Wearing the best of both worlds

Mood affects people in a variety of ways. It influences their decision-making process, from where they want to go to what they desire to wear. The COVID-19 pandemic put a damper on many people’s moods in 2020 and 2021, but as we enter into 2022, a more hopeful disposition is emerging. More people are getting out and enjoying life again.

That could mean a trip with girlfriends to a seaside resort or a couple’s getaway to a tropical island. Either way, people are wanting to express this renewed sense of adventure in the styles they wear, and you can help them. These same folks also grew incredibly used to their comfortable pandemic, stay-at-home wardrobe, so while going out is on the agenda, giving up comfort is not.

Luckily, many of the styles emerging in 2022 will allow your customers to both dress to the nines and stay comfortable simultaneously.

Finding a balance

“In general in Spring/Summer 2022 we are seeing that everybody is ready to get out again and dress up again,” says Morgan Ramage, Atlanta Apparel Fashion Director “It’s a return to stepping out but comfort is still very much a part of our lives, so it a balance. The trends are going to allow us to dress up again but also remain comfortable and versatile.”

Ramage says you can still carry those comfort styles inside your store that dominated the 2020 and 2021 seasons, but she suggests also making sure you are meeting the needs of your customers by integrating some items that can be dressed up.

Color conscious

People express themselves not only in the styles they wear, but the colors they choose and with more optimism comes more hopeful, cheerful color.

“Everybody wants these joyful expressions, bright colors and things that provide them with joy, happiness and optimism for the future,” says Ramage.

Two big colors highlighted at October 2021’s Atlanta Apparel were Butter and Cucumber, but other bright and joyful colors took the stage as well, including Bubblegum Pink, Atlantic Blue and preppy, strong reds. Leafy greens and shades of brown which reflect the staple outdoor lifestyle; and shades of orange from Mango Sorbet to Golden Peach which exude warmth and happiness, also ruled.

“Black, white and restorative pales will remain as palette-cleansing neutrals,” notes Ramage.

“Ginger Biscuit, Terracotta, and other earthy shades are infused with Bubble Gum bright pink and Atlantic Blue and Mango Sorbet, a bright fun orange. It is balancing a bright palette with great, infused warm neutrals to ground everything,” she adds.

Natural feel

Resortwear is using a lot of natural fibers in 2022, according to Ramage, including natural organic cottons and linens. “It is very much a nature, earth homegrown feel,” she says.

Satin and silk are being used to dress things up. “They are lightweight, they are breathable and they can be dressed up or dressed down. You can take them from day to night.”

Lightweight chiffons and organzas are also being used to dress things up or down, and shirred products and scrunched fabric applications add texture.

Cutouts are everywhere, according to Ramage. “They were on every runway, and that can be taken into swimwear, so whether it is dresses with cutout sides or tops, we are seeing it over and over again.”

Oversized shirts aka the boyfriend shirts that were popular in 2021 continue to trend in 2022 at the beach, but it has evolved to more fun prints like palm and prints with bright infused colors that can be cropped for women. “The resort shirt is everywhere,” she says.

Functional utility will be plentiful this season, thanks to its outdoor performance after a year-and-a-half spending more time outside: garments with an excess of pockets, zippers, buttons and straps.

Nostalgia is back

Comfy fabrics aren’t the only way people are seeking comfort in clothing. Nostalgia is also serving the need to feel safe and grounded.

“Anything nostalgic or retro is another big trend,” Ramage says.

There’s been a return to polo shirts and other exaggerated collared shirts. Scrunched, bubble hem tops are another retro trend as are big puffy sleeves. Clothing is also sporting lots of texture, including crocheting and lace, giving the item a vintage feel.

“We’ve seen a lot of open work fabrication in coastal stores whether it’s crochet, knit or lace. It is really huge. We are seeing it in tops, dresses and bags,” says Ramage.

Vintage and repurposed design will be back for the 2022 season in styles such as white, scalloped, lace and crochet blouses, summer knit vests and repurposed polo tops.

“The miniskirt is also coming back, which is like the 90s revival and also touches on retro and wanting to dress up again,” notes Ramage.

The workplace is also turning into a comfortable place where oversized blazers and work leisure pants that can be worn with a sneaker or a heel “but it is comfortable and looks put together.”

Graphic tees are showing up just about everywhere, according to Ramage. “They’re fun. They’re kitschy. They’re an optimistic joyful expression. We’ve seen them with logos and fun slogans and prints and they’re doing really well.”

Prints are also making a comeback. Ramage is seeing summer tropics, horticulture, florals and bright colors reflected in the 2022 resortwear styles.

“I think these will do really well in southeastern resort stores.”

Watercolor, stenciled type blooms bringing nature onto the print, retro prints like checks for a 70s vibe, and psychedelic tie-dyed prints are all trending.

Comfort continues

A running theme in footwear and in accessories continues to be comfort. “While we are ready to dress up, we are still seeing a lot of comfort through those two categories,” Ramage says. “Working from home is continuing to really shift what we are wearing in our footwear and accessories so it is a mix of comfort that can be dressed up.”

Footwear trends reinforce apparel trends with styles including: platform slides, square-toe sandals, puff sandals, block heels and party mules to fit the desire to venture out; modern ballerina flats, career clogs and everyday mules for a simple transition from home to work; and chunky wedge sneakers and craft sneakers for the utility and practicality of being comfortable inside or outdoors.

Dress-up footwear is still more comfortable than in years past with block heels, ankle straps and sling-back shoes. Also mules are being offered in metallic colors so it is still a comfortable shoe but with a dressier look.

Accessories, according to Ramage, are all about balancing seasonless accessories with optimistic bright colors.

Career pieces are pairing with leather belts and layered jewelry, including chains and pendants and hoop earrings. Outside the office fun, bright colors, beaded bracelets and necklaces and the bracelet stacks from the 90s are all popular styles.

Scarves are doing well as an accessory, according to Ramage. “We saw tons of that at our market.” Because it is a multiseasonal accessory, customers can wear them to the beach as a bandana, around a bag or drape it over their shoulders. “The scarf is still very much alive and flourishing,” Ramage observes.

Baseball caps are dominating in headwear. “Whether you are working from home or have messy hair, the baseball cap is still thriving,” Ramage says.

The bucket hats is also big. “It’s floppy, it’s comfortable. You don’t have to do your hair and you look put together.”

Bags are also reflecting the same styles as the apparel with nostalgic vanity style bags, bucket bags, beaded bags and scrunched shoulder bags. Many are embroidered and have bright colors as well.

According to Ramage, all of these trends in apparel, footwear and accessories reflect a year and a half of living through the COVID-19 pandemic and the mood that we are all in because of it.

“People’s priorities change and fashion evolves from what’s happening in our lives,” Ramage explains. “Spring/Summer 2022 will showcase mood-boosting colors and styles as we transition from a period of uncertainty to cautious optimism.”