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While we’ve been lying on our couches, embracing that pandemic-induced 24/7 sweatpants life, designers are taking an optimistic approach to the future of fashion. Breaking us out of our comfortable ruts, this year’s wardrobe makeover is a mix of nostalgic looks and elevated basics.
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To help with your wardrobe revival, we asked a few style experts about their top fashion trends for 2022. What you can expect includes pleated maxi skirts, pops of playful color, clean-cut collegiate styles, and iridescent pearls that remind you of the The world is your oyster, even if your walkway is still the hallway between your home office and kitchen.
1. Preppy Sweater Vests
When prepwear, aka the clothes you picture Ivy Leaguers wearing, strutted down the spring 2022 runways, the nerdiest of fashionistas clapped their hands in delight. The star pupil of this smart, button-up style? The sweater vest.
A ’90s favorite of Clueless icons Cher and Dionne, these sleeveless knit tops are ready for a big year. And according to stylist Lauren Rae Levy Vigneron, founder of the New York City-Malibu styling and consulting firm LRL Group, the nerdier, the cuter.
“Cable knits and silly prints are in,” she says, giving a nod to trendsetter Harry Styles and his wardrobe full of vests. “My favorite way to rock this look is with a cozy fabric, like paisley, in a fun print or solid neutral, and a cool white or ivory shirt underneath.” If your vest is too big, pair it with straight or wide leg pants, a mini skirt, leather pants or, another 2022 trend, a pleated skirt.
“I love vests, and there are so many options for them right now,” says Emma Trask, stylist to celebrities Scarlett Johansson, Beyonce and Carrie Underwood, and founder of The Chrysalis Lab, a lifestyle brand that recycles vintage clothing. . pieces into new ones. “Take a masculine/feminine approach to style by wearing a sweater vest over a maxi dress or an oversized suit vest over a slip dress.”
2. Denim on denim
While Britney and Justin rocked the red carpet look at the 2001 American Music Awards with their infamous all-jeans-matching moment, today’s monochrome vibe will change the way you view denim. Designers are taking a more subtle approach to this bold trend without diminishing its wow factor.
“[Modern] denim shades are softer, less washed out,” says Vigneron. “The patchwork we’re seeing is cleaner than previous trends, so some [designers] they call it ‘paneling,’” he explains, noting that the seams are hidden inside the garment for a seamless transition from one denim color to another on the outside.
To approach the denim-on-denim look conservatively, she suggests you keep it clean. “Don’t wear jeans that are almost the same shade,” she says. Instead, be intentional, whether or not you match them perfectly.
3. Knit and crochet textures
I apologize to your favorite Athleta hoodie and joggers, but it’s time to move from casual wear to items that meld comfort with style. Knitwear has become the top-ranked shopping fabric amid the pandemic, according to Brooklyn fashion stylist and TV pundit Denise Caldwell. “You can wear it to lounge around the house or, if you need to run a quick errand, you have a feel-good knitwear that makes you feel like you got dressed with minimal effort.”
2022 tends to move beyond basic sweaters in favor of crochet ensembles and styles, like ankle-length dresses and cropped tops that work with wide-leg pants. “A knitwear ensemble is something that has become a fashionable version of glamorous leisure,” she says of the alternative to the traditional jogging suit. “Imagine a matching fitted top and bottom.”
Knits make garments immediately more cozy and luxurious, says Trask. “Knitted sweater dresses are so versatile. Pair them with a matching boot and belt for elevated street style, or for evening, glam it up with heels, a long blazer and jewelry.”
4. Pleated skirts
That famous crease is back. Instead of giving off school uniform vibes, playful pleating takes on a more grown-up look in 2022, with iterations ranging from feminine Dior miniskirts to sleek maxis a la Proenza Schouler.
“This style oozes femininity,” says Vigneron. “I love tight pleats that are midi length just as much as wider pleats on shorter pieces.” Pair your pleats with a blouse or sweater and sneakers or flat boots for the day and heels for an elegant look at night. “I’m also a big fan of vintage concert tops with pleated skirts for a feminine look with an edgy edge.” Alternatively, top them off with a denim or leather jacket, paired with a sneaker, for rock star status.
“I love a pleated leather skirt, preferably faux, with a sweater, which can be fitted or a little bigger and tucked in,” says Trask. “Add a statement belt and coordinating heel or boot.” For a high-end yet fresh elevated look, she suggests going soft with a pleated knit skirt and matching sweater.
5. Mother of pearl
Iridescent accents in the form of real and faux pearls are all over the runways, from the head, as with pearl-encrusted headbands, to the feet, as in a pair of pearly ankle boots. Lately, even pearl skin and nail accents have graced the red carpet.
While this trend isn’t new — Caldwell dates it back to the 16th century — the delicate dressing of adorning yourself with pearls is even bolder this year. “Pearls have a glamorous, statement effect,” she says. “They have been modernized with oversized details and inlays.” Styles range from varsity wear in cardigans to bustiers done up with pearlescent accessories.
“Pearls subtly embellish and elevate a piece,” adds Trask. “They transform all kinds of fabrics.” Designers have been sprinkling pearls on everything from chiffon to silk, from cashmere to wool. “Mixing pearls, rhinestones and fringe can create a super glam rock look, while pearl embellishments on sheer or mesh fabrics can elevate a sexy look.” Creatively placed pearls on knit pieces offer a fresh take on classic dressing, and pearls mixed with denim or leather and metal provide an edgy street style.
6. Statement cuts
Whether strategically placed along the waist of a blazer or along the arms of a bodysuit, little bits of skin are drawing a lot of attention beyond the cut-out dresses you’ve seen in the recent past. It’s up to you to decide what you want to display, making each outfit truly individual.
“Cutouts are a great way to make an outfit unique and unexpected,” says Trask. Clearly, this style appeals to your sexy side, but to smooth things over, she suggests pairing a garment with more concealed pieces: a cut-out dress with a smock and boots, or low-rise slouchy pants with a cut-out top.
7. Dopamine dressing
As we struggle to come to terms with the past two years, it could take “escaping” into our closets both literally and figuratively. Enter the dopamine dressing, or wearing cheery outfits, often bursting with color, that lift your mood. Named for the “happy hormones” released by your brain that help give you that feel-good high, this trend is just what the doctor ordered.
“The dopamine bandage took on a new meaning after the lockdowns,” says Vigneron. Pinterest’s 2022 trends report shows a 16x increase in searches for “vibrant outfits,” proving that now is the time to head somewhere beyond the rainbow.
“Bright, cheerful colors make people happy, and who doesn’t want to do all the things that lift their mood, as well as those around them?” she says. While it started in the DIY world of tie-dye sportswear in spring and summer 2021, the trend has evolved into bold color blocking. “If it makes you feel happy and confident, go for it,” says Vigneron. “I like to mix textures and layers with this trend, but I also love seeing people experiment with it and make it their own.”
The dopamine bandage isn’t always about color. It can be textures, patterns, or whatever makes you feel good.
“The joy of wearing bright colors is a trend for good-looking, good-feeling outfits that can be worn over and over again,” says Caldwell, who also looks to flowers, rainbows and abstract patterns for a splash of personality. “This year is about dressing comfortably, but also about wearing things that improve your mood. Adding color can rejuvenate your everyday attitude and update your style in an instant.”
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Source: www.usatoday.com