I hated letting my scarf belts from 2003 go as well as the belted sweater look from 2009, and can't wait to bring them back)

16. MULES/LOAFERS (carried over from last year, but still as popular as ever for this spring)

**For those who don't want to splurge on a entire new wardrobe right now, I've found it easy to put together some of these present trends with pieces I already own.

In summary, GenZ is pretty spot-on, and the choice is: we can either evolve, or fight it. I've decided against the latter because I love fashion, enjoy change and some of these new looks are waaay more comfortable than yesterday's. Also, I did succumb to the middle part, but only because it felt right to the 70's babe/hippie in me, and defines my look.

When it comes to fashion shifts and change, the most important thing is to be yourself, and wear what feels right and defines you. Consistent with my personal style, I like to keep it classic, mixing in the trends as they work for me. No trend should dictate your style, entirely. If it feels perfect to you--then by all means, wear it. Also, with styles evolving so frequently, you never know what's going to come back before we blink.

Hope you enjoyed this read as much as I enjoyed writing it! Happy (almost) spring! As always, feel free to DM me on Instragram/Facebook or comment below with any questions.

Xo,

Nichole