We’re just a few weeks away from the start of spring, but fashion week has shown us the hottest trends coming this season. By definition, a fashion trend is a popular aesthetic at a certain point in time. Though I love watching fashion shows and seeing how designers display their creativity, the ability to buy a lot of these items is unrealistic for the everyday consumer. With trends changing almost every season, spending a lot can be risky. This is where thrifting comes in.
The runways were filled with innovative ways to wear things we may already have in our closets or can undoubtedly find in a thrift store. Thrifting is an easy way to experiment with fashion trends on a budget.
At fashion week, we saw things like the Disco Collar, sustainable fashion, including crocheted items and raffia, colorful leather and polka dots. Here are a few examples of other spring trends popping up that I already had in my closet.
Thrifting Spring Trends
Hot Pants a.k.a. Daisy Dukes a.k.a. Booty Shorts
Hermes, Ferragmo and Rag & Bone were just a few of the designers who showed us how to sport this trend. The key to wearing a more revealing item is to cover up other areas of your body. For example, if you wear a sleeveless or crop top shirt, wearing pants will balance the look. Short shorts look great with sweaters, flowy tops or an oversized blazer.
Just a few years ago, wearing shorts was too intimidating for me. The thought of showing off my jiggly thighs and cellulite made me super insecure. Then I read an article that stated even female athletes have cellulite and that was the year I thrifted my first pair of hot pants. If the thought of wearing itty bitty shorts still scares you, pairing them with tights will help you ease into this trend.
Neons
Prada, Valentino and Prabal Gurung showcased neon items in their shows. Such bold hues can be especially intimidating but thrifting key pieces will help you dive into this trend. I’m still on the hunt for a hot pink pantsuit, but if the thought of looking like a highlighter scares you, wearing black can help balance bright colors. You can also start slowly by finding accessories to spice up a simple outfit.
Waistcoats/Vests
Blazers are always in style, but I was surprised to see vests down the runways this season. Celine, Ralph Lauren and Burberry were just a few designers who showcased these trendy items. I have to admit, I don’t wear a lot of vests, but I do think they add a nice finishing touch to an outfit. Here are a couple of vests I thrifted.
‘60s Wallpaper Prints
I tend to buy my basics at fast fashion stores, but I love finding cool prints at thrift shops. This season, ’60s wallpaper is making a big impact on the runways. The thrift store is a great place to find vintage prints for cheap. Just an FYI, almost every time I receive a compliment on an outfit, I’m wearing a $4 thrifted shirt with a fun pattern.
Menswear
This is my absolute favorite trend because it never goes out of style. This fashion week, designers put interesting twists to menswear by turning oversized blazers into dresses, pairing suits with bermuda shorts or creating blazers into off-the-shoulder tops or belts. Victoria Beckham, Louis Vuitton and Elie Tahari were just a few of the designers showcasing this trend on the runways. Here are a few items I thrifted over the years that follow this trend. Don’t forget to check out How to Look Sexy AF in Thrift Shop Guy Clothes for more ideas on menswear.
Who Needs a Shirt?
Bras as tops seem to be all the rage. This may be one of my favorite trends this season because it is pretty versatile. If you have a smaller chest, a bralette would work well with button-ups, denim jackets or loose T-shirts. Those of us with larger chests can still rock this trend. Wear a more supportive bra under a sheer body-suit, a bikini top with slacks or culottes or lingerie under a blazer.
Sometimes the pressures of trends makes us feel like we need to rush to add new items to our wardrobe. Thrifting allows us to be daring and expressive while controlling our style and budget. Shopping for new trends can be fun, but remember, people notice style more than an individual piece of clothing.
“Fashion fades, style is eternal.” — Yves Saint Laurent
