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5 Spring Must Haves: Trendy vs Frumpy

March 6, 2023 By: Nada Manleycomment

You do NOT NEED ANY OF THESE THINGS.

There, Just had to get that out of the way. Sure, must-haves might seem like a misnomer since these aren’t actually must-haves but that’s what everyone calls them and I want to be like one of the cool kids. šŸ™‚ The truth is, the decision to update your wardrobe for spring is a personal one, based on lifestyle and budget and needs and all the things. Some of you have already chosen to sit this season out, and that’s fine. Being a lover of fashion, I live for a seasonal wardrobe update and a chance to explore new styles and trends. If you’re like me, but maybe a little less enthusiastic (I would be turning cartwheels right now if I had ever learned to do them), I’ve got you.

Consider this a cheat sheet for an easy spring update. A new blouse, a pretty dress, a fresh pair of shoes can change your entire outlook (not to mention wardrobe). Here, 5 of the springiest trends fo 2023 (including a few that are classics posing as trends) to easily update your wardrobe. You’ll find cute trendy styles and frumpy trendy styles, so you know what to buy and what to avoid. šŸ™‚

You can find everything in this video right here.

The Floral Blouse

This category isn’t really a trend, obviously. Floral blouses have been a wardrobe staple, especially for spring, practically forever. But the details, the types of prints, and the colors do change from season to season. Prints are a minefield, as I’ve discussed in multiple videos, so going for a modern print in a modern or classic shape that suits your body type and coloring is key.

The Trendy Blouses

Let’s start with the winners. These are modern floral tops that are flattering and chic and would be a great addition to your wardrobe if they work with your body and coloring. Pay attention to the brands that show up on this list, because many of them have other fab options.

A chic modern floral in an easy to wear style from Ted Baker.
This high end Alice & Olivia top features a modern floral and updated details, like the trimmed collar.
A very contemporary floral blouse from Marine Layer
This soft flowy blouse from Paige features a muted floral in a flattering silhouette.

The Frumpy Blouses

Usually it’s not pattern alone that makes a blouse frumpy, but a combination of factors, including cut, pattern, and details. Brands to approach with caution include Foxcroft, Karen Kane, and Chaus, although we see frumpy iterations from many trendy brands as well.

A maternity-inspired tunic from Free People
Foxcroft generally has matronly styles
This is borderline, but would require really modern styling to look good.
This blouse from Chaus is quite boring
The print on its own is fine, but in this style with the bow detail it looks frumpy
Blah print and blah silhouette.
This hem on a tunic is instantly aging.
This blouse isn’t bad but it feels a little stale.

The Spring Dress

Spring is dress season, as far as I’m concerned. As soon as the weather gets warmer, I stop wearing pants and almost exclusively wear dresses. They are one and done and more comfortable and practical then most of us give them credit for, but with the Grandmacore and Secretarycore styles in stores right now, we have to pick wisely to find just the right dress that will take us through spring in style

The Trendy Dresses

These dresses feature updated details, flattering shapes, and modern prints. This season we are seeing midi, maxi, and mini lengths for dresses, as well as the return of the knee length, which means there is truly something for everyone.

A simple slipdress in a classic floral is a great optiion.
The volume in the sleeves is balanced by the shorter length of this dress.
This chic style has elevated details that make it modern.
A simple and pretty summer dress option.

The Frumpy Dresses

From oversized and overwhelming silhouettes to prints that are boring, blah, or just plain ugly, these are some of the styles to skip this season.

A little too prim to be modern.
Not great, but ok if styled properly..
This print and style combo is matronly.
Too sweet.
Prairie vibes.
Secretarycore in a dress.

The Denim Skirt

This spring item is much more straightforward than a floral dress or blouse, because it’s pretty clear to see what works and what doesn’t. Stay clear of stiff tent-shaped midis and maxis in denim, especially those with crazy washes or details. Instead, stick to a simple pencil or slight A-line style in either a shorter or knee length for a more versatile and flattering look.

The Trendy Skirts

These chic skirts feature elevated details in flattering shapes for a look that is almost timeless. A denim skirt might replace your jeans in warmer months because they’re just as versatile and neutral.

A simple pencil skirt with a front slit is a great choice.
This is an edgy take on the denim pencil skirt.
Love the button details on this denim skirt.
Love the denim colorblocking on this classic pencil.
A flowy skirt in varying panels of denim is so chic.

The Frumpy Skirts

Shapeless, baggy and saggy with unflattering details like drawstring waists and awkward washes.

Shoes

This is such a broad category and in retrospect, I should have split it up, but there are so many good and bad shoe trends that I wanted to touch on some of them in this video. While chunky shoes can be chic and flattering, some over-the-top clunky styles are going to be hard to pull off. Fortunately, there are lots of pretty styles to choose from this season as well.

The Trendy Shoes

From ballet flats to wedges to stilettos, there is a style for every woman this season.

The new kitten heeled sandals are wearable and chic.
A classic ballet should be sleek and chic.
Loafers look best in light suede, in my opinion.

The Frumpy Shoes

From dad sneakers to clunky Crocs, frumpy loafers to sad sandals, these are the styles to skip.

The Cargo Pants

This is one of those “trend” pieces that never truly goes out of style. It simply comes in and out of the limelight. This season, we’re seeing hard to wear styles that are superbaggy and long, as well as sleek options in satin and denim.

The Trendy Pants

The easiest way to wear cargo-style pants is in a satin jogger style or some other flowy version, or in pared-back cargo details on denim or chinos.

The Frumpy Pants

These oversized and shapeless styles flatter no one, Skip the styles in parachute or “flight” pant material.

Which of these spring must-haves is on your shopping list? And which would you never consider wearing? Let me know in the comments!

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