Even though we’re just a few weeks into 2022, we’re already thinking of fashion trends for this year. Harper’s Bazaar is reporting lots of catsuits (we loved Alicia Keys’ and Lizzo’s purple floral number) and chain belts (more of the ‘90s and early aughts are back again!). The Today Show is reporting trends like pearl accents and lots of fringe for this year.
To take things to a more local level, we asked boutique owners in Northern Virginia for their thoughts on popular trends taking the stage this year.
The Buttercup in New Market is a size-inclusive boutique with lots of women’s fashion, accessories, and locally made décor and goods. Owner Cristi Coryell has noticed a lot of customers opting for shirt jackets, aka “shackets.” She’s also seeing a lot of corduroy and high-waisted, wide-leg jeans.
“I’m still seeing skinny jeans, too, but there are a lot of wider leg trends for both casual and business wear,” Coryell says. Vintage patterns are still reigning supreme, like the tie-dye craze of the first half of the pandemic.
“I’m seeing a lot of mod, geometric prints in shirt patterns, and prairie-print peasant dresses,” Coryell adds.
Nicole Kahle, buyer and manager of the Lemoncello Boutique in Arlington, has high hopes for spring and summer socializing, post omicron variant’s winter surge.
“We’re seeing a lot of cute and fun clothes that are versatile enough for people to wear to different events,” she says. “This includes lots of flowy dresses and skirts that let people feel comfortable but still [look] cute.”
Lemoncello is family-owned and -operated, a one-stop shop for women’s and baby’s clothing, accessories, and home gifts. Like Coryell, Kahle is also expecting to see wider pant legs as the year progresses and more of a straight leg than the skinny leg worn now.
Megan Podolsky, co-owner of Alexandria’s Mint Condition and Mint Collective and owner of 529 Kids Consign, was eager to talk fashion trends after a week of snow days with her three boys. “I am so excited for the vibrant sunset hues that are going to shine through this spring,” she says. Mint Condition is owned by two sisters-in-law and stocks an up-to-trend inventory of women’s clothing, handbags, shoes, accessories, and more by top designers. They’ve been featured in Southern Living magazine as one of Old Town’s best boutiques.
Podolsky is looking forward to sunny shades of gold, marigold, and bronze later this year. She expects the colors to make their mark in fun statement dresses, shoes, and nails too.
“I have been dabbling in fun nail trends this holiday season, so bronze might be my next go-to-accent shade,” she adds.
Of course, as Coryell notes, no matter what the latest trend is, it’s always important to “wear what makes your heart happy!”
Kate Oczypok is a freelance journalist residing in the DC area with her husband Brad and French Bulldog Tito.
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