Welcome back to “So You Want To…” the series wherein I give you outfits and *~*lewks~*~ for things like: time of year, a random event, a vibe, an energy! This month, we’re talking queer spring fashion trends.

Every now and then I like to take a moment to reflect on the styles and trends we’ll be inundated with for the next few months, because as much as I love making this column a place where I pretend I am a romance novelist, I also feel it is my duty to give you fine readers some actual insight into the wild and wondrous world of fashion.

The following trends are the the themes I keep seeing everywhere, but they are by no means all of the trends you can expect to see this season. I hate to say it, but the low rise trend is still upon us! The runways were simply packed with low rise jeans and skirts, so if you are a much (much) braver soul than I, lean the hell in! The early aughts revival is going strong, so prepare to relive your days of middle school via a ton of sparkles, butterflies and the like. Also, I am still seeing a lot of preppy, almost 90s adjacent styles— rugby sweaters and tennis skirts with big chunky platforms boots and distressed leather jackets. Honestly, the big take away from this season is that is fun. Celebratory, even! We’re all bursting out of our little chrysalis’ and leaning into some maximalism. And, as ever, this column is not about telling you what to wear! If none of these trends speak to you, that is fine! This is just some prep work as we head into the warmer months, letting you know what you’ll see online and in stores, so you aren’t totally baffled by the seasons offerings. Fashion is deeply personal, take what works for you, toss the rest! Mostly, just have fun? That’s what my passion for clothes comes down to in the end: Having fun and expressing myself in a way that feels good to me. Now, to the trends!

Boho Prints and Bold Florals

L.E. Carmen Boilersuit: Lucy and Yak ($104) // Curve mini shirt dress in ditsy print: ASOS ($20) // Plus x Jac Jossa set wide leg pants in multi floral print: ASOS ($48) // Floral knit sweater: ASOS ($45)

Good news team! We’re going bold and bright this spring and summer! The 70s boho dresses and prints are here to stay, and while sometimes they can get a little too peasant girl on the farm for me, we’re keeping it interesting by playing with proportion and length. Think wide legged pants and oversized sweaters, like the ones above. And I cannot express how many miniskirts and mini dresses I came upon while researching for this, so get ready to lean into some sweet, lightly slutty hemlines! I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t include a jumpsuit, and this Lucy and Yak one has been taking over on the hip spring loving queers I know.

Bright Colors

Open front blazer dress: Eloquii ($150) // Twist front mesh top: Eloquii ($75) // Oversized shirt with wide cuff detail in bright orange: ASOS ($40) // Jersey oversized color blocked blazer in pink and orange: ASOS ($50)

I know, “colors” seems a little obvious for a trend report. But we are not talking about colors writ large, no, we are talking nigh-on garish, highlighter bright colors for this season. Pink, green and yellow were the heavy hitters, and while I can’t see myself rocking like, a fully neon green look like the one above, I can see mixing some of these pieces with darker colors to make a splash this spring.

Lace and Mesh

Lace top: Eloquii ($100) // Mesh shirt in black: ASOS ($32) // Relaxed white T-shirt in all over laddered mesh: ASOS ($30) // Relaxed deep revere shirt in floral mesh: ASOS ($35)

Lovers of lace, mesh and cut-outs rejoice, for it is your time to shine! The runways were simply going off with see through fabrics and frankly, more cut-out dresses and pants than I have seen in a long, long while. This kind of vibe is usually not my style, but maybe I am feeling that spring energy, because I can kind of see tossing a white mesh shirt over a cute bra and a pair of leggings and really living out loud??

Knits and Textures

Pull-on balloon pants in colorblock: Madewell ($78) // Vintage knitted cardigan in multi: ASOS ($75) // Relaxed instarsia sweater: Eloquii ($80) // Relaxed sweater vest in celestial knit: ASOS ($45)

Continuing the good news for the tactile among us, knits and textures are having quite the moment! From the blousey, neutral homespun energy of those Madewell pants to the oversized, cool grandpa energy of that cardigan, this season is a great time to lean into some fun knits. Oh, and the sweater vests, we are IN the space for some ding dang sweater vests and yes, we are wearing them sans a layer underneath. Honestly? I am into it!

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