Spring (Fashion) Forward: How to be effortless chic Spring 2021. Part 1

(Audrey Hepburn in the Paramount Pictures 1957 classic Funny Face)

I never knew I much I would love Spring until I moved to North Carolina. We have two seasons in Florida: hurricane season (June 1- November 30) and dry season (December 1-May 31). When I was accepted into The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I knew that my Florida uniform of shorts and tee shirts would not cut in during the Fall and Winter. As a result, I began to look to fashion blogs, social media accounts, and websites to learn more about this new fashionable world.

For my MEJO 732 Public Relations and Strategic Writing and MEJO 577 Branding of Me class, students have the opportunity to write about anything they wish. I dived into the world of fashion as I direct messaged fashion brands to learn more about this world. I asked 7 For All Mankind, Alice and Olivia by Stacey Bendet, Annie Bing, Boys Lie, Monday Swim Wear , Nili Lotan , Olivia Von Halle, Outdoor Voices, Thread and Supply, Triangl, Unpublished, and Varley what pieces they think are effortlessly chic for Spring 2021.

Here are 7 For All Man Kind, Alice and Olivia by Stacey Bendet, Triangl, and Unpublished answers.

7 For All Mankind: I wish I were effortlessly chic as 7 For All Mankind is. This timeless brand offers premium denim and clothing for Baby Boomers to Generation Z. When you wear a 7 For All Mankind shirt or pants, I promise you that you will be the person that gets complimented for purchasing a fashionable classic piece of clothing. 7 For All Mankind recommended these pieces for Spring 2021. I have to say they hit the head of the nail.

Top Row : B(air) Josefina in Peace Blue. According to the 7 For All Mankind website, "Our easy fit boyfriend jean, now in virtually weightless b(air) denim. Crafted with stretch for a luxuriously comfortable feel, this inky indigo pair is finished with subtle whiskering and navy thread for a tonal look." Price is $178.00. You can buy these jeans at : https://www.7forallmankind.com/b-air-josefina-in-peace-blue.html Pair with Crochet Ruffle Top.

Bottom Row: Crochet Ruffle Top. The 7 For All Mankind website says, " Delicate ruffles trim the adjustable straps of this timeless crochet tank. Knit from 100% cotton lilly yarn, it’s a luxe take on bohemian style made for festival season and beyond." Price is $148.00. You can buy this top at : https://www.7forallmankind.com/crochet-ruffle-tank-in-ecru.html?gclid=CjwKCAiA65iBBhB-EiwAW253WzI69AjTU1dBBXw2lDS4U8EsIRJ39nk45msu_gdJ0k7Cf8wkoMYhehoCsdcQAvD_BwE Pair with B(air) Josefina in Peace Blue.

Alice and Olivia by Stacey Benedit: The thing that makes Alice and Olivia stand out is how it balances bold color and wearability. I love wearing color. For my college graduation, I wore an Alice and Olivia neon yellow dress. As I was surrounded by bland staple colors, I felt like shooting star as a wore this dress. Since graduating and COVID-19, I still look at their website to see how this trendsetting company stays ahead of the curve. When I asked Alice and Olivia, here is what they say is chic.

(This is me in front of the University of Central Florida Landmark called The Reflection Pond. This is the location where thousands of students rush into this sink-hole turn fountain for the chance to receive a lucky duck. Don't worry I will example a lot more about my time in college in a future blog post. This photo was taken by the wonderful Allison Bernstein)

Top Row: Pete Vegan Leather Joggers. The Alice and Olivia website talks about these pants as, " These slouchy pants are the coolest way to wear an elastic waist and look entirely put together (see? we've always got your back)." Price is $295.00. To buy these pants go to: https://www.aliceandolivia.com/pete-vegan-leather-jogger/CL000J16110A001.html?lang=default. Pair these pants with the Harmony Drapey Slip Tank.

Second Row: Harmony Drapey Slip Tank. According to the Alice and Olivia website, "The sexiest tank ever deserves to be in your closet. The Harmon is a drapey waterfall blue tank with delicate spaghetti straps and a slip style. Do you even realize how amazing you would look in this? It would be insane." Price is $195.00. To get this shirt at: https://www.aliceandolivia.com/harmon-drapey-slip-tank/CC007205030M406.html?lang=default

Third Row: Murray Fit and Flare Mini Dress. Alice and Olivia describes this dress as, "Blouson sleeves, mini length and a flirty fit and flare silhouette, this cute dress is crafted from merino wool that's double knit that gives it the best drape. It's truly the most comfy, touchable fabric that's a dream to wear." Price is $465.00. You buy this dress at https://www.aliceandolivia.com/murray-fit-and-flare-mini-dress/CC102530702D660.html. Pair with the Ezra Sneaker in Pure White/ Black.

Bottom Row: Ezra Sneaker in Pure White/ Black. Alice and Olivia discuss these shoe when they say, " cool platforms + a classic leather upper = cutest sneakers ever." Price is $195.00. You can go to https://www.aliceandolivia.com/ezra-sneaker/SC802111504C101.html to buy these shoes.

Triangl: One of the benefits of growing up in Florida was that it is always socially acceptable to hunt for your next great bathing suit. I might have found a motherload. In 2013, Triangl bathing suits started selling their neoprene swimwear. Neoprene is a synthetic rubber made from the polymerization of chloroprene (Obrecht et al., 2011). I found out about this brand as I dived into Instagram's shopping feature. Triangl recommends its BAYSIDE collection for the perfect spring attire. Here are some of my favorites from that collection..

Top Row: Maci-Galaxy Set. According to the Triangl website, " A scoop crop bikini top in floral print with matching high waist bottoms. Strappy crop top with adjustable shoulder straps and back clasp fastening. Choose from either a cheeky bottom or normal bottom for a little more coverage. This bikini also comes with a neoprene zip bag." Price is $89.00. To buy the Maci- Galaxy set go to https://triangl.com/collections/sets/products/maci-galaxy

Middle Row: Ella- Tropical Crush. Triangl tells us that this swimsuit set is, " A scoop crop bikini top with matching super high waist bottoms in velvet. Strappy crop top with adjustable shoulder straps and back clasp fastening. This bikini also comes with a neoprene zip bag." Price is $99.00

Bottom Row: Vinca Tuscan Terry. Triangl describes this bikini set as , " A side-tie bikini in yellow terry toweling. Fully adjustable triangle top and bottoms with self-tie fastenings. This bikini also comes with a neoprene zip bag." Price is $99.00. Go to https://triangl.com/collections/sets/products/vinca-tuscan-terry to buy this set.

Unpublished : Growing up, I attended private Jewish day school all of my life before college. Every weekday from when I was five years old to seventeen years old, I wore a uniform. If I had to wear a uniform for the rest of my life, it would be these jeans. I LIVE in these jeans. This brand made my year when they sent me a free pair of jeans in early February. When I got a notification from my building that a package arrives, I immediately stopped what I was doing (walking Oliver) and ran to pick it up. Below is my attempt at unboxing the jeans. More importantly, here is some fashion inspiration for Spring 2021.

Top Row: Gemma Super High Wide Mod Sailor in Camel. According to the Unpublished website, " Our Gemma wide leg sailor has an extra high rise hitting slightly above your natural waist and is fitted snug through the hips and thigh. The cropped wide leg has the most flattering shape and vintage appeal. Stitch-through welt pockets sit below a wide waistband with double button closure adding a modern twist to a classic pant. The oversized back pockets are positioned just right and add to the retro appeal. Garment dyed in the perfect warm Camel color, this comfort stretch twill has just the right amount of stretch to make you want to live in these. Sew-on buttons with a zip fly closure and tonal stitching." Price is $89.00. You buy these pants at: https://unpublishedcollection.com/collections/best-sellers/products/gemma-super-high-waist-mod-sailor-in-camel

Middle Row: Clara High Waist Paper Bag Skirt in Evergreen. Unpublished says , " a high waisted paper bag skirt that makes tucking a pleasure. Garment dyed for a rich and vibrant hue, Evergreen is this season's top trending color. Clara features front seaming with built in pockets and is perfectly polished off with the cutest wooden belt! Wear it with tights and boots for the coziest fall vibes. Clara has a hook and bar with a zipper closure and tonal thread. This skirt is $77.00. You can purchase this skirt at: https://unpublishedcollection.com/collections/skirts/products/clara-high-waist-paper-bag-skirt-in-evergreen

Bottom Row: Abbie Trucker in Journey. Unpublished describes this jacket by saying, " Our classic slim-fit trucker is tailored with a feminine touch. The super-soft 10 oz. stretch denim allows for the flattering slim cut while being crazy comfortable. The washed downlight shade has hand sanding and very mild destruction for an authentic vintage vibe. Antique pewter hardware with contrast stitching. The Abbie Trucker Jacket is $32.00

You can get this jacket at https://unpublishedcollection.com/collections/jackets/products/abbie-trucker-in-journey .

This piece was so much fun to write. Please check out Part 2 of Spring Forward coming out next week!

*All prices were stated in USD