What’s In Store

After a couple of years of working remotely in sweats and slippers and socializing over Zoom where no one could tell what you were wearing below the waist, fashion is suddenly important again. From what we saw on the runway for Spring/Summer 2022, business casual has undergone a transformation. Dolce & Gabbana and Michael Kors ditched the button-down shirt to pair suits with bikini tops. Models walked the runway in oversized jackets and blazers or midriff-baring tops and dresses, while fringe showed up on dresses, jackets, and boots. And hemlines? They’re all over the place, from mini to maxi.

You’ll also be seeing a lot of bold, bright color in everything from dresses and tops to handbags and footwear. Looking for an antidote to all that color? Pure white is having a moment.

By now we’re probably all on a first-name basis with The Property Brothers and Chip and Joanna Gaines because, let’s face it, HGTV kept us sane while we were trapped at home. It also got us taking home décor seriously. There are a few trends worth watching as we move into spring. Printed wallpaper is making a comeback in a big way. So are traditional pieces like ornate mirrors and velvet sofas and chairs. Minimalism is out. Look for a mix of antique and contemporary pieces, bullion (a type of knotted fringe) on pillows or upholstered pieces, furniture with lots of curves and rounded edges, and cozy throws and pillows that add a pop of color or texture to any room. Gray paint, while not completely out of fashion, is trending downward, and shades of taupe, beige, and cream are giving stark white walls a run for their money.

Recognized globally as a leader in the field of color trend forecasting, the Pantone Color Institute understands how color impacts our wellbeing. After combing the world for new color influences in art and fashion, all areas of design, and now the digital world, it has announced the Color of the Year for 2022: Veri Peri, which is part of the beloved blue color family yet with a violet-red undertone that displays a “spritely, joyous attitude.”

Because it encourages creativity and imagination, it’s the perfect color as we emerge from an intense period of isolation, and you can expect to see it reflected in everything from clothing to home goods in the coming year.

Ready to spruce up your wardrobe or give your living space a refresh? We’ve got the lowdown on where to shop.

1. Head over to Houston’s Memorial area to Free People at CITYCENTRE to catch their range of bohemian-inspired dresses, tops, and skirts in the Endless Summer collection. Whether you live at the beach year-round or only dream of making the great escape, you’ll find just what you’re looking for: minis, maxis that skim the ankles, dresses in a range of on-trend colors from ivory to turquoise, pants that are billowy and breezy with tie-waist detailing.
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2. Discover who you were meant to be at Grass Stains in Century Square, which strives to find pieces that are both timeless and stylish yet have a certain edge. Committed to the “slow fashion” movement, Grass Stains boutiques offer a wide selection of sustainably and ethically made clothes that make you look good and feel good. New for spring: denim brands like Moussy and Redone, the brightly colored Angela Flower Power Bag, shoes and sandals in must-have colors, and an endless supply of earrings and hair accessories. Don’t forget to check out the eco-luxe skincare brand French Girl or the hand-poured Olio E Osso products made in Oregon with nourishing olive and shea oils.
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3. Gearing up for rodeo season, Pretty Little Things Boutique, located at Kings Harbor, an upscale community located on Lake Houston, is your one-stop shop for all things western. The fringed jackets and boots in the Rhinestone Cowgirl collection are right on trend this season, but don’t forget to check out the denim jeans, shorts, jumpers, and rompers. So versatile and fun. You’ll also find wrap tops and a range of super-cute tees and accessories, like Art Deco Initial necklaces. Yeehaw!
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4. No jewelry box is complete without a classic hoop, like the Audrey 14k Rose Gold Hoop in White Diamond that you’ll find only at Kendra Scott, at both CITYCENTRE and Century Square. The upscale Texas-based jewelry maker uses natural materials, including genuine stone and shell, at her Austin studio where each piece is thoughtfully crafted. Philanthropy is a big part of the mix at Kendra Scott, and all proceeds from her Shop for Good “giveback suite” help women and children live empowered lives. Look for Shawn Beaded Friendship Bracelets, designed in partnership with Ubuntu Life and handmade by Kenyan women, and the Metastatic Breast Cancer Charm Necklace Set in Rose Gold, which support programs for families with a parent battling metastatic breast cancer or other terminal illness. Come in and see what’s new for spring: rings for stacking, cuff bracelets in rose gold, statement necklaces, gold chain bracelets with a mix of stones, and so much more.
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5. If you’ve been hankering for a pair of made-to-order boots for as long as you can remember, maybe it’s time to take the plunge. Skilled artisans at Lucchese Bootmaker in Century Square have been handcrafting boots from premium materials since 1883. Lined in leather with a leather-covered cushioned insole, the boots provide exactly the fit and comfort you’d expect. Come in to see the full range of styles and colors for men and women—vintage-inspired western boots with rich belly crocodile vamps, versatile ropers, daring booties guaranteed to turn heads, horseman boots made with smooth ostrich, tall boots with detailed inlays, and that’s just a start. No wonder Lucchese boots are passed down from one generation to the next. They’re works of art!
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6. Looking for swim and resort wear? Look no further than Hemline at both CITYCENTRE and Century Square. The versatile style empire has become a trusted and sought-after resource for covetable fashion. Key pieces for spring include brightly colored dresses like the Christina Mini Dress from Show Me Your Mumu, Chuck Tan Platform Sandals, and The Puff Dress in white, one of the season’s must-have shades.
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7. Bright and happy colors are sparking joy in home décor this season whether they’re rich solids, whimsical prints, or trimmed-to-perfection with decorative details. See what’s new at LAM BESPOKE in Memorial Green, just off Memorial Drive. For a relatively small investment, fun and vibrant pillows will add an instant dose of cheer to any interior. It’s all about cozy comfort these days so why not pick up a throw in a soft, sumptuous fabric like boucle. For those who prefer to shop online, LAM BESPOKE will soon start offering local pickup on smaller goods.
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8. You’ll want to see the retro resort line of leather goods at Brahmin in CITYCENTRE. New totes with the Brahmin logo are in stock as well as wallets, satchels, handbags, wristlets, backpacks, and crossbody bags in a palette of tropical colors. Brand-new for spring is the Fiora, an easy-to-wear shoulder bag with lots of organizational elements like pockets on the inside and outside. Men will love the duffels and wallets, especially the Charlie with space for a driver’s license and two credit cards. See it in a new shade for spring, Biscuit Valley. It’s a great neutral.
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9. There’s a whole spate of spirited new eyeglasses and sunglasses for spring at Warby Parker’s CITYCENTRE location: cloudless colorways, zestful tortoises, confident cat-eyes, and oversized silhouettes. Crystal acetates come in three new shades: Cactus, Plantain, and Conch. Prefer to dabble in dappled designs? Four new tortoises make a splash among the collection’s bold silhouette. Prefer a cat-eye frame? Two new styles, Cornelia and Priya (both eyeglasses) take a bow this season. For a new take on the reliable rectangular shape, you’ve got three new styles to choose from: Hector, Brady, and Donovan. And Kimball, the fan-favorite.
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10. Designers are reimagining preppy style for Spring 2022, and no one understands the classic put-together aesthetic better than men's wear retailer Onward Reserve in Century Square. Core pieces from the latest collection include performance polos, shorts, and pants in a range of colors and fabrics. Moisture-wicking Flats Performance Tees with raglan sleeves have Jamie Calkin artwork on the back and offer UPF 30+ protection. The classic sports coat also gets an update in new patterns and colors: Blue Windowpane, Seagrass, Green Herringbone, and Brown/Red Plaid. Pair any of them with a traditional Quad Button Down shirt and you’re good to go.
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11. Century Square’s Merge Boutique keeps its style-savvy customers RSVP-ready with trendy pieces at affordable prices—everything in the store is priced under $60. For spring, the retailer is focusing on color: baby blues, pinks, pistachio, and pastels of all hues are in demand. Dresses with draping in the back, cut-outs, and asymmetrical hemlines paired with braided party heels are top looks, as well as 90s-inspired high-waisted jeans, and bucket hats and beanies with smiley faces on them. Look for an array of white cowboy boots, both in tall and bootie styles, which college girls from nearby Texas A&M University are wearing with slip dresses topped with chunky sweaters.
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12. New trends in menswear favor patterns and bright colors, which are perfect to complement sneakers from NIKE, Jordan, Adidas, and more. You’ll find them all at the upscale fashion and sneaker boutique Social Status in CITYCENTRE. Come on in to experience the space and meet the team, who can show you what’s new in hoodies, tees, jackets, and much more from across the globe. The brand mix is geared to the fashion-focused consumer who appreciates quality: Kenzo, Timberland, Dr. Martens, Converse, and Reebok, as well as elite brands like Billionaire Boys Club (founded by Pharrell Williams and Nigo), A Herd of Bison, and American luxury fashion label Fear of God Essentials.