Spring 2021 Fashion Trends

We are finally beginning to see the light at the end of the covid tunnel, people are starting to leave their houses and things are slowly returning to normal. And this means we can finally start dressing fashionably again since we can actually leave our houses! So donate those sweatpants you’ve been wearing for the past year, and get on these new Spring 2021 trends!

The first trend we are seeing is kicking it all the way back to the 80s: shoulder pads. You heard it here, shoulder pads are making a come back! We are seeing them in blazers, muscle tees, and tee shirt dresses. This style helps since your waist and elongate your legs.   

By now, everyone knows about the Gen-Z and Millennial war over jeans and how to part your hair… but it’s true, skinny jeans are out and baggy straight leg jeans are in! We are seeing more baggy, over-sized, and volume when it comes to denim. Plus, baggy straight leg jeans are way more comfortable and forgiving than skinny!

Another trend we are starting to see is screen-prints. We are coming out of the minimalist trend for this one. Quarantine was boring, so we need to spice up our clothes. Screen-printing brings an interesting flare, and feels as if you’re wearing a piece of art.   

We are seeing so much more fashion pieces with pipping or seam details on them. This gives an inside-out feel, but is so chic. We are seeing it on basic tops and dresses to give it an interesting detail. This design can give your outfit more of an edge while still being minimal.   

Any type of leather is very on trend right now. Leather blazers and leather pants being the most popular items. These bring a lot of edge to your look, but still so chic and on trend. And this can be any color of leather, black leather and brown leather are being seen everywhere.

What colors scream spring? Pastels are always the go-to colors for the spring time, and it’s no different this year. After the year we had, we need some color in our wardrobe. We have been seeing pastel colors everywhere! It’s the colors we need after a year in a pandemic… 

While we’re talking about how much we need color, we should also talk about tie dye. This trend was huge last summer, and it’s not going anywhere… Tie dye is a fun way to incorporate color into your wardrobe while staying on trend this season. It takes only one minute to create a fashionable and effortless look with tie dye.

If you follow these trends, you will be coming out of quarantine in style and on trend!   While there are many trends rising since we basically took a year off from fashion… but these are the most prominent trends you should know. Don’t forget to have fun with your fashion, and wear what makes you feel the most confident. 

Finding Your Personal Style for 2021

Everyone has their own unique sense fo style, and it does not have to be labeled... but it does help when shopping and putting together an outfit. Finding you own personal style is important in so many ways. It will help you express yourself, it can help you feel comfortable and confident, and it helps present the real you. When meeting new people you want to portray yourself the best way you can, having a defined personal style can help you look put together while still showing who you are. Finding your personal style can help you by creating a cohesive look and showing your true self, it makes shopping and choosing an outfit easier, and it helps allow you to be yourself regardless and through all of the different trends. There so many types and categories of different styles, but we will be focusing on five: boho, preppy, edgy, chic, and glam.

Boho
The bohemian style is very fun and free spirited, it goes with the flow. People with a boho personal style tend to wear loose fitting and flowy clothes. They love mixing patterns and colors. Layering many pieces is also very common. The accessories that someone who has a boho style would love are scarves, beads, bangles, large dangle or hoop earrings, and just any unique jewelry pieces that they can find.

If you are loving the style of a bohemian look, try shopping at a thrift store or Free People. Many people who have a boho style shop at thrift stores to find unique, one of a kind pieces. Free People is also a great place to shop for earthy and flowy clothing

pieces that are perfect for someone with a boho style. An accessory by Believer that someone with a boho fashion sense will fall in love with is definitely the FLOTUS Flower Earrings. They are large, dangly, and bold, the perfect accessory for the bohemian style.

Shop The FLOTUS Earrings by Believer Here: https://www.shopbeliever.com/products/the-flotus-flower-earring? _pos=1&_psq=fl&_ss=e&_v=1.0

Preppy
Someone with a preppy style is the complete opposite of a boho style. It is much more clean and structured with pops of color. Boat shoes, cable knit sweaters, and polos are very common pieces found in a preppy closet. The color navy is also very popular. If this sounds like you, check out J. Crew, Vineyard Vines, and Lily Pulitzer. There are very popular store that have a preppy fashion style. While these stores are on the more expensive side, people who dress preppy love quality clothing that will last them a long time.

Edgy
Accessories are the definition of creating an edgy look. If you are obsessed with accessories and creating unique looks, you might have an edgy personal style. This style screams confidence and boldness. People with this style tend to have dramatic

and bold hairstyles or makeup. Staples for an edgy closet are black skinny jeans, ripped denim, oversized denim jacket, anything leather, plaid, Doc Martens, and band tees. The accessories are usually unique and bold such as safety pin earrings, chains, chokers, and lots of rings. The Not Playing Safe Safety Pin Earrings by Believer stand out with its uniqueness and quality. Accessories that are studded or that are very detailed are also popular in this style. Stores to shop at if you are loving the edgy style are DollsKill, ASOS, and Urban Outfitters.

Shop The Not Playing Safe Gold Safety Pin Earrings by Believer Here: https://www.shopbeliever.com/products/not-playing-safe-gold-safety-pin-earrings? _pos=1&_psq=safe&_ss=e&_v=1.0

Chic
The chic fashion style always makes me think of New York City, so if you love that fashion you probably will love the chic personal style. This style is all about the neutrals, black, and white. However, this style does love its pops of colors in accessories and shoes. A bright colored bag or a red lip scream chic. Don’t forget about the oversized sunglasses, they pull together a chic look. A chic look tends to modest, but the most chic places to show some skin are your shoulders and ankles. The best places to shop for chic fashion are Bloomingdales, Zara, and Nordstrom.

Glam
If you’re a glam girl, then you probably love jewelry, faux fur, and makeup. The glam personal style is all about drama in your clothing and accessories. Different textures and prints are a must-have for the glam style. A sparkly dress, with a faux fur coat, and sunglasses is a perfect glam outfit for any occasion. Places to shop for a glam style are Ted Baker, Windsor, and Fashion Nova.

There are so many different personal styles that can help you feel confident and look amazing. Defining your personal style will help you express yourself and put together looks that you have been trying to achieve. You do not need to label your style, but it can help you if you want to express yourself better.

Iconic Looks: Zendaya 2017 Met Gala

When I think iconic Met Gala looks, I always think of Zendaya’s Dolce & Gabbana dress at the 2017 Met Gala. Not to mention she was in the ER that day and still managed to show up to the Met Gala looking stunning. Total boss move.

The theme of the 2017 Met Gala was Comme des Garçons, however, Zendaya did not really follow this theme. She wore a show stopping Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda ball gown that featured tropical parrots and bright yellow, orange, and blue. The photos of Zendaya from this night are absolutely amazing, no one would have known she had just come back from the ER. Iconic.

Zendaya paired this dress with a voluminous afro, which pulled her entire look together seamlessly. She wore natural, glossy makeup with a bright red orange lip that matched the dress perfectly.

The night before Zendaya stole the show at the Met Gala, she went to the hospital due to a rash that was on her face and back. Her assistant, Darnell, convinced her to go the hospital in the middle of the night. Zendaya said, ”People are actually dealing with real illnesses and real sickness, and here I come, looking like a damn diva, with security.” Turns out, she was having an allergic reaction to an antibiotic she was taking for a throat infection. She stopped taking those antibiotics, and the doctor gave her new medicine which helped with the rash just in time for the Met Gala.

Not only did Zendaya show up to the Met Gala looking stunning with the most gorgeous dress and hair, but she did so on no sleep because she was in the ER. This is why we love Zendaya. She is so amazing and powerful, not to mention stunning and always the best dressed. On top of that, she is one of the most down to earth celebs out there which is why everyone loves her. We loved Zendaya’s 2017 Met Gala appearance, and we can’t wait to see what other looks she has in store.

Fashion Trends & Covid-19

The impact of Covid-19 feels endless. From quarantine, to our “new normal”, and even to the current fashion trends. Since everyone is staying home and working remote, most people are shopping for cute and comfortable lounge wear. Sweatpants, neutrals, and comfy sets are all the rage right now.

The pandemic has even sped up fashion trends according to Ana Correa. She says that trends that were expected in 2021, the importance of home-life and clothing pieces designed for zoom calls, are trending now. We can already see that this is true since lounge wear is all anyone is wearing and if you have a Zoom call people only dress up what the camera sees.

When working at home, everyones main concern is being comfy. This is the main reason lounge wear is popular right now. People would rather wear sweatpants than slacks to work. However, we still want to look good for our Zoom meetings. Over

sized tee-shirts, ribbed material, joggers, and lounge wear sets are a go-to because they are stylish and extremely comfy.

Neutral lounge wear sets are the best way to go. The outfit is already put together! There are also so many combinations you can do. There are sets that come with shorts, pants, and even cardigans.

With lounge wear becoming increasingly more popular, you can buy them almost any where. Oh Polly, Meshki, and Pretty Little Thing have a great selection of lounge wear ranging in prices and quality.

While Covid has made lounge wear a necessity, celebs and influencers have been popularizing it for a long time. Influencers such as Raven Elyse and Lisa Onuoha have been wearing and recommending lounge wear for months. Raven Elyse even did a dedicated lounge wear haul on her Instagram during quarantine.

Most stores that are selling lounge wear are e-commerce brands. They only sell clothes online. This is another impact by Covid-19, online shopping is basically the

only kind of shopping. People who were previously nervous about shopping online, are now completely comfortable with it due to Covid. All of the lounge wear brands mentioned previously are e-commerce brands.

Another impact covid has had on fashion tendencies is that people are shopping for classic, quality pieces. Fast fashion is out. We want good quality pieces for a capsule wardrobe. We also want pieces that are easy to clean, and sanitize in the washer. No more “dry clean only” clothes. With the spread of covid, we need to be able to wash and disinfect our clothes easily.

Covid-19 has impacted every aspect of our lives, even fashion trends and shopping habits. People are only buying lounge wear now because everyone is staying home. Our “new normal” is not only wearing a mask and social distancing, but also wearing comfy clothes to work instead of the typical slacks.

Accessorizing for Your Style with Believer

Believer is a brand made by and for history making women. With so many  luxury and versatile pieces, you can create many different looks for any  occasion and personal style.  

Boss women tend to be very busy and simply have no time to spend hours  picking out the perfect outfit for work everyday. Believer has many jewelry  pieces that can effortlessly bring together a look.  

When it comes to fashion, all of us tend to lean towards an aesthetic. These  aesthetics could be chic, boho, casual, or street style to name a few. This is  how we express ourselves and the kind of clothes we like to wear. Believer has  many different pieces that can fit every fashion aesthetic and personal style.  

The Chic Aesthetic  

Someone who’s personal style fits into the chic aesthetic will wear mostly  neutral colors and basics, however, their pieces will be of high quality. You  probably love a good tan trench coat with black oval sunglasses.

Believer pieces that would speak to you are the Alexandria gold hoops, the Teresa dome ring, and the Naomi cream silk scarf. These pieces are simple and chic, perfect for this aesthetic.

The Boho Aesthetic  

The boho aesthetic is free spirited and fun. You probably love texture, prints,  and flowy clothing pieces. When it comes to accessories, you probably love  chunky and unique pieces.

Pieces by Believer you would probably fall in love with are the Nikki satin pink scarf, the Flotus flower earrings, and the Angela double ball ring. These pieces are very unique and bold.

The Casual Aesthetic  

For someone who dresses in the casual aesthetic you probably love to be  comfy, yet still look put together. Your go-to might be jeans with a cute, simple  top. 

While you may not be the accessory queen, you do like having your simple go to pieces. An item from Believer you might love is the Mary layered gold necklace because it’s effortless.

The Street Style Aesthetic

If you fit into the street style aesthetic, you probably love celebs like Hailey Bieber, Gigi and Bella Hadid, and Kendall Jenner. Street style typically consists of over sized clothes, straight leg jeans, sunglasses, and a cute bag

Believer pieces you would be dying for are the Meghan small hoops, Queen Sheeba three layered necklace, and the Oprah mesh chain link ring. These jewelry pieces are very similar to the accessories you see celebs in.

Believer has a vast amount of pieces that can easily transition between a work outfit and a social outfit, and that can fit with any style. They were created for busy women to effortlessly accessorize. History making women are who inspired this brand. How do they always looks so amazing while being a boss woman?

Believer was so inspired by these history making women, that all of the pieces  are named after some of these women: Oprah Winfrey, Meghan Markle,  Harriet Tubman, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, AOC, Michelle Obama, Joan of  Arc, Laila Ali, Bessie Coleman, Breonna Taylor, Angela Davis, Coco Chanel,  Frida Kahlo, Serena Williams, Mother Theresa, Zora Neale Hurtson, Toni  Morrison, Eve, Carmen Miranda, Iman, Issa Rae, Queen Latifa, Mary,  Naomi Campbell, Nina Simone, and Rosa Parks. 

Each and everyone has made history and the world a better place. They  fought against injustices, sexism, racism, and so much more. The odds were  against them, yet they still succeeded. Women like them, women who will  continue fighting and working hard, need an effortless way to accessorize.  This is who Believer was made for. Women like you who work hard, but still  want to look stunning and powerful.

What COVID-19 Has Taught Me...

Over the last year I’ve been training my mind to see the silver lining, in everything. To be able to look at any situation and find the positive it could bring. Which is why when COVID-19 began to ravage it’s way through the US in March I immediately shifted gears.

Of course I was worried especially for my older family members but quickly realized this time of a world PAUSE could be an amazing gift if I let it. Let’s be honest on a day our capitalistic society encourages us to push ourselves to the max. How often have we joked about “sleeping when I’m dead” but with quarantine measures in place most of us had no choice but to slow down or stop working all together. With this time I truly got to stretch myself and learn/focus on things I never could have before. Be it because of my busy schedule, constant state of worry or being in “grind mode”- or quite possibly a combination of everything.

From learning to invest in the stock market to decorating my home to improving my makeup application skills- I was able to learn so much over the span of about two months. But even in all of that one thing that has been the major lesson for me in all of this- is to truly “seize the day” and “don’t put off for tomorrow what you can do today”- yes, at this point all of the cliché quotes are all starting to make sense. We as people commonly will say “I’ll do it when I’m truly ready” or “when I’ve saved XX more dollars” BLAH BLAH BLAH. With all of the major plans I had lined up for 2020, many of which I could’ve very well done in 2019 I realize there’s no such thing as a perfect time. The time is now and if you can muster up what you need to take your next step doit NOW. Don’t wait.

Whether it’s finally getting a long overdue makeover, making up with a friend, making a major career decision, wearing the outfit you’ve been “saving for a special occasion” - whatever it is this is your friendly reminder that life is short and tomorrow isn’t promised.

-xo Happy Styling
Carla Nelson

A Five Year Reflection on A Creative Cliche

So it is absolutely no secret that A Creative Cliche has officially hit its 5 year mark this month. *CUE THE SYMPHONY * And to say it feels amazing is a complete under-statement. In all honesty, it feels like a literal dream! I can remember very vividly when this was all just a concept, scribbled out thoughts on pages of a notebook I carried with me. I spent months researching, observing, conceptualizing and often times stalling (because let’s be honest perfectionism is real) before officially launching 3/8/2015.

In the time leading up to this 5 year mark my mind has been ruminating on how far the brand has come. And so I decided to take a second to share publicly how it all came together and how we arrived HERE, today. The aim is to celebrate how far A Creative Cliche has come but also to encourage those who are in the very early stages of their brand, business or vision.

In the fall of 2014, a few months after graduating from Simmons College and getting married to my best friend, I started to really look at my life. I wouldn’t say that I was un-happy really, I just realized I wasn’t using any of my natural talents or skills in my day to day life. At the time I was working in a hospital doing admin, it was an easy job in a quiet department with very little to complain about. During that time my husband was pursuing ministry and I loved seeing how excited he was coming from class so fired up about what he was doing and learning. I on the other hand would come home completely drained and un-inspired. I think he noticed, because over time he began to push me to pursue what I REALLY wanted. Here was the problem…I wasn’t completely sure. So I spent the next few months fleshing out what I really wanted.

By December of the same year my vision began to clear up. I knew that I needed to use my natural gifts in the creative realm, but that’s it, that’s all I had. And I knew it would be called A Creative Cliche. The name stemmed from the cliche surrounding creatives that we are multi-talented. Usually someone who is a painter also writes poetry, is incredible in interior decoration and can probably play the guitar! I named it that way to give myself space to grow into the name. It allowed me to stay limitless in the realms of the arts and creativity as I figured out my area of focus. My temporary contract at the hospital ended by Christmas so I spend every single day in January- February coming up with a game plan. I looked up how to make a business plan, different career paths and the like until I had written myself to death. One day my husband looked at me and asked “so when are you going to do this thing”. And I realized it was time to stop stalling, I had become so afraid of not beginning perfect that I was now hiding behind “I’m not ready”. BUT I WAS READY! So I decided the only way to make it real is to decide a date, announce it and jump into the pool of uncertainty and I did it!

I didn’t make a dime until December 2015. From there I started paying some of my friends to help, then interns, then employees. But I don’t regret a single step of the process. In the very beginning it was pretty hard to get people interested because at that point I was just talk. It wasn’t until the train was moving that I realized people were willing to help. This concept has played itself out over and over and it’s one of the biggest lessons I think someone could take from this reflection. Start moving your train, your vision, your plan and eventually others will want to hop on board something that has momentum and a direction. So often times this journey will be lonesome, it can even be discouraging, but don’t let that crush your hopes! Start where you are with what you have in your hands!

I’ve written this blog post in collaboration with Femme Luxe Refinery. I want to share how I styled some of the recent pieces I picked up from them. The first look I wore featured a Black Fishnet Mesh Puff Sleeve Top called the Cyrilla. I loved the complete sheer nature of this top and opted to play with textures. I paired this top with a black lace cami, a pair of black gauchos, black lace tights and black suede pumps. The aim was to take the all black look to the next level with texture playing.

The second look featured a Stone Long Sleeve Belted Utility Cargo Jacket called Abril that I paired with a pair of leather joggers also from Femme Luxe Refinery. I loved the sporty look thrown a slight curveball by the black stiletto. The third look was a true wildcard! I paired the grey silver strapless corset crop top called Melli with a pair of grey sweatpants and a yellow heel as a pop of color. This is probably one of my edgier looks to date, feeling over the top enough for a photoshoot.

The final look featured a khaki one shoulder puff sleeve crop top called Rihanna. This crop top was just long enough to pair well with a pair of high waisted mom jeans. I loved how the color of the top complimented the crisp white jeans as well as the dainty details in the puffy sleeve.

An Extra Day to Be Extra

What would you do with an extra hour in your day? Sleep? Catch up on work? Go see someone? Sometimes there’s actually enough time in the day for that but we hold ourselves back from finding the time in our schedule to do those things.

If you haven’t been able to tell we’ve been very adamant about being super intentional this year and adjusting your mindset to align with your goals. Whatever it is, give yourself permission to prioritize what it is you need right now. And with this year being a leap year, we’re blessed to have an extra day to do that. So this February 29th we want you to be EXTRA AF. Here’s what we mean.

BE EXTRA BOLD

Boldness is a leadership trait to be mastered. We tend to admire people who are decisive — those bold risk-takers, the firmly committed ones, those who can stand-up, make a decision and stick it out! Only by stepping outside your comfort zone, overriding your anxiety and those critical voices in your head can you be bold. So take a chance today (well, February 29)! Know that not only is boldness ultimately about action, but with practice your courage and confidence will increase, enabling you to take on ever-bigger challenges.

BE EXTRA KIND

You don't need a reason to be kind to people, though it is a choice. But being kind has been shown to increase our well-being, health and happiness. Keep in mind that when we refer to kindness, we’re also implying the importance of being kind to yourself.  Maybe you’re a busy freelancer who wants more time for self care and less time for getting lost in the hustle. Once you form the habit of acting kinder, it will become second nature and you’ll no longer even think twice about it. Use the extra day to show kind acts, such as smiling, which lifts our mood and helps us appear more attractive to others by giving a healthy glow from the inside out.

BE EXTRA PROACTIVE

Being proactive means thinking and acting ahead of anticipated events aka taking responsibility for your life. A proactive stance will allow you to achieve your goals and make things happen from you taking initiative and controlling your responses. Think about how you could perform tasks more efficiently and focus on solutions instead of problems. And while there are people in your life who will support you, you need to rely on yourself to achieve success. Start by actively participating, whether it’s by providing input or coming up with your own plans for the special day’s activities.

BE EXTRAORDINARY

There’s one habit that all extraordinary-acting people have in common, it’s that they surround themselves exclusively with extraordinary-acting people. So pursue being extraordinary and you’ll experience true greatness. For example, go to an event where it’s more top of the line, more dapper or just more than you’re used to. You’ll learn a lot. We’re not trying to put you down on this next statement but… you're already making time to be average and ordinary. It’s true because it’s easy. We get it. So when you do make time to be more than what you are, you should applaud yourself for your efforts. Keep this habit up for a week and life will be incredible!