As temperatures rise and COVID restrictions loosen, more people are traveling and stepping out in graceful style. A myriad of trends bubbled to the surface following Resort and Spring 2023 shows in New York, Paris, London, and Milan. While it feels great to have good reasons to dress again, the designers are embracing comfort and/or color this season – feel good fashion at its best. We have identified four hot trends that will be popular for the seasons ahead.

Resort Wear White – Eyelet Lace or Button Up Blouse

Particularly in resort wear shows, white was abundant. The style is fresh but casual, cool with an easy sense of chic. White eyelet lace draped in long blouses atop the relaxed denim trend or in flowing gowns at Valentino, as well as in corset tops and dresses at Alberta Ferretti and Chloe. 

The white button up blouse is also a travel must this year, appearing in many resort wear collections from Rosie Assoulin and Tanya Taylor to Etro, Tory Burch, Valentino, and Zimmerman. Again, the look is laid-back with the shirt unbuttoned, untucked, and/or off the shoulder.

Other resort wear trends include tropical prints, particularly large single flowers, as well as corsets or bra tops as seen at Fendi, Proenza Schouler, Erdem, Christopher John Rogers, and Wiederhoeft, to name a few.

Spring into Motion – The Pearl Drop Earring 

Movement is a pivotal focus for Spring with many designers opting for elements of motion.  Fringe continues to be plentiful, in both ready-to-wear looks (Alexander McQueen, Bottega Veneta, Jil Sander, Michael Kors, and Victoria Beckham) and accessories (Acne Studios, Ferragamo, Gucci, Dries Van Noten, and Versace). But the standout trend adding the excitement of motion was the pearl drop earring – it was practically ubiquitous. 

Dangling pearl earrings proved the perfect complement to the season’s many ready-to-wear trends (from preppy tailoring to crochet or denim and boudoir inspired looks). Baroque pearl drops earrings were prevalent – mismatched baroque pearl earrings at Erdem or baroques dangling from hoops at Ralph Lauren and Rejina Pyo. 

Pearls also dangled from lengthier styles at Ralph Lauren, Chanel, and Alessandra Rich.  Shoulder duster earrings, dubbed “shoulder skimmers” at WhoWhatWear or “shoulder grazing” by Vogue, were popular, as well, including pearl versions at Ferrari, Nensi Dojaka, and Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood.

Spring Colors– Berries at Sunset  

Dreaming of tropical weather must have inspired many designers as the season ahead is full of warmer hues. Berry reds or pinks abound at Chanel, Dior, Gucci, and Valentino. Also bold, unusual combinations of red & pink together created striking style at Roberto Cavalli, Brandon Maxwell, Moschino, and Carolina Herrera. 

Ombré fabrics in sunset shades made luscious appearances at Courreges, Etro, Ferragamo, GCDS, JW Andwerson, and Zimmerman. Other twilight tones peeked over the horizon with warm sunny yellows at Erdem, Ferrari, Moschino, Versace, and salmon or burnt sienna at Loewe, Stella McCartney, Bottega Veneta, and Fendi.

Wear these warmer hues with vibrant shades of coral in matchy-matchy combos like sunset hues with the muted orange of Sciacca Coral. Another option is to keep the red-pink vibe alive, pairing berry-red fabrics with the sophistication of Angel Skin Coral or vibrant red Sardinian Coral with the pretty pink fashions from Norma Kamali, Alice & Olivia, or Kate Spade. 

Colors to watch for future include bright cobalt blue (Giorgio Armani, Loewe, Alexander McQueen) and key lime green (Erdem, Proenza Schouler, Brandon Maxwell). Both appeared in a few looks here and there. They are likely to be more prominent in the seasons ahead.

Power Pearls– Layered Neck Mess or Bold Chokers

The so-called “pearlcore” trend continues to be embraced by the fashion world as the zeitgeist of modern times, their timeless sophistication adding luster, as opposed to bling, to everything from denim to ballgowns. This season it’s an either / or – either a fabulous pearl “neck mess” or a singular short strand.  

The layered look of jumbled pearls was featured at Gucci, Oscar de la Renta, Junya Wattanabe, Alaïa, and Norma Kamali. The swaying strands added movement and a sense of carefree fashion with a nod to tradition but breaking all the rules.

The more refined but bold choker length pearl necklace reigned supreme at Dior and Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood. The baroque pearl choker was preferred by Rejina Pyo. 

The pearls are sizable and statement-making. WhoWhatWear touted “jumbo pearls” as the number one of “The Only 8 Jewelry Trends that Matter for 2023.”  Bold pearl looks also showed up in pearl bracelets, button earrings, cocktail rings, or arm bands at Givenchy and even pinky rings at Christian Dior.

Whether you are traveling or just getting out of the house, have fun piling on your pearls or swaying with a graceful pearl drop earring. Dress to delight in bright warm hues or eyelet lace. Permission granted to have fun while keeping it all casual chic and effortlessly sophisticated. 

Feature image at top – clockwise from upper right – Assael Corallia Collection Multi-Strand Sciacca Coral Earrings, Elegance with Attitude campaignshot by David Benoliel with model wearing Assael Coral and Turquoise multistrand necklace and Coral & Turquoise Single Strand necklace, Small Bubble earrings by Sean Gilson for Assael, Ralph Lauren Spring/Summer 2023 (Go Runway), Assael Baroque Pearl drop earrings, Assael Classic South Sea Pearl Strand, Gucci Resort 2023 (Go Runway)

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