Meet the 30 Items That Are Already Defining Spring
I walked outside of our New York City office the other day and was immediately hit with the realization that spring isn't just coming—it's here. Bryant Park was brimming with nearby office workers eating their lunches at foldable tables in the grass, and runners avoided Times Square in little more than sports bras and shorts. Finally, after what's felt like the longest winter yet, we've made it to the other side. But the sneakiness of spring's arrival doesn't seem to have caught anyone out stylistically. The coolest people online were busy designating the items that will define spring long before the first nice day of the year. All we were waiting for was the weather to catch up.
My role in all this is to scour said internet and round up the season-defining items, creating a guide of sorts to spring's most-wanted items. From the pickleball minidress that's made the Who What Wear editor Slack channel its home (we talk about it a lot) to the Bottega Veneta tote that Jacob Elordi broke the web with, the 30 pieces ahead are on the tips of everyone in fashion's tongues right now. Before they sell out—they all inevitably will at one point or another—scroll through each one.
The best thing to happen to wedges was the sculptural heel, which took the outdated shoe silhouette and gave it a modern refresh. For a while there, all of the options on the market for this new-and-improved style would cost you an arm and a leg, with the major styles coming out of Prada and Khaite, but Zara's $70 take more than checks off the trend without breaking the bank.
Belts are having a true moment right now. Even so, because the accessory is always going to be a wardrobe staple, you'll never have to worry about the ones you buy to check off the trend going out of style. That's why I'm not shying away from investing in a really high-quality and cool belt like this studded option from Khaite. It's eye-catching enough to up the ante on a simple outfit but also neutral enough to live in my closet forever.
Not only is the color red quite literally everywhere this spring, but so are J.Crew's Lady Jackets like this red one with vintage-inspired gold buttons that I found a couple of weeks ago at the Fifth Avenue store and have been thinking about ever since. It's going to be a huge hit—I can feel it.
This dress is one of those items that you spot once and then see everywhere—like, everywhere. In a matter of days, it went from in stock on every retailer to sold out entirely. Now that it's back in stock, though, it's time to take action.
There's nothing I love more than a iconic item from the past getting a second wave of popularity, which is exactly what's currently happening with Elsa Peretti's Bone Cuffs for Tiffany & Co.
The number of people who have DMed me about this blazer is almost shocking. It's perfect for spring and must be worn with nothing underneath.
When Hailey Bieber and Laura Harrier both wear the same leopard-print bikini, it's inevitable that it'll go viral.
Shop the matching Praia Bikini Bottom ($70).
If you invest in one pair of sunglasses this season, you can't go wrong with these burgundy cat eyes from Oliver Peoples x Khaite. They're selling like crazy, so much so that a second drop is coming soon.
The pretty-things trend is hitting its peak right now, and nothing fits into it more than this full-skirt, high-neck dress from Elsa Hosk's brand Helsa, which I haven't been able to escape since the model and designer posted a photo of herself wearing it on Instagram, spurring an internet-wide frenzy.
No jewelry brand is as ever present in 2023 among the fashion set as Jenny Bird. Specifically, her baubles, which range from chunky hoops to oversize teardrop styles, have been impossible to miss on editors and celebs.
Two words: Jacob Elordi. Bottega Veneta's new Andiamo bag is arguably the hottest property in fashion for spring, from the micro size to the XL alt.
Now's the time to venture outside of your color-related comfort zone, as every brand out there is venturing into bolder shades like orange, red, purple, and green.
If looking like an effortlessly chic Italian woman all summer long is your goal, investing in a pair of slightly baggy white trousers or jeans is essential. Pair them with a white tank top, a baggy linen button-down, or a basic tee, and don't forget to add a statement belt.
When I tell you that I see someone wearing this exact faux-leather Zara bomber at least once a day in New York, I'm not exaggerating one bit. And yes, I can differentiate this exact one from others like it—that's how ubiquitous it is.
Elegance is in—like so in. And nothing says highbrow quite like a long scarf that billows in the wind behind you. How very '50s.
Metallic pants like these are understandably intimidating, but trust me—once you slip them on, you'll find that they are shockingly easy to wear and style. Basically, they're just more interesting jeans that will elicit a million times more compliments.
I don't go a day—hell, even an hour—without seeing these Tory Burch studded flats on my Instagram feed. Unfortunately, they're almost sold out, but if you're one of the lucky ones who wear a smaller shoe size, there's a good chance you can still get your hands on a pair (and they're on sale).
Tank tops in general are thriving even more than usual this spring, but of all the styles on the market, ones of the "muscle" variety are experiencing the highest high. Add to that the fact that red is spring's hottest color, and one can infer that this top is destined for greatness.
From the streets of Copenhagen during fashion week to Hailey Bieber's sofa—nowhere are we safe from the rising stretch-headband trend.
If you're going on vacation anywhere tropical this season and have been scouring the internet for what items to buy and pack for your trip, chances are your research has brought you to this Rat & Boa dress, which is currently littering my Instagram and Pinterest searches that have anything to do with spring travel.
Arguably no model of Nikes is more desired by sneakerheads right now than its Vomeros, and a crop of new arrivals is currently being produced and prepared to drop, according to Hypebeast.
Lauren Burke's new NYC-based hat brand, Cafe Society, is about to be responsible for this spring's cowboy-hat craze as Westerncore continues to thrive.
This Loewe anthurium accessory is making the rounds in fashion, whether it's worn as a neck chain or a bag charm.
If you hate fishnets, it's time to reconsider. Following Tory Burch's and Victoria Beckham's F/W 23 shows, the affordable, chic hosiery is skyrocketing to fashion fame.
If unexpected cool is the look you're going for, adding a pair of long leather gloves is a perfect place to start. Styling tip: Do like Versace, Alaïa, and Saint Laurent by styling cuffs and watches on top of your gloves.
The bigger the earrings, the better the outfit—this is a great sartorial state of mind to strive for this spring, especially if they're either teardrop shaped or door knockers.
If you love Miu Miu's XL-pocket skirt but want something a tad more practical and versatile, the brand's pocketed shoulder bag from the same collection will be a perfect wardrobe addition this spring. The handbag comes in a myriad of colors, including neutrals like black and white as well as lime green, and has been absolutely taking over my Instagram feed.
Continuing on the Miu Miu supremacy train, the brand's fall/winter 2023 collection kick-started the current hoodie trend, with Creative Director Miuccia Prada showcasing elevated ways to wear everyone's favorite comfy topper.
The DMs have not stopped since I posted a photo of this J.Crew skirt that I recently tried on. Everyone's clearly wanting to get in on the retro, super-pretty look that dominated on the spring/summer 2023 runways, and I can see why.
Our affinity for sculptural wedges, clogs, and studded details join in the form of these viral Alaïa slide-ons that I swear every top fashion person on Instagram owns and wears on repeat.
Next up: These 30 Items Are Already Defining 2023—Take Note
Eliza Huber is a New York City–based fashion editor who specializes in trend reporting, brand discovery, and celebrity style. She joined Who What Wear in 2021 after almost four years on the fashion editorial team at Refinery29, the job she took after graduating with a marketing degree from the University of Iowa. She has since launched two monthly columns, Let's Get a Room and Ways to Wear; profiled the likes of Dakota Fanning, Diane Kruger, Katie Holmes, and Sabrina Carpenter for WWW's monthly cover features; and reported on everything from the relationship between Formula One and fashion to the top trends from fashion month, season after season. Eliza now lives on the Upper West Side and spends her free time researching F1 fashion imagery for her side Instagram accounts @thepinnacleoffashion and @f1paddockfits, running in Central Park, and scouring eBay for '90s Prada and '80s Yves Saint Laurent.
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