It's official: Spring has finally sprung! And with it comes a whole new crop of trends to try without the need to throw a parka on top (score!). Here are 31 fabulous and fun style ideas to inspire you and keep you looking perfectly chic all May long. Now, if you need us, we'll be sipping rosé on a rooftop in the sun.
fashion
31 Ways to Shake Up Your Style This May
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1. Use A Beige Blazer And Black Shoes To Tone Down A Wild Dress
Not quite ready to break out the blooming florals and super-bright prints just yet? Layer them under classic wardrobe staples in neutral tones to avoid feeling too bold.
Shop similar styles: H&M Single-Breasted Blazer ($50); Topshop Floral Satin Dress ($84); Larroude The Kate Suede Boots ($450)
2. Layer Up
Take a multi-layered approach to dressing by sporting a cami over a silky button-up, then throwing a denim jacket over both. (P.S. This tip works best if you opt for similar materials, like a silk shirt and a silk tank.)
Shop similar styles: Coach Signature Denim Jacket ($598; $299); Lily Silk Button-Up Shirt ($95); Lovers + Friends Sequin Top ($148; $61); Banana Republic Wide-Leg Pants ($90; $54); Alexander McQueen Leather Bucket Bag ($1,490); Michael Kors Gretel Leather Heels ($595; $357)
3. Sport A Patterned Scarf As A Belt
Add some flair to a solid-colored dress with a silk scarf tied around your waist. You can leave the ends loose for a boho vibe, or knot them into a bow if you’re feeling preppy.
Shop similar styles: Banana Republic Linen Shirtdress ($110; $55); Silk Masion Patterend Scarf ($45); Koio Capri Sneakers ($295)
4. Tuck A Voluminous Blouse Into High-waist Trousers
The most flattering way to wear a puff sleeve shirt? Tucking it into a pair of pants that hit right at your smallest point, like Coterie member Ijeoma Kola.
Shop similar styles: Anthropologie Puff-Sleeved Blouse ($80); Gucci Logo Belt ($395); River Island Wide-Leg Pants ($84); Sam Edelman Hazel Heels ($140)
5. Try The Newest Old Trend In Leggings
Yup, ‘80s stirrup leggings are back and better than you remember. Keep your outfit comfy yet put together with a striped oversize knit and some flat loafers with a lug sole.
Shop similar styles: MOTHER The Biggie Sweater ($375; $188); Everlane Perform 24/7 Stirrup Legging ($78; $58); Vagabond Alex W Loafers ($175)
6. Wear A Denim Dress Instead Of Blue Jeans
Jeans are definitely one of the easiest pieces in our wardrobes to just pull on and go, but a denim dress takes that simplicity a step further by eliminating the need to coordinate your top or sweater to your bottoms. Take inspiration from Coterie member Jasmine Crockett and style yours with sleek black accessories for a more dressed-up look.
Shop similar styles: Rag & Bone Mia Dress ($350); Cult Gaia Ark Mini Bag ($298); Naturalizer Vera Heels ($120)
7. Incorporate Bold Prints Via Small Accessories
The easiest way to work in an over-the-top print? Start small. Tie a vibrant scarf around your neck like a bandana or around your head as a headband to add interest.
Shop similar styles: Rifle Paper Co. Knotted Headband ($20); Lulus Cropped Jacket ($64); Farm Rio Cutout Dress ($230); Everlane The Forever Slip-On Sneakers ($60)
8. Swap Your White Sneakers For White Loafers
The academic shoe will make even a simple white tee and jeans feel more posh. Or, you can go even further with a structured blazer and leather tote a la Coterie member Katie Sturino for an even more polished ‘fit.
Shop similar styles: Vero Moda Oversize Blazer ($80); Everlane Organic Cotton T-Shirt ($30); Warp & Weft NCE Jeans ($98); Feed Projects Leather Work Bag ($348); Stuart Weitzman Adrina Loafers ($495; $149)
9. Invest In Some Split-hem Jeans
We adore this style as a sort of half-way point between throwback flares and ‘90s baggy jeans. The split offers the same leg-lengthening effect as a classic bootcut or flare without looking outdated, and also helps to cut through (literally) all the extra denim of a wide-leg jean.
Shop similar styles: H&M Baseball Jacket ($40); Athleta Midtown Button-Up Shirt ($98); Grlfrnd Hailey Jeans ($235); Kate Spade New York Staci Bag ($299; $119); Larroudé Lee Flats ($250)
10. Pair Black With Navy
We know, the idea of wearing one dark hue in the middle of spring feels a little off, but two? Trust us, this combination is supremely chic and a pop of black, whether it be in the form of some Birkenstocks or a patterned clutch, can make your go-to blue pieces feel super fresh.
Shop similar styles: Blank NYC Faux-Leather Jacket ($98); Anthropologie The Somerset Maxi Dress ($168); Birkenstock Arizona Sandals ($100)
11. Knot Your Scarf The ‘70s Way
Take inspiration from ‘70s Hollywood starlets and tie a bright, colorful silk scarf around your head like a hat. It’s by far the most glamorous way to hide dirty hair while you stretch that blowout into day three (or even four).
Shop similar styles: Pomander Place Silk Scarf ($48); Rifle Paper Co. Silk Scarf ($78); J.McLaughlin Silk Scarf ($98)
12. Break Out The Gingham
‘Tis the official season for picnics, after all.
Shop similar styles: Madewell Patterned Bandana ($15); Whistles Ribbed Cardigan ($219); Old Navy Gingham Pixie Pants ($45); Shrimps Antonia Bag ($680); Nine West Tatiana Heels ($84)
13. Sport A Gauzy Tunic Over Skinny Jeans
Let a crisp pair of jeans, heels and a chic clutch take your beach cover-up from the pool to dinner.
Shop similar styles: FP One Yesenia Maxi Top ($248); Hudson Jeans Barbara Skinny Jeans ($185); Botkier Cobble Hill Clutch ($68); Sam Edelman Hazel Pumps ($140)
14. Knot Your T-shirt
Instead of dealing with tucking (and untucking and retucking) your shirt all day, tie it up in a tight knot, like Coterie member Caroline Juen. Now you can focus on much more important matters, like figuring out which pair of sandals is best for your zodiac sign.
Shop similar styles: Lucky Brand Dream T-shirt ($40; $28); Wilfred The Melina Faux-Leather Pants ($148); Brahmin Melbourne Caroline Bag ($325); Franco Sarto Rebel Sandals ($130)
15. Play With Florals Big And Small
You can think of this tip in two different ways—either by mixing oversize floral prints with ditsy daisies, or by pairing a stand-out floral dress with a less bold pair of floral sunglasses or even socks. The match will be just as festive, whichever way you go.
Shop similar styles: LianSan Floral Sunglasses ($14); Adyson Parker Floral Dress ($99); See By Chloe Joan Mini Bag ($320); ALDO Bigstrutx Shoes ($110)
16. Coordinate Your Face Mask With Your Outfit
You don’t need to go totally matchy matchy, but coordinating red gingham with a red floral (or green stripes with green tropical fronds, and so on) is a super chic and fun way to stay safe as we slowly make our way out of quarantine.
Shop similar styles: Gap Organic Cotton Scarf ($17; $9); MaskC KN95 Face Mask ($36 for set of 10); Liverpool Los Angeles Open-Front Blazer ($119); Reformation Wilma Dress ($218)
17. Give A Bright Sweater Dress A Go
All we want to wear are breezy, gauzy dresses, but it's not summer just yet. Opt for a cheery knit midi instead for a similar effect without suffering freezing cold legs.
Shop similar styles: Nice Martin Porter Knit Dress ($170); Staud Tommy Bag ($290); Vince Camuto Roellan Sandals ($60)
18. Jazz Up A Simple Chignon
Fancy barrettes and hair clips are a great way to bring new life to second-day (or third-day) hair, but really all you need is a handful of shiny metallic bobby pins strategically placed behind your ear and you're good to go.
Shop similar styles: Madewell Hair Pins ($24 for set of four); Jennifer Behr Hair Pins ($98 for set of four); Deepa Gurnani Isha Earrings ($225)
19. Bring New Life To An Old Style Trick
Your grandmother wouldn't leave the house without coordinating her handbag to her pumps, but that style rule has since faded in popularity. Until now. We love the idea of putting a very 2022 spin on an old-school rule by color-coordinating chunky kicks with a slick patchwork tote.
Shop similar styles: Wayf Plaza Dress ($148); Michael Kors Mercer Woven Bag ($448; $135); Nike React Escape Sneakers ($100)
20. Switch Up Your Denim-on-denim ’fits
Give juvenile overalls a grown-up makeover with a sleek denim duster jacket and polished accessories, like a black leather tote and colorful pointy-toe heels.
Shop similar styles: Chico’s Elongated Denim Jacket ($129; $59); Universal Standard Tee Rex T-Shirt ($50); Good American Good ’90s Overalls ($159); Cuyana Small Leather Tote Bag ($178); ASOS Ankle Strap Heels ($60)
21. Sport A Standout Shirtdress
Bold, bright, "look at me" patterns are trending right now, but our favorite way to wear them is on timeless silhouettes like a midi shirtdress. Pair your fun frock with some ‘70s era sunnies and sexy strappy sandals, just like Monroe Steele, to make the whole thing look fresh and modern.
Shop similar styles: Karen Millen Apotheosis Shirt Dress ($438; $351); Ray-Ban Square Sunglasses ($189); Schutz Sirena Sandals ($128)
22. Make Your Outerwear Pop
Why settle for a classic beige trench when you can rock a green plaid version instead? Take inspiration from Coterie member Grace Atwood and swap your basic spring jacket for one with more pizazz. (And if you’re worried about it clashing with your other bold staples, just remember keep the rest of your outfit neutral.)
Shop similar styles: Tanya Taylor Annabelle Trench Coat ($545); Bembien Chloe Bag ($185); J.Crew Kate Cotton Pants ($98); Loeffler Randall Margi Bow Heels ($350)
23. Show Some Skin, But Just A Little
A maxi-length dress is the perfect way to counterbalance an off-the-shoulder neckline.
Shop similar styles: Deepa Gurnani Roberta Earrings ($45); Mara Hoffman Fila Dress ($325); Nine West Kool Heeled Sandals ($85)
24. Give A bridgerton Bodice A Try
The corset top trend doesn’t seem to be fading anytime soon, but if you haven’t been so inspired by the white lace-up tops and distressed jeans all over TikTok, why not try a more polished approach? Opt for a minimalistic bodice-inspired top in a dark neutral and pair it with loose trousers (low-, mid- and high-rise will all work) and equally low-key accessories.
Shop similar styles: Miaou Campbell Top ($225); Kit & Ace Wide-Leg Pants ($159); Staud Bean Bag ($195); Marc Fisher Dareta Sandals ($79)
25. Modernize A Simple Slip
Nineties slip dress have been enjoying a comeback for a few years now, but what’s the best way to style them circa 2022? With chunky jewelry, simple sandals and a structured jacket. Add in a baguette bag as another nod to the era, but be sure to choose one with a more modern twist, like tie-dye fabric or an oversize chain strap.
Shop similar styles: Gorjana Ana Coin Lariat Necklace ($75); Uniqlo Linen Blend Blazer ($60); Silk Maison Cowl-Neck Silk Dress ($199); Audette Baguette Bag ($395); Havaianas You Trancoso Sandals ($42)
26. Carry A Mini Beach Bag
You might not know when you'll *finally* have the opportunity to dip your toes in the sea, but you know for sure you can rock this vacation-ready accessory as soon as tomorrow.
Shop similar styles: Mejuri Oversize Hoop Earrings ($350); YFB Clothing Iggy Dress ($136); Kayu Straw Mini Bag ($83); Teva Universal Sandals ($55)
27. Upgrade Your Basic Button-down
Swap that plain white or blue cotton shirt for a funkier version. It can be embroidered, embellished or simply a deeply rich hue, but no matter what we promise it’ll look just as chic with your favorite blue jeans. Or maybe even better.
Shop similar styles: Valentino Button-Up Shirt ($3,900; $1,560); DL1961 Emilie Straight-Leg Jeans ($209); M.Gemi Suede Shoes ($248)
28. Show Off Those Stems
Now this is how you wear shorts like an adult. Crisp white booties and a neat striped sweater are the perfect complements to a pair of great fitting shorts.
Shop similar styles: Olivia Rubin Matty Sweater ($338); J.Crew Patch-Pocket Chino Shorts ($65); Madewell Small Transport Crossbody Bag ($128); Schutz Mikki Ankle Boots ($148)
29. Make A Single Statement
Who knew one shoulder-grazing earring could leave such a big impression? Pair a single statement earring with a stud in an equally bright color or bold shape to make it clear this was an intentional choice and not the result of getting dressed while you were still half asleep.
Shop similar styles: SVNR Kyoto Earring (from $95); Staud Wells Dress ($295); Imago-A Nº52 Demi Lune Mini Bag ($325; $150); Mix No. 6 Aliciana Sandals ($50)
30. Wear A Y2k Party Staple With Workwear Classics
Who knew a scarf top could look so chic worn over beige trousers? The reason this works so well is because the top above isn’t midriff baring, and because a coordinating trench coat covers the shoulders. So what would ordinarily look like a party-ready top looks more like a patterned blouse. (P.S. You could just as easily swap the trench for a blazer.)
Shop similar styles: Nasty Gal Two-Tone Trench Coat ($202; $101); FP One Raya Bandana Top ($48); Everlane The Way-High Drape Pants ($118); Sarah Flint 70 Pumps ($445)
31. Get Double Use Out Of Your Wedding Guest Attire
Yes, that floral sequin number can absolutely be made to work for dinner with friends the weekend after your cousin’s wedding. All you need are grounding staples like boots, a classic trench coat and a simple leather handbag to make your frock feel less formal. (Oh, and be sure to keep your jewelry to an absolute minimum.)
Shop similar styles: Karl Lagerfeld Paris Trench Coat ($250); Boohoo Sequin Dress ($105); Journee Collection Kaavia Boots ($90)
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