CanCulture’s spring fashion must-haves

If you are looking for new pieces for a closet glow-up, here are some ideas!

By: Youdon Tenzin 

(Flaunter/Unsplash)

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. 

Fashion designer Latoia Fitzgerald pairs her white Versace platform loafers with a black bodycon dress.

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!

Spring in Canada: Fashion trends to stay on top of this upcoming season

By Mia Maaytah

Although this winter seems to be endless, spring is approaching and Toronto designers have been busy cultivating new fashion trends for the city.

In the past, spring has been an opportunity to softly reintroduce colour back into our closets and a time to pair lightweight material with classic, dainty jewelry. However, this year the trends seem to be roaring into existence with bright red and green pieces, mixed with eccentric patterning and bold accessories.

This year, bold is an understatement, as all shapes, colours, patterns and types of fabrics are skillfully crafted together.

Major designers such as Coach, Marc Jacobs and Kate Spade New York have hit the runway featuring designs that incorporate fusions of primary colours and classic patterns like stripes and polka dots.

Photo courtesy of coach on Instagram

Feature image courtesy of Rex Leung and Ryan Feng via marcjacobs on Instagram

Photo courtesy of katespadeny on Instagram

Not all runway attire is exactly suitable for the constant hustle and bustle of the working crowd in Toronto. Sara Duke, a Toronto-based independent fashion designer and Ryerson University graduate, just released her new collection of pieces that encompass both style and functionality.

Made with all Canadian material, Duke says she strives to create clothes that are not only rich in quality, but are also suitable for day-to-day use in their comfort and versatility.

Photo courtesy of sarasaraduke on Instagram

“Overall, spring this year is a lot darker. There is a lot of primary colours being used,” said Duke “Everything is sort of darker and duller and grittier as far as colours go, plus, stripes. Stripes are a big deal.”

Duke’s designs feature timeless T-shirts, dresses and pants that are handcrafted and targeted toward a working woman. Her use of dark blues and baby pinks fit the trendy theme of the blending of contrasting colour palettes. Her neat use of stripes adds a classic aspect to her spring 2019 collection.

Photo courtesy of sarasaraduke on Instagram

Although Duke remains trendy with her creations, she said she does not rely on pieces made by major designers as an outline. Instead, she uses fashion forecasting brought to her by fabric contractors.

“When I build a collection, I look at what did really well from the collections before that. I look at what shapes and styles did really well,” she said.

“I don’t really pay attention to runway stuff. I pay attention to my customer, because this is clothing that needs to be practical enough to be worn in public.”

Numerous other Canadian designers share Duke’s vision. They aim to satisfy their customers by staying updated with the global fashion trends while ensuring practicality.

Kollar Clothing, a Canadian fashion line for men, recently showcased their spring collection. It offers a rugged, yet classy approach for the upcoming season.

Photo courtesy of kollarclothing on Instagram

Kollar Clothing’s denim jackets and pants are paired with sleek button-up shirts and black leather jackets. The brand’s newest line follows the ominous theme of dark hues, accented with touches of pastel purple on a patterned, collared T-shirt.

Andrew Coimbra, a clothing line based in Toronto, reverses the trend of a primarily deep colour palette, as their Spring 2019 collection is alive with colour and vibrancy.

Photo courtesy of andrewcoimbra on Instagram

This collection features both casual and elegant styles. It offers felt blazers and simple white T-shirts. The blend of bright colours and busy patterns, accented with pops of black and navy blue, make the line fresh and unique.

As comfort is a concern for many practical brands, some Canadian artists do not miss an opportunity to dazzle their clientele with dressier pieces. Greta Constantine, a women’s clothing label founded by Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen Wong, released a new collection for the upcoming season featuring fairytale-like designs for fancier occasions.

Photo courtesy of Peter Tamlin via gretaconstantine on Instagram

This collection’s pieces range from dresses, to jumpsuits, to matching two-pieces. Pickersgill and Wong followed this season’s stripe trend just like Duke, in a couple of designs. Their Spring 2019 line features cheetah print and primarily metallic fabrics. The collection is unique and bold, in comparison to other Canadian designers’ newest lines.