Trends // Off the Shoulder

So this trend is actually one of my favorites that’s coming out for Spring 2016. This, of course, is off the shoulder pieces.

If you know me at all you know that there’s nothing I love more than off the shoulder tops. To me, there’s something so modest, yet still reveling about it. In high school I wore off the shoulder tops, sweaters, dresses, and cardigans so often, one of my friends nicked named it ‘Shouldering’ and then proceeded to make a collage of me with my shoulders showing.

But what’s the difference between high school ‘shouldering’ and real world ‘shouldering’? In the real world you can’t wear an over sized sweater, have it falling off of one shoulder and label it chic. It’s a tad more complicated than that.

On the spring runways designers created pieces that were still held together but missed covering the tops of the arms. Cut outs, sharp angles and free sleeves were some of the tools used to form these ensembles. 

So how do we take this inspiration and turn it into street style, because I don’t know about you but I can’t exactly show up to my 8:30 AM International Politics class dressed in a Derek Lam evening gown.

I’ll give you some tips: 

1. Find pieces that are made to be off the shoulder tops, instead of just buying over sized items.

Because this trend was big on the runways plenty of street stores, such as Topshop, H&M, Express, Urban Outfitters, will be taking this idea and forming it in a way that is wearable for street style. Buy these tops instead of just picking out a black sweater and buying one or two sizes up. 

The difference is when you’re buying an already made off the shoulder top instead of just wearing over sized clothes you won't look sloppy with oversizing. Don't get me wrong over sized sweaters are a beautiful thing but they are meant to be worn in the house as loungewear, not to work or school. Finding pieces that are tailored for you will give a way more flattering figure and look way more chic anyway.

2. Don’t be afraid to play with layers.

If you’re uncomfortable exposing that much clavicle skin, try finding an off the shoulder jacket or sweater and pair a button up under it. Also spring weather is so unpredictable, one day it can be freezing and the next in the 70s, layering can save you from being frozen to death while still remaining put together (Specifically thinking of this OOTD picture from Danielle (WeWoreWhat) during fashion week.

3. Remember: Less is more.

When exposing skin, it’s always important to remember the less is more rule. If you’re going to have your top exposed, try not to pair it with super short shorts or a skirt. As seen in the pictures from the runways most designers paired the off the shoulder tops with maxi dress bottoms, you don’t want to over expose yourself.

Below are a couple of ways that I would style off shoulder tops for everyday wear.

I hope you have a great day guys! 

Love, 

A. xx