Spring’s in town, and the classroom is wide open. No formalities, just the real syllabus: what’s making people stop and stare right now. Forget gazing at slick runway forecasts—step outside, and you’ll see a new lesson in style written right on city streets.
Let’s start with color, since this season doesn’t come in on tiptoes. We’re talking saturated hues that demand attention: violets deep as twilight, brilliant aquamarines sharp enough to wake you up, and a punch of primaries straight out of a digital color wheel run wild. The trick? Pair them in ways that logic might protest, but your eyes will crave—think a jolt of cerulean with an unexpected saffron, lavender brushing up against lime green. They shouldn’t work, but you’ll find they spark with high-voltage energy.
Now to outerwear—or rather, a surprise comeback no one quite expected. Dad jackets, those classic-weather anoraks with all their nostalgic practicality, are suddenly everywhere. Far from ironic, these jackets have a tech-meets-fashion attitude: windproof, waterproof, but always finished with a clever twist, be it a zippered collar or sleek paneling. Suddenly, feeling ready for downpours or chilly city breezes isn’t just functional—it’s distinctly cool.
At ground level, shoes draw the eye with sharp, clean silhouettes. The shoe of the moment? High-vamp styles. Whether in flat or pump form, that raised upper keeps things looking graphic and confident. Slip a pair on with straight jeans or even a party dress—there’s a sculptural crispness that feels anchored in the future, but with a nod to timeless style.
Scarves, too, are having a moment—no longer just a marginal accessory but a real pivot point. Thank Michael Rider at Celine: on recent runways, scarf styling got inventive. My go-to? Knotting a printed scarf beneath a tailored blazer or letting one peek from under a lightweight trench. The effect is both thrown-on and considered, with a whiff of Paris in April.
If minimalism is more your mood, take a cue from Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy—the icon whose legacy is back in the spotlight, thanks to FX’s Love Story. Her brand of quiet elegance is the real north star this spring, with the column skirt front and center. Floor-skimming, precise, and endlessly adaptable, it’s the garment for now. Style yours with soft mules, old-school knee boots, or a pointed pump to channel that clean nineties sophistication without a hint of costume.
And what about denim? This spring, the most persuasive jeans lean cigarette-slim—meaning a high rise, straight through the hips and legs, neither too tight nor too loose. Polished yet unfussy, they’re the subtle upgrade that makes just about any outfit look sharp.
Don’t neglect your sunglasses. While denim narrows, eyewear goes the opposite way: this season is all about big, bold frames with a retro-2000s vibe. Curved edges, tinted lenses, maybe just a tad over-the-top—they’re a silent signal that you get the balance between ironic nostalgia and very-now glam.
The thread running through these trends? Mix the pragmatic with the playful; don’t shrink from color or a nod to the past; let a little personality slip into every choice. Fashion’s not whispering this spring—it’s bright, a little brash, and deeply self-assured.
— Anna LaPlaca, the steady hand guiding these observations, knows a thing about catching a rising wave before it hits the mainstream. Eight years at Who What Wear have honed her eye. She started out in L.A. with Michael Kors and A.L.C., and her byline now travels coast to coast. Whether charting fresh talent, assembling luxury shopping wish lists, or translating that certain thrill of city life into words, Anna brings clarity and warmth to every report. She’s interviewed major stars, but she’s just as keen on cutting through the noise to find what feels real right now. This spring, that means embracing what’s vibrant, maybe unexpected, and—most of all—true to you.
