Hi friends!
Sooooo, a few weeks back I finally got around to ordering myself some new spring clothes. I won’t lie, it did feel a little weird — like, what even is in style anymore? Does anyone know? I’ll say this for certain — it definitely feels a lot more up to personal interpretation this year. I guess we have a little to go off of, with Influencers still posting — but without events (or even public socializing) over the last year, it’s pretty easy to feel at a loss or overwhelmed trying to narrow down exactly which clothes you’d want to buy this spring, especially with the promise of the world re-opening sometime soon.
After the last year, my aesthetic (and body) has changed a fair bit (I’m sure I’m not the only one who put on the COVID 15…right? We weren’t all just joking about that? Okay good). It’s been a bit rough, needing to replace staples that no longer fit and wanting some new spring clothes, as well as some new clothes that fit my style a little better than my spring style from two years ago now. (I just realized that was kind of the last time I seriously invested in new spring clothes now, because of COVID and my busy schedule this year, and it actually has me shook. Like I sat there for a minute processing that fact for at least a minute after I wrote that sentence because…….dang. Two years.).
Anyway, I decided to put in a little haul from both Zaful (for some quick and easy pieces) as well as NastyGal (for some longer-lasting denim staples and some extra, more stylized items). I’ve organized these pieces into a couple of specific outfits, rather than just buying random clothes to fit into my already-existing wardrobe. This way, if nothing else, it’ll be a little easier to figure out what to wear before going out (which has been one of my biggest struggles over the last few months. Sounds silly, but between how many of my clothes don’t fit and what does not matching — it takes a while to find something even decent to wear out). At the end of the day, there’s still considerable lockdowns here in Vancouver, so it’s not like I’ll be going out often anyway — I’d rather make a couple really great outfits count, rather than trying to re-expand my wardrobe into something with all sorts of options.
The following are a couple of my new fave outfits I’ve put together — both based on what seems to be in style, as well as what I personally love. Hopefully, if you’re also feeling a little lost over what clothes to even buy this spring, you’ll find something here you’ll love as much as I do!
Oversized Sweaters & Pleated Skirts
This has kind of been a look for a while now, but now that winter’s finally done, the weather is warm enough (and I finally have places to go) that I can finally wear this out. All you need to replicate this look is a baggy sweater, a pleated skirt and a collared shirt — so odds are, you’ll have at least 1/3 items for this ensemble in your closet already. This look is easy, comfy, and cute without feeling too dressy for an average day out. (In fact, I actually used to wear more a less this exact outfit out all the time back when I was eighteen — I wish I had some good photos of it, but unfortunately none of them are really blog-worthy. But collared shirts and pleated skirts were both totally my thing for a good few years, and it’s kind of mind-blowing to me that they’ve suddenly become popular now, seven years after I used to wear them all the time. Who would have thought?).
Little Dresses and Combat Boots
Honestly, I’m a pretty big fan of any mixing and matching between big and small items — big shoes, little dresses, big pants, little shirts — it’s all cute. However, I saw these cute, small-but flowy dresses worn with combat boots all over NastyGal when I was buying spring clothes off of their site, and I totally fell in love with the look. I feel like a lot of the outfits I wear sort of walk the line between being really cutesy and kind of edgy — so while this was a different take on the same kind of concept, it felt new and cool to me.
Butterfly Prints
This has been a hot trend for a while, but I finally caved in and got some for myself. I don’t always love the butterfly print trend — it can either come off as cool and 90’s or kind of tacky IMO — but I really liked this t-shirt dress so I decided to go for it. (Funny enough, I absolutely despise butterflies IRL, which is probably why I’m a little hot-and-cold on this trend. They creep me out. But I do like the butterfly ~vibe~, I guess. But seriously, flying bugs? Cute in theory, not in reality. Maybe that’s just me though).
Strawberry Dresses
Ever since the Strawberry Dress became the hottest thing on the internet last summer, I’ve wanted something strawberry print for myself. I would seriously spend the $500 on my own Strawberry Dress if I even had the slightest reason to, but sadly I can’t remember the last time I attended an event fancier than a Sunday brunch with my friends. As a happy medium, I grabbed this dress off of Zaful, which is way more brunch appropriate — but rest assured, if the original Strawberry Dress is still available by the next time I have enough reason to spend that much on a singular item of clothing, I’m totally buying it.
& As Always …Graphic Tees!
Anyone who knows me IRL or has been following me for a while knows that, especially since COVID hit, I more a less live in graphic tees — so while this isn’t a specifically spring style for me I guess, this is a new spring shirt. Plus, I’m looking forward to all the new ways I’ll find to style graphic tees this spring — such as with biker shorts, skirts or fishnets.
Happy Sunday, everyone! It’s crazy to believe April is almost over (I, myself, only realized how close we are to the end of the month just now as I was typing this. I can’t be the only one who’s internal timeline’s been messed up since March of last year, right?). It basically became summer overnight here in Vancouver, save for a couple more true and “springy” cooler rainy days — which it may sound crazy to say, but I’ve kind of been appreciating. I went out the other day for the world’s quickest trip to and from Michael’s to pick up some colour pencils and fineline markers I pre-ordered as a treat to myself after starting my Art-Stagram last week. Nice and easy, right? It was a short trip since Michael’s on Broadway is so close to the Skytrain. Or so I thought. Even wearing a short sleeve shirt and shorts (although, I will say it was perhaps my mistake for wearing all black), I was already sweltering by the time I made it to the store — by the time I got home (certainly no more than 30 minutes after I left) I felt like I was dying. I don’t have AC in my apartment, either, so cooling off took a fair bit of effort. It didn’t help that, on top of all that, my spring allergies went absolutely haywire (as in, I literally broke out in hives on my face). All that for some art supplies! I do love the pencils, though, so I guess it was worth the struggle.
How are you guys feeling about spring style this year? It definitely still feels like there’s a distinct popular style this year, while also feeling a lot more up to your own personal interpretation than ever. It’s going to be interesting to see how spending a year inside without events and socializing impacts fashion this year and going forward — it’s definitely going to be at least a little different. How are you guys adjusting to dressing up and going out more (unintentional Drake reference) now that we’re getting closer to the end of the pandemic? Are you excited about it, or feeling a little panicky? I won’t judge, either way — I definitely fall under both categories. If you have any particular styles you’re excited about this spring, drop a comment below and let me hear it! I’d love to hear other’s perspectives about what they’ve been loving this spring season.
Happy last week of April, friends! Let’s make it count!
Much love,
Meredith
Sincerely, Meredith 