(Style)

The Spring Fashion Essentials You Need To Start The Season In Style

It’s time for a wardrobe refresh.

March 27, 2022

Maxine Wylde in spring 2022's essentials.

Spring is synonymous with rebirth, with all the teeny-tiny crocuses sprouting from the earth and furry animals rousing from their deep, months-long period of rest. And after an entire season of shrouding yourself in heavy-duty down outerwear, it’s time for you, like the bears and other forest friends of that hibernating ilk, to also undergo an awakening. So, as you revel in the extra, mood-boosting vitamin D and think of all the warm weather that’s to come, why not stock up on spring 2022’s fashion essentials for a wardrobe refresh. You — and your closet — deserve to take advantage of the renewed energy by kicking off the season on a fresh note. Plus, if you have music festivals to attend this spring, you’re probably already on the hunt for some new boho pieces to dance the day away in.

“This spring is truly about a reawakening in every sense — rediscovering your personal style after living through [the past two years,] which altered many of our previous sartorial choices,” Intermix’s Chief Merchant, Divya Mathur, explains to TZR over email. “The mood for the season is all about a return to fashion and getting dressed up again, expressed through your own personal style lens,” she states. For instance, a colorful blazer and matching trousers may incite a love within you for saturated suiting and dopamine-boosting tailored separates. Or, for those who identify as neutral dressers but are intrigued by fashion’s ongoing maximal moment, a subtle statement dress may just be the perfect piece that speaks to your individualistic approach to style.

Ahead, find the 10 items TZR ranks as must-haves for spring 2022, as well as some more insight from Intermix’s Mathur and Telsha Anderson-Boone, founder of New York City’s cool-girl concept store, t.a.

We at TZR only include products that have been independently selected by our editors. We may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article.

A Statement Cocktail Dress

Mathur encourages you to not be a wallflower at your next outing and choose a statement cocktail dress. “Opt for a neon color, an unexpected silhouette, or a daring cutout as a conversation starter,” offers the expert. For those fond of maximalist hues, Mara Hoffman’s vibrant Sara Dress will be your new, dopamine-boosting fave. If you prefer a more demure color palette but still like the idea of a statement dress, try a frock with heaps of volume — like Kika Vargas’ ruffle gown.

Mara Hoffman

Sara Dress

$325

Painterly prints are a leading look for spring 2022, so this Mara Hoffman dress is perfectly on trend with its abstract and multicolored pattern.

Kika Vargas

Ramya Tuffle-Trim Gown

$855

When it comes to styling a dress as puffy as Kika Vargas’ Ramya, keep it simple. A pair of neutral ballet flats and subtle jewelry is all you’ll need.

Ronny Kobo

Reynolds Cut-Out Jacquard Midi Dress

$338

With its trippy and graphic motifs, Ronny Kobo’s jacquard midi dress epitomizes spring’s illusion print trend.

Saturated Suiting

“I’m really happy to see tailoring back again,” says Mathur. “A great blazer and a slouchy trouser are wardrobe staples for me — and I’m especially loving this season's take in bold shades,” she adds.

KLARNA, a global payments and shopping service, shares data with TZR that backs up Mathur’s note about the popularity of vibrant suiting: On the fintech company’s site, searches for bright blazers increased by 90% since September.

A.L.C.

Kennedy Pants

$495

A.L.C. offers a two-piece coral suit that might just replace your favorite matching set as your go-to effortlessly, put-together outfit.

Christopher John Rogers

Oversized Wool Blazer

$1,695

Turn the saturation up to 100% with Christopher John Rogers’s lime green and oversized blazer.

Emmy Kasbit

Bianca Suit

$695

This yellow suit from Lagos-based label Emmy Kasbit is like a sartorial breath of fresh air. Not only is its sunny yellow color envigorating, but the suit's artistic pattern and unique shoulder detailing feel refreshingly novel.

A Denim Skirt

The denim skirt trend is one of spring 2022’s most all-encompassing and varied fads in that all styles — from micro-minis to shin-length midis to floor-sweeping maxis — are on the table. Some iterations take inspiration from the early-2000s — COS’ dark-wash midi number, for instance, boasts a longline silhouette that was iconic of the epoch. Other skirts, however, offer more modernized takes on the classic piece.

Aritzia

Denim Forum The Debbie Denim Mini Skirt

$78

Aritzia offers an uncontroversial and timeless denim skirt you’ll likely keep in your closet for decades to come. For a sporty, daytime feel, team the mini skirt with a pair of chunky and casual sneakers.

FRAME

Patch Pocket Denim Skirt

$248

With its patch pocket detail and staggered hem, FRAME’s knee-length skirt is in a contempoary league of its own.

COS

Denim Midi Skirt

$99

The Y2K style revival prevails! Lean into how COS’ denim midi skirt exudes ‘Hot Aughts’ energy by pairing it with clogs and a graphic baby tee.

Front-And-Center Cutouts

Ah, cutouts — the skin-revealing details were uber-popular last season, and Anderson-Boone says they’ll be ubiquitous this spring as well. Although, as opposed to last year’s midriff-flossing straps and hipbone slits, spring 2022’s cutouts will mainly manifest front and center.

“There are a lot of spring dresses featuring the back out but never the front, which makes Beaufille’s Baes Dress extra special,” says the t.a. founder. “Once the weather drops, I can’t wait to throw this dress on with a pair of sandals or even put a pair of pants underneath.”

Beaufille

Baes Dress

$420

You likely already have one (or two, or three, ... or four) LBDs in your arsenal. But Beaufille’s Baes Dress is worthy of splurging on because it’s unique with its bra-style cutouts, which exude a nonchalant and sensual vibe.

Abiola Olusola

Meja Dress

$1,152

For those always on the hunt for inspired takes on omnipresent trends, Abiola Olusola’s Meja Dress, with its unconventional ruched cutout, is an original investment piece to add to your collection. Style with your favorite heeled, slip-on sandals and golden hoop earrings.

peony

After Swim Gingham Maxi Dress

£275

Is peony’s gingham maxi not the ideal dress for a springtime picnic in the park with all your best friends? Slip into a pair of platform sandals, throw on your go-to oversized sunnies, and then dig into the prosecco and charcuterie.

A Fun Fringe Top

Welcome to the season of fun fringe. From craftcore-inspired crochet strands to dangling silk trim, fringe is forecast to be everywhere this spring. (Reflect on New York Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week’s Spring/Summer 2022 showings if you need to jog your memory with on-runway proof of fringe’s inevitable trending nature.)

In particular, though, KLARNA shares with TZR that its site experienced a 687% (!) increase in queries for fringe tops, so you’ll want to hone your sights specifically in on a shirt that boasts the movement-friendly detail.

Miguelina

Briar Fringed Striped Linen Shirt

$500

Miguelina’s striped and fringe-trimmed button-down is an effortless way to tap into spring’s ongoing beachcore style moment.

Patrizia Pepe

Cut Out-Detail Fringed Vest

$226

Doesn’t this Patrizia Pepe fringe top absolutely embody the carefree vibes Coachella is known for? And just think about how the dangling details will twirl about while you dance to your favorite musicians perform live.

Cult Gaia

Alya Fringed Asymmetric Silk Top

$798

Fringe doesn’t always equate to a Western aesthetic, you know. Cult Gaia’s asymmetric Alya Top offers a more cosmopolitan interpretation of fringe, meaning it’s perfect for an evening of cocktails and late-night dancing.

Platform Shoes

“Platforms are back and higher than ever,” Mathur explains to TZR. “A nod to the ‘70s trend this season, there are so many options to choose from, whether a pump, a wedge, or boot,” she describes. And, as expected, given spring inspires a sun’s-out-toes-out mindset, platform sandals are a style you can expect to see everywhere.

Nodaleto

Bulla Chibi Embroidered Platform Sandals

$750

Calling all fans of a boho style: You likely own a billowing floral dress so why not invest in a pair of shoes that also taps into the easy-breezy aesthetic? Nodaleto’s embroidered platform sandals are equal parts down-to-earth and fashion-forward.

Lisa Says Gah

Dakota Flatform

$179

Consider slipping into this pair of flatforms from Lisa Says Gah for your next music festival. They’ll give you a few extra inches, which, as show-goers know, can be vital when trying to get a good view of the bands performing on stage.

Isabel Marant

Orene Padded Leather Platform Sandals

$620

Found: A pair of elevated flip-flops, courtesy of Isabel Marant, that are fit for the beach and beyond. Style with a worn-in pair of jeans, an It-girl-approved white tank, and a laissez-faire attitude.

A Playful Romper

Everyone is well aware dresses are a foundational springtime staple — but what about a short jumpsuit, aka a romper? The one-piece garment issues the same flirty spirit as a spring dress but is a bit more unexpected, making it an inspired choice. And, as Anderson-Boone says, “there’s nothing like a romper to encourage the flowers to bloom!” The t.a. founder specifically shouts out Materiel Tbilisi’s open-back and blush number for being a must-own style essential of spring 2022.

Materiel Tbilisi

Twill Bare Back Romper

$575

Materiel Tbilisi’s Bare Back boasts not one but two adorable belt details — one around the waist to yield a traditional cinched-in look and one around the neck for a novel collar design.

Sea

Rosita Border Long Sleeve Romper

$365

Sea’s long-sleeve romper is boho style embodied in one garment. You can easily wear it for a day spent partying at Coachella or for a casual Saturday brunch with your best pals.

YMC

Wanderer Denim Playsuit

$462

For an effortless spring uniform, pair YMC’s denim playsuit with heeled sandals and your go-to pair of oversized aviators. It’s a slightly ‘70s-inspired look you’ll surely grow fond of.

Bottega Green

As Mathur states, Bottega green “is the color of the season and an essential in your spring wardrobe.” The color is a highly saturated punch quintessential of fashion’s ongoing dopamine-dressing phenomenon. Plus, Mathur stays you have a bevy of options when it comes to styling the electric shade: “Go for the full effect in a head-to-toe monochromatic green look, or if you’re feeling a little less committed, a Bottega green shoe or bag will elevate your entire look.”

Bottega Veneta

Padded Cassette Bag

$4,500

You’ve definitely seen Bottega Veneta’s Padded Cassette Bag (likely in the brand’s eponymous green shade) all over your Instagram feed. It’s an investment piece with an optimistic vibe you’ll gladly reach for time and time again.

Tanya Taylor

Esme Halter Dress

$545

With its sleek column design and minimal look, Tanya Taylor’s Bottega green halter dress could easily become the new item you gravitate toward when seeking an effortless look. Pair with strappy gladiator sandals and delicate gold huggie hoops.

Zara

Heeled Sandals

$49.90

The high-fashion color has trickled down to accessible retailers, too! Zara offers a stylish pair of heeled sandals in the now-iconic vibrant green hue for under $50.

A Bustier Dress

Brace yourself, says Anderson-Boone: Regencycore round two is here courtesy of the release of Bridgerton’s sophomore season (which hit Netflix on March 25). But as opposed to last season’s slew of corset tops, she taps bustier-style dresses as spring 2022’s leading romantic-inspired style. In particular, she’s a fan of Jonathan Simkhai’s top-cinched dress, saying, “the Indy Bustier — there’s nothing like it.”

Jonathan Simkhai

Indy Plisse Poplin Bustier Dress

$545

If you’re an admirer of simplistic clothing with choice details — aka strategic minimalism — this poplin dress by Jonathan Simkhai is certainly an item to add to your cart. And then, for an unexpected style moment, consider styling the dress with lace-up sneakers and a dadcore baseball hat.

A very, very subtle nod to the recent sensual fashion movement, TOVE’s Demy Silk Dress features delicate bust detailing that delivers the structured look without the discomfort of a cinched-in corset. It’ll pair perfectly with a pair of mules and colorful statement earrings.

Ciao Lucia

Caro Dress Jardin

$395

Of course, a spring fashion round-up wouldn’t be complete if a floral dress didn’t make the cut, right? Ciao Lucia’s bustier dress in its white and red flower print is adorable yet retains a sophisticated look.

A Pair Of Mules

Alongside platform shoes, Anderson-Boone says, “mules are making their way back to the forefront of shoewear” this spring season. “Varying luxury brands are jumping on the trend and finding new ways to combine comfort and style,” she says, referencing Versace’s kaleidoscopic and open-toed mules. Indies brands like Chelsea Paris and Shekudo offer their own versions of the iconic style, too, only at more affordable prices.