When I was in college, I was required to take art appreciation. It was a freshman-level course, but it had nothing to do with my degree and I didn’t want to waste time on it. Instead I kept putting it off and focused on my field of study. I finally got around to taking that class my senior year, and it ended up being one of my favorite courses of all. It taught me how to look at art. One thing I was taught to look for is unifying themes; elements in a piece or collection that are similar that tie it together. That lesson is helpful to me in fashion shops as well as in museums. Looking for the unifying themes in each season’s new pieces helps me identify the trends and see how they are interpreted, and from there decide which ones I would like to add to my wardrobe and how I want to add them. Here’s what I have noticed for Spring 2024.

Green

One thing I am noticing everywhere is teal. Being one of my two favorite colors, it is jumping out at me wherever I go, even Walmart. It seems to be the follow-on from all the bright colors we saw last year. It’s not as bold, but still bright and fresh for spring. In fact, green in general is everywhere. If teal isn’t your thing, plenty of other shades of green are out there. There is sage green, kelly green, and many others. Whatever your coloring and preferences, there is a green out there for you. There is also plenty of light blue and lavender. It feels very fresh.

Jumpsuits

Maybe this is a follow-on from the athletic dresses that have been everywhere the last few years. Athleisure in a cute little dress form, with all the security of built-in shorts and a sports bra sounds fantastic. Unfortunately, using the bathroom meant taking the whole thing down, which is definitely not a perk. Yet it looks like we’ll have to deal with that a bit longer with jumpsuits being big for this spring. They’re a little more stylish than athletic dresses, but still one piece. I will have to carefully consider this one, especially as trendy 40oz water bottles aren’t going anywhere either. IYKYK.

See-Through Ballet Flats

Ballet flats are big (of course), and this season’s twist is to make them see-through in some form. These offer not only style, but also breathability for summer. Yay! There are a variety of options for this trend. Some are perforated, some mesh, some are open weave. There are also lace and crochet options.  Some are reinforced on the toe and heel, for an easier-to-wear take on this trend, while the more daring can choose options where they see their toes clearly through the shoes. That means there is a pair for you whatever your comfort level with this trend, not to mention that plenty of them are comfortable, too! I will put together some picks in a different post, including one that came home with me ;).

Bigger Earrings

Lately jewelry has been very minimalist. This looks nice and classy, but I’ve found that for us long-haired ladies, tiny earrings get totally lost. That’s why I’m glad to see bigger, fun earrings back in the stores now. They look great peeking out from under long hair, especially now before the weather gets too hot for hair touching the neck.

Blazers

Blazers for casual wear are also still going strong. I got one in my favorite color last fall to wear as a light jacket. People comment that I’m “dressed up” whenever I wear it even though the rest of my outfit is a t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers. This will be a nice one to try with shorts this summer. I should just mention that I find white t-shirts with black writing to be very useful for this trend as they allow colorful jackets to really shine.

These are just a few of the trends that are out there right now. Adding in a few pieces from the current season is a great way to keep your look fresh without having to completely redo your whole wardrobe. I’m excited about the perforated flats. What stood out to you? I like the idea of interpreting trends in categories rather that specific must-have pieces. That way each person can choose a version of it that speaks to them and a version of the colors that work for them. It also means that the piece will still look great on you once the trend has started to move on. This is because you’ve made it yours instead of being exactly like everyone else. I think it’s more fun that way. When you are out shopping next, see what themes you notice. Maybe you will spot some Spring 2024 trends of your own. Happy Spring!