Out With the Cold, In With the Bold
HEATING UP YOUR SUMMER WARDROBE WITH SIZE AND STYLE
Toss out your “go with everything” jeans and scroll past the basics section. This summer’s attire: breaking the boundaries. We hope you’re feeling bright, too, because bold and funky fashion is in.
Fashion is something to find comfort in, but we don’t mean sweatpants-and-camp-tee-you’ve-had-since-eighth-grade comfort. We mean confidence, honey. It’s affirming to express an individual sense of style, or to wear an outfit you feel cool and confident in, even if it's just for the ‘gram. Whether it be on Pinterest, Instagram or wherever else you find your outfit inspo, bold fashion is everywhere. It seems that pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is the front-running fashion trend of 2021.
SUMMERTIME MADNESS — PRINTS AND PATTERNS
Image Courtesy: @dualipa on Instagram
Pushing their way to the top of our social media feeds are eccentrically patterned and unique one-of-a-kind pieces. Atypical designs and combinations are fusing into fashion and into our wardrobes.
We’ve seen zebra, cheetah and leopard print on the prowl in past decades. But now, patterns of all kinds are emerging in clothing, even wild patterns you may not be able to quite put a name to.
Image Courtesy: @houseofsunny on Instagram
When you ponder patterns of fashion’s past, you might think of the ‘80s animalia, or maybe ‘70s psychedelia. But, now, we’re merging a whole new way to style patterns. The latest motto? The more abstract, the better!
Imprinting a new style completely, these anomalous prints bring only more variety into the mold.
Don’t listen to what your mom used to say about florals and polka dots, or stripes and plaid — mixing patterns wasn’t just a phase. One step further, stitching different patterns together to make a single piece has made its way into the light. These patchwork pieces have sewn together a new kind of look altogether.
DOG DAY CROCHET
Image Courtesy: @theraggedpriest on Instagram
In every sense, crochet and knitwear have resurfaced in a huge way. Even in the thick of winter, we saw chunky, knit cardigans met with accented, puffy sleeves.
As summer shines on the horizon, crochet pieces are showing up in waves. When it’s cropped and chopped, the material is perfect for keeping it coastal. Designed in a way that leaves room for the breeze to blow through, consider crochet pants overtop a swimsuit or a crochet top to spice up a normally bland beach fit.
Image Courtesy: @lisasaysgah on Instagram
This trend opens ceaseless opportunities for sustainable choices. Independent sellers on Depop, Etsy and Instagram are selling unique, hand-made pieces using knitting and crochet.
Turning to the designer-sphere, vintage Jean Paul Gaultier pieces have experienced a resurgence, becoming highly sought after on resale sites. The French designer held his last couture show in early 2020, but the demand for his graphic mesh tops demonstrates his everlasting imprint on the fashion industry. Mesh tattoo tops are a quintessential case of bold pieces becoming more prevalent among influentials in the fashion community. People are choosing more non-conventional articles of clothing, allowing for an embrace of shocking style that is sure to wow.
This graphic style pushes beyond the borders of patterns, even those most obscure, to make a statement.
Image Courtesy: @jeanpaulgaultier on Instagram
Gaultier shaped vogue since the ‘70s, working with designers like Jacques Esterel and Pierre Cardin. He released his first collection with just nine models in 1976, and the rest is history. Even though he’s no longer designing new collections, his lasting influence still looms over other brands and companies today in the push for a more striking style.
HOT GIRL HALTERS
This more eccentric fashion choice has seen a fiery rise. Inspiration from 2000s era fashion has peaked through the curtains of trends now, but we’ve taken them and pushed them a pace ahead. Take patterned halter tops.
Image Courtesy: @salemmitchell on Instagram
A staple early on in this century, but modernized to match this decade, halter tops are the perfect example of something a bit more classic made distinct. With decorated designs and different constructions of the straps, halters have been re-established as a pop-out piece.
THE CHERRY ON TOP — CHUNKY RINGS
For a final dash of daring flair, you need to throw on some jewelry. These summer-fitting accessories are bulky, breathtaking and anything but basic.
Image Courtesy: @la_manso on Instagram
From the acrylic to the bedazzled, to clay and even DIY, chunky rings are a 2021 must. Styled as crazy and colorful as possible, these eye-catching pieces are taking on all the hype.
La Manso and Mon Cher Moi are two brands gaining traction, with influential fashion figures in the likes of Dua Lipa, Bella Hadid and Miley Cyrus seen wearing them.
WHY BOLD IS BREAKING BARRIERS
Digital runways have opened the door for fashion to be as interpretive as possible. Cyber fashion circles have been curated on apps like TikTok, where many trends have been born or resurged. With an overload of opinions and personas on an app, we are constantly trying to make waves in fashion.
The ensemble of the electronic world is ever-changing. Fast-fashion is credited with the continuous evolution of trend cycles, and the media tries to keep up to avoid over-saturated ideas. Celebrities like Cardi B, Kylie Jenner and Adrienne Bailon have all worked with fast-fashion brands like Fashion Nova, which constantly launch collections to keep up with fluctuating fads.
With an urge to spark something new, find individuality and express it more than ever, fashion is entering new territory. With media aiding in the evolution of fashion, brands are trying to keep up to produce more of the unseen. Becoming bolder, brighter and distinguishing, this summer’s upcoming trends are truly shining on individual expression.
Fashion is most fun when you push the boundaries. Trends lately seem to do just that, and allow us to push our comfort zones to find funky, daring pieces to embrace individual flair. The sun is coming out to play and so should your sense of style.
Strike Out,
Writer: Grace Benneyworth
Editors: Jacob McLean, AJ Bafer
Gainsville