It's Giving Dated: 7 Spring Trends I'm Pressing Pause On and 7 I'm Not

I try to hold onto things as long as the next person, knowing all too well the trend cycle has dramatically shortened due to the combined impacts of social media and fast fashion, allowing trends to come back in vogue far quicker than they once would have. The smart thing would be to store everything rather than get rid of anything. And yet, my complete lack of storage in New York City begs to differ. I just moved and am in desperate need of additional space, leading me to only one possible action item: spring cleaning.

Over the last week, I've had to take a long, hard look at my wardrobe to decide what trends for the season ahead just don't do it for me anymore and which ones still deserve a spot in the closet (i.e., the large, metal rack I now hang my clothes on). And after examining the spring/summer 2023 runways for the umpteenth time and hours of sorting, I finally settled on seven spring trends that have lost their spark. Keep scrolling to discover each one, plus the warm-weather trends I'm prioritizing instead. 

Pause: Nap Dresses

Play: Tube Dresses

The '90s have called, and they want their tube dresses back. Luckily, designers like Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen at The Row and Miuccia Prada at Prada aren't so keen on handing them over, allowing us to bask in their glory for the upcoming spring and summer seasons. One dress silhouette that isn't feeling the love in 2023? The nap dress. Once considered the most popular dress silhouette, this cottagecore design hasn't received quite as much attention in recent years, meaning I'll be storing mine away until their next big moment and using that space to prioritize all things strapless.

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Shop tube dresses:

Pause: Kelly Green

Play: Bright Red

There was a time not too long ago when everything, and I mean everything, was Kelly Green. The color was inescapable. And while I had a soft spot for the vibrant shade, it didn't take long for it to start feeling stale. These days, the eye-catching color taking over my brain is bright red. Showcased all over S/S and F/W 23 runways, the shade is having more than just a moment. 

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Pause: Pearl Necklaces

Play: Cuff Bracelets

As much fun as it was to layer pearl necklaces with colorful beaded chains a few summers ago, jewelry trends are moving away from playful and kitschy looks toward a more refined and elevated aesthetic. It's why '80-inspired cuff bracelets such as those displayed at Saint Laurent's S/S 23 show are experiencing such a high right now in the fashion world. Though the season's only just beginning, this wrist accessory is already one of its most sought-after pieces, with ones by Saint Laurent, Alaïa, and Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. dominating on the luxury front, while brands like Ben Amun, Agmes, and Alexis Bittar succeed with a more mid-range price alternative. Hell, even Zara and Mango are getting in on the trend. 

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Pause: Gingham

Play: Snakeskin

Gingham's long been a springtime regular, but I haven't seen a take on the warm-weather print that I'd consider exciting in some time. Snakeskin, however, is one pattern that's been brought back in a shockingly elegant manner, making it almost impossible to miss in recent months. The animal print was a highlight of both Khaite and 16Arlington's spring collections. From sandals to belts to trench coats to dresses, no wardrobe item is exempt from this year's growing python trend. 

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Pause: Fringe Attachments

Play: Studded Embellishments

Last year, Y2K-inspired fringe attachments were all anyone seemed to want to wear. But now that the craze is waning a bit, I'm readying myself to wave goodbye to fringe and focus my attention on all things studded. Khaite, A.W.A.K.E. Mode, Alaïa, and more brands featured elevated takes on this grungey design detail by attaching it to handbags, shoes, and outerwear to create plenty of viral pieces. 

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Pause: High-Low Skirts

Play: Pencil Skirts

Despite Rihanna wearing one last November, high-low skirts have officially reached "out" status. One skirt style that is feeling the love right now is the pencil skirt, a once-boring silhouette that brands like Prada, Miu Miu, and Victoria Beckham have given new life to with modern offerings for spring. 

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Pause: Dramatic Cutouts 

Pass: Sheer, Gauzy Knits

Skin-baring trends have run the gamut over the years, and one of the longest-standing trends has been dramatic cutouts. And while I've certainly played around with an exaggerated cutout or two in my day, the styles released in recent seasons have lost their edge. The sheer and gauzy knits seen on Prada, Miu Miu, and Tory Burch's S/S 23 runways are more alluring. They were transparent but elegant and hyper-elevated. This trend is too pretty not to get in on. 

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Coming up next: I Check Nordstrom 7 Days a Week—51 Finds I'm Freaking Out Over