We’re still facing the brunt of winter, but that doesn’t mean we don’t already have one eye on the upcoming season. Just last year, the S/S 21 runways offered us a peek of what’s to come, and needless to say, we’re already daydreaming about the trends that await us in a few months’ time. From modern updates to a few spring favorites (florals and check) to nostalgic saturated stripes evocative of our favorite childhood confection, these patterns are poised to take over our feeds.
Just a word of caution to all of you minimalists out there: these patterns are chockfull of personality and exuberant detail, so you may want to get used to seeing them now sooner than later. We also can’t guarantee that you’ll stay a minimalist after reading this (they’re that good). With that, keep scrolling below to see the five prints we’re predicting every fashion girl will be clinging to come spring.
1. Fruit Stripes
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This season’s iteration of stripes feels like a wave of nostalgia. Bold and bright lines of all colors of the rainbow, our favorite childhood gum–Fruit Stripes– immediately comes to mind. Like Versace, several other designers including Stine Goya and Christopher John Rogers, adopted the trend, featuring the print on button-down tops and knit dresses. It’s certainly audacious, so you’ll want to work it in with more subdued separates like denim jeans or black trousers.
2. Watercolor
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Spring is like a siren call to embrace the softer side of things, so it’s no shock that watercolor patterns are showing up in droves. Consider it a close relative of tie-dye, but with the added effect of blotchy, almost diluted-like edges. While some designers’ takes on watercolor featured more uniform patterns like Dries Van Noten, others like Acne Studios and Kenzo used them in a dip-dye effect to create random delicate patterns. Give this trend a go if you’re ready to upgrade from tie-dye.
3. Checkered
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Last year was all about gingham, and this year designers are urging us to revisit check. We’ve been seeing this print interpreted in a number of refreshing ways for S/S 21–take Christopher John Roger’s duo pattern pants for instance–and we can’t wait to see where it goes for the rest of the year. Take a page out of Paloma Wool’s playbook, and try a saturated version of the trend.
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4. Kitchy ’80s Florals
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Indeed, you can always count on a floral pattern of some sort to make an appearance around this time of year, and for this season we’re taking a trip to the ’80s. Instead of classically romantic florals, this print is punchy and in your face–the type of floral you can’t help but notice. Isabel Marant always loves a good 80’s reference, and the French label brought the pattern to life in the form of a pouf-sleeve two-piece set. Should a ruffle or pouf feel too on the nose, try a more paired back silhouette like Rixo’s floral dress.
5. Screen Prints
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Screen-prints were quite an unexpected hit seen at Burberry, Fendi, Rokh, and more. Featured on sheer dresses and tunics on the runways, this pattern is no short on drama yet exudes a demure edginess that’s easy to pull off. Whether you choose to dress head-to-toe in prints on prints, opt for a chic maxi dress (like Burberry), or let it sit in as a subtle, secondhand design element to a pair of jeans, don’t pass up on screen-prints come spring.
Next up, 6 Tik-Tok Beauty Hacks That Totally Changed How I Do My Makeup.