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Spring is probably fashion’s most exciting and anticipated season for both designers and shoppers. I sat down with Nicole Styer, the designer behind her namesake East Passyunk Crossing-based boutique, 1822 E. Passyunk Ave., to discuss the styles of spring, her own fashion pet peeves and how to mix and match your way to a stylish ensemble.
SPR: What do you like about the East Passyunk Crossing area from a fashion perspective?
NS: “A lot of things are handmade, which is really cool. In here it’s the same too; everything is one of a kind and handmade. I have my studio right here. This avenue is really bumping with creativity.”
SPR: What are some trends for this spring?
NS: “I feel like the word ‘trend’ is kind of overused. You’re not going to wear a whole outfit (of this year’s trends). I like mixing it up with the little things, mix in stuff from last year. Floral prints for spring are always in. Denim, cute high-waisted shorts from the last couple of years are still pretty popular. Throwback to the ’70s with a little crop top, which I sell a lot of here, or a tube top or corset with denim-dyed shorts. Now it’s almost like a rocker style with the studs and embellishments, which is really hot.”
SPR: What are some things you are trying to infuse into your own boutique this season?
NS: “I am definitely introducing more vintage into the shop. I always kind of had it here but now I’m reconstructing a lot of vintage pieces and putting them together with pieces I make here. That’s also an awesome trend, mixing a really cool vintage dress with, say, your new pair of shoes. Vintage doesn’t go out of style if you mix it in right.”
SPR: What’s a trend or something that’s been out there for a while that you think may have been overdone, or has run its course?
NS: “Some people tend to think the tighter the better, but that’s definitely not always the case. You can wear tight and be really cute and pull it off, but if it’s ill-fitted that’s not trendy. Keep it sophisticated and classy but a little sexy. That’s a big one."
SPR: If you are heading out for a Friday or Saturday night in the spring to any of the restaurants over here on East Passyunk Avenue, what are you going to grab out of your own closet right now?
NS: “Right now I am doing a lot of oversized, flowy, layered pieces, with a cute little blazer or a jacket. I was just in L.A., where it’s actually warmer, and I wore a flowy, layered dress with a cute denim jacket, which never go out of style, and some cute ankle boots. “
Contact the South Philly Review at editor@southphillyreview.com.
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