If you are looking for new pieces for a closet glow-up, here are some ideas!
By: Youdon Tenzin
Spring 2022 fashion is already making a splash.
This year, we are all about nostalgia, elegance and stomping on the city grounds. Soft clothes are infiltrating the industry and Y2K is still here to stay. A return to normalcy means still wearing masks and TikTok has found a way to style them that keeps you safe AND warm. We are all here for the drama this year, with gloves that stretch to your elbows and shoes that make you a foot taller.
Pieces this year are a little different and a lot bolder, but we have compiled a list to show you how to style them in a way that can keep you warm and make you the most stylish person in any room you walk into.
Twee
The beloved early 2010s style is making a massive comeback this spring, and we aren’t complaining! The fashion trend blew up on TikTok in the beginning of 2022, possibly marking it as this year’s “the trend”. Right on the surface of the indie-hipster subculture, twee refers to the feminine and dainty styles often seen on celebrities like Zooey Deschanel and Alexa Chung in the early 2010s. To understand twee, you need to think of skater skirts, polka dots and colourful tights. With the return of the Y2K craze last year, it is easy for you to incorporate twee into your daily looks. Ballet flats, peter pan collars and flowing blouses can all be easily sourced at your local thrift store.
The queen of twee, Zooey Deschanel, checks off all the boxes with this plaid minidress and printed tights.
Coach’s spring 2022 collection featured elements of twee.
Cutouts
2022 is all about baring your soul, and your skin. Cutouts are becoming all the rage, with designers like Courrèges and Rick Owens producing some wonderful pieces on the runway. Cutout tops and bodysuits are all the rage right now, especially in menswear. Keep yourself warm during the chilly days by layering and bare it all during the summer with one statement piece.
A gorgeous piece from the Sid Neigum Spring 2022 ready-to-wear fashion show.
A standout from the Rick Owens spring 2022 menswear fashion show.
Opera gloves
Wearing gloves has never been so appealing until now. Opera gloves (a type of gloves that reach beyond your elbows) are going to be your new best friend in 2022! These gloves will add a feminine and sophisticated flair to your outfits while keeping you warm through the colder spring days. Whether they’re made of lace or embellished with pearls, this versatile piece will elevate your spring looks to the next level.
‘Euphoria’ actress Sydney Sweeney wearing Miu Miu at the premiere of the show’s second season.
Adele wearing leather opera gloves in the music video of her latest single “Oh My God.”
Platform footwear
Platform footwear has been slowly gaining traction in the past few months, with celebrities like Bella Hadid and Olivia Rodrigo rocking them on red carpets, in music videos and even on a visit to the White House. Apart from the famous Demonia boots, it is rare to see other kinds of platform footwear on the streets. This is bound to change in the coming months. Brands have decorated almost every type of footwear (from heels, boots, mules, and mary-janes) with an extra oomph, allowing you to reach for new heights!
Actress Florence Pugh’s platform mary-janes steal the show in an all-pink Versace look.
Balaclava
If you are on TikTok, you will know that balaclavas have transformed into a fashion statement. Although you can purchase them from stores, you can also knit your own balaclavas. The best thing about the balaclava is that it is both fashionable and functional. When you are facing the harsh, freezing temperatures of Canada, you will want this influencer-approved winter staple in your closet.
After the success of “The Strawberry Dress”, Lirika Matoshi is back with unique hand-knitted balaclavas you’ll want to get your hands on!
Artist Alexandria Masse plays with fun shapes as she models a self-made, teapot-shaped balaclava.
Preppy
Last year, we had sweater vests. This year, we are going all in on the preppy look. Bring out your blazers, plaid skirts and polo shirts. While more muted colours are normally considered preppy, don’t be afraid of adding in a bright element (such as a handbag, headband or coat) to your outfits. Layering is key when it comes to nailing the perfect preppy outfit. The best thing about this classic genre is that you can almost never go wrong with it. No matter what you throw on, you will end up looking clean, polished and always stylish!
BLACKPINK’s Jisoo is preppy fashion’s unofficial muse, incorporating elements of the classic style in almost all of her everyday outfits.
Model Bella Hadid’s bright green sweater vest is the perfect standout piece in her preppy outfit.
The continuous lockdowns and countless variants might tempt you to go back to the same pair of sweatpants, so allow this list to elevate your 2022 closet. The next time you step out, you will be showing up and showing out!
