A Spring State of Mind
Vintage prints, emotional embellishment, and color that feels joyful
Julia here!
Resort and Spring are two of my favorite seasons to shop. Just when I’m getting tired of piling on layers and the winter blahs are in full force, Spring collections begin to roll in on preorder, and suddenly I’m transported somewhere warmer and far more romantic. There’s something about scrolling through new collections at this point in the year, when you can barely remember what the sun feels like on your skin, that makes the anticipation of Spring feel especially exciting.
Lately, I’ve been saving and screenshotting pieces that spark that same joy: fresh takes on styling, eye-catching color stories, new prints, and unexpected silhouettes from Resort and Spring collections that immediately catch my eye. Some of these pieces I’ve already preordered, while others are simply living on my wishlist and serving as inspiration for how I want to dress this next season.
I’ve included runway moments that are really setting the tone for Spring for me, as well as roundups with my favorite pieces under $500 that I’m currently eyeing, in case any of these stories resonate with you, too.
Vintage, Wallpaper-Inspired Prints
The second I saw this Valentino dress, I was obsessed. And sure, florals for Spring may not be groundbreaking, but this season they feel thoughtfully reimagined. The prints are romantic and decorative, equally beautiful as upholstery in a home as they are on a structured lady jacket.
Paisleys, textured jacquards, and details like braided rope trim feel elegant rather than fussy, nostalgic but never dusty. You know I’m never one to shy away from a print, and I love how this season feels as though they’ve been pulled from a different era, like discovering a gorgeous vintage wallpaper or an heirloom scarf. Especially as we continue redesigning our home, these kinds of patterns have been very much on my mind. And for anyone looking to dip a toe into the trend, there are so many beautiful scarves on the market right now that make it feel easy and approachable.
Shop my favorite picks under $500 here.
Clockwise from top left: scarf top, garnet earrings, fringed mini skirt, pearl tassel necklace, cream fringe top, printed scarf, brocade jacket, silk printed scarf with fringe, embroidered flats, shift dress, printed pants, cream printed scarf, black tassel necklace
Emotional Embellishment
There was so much to love about this green Erdem coat, from the liquid-like satin to the deeply saturated emerald hue and the unexpected drop-waist update to a classic trench. But it was the embellishment that truly took my breath away.
All-over embellishment is having a real moment this season, whether it shows up as crystals, embroidery, beadwork, or feathers. Designers like Etro, Dries Van Noten, and Chanel are bringing new life to traditional silhouettes, which feels especially fitting for Spring, and turning everyday staples like a trench, a sweater, or a simple dress into something that feels special again. After several seasons dominated by minimalism and quiet luxury, it’s refreshing to see fashion leaning back into glamour and emotion.
And as a bonus, the drop-waist detail. I noticed it echoed in the skirts at Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel debut, and I have a feeling it will become a key silhouette update moving forward, especially for midi skirts. It feels polished and modern, with just enough ease to keep it from feeling too serious.
Joyful Color Palettes
After screenshotting more looks than I care to admit from Fendi’s runway, it became clear that color is really speaking to me this Spring (when is it not?). What stood out most was how bold and vibrant the palette felt, yet still grounded and sophisticated when paired with clean, modern silhouettes.
Simple cuts, pleating, and graphic prints keep these saturated hues from feeling overly playful or elementary. That balance is something I return to again and again. When I lean into a statement color or an unexpected combination, I like to anchor the look with a more polished silhouette to keep it feeling refined. Down the runway, no color pairing felt off-limits, and the result was exactly the kind of fresh, optimistic energy I’m craving for the season ahead.
Shop my favorite picks under $500 here.
Clockwise from top left: red shirt, turquoise hair tie, braided rope belt, chartreuse pants, multi-colored long sleeve, silver + yellow necklace, berry trousers, blue earrings, red necklace, green sandals, turquoise pleated shirt, yellow stone dish, striped pants
Animal Print as a Neutral
Animal print has really taken over the last few seasons, from python to zebra to leopard and every iteration in between. I don’t see it going anywhere for Spring, but it does feel like it’s getting a subtle update. This season, I love how animal print is being treated almost like a neutral. I saw it on floor-length gowns, zebra prints styled more like a graphic that could easily be mixed with florals, and, although I may be getting ahead of myself by looking toward pre-Fall, Chanel doing it especially well with a leopard-print skirt suit that feels both bold and incredibly polished. When traditionally more serious fabrics like tweed or leather are reimagined in animal print, it gives the trend a more grown-up, intentional feel. It feels like the cooler, older sister to last season’s wave of animal print.
Shop my favorite picks under $500 here.
If you’re looking for inspiration you can wear a bit sooner, I shared what’s on my Resort Radar over on the blog. I’d love to hear which trends or collections you’re most excited about for Spring!
xx Julia
I love this post and seeing how you translate the runway trends into real life. I can't stop thinking about that Erdem coat. It's magical.
Love this edit!