Local fashion professionals discuss trends and highlight what’s in store for the upcoming spring season.
APPLAUSE DANCEWEAR, 1629 Oxmoor Rd., Homewood
TRENDS In the dance world, we are seeing a big upswing in athleisure wear with yoga pants, athletic shorts, and leggings. We are also experiencing a shift towards more conservative lines with high necks, cap sleeves, and thicker shoulder straps.
COLORS AND PATTERNS Colors pulled from nature are trending with greens, yellows, and blues becoming most popular. However, pink and black continue to be our bestselling leotard staples.
FRESH AND NOSTALGIC Thinner, stretchy fabrics are popular in ballet, jazz, and contemporary shoes. There is a desire to feel like you’re wearing no shoes at all while dancing. However, wider leg yoga pants and higher-waisted shorts are bringing back 80s and 90s nostalgia.
MUST HAVE This spring, every dancer needs the perfect booty short or wrap skirt to pull over their favorite leotard.
B. PRINCE, 271 Rele St., Mountain Brook
TRENDS I am really excited about the fun and frivolity
that I am seeing in trends for Spring 2022. Ruffles and mixes of patterns…lots of playful touches. Balancing that are more serious pieces that make for a great look.
COLORS AND PATTERNS The colors for spring are very soothing…lots of pastels like lavender, mint, light blue, pink, etc…Happy and peaceful… just what we need. There is also a lot of monochromatic dressing…layers of similar colors including all white.
FRESH AND NOSTALGIC I think that the freshest looks for spring are also nostalgic looks..an ode to the 40’s
with broader shoulders in jackets…a throwback the 70’s with lots of crochet and knits and a nod to the 80’s/90’s seen in blazers with shorter skirts, belts at waist and some futuristic looks.
MUST HAVE I think every woman needs a great blazer or jacket for spring this year. There are so many different styles to choose from.
SPRING BREAK AT THE BEACH We recommend Ulla Johnson swimwear and coverups. The covers really look like street clothes so you could literally go from the beach to lunch or dinner and not look like you are still swimming.
BEST FASHION ADVICE RECEIVED To not always follow the trends but rather create a look that works for you while incorporating some aspects of what is new for each season.
FLIP FLOPS & WHAT NOTS, 4137 White Oak Dr., Vestavia Hills
TRENDS Sneakers with dresses, platform, comfort casual and braided uppers.
COLORS AND PATTERNS Pastel, white shoes, sparkle and fun details.
FRESH AND NOSTALGIC All current styles arriving are fresh takes on classic styles. White sneakers for instance, back in the day, keds and k-swiss were trendy brands, now new brands are styling the trend.
MUST HAVE Flip flops, of course. But platform shoes also sandals and white sole sandals.
SPRING BREAK AT THE BEACH Again, flip-flops of course. We have lots of styles to choose from.
BEST FASHION ADVICE RECEIVED Be yourself, if you are comfortable in your own style. Your smile is the prettiest thing you can wear.
SNOOZY’S KIDS, 228 Country Club Park, Mountain Brook
TRENDS Psychedelic prints and Y2K hues—bright pinks and neon. Hoop earrings.
COLORS AND PATTERNS Classic spring gingham, sequins and high-gloss handbags.
FRESH AND NOSTALGIC Nostalgic trenches and menswear—inspired pieces. Fresh flowers and buterfly motifs.
MUST HAVE A delicate white lace piece and a funky pair of sunglasses.
SPRING BREAK AT THE BEACH A crochet cover-up. We sell the Mer-Sea brand.
BEST FASHION ADVICE RECEIVED Wear your clothes, don’t let them wear you.
GUS MAYER, 225 Summit Blvd., Birmingham
TRENDS Classic looks with a twist. Inserted cutouts in dresses, tops and denim. Prints everywhere and denim continues to reinvent itself with different widths and lengths. Boyfriend shirts and straight jeans.
COLORS AND PATTERNS Purples, lavenders and blues.
FRESH AND NOSTALGIC Entire ensamble looks were fresh to see in market instead of a bunch of separates. Flash back to power suiting.
MUST HAVE Straight jeans.
SPRING BREAK AT THE BEACH Caftans and a consuela bag filled with designer sunglasses, Coola sunscreen and Freedom Moses slides.
BEST FASHION ADVICE RECEIVED The one thing you can depend on in fashion is change. Stay true to your own individual style that creates and emotional experience.
TOWN & COUNTRY CLOTHES, 74 Church St, Mountain Brook
TRENDS Tie dye and boho embroidery are big trends, as well as ‘70s dress silhouettes.
COLORS AND PATTERNS We are so excited about all of the new bright colors and fun prints for spring. Everyone is ready to start going to parties and going on trips again, and the new spring collections have a happy, optimistic feel to them.
FRESH AND NOSTALGIC Several of our lines are featuring fresh abstract prints, and other have a more nostalgic feel with sweet polka dots and eyelet fabrics.
MUST HAVE Everyone needs a great summer dress, and we have new dresses from all of our lines, ranging from casual and funky to more dressy and classic.
SPRING BREAK AT THE BEACH Our customers are already stocking up on flowy gauze dresses, soft tencel short and fun print tees, and cool linen tops and pants.
BEST FASHION ADVICE RECEIVED Wear what makes you feel good. It doesn’t matter if a style is on-trend if it doesn’t flatter your figure or make you feel happy when you put it on.
1. Sally McKay is wearing a Boho Chic hot pink A-line dress, $138, Nicole espadrille wedges, $98, Joy Susan rose gold clutch, $48, and Laurel Bassett brass, silver & turquoise cuff $114. Town & Country Clothes, 205-871-7909.
2. Lynn North is wearing a print oversized top by Rundholz, $300, and gingham check skirt by Rundholz, $223, with black disc sandals by Trippen, $395. B.Prince, 205-871-1965.
3. Laura Steele is wearing a B-Low the belt Tessa Belt, $155, Mother Hustler Jean in Fairest of them all (White), $198, Marie Oliver Libba top, $242, 14k yellow gold thin hoops, $450 (Levy’s at Gus Mayer), 14k yellow gold flexible hinge, $925 (Levy’s at Gus Mayer), and Dolce Vita Paily heel, $125. Gus Mayer, 205-870-3300.
4. Janet Richie is wearing a Jonathan Simkhai Alex Shirt Dress, $395, Staud Moon Tote bag, $295, Tat2 Two-tone link crystal bezel necklace, $350 (Levy’s at Gus Mayer). Gus Mayer, 205-870-3300.
5. Carly Vardaman is wearing the Love Me True leotard by Oh La La dancewear in horizon blue, $72., with competition earrings by Go Girl, $12. Applause Dancewear, 205-871-7837.
6. Julie Vos Dainty golden butterfly studs, $65; Julie Vos Butterfly Delicate Station necklace, $135. george inside Snoozy’s Kids, 205-871-2662.
7. From top: Blowfish, Style Bambi, Color: Earth Dye Wash Twill, $45.99, Pierre Dumas, Style Clue- 9, Color: Pewter, $49.99, Vionic, Style Brielle, Color Black/snake, $119.95, On right, Blowfish, Style Tarin, Color: White/Tin and Rose Gold Meteor, $45.99. Flip Flops & What Nots, 205-967-7429.
