Column: Winter white seeps into spring

It’s time, ladies. The season of worldwide fashion weeks has been unleashed, starting with New York.

Usually I like to scope out what will come so I can keep an eye out for the inevitable knock-offs that will hit fast fashion retailers.

Let’s face it. I can only afford to look at the original creations, not actually touch them.
So I will settle for the next best thing from Forever 21 and H&M.

Therefore, when my favorite fashion blogs started flooding with slide show after slide show of spring fashion shows, I knew I had to do something with the resources at my fingertips.

I had to compare and contrast. Then, I decided to keep in mind a list of things I would do to my wardrobe when the weather shifted away from the cold I knew would eventually hit.  

Personally, it seems hard to believe the world of fashion is preparing for spring when we have barely hit below 70 degrees here at IU.

Nevertheless, I wanted to take a peek.

After sifting through line after line of designers, I noticed one surefire trend caught my eye: winter white.

However, it was the timing associated with this hue that surprised me.

If the trend’s namesake is winter, why did numerous designers forecast the trend to last into the spring?

It felt weird to see the snowy color trend is set to survive beyond wintertime.

However, there was something I liked about the change. 

Winter white typically, for me, is seen in highly structured cold weather clothing. Now I am seeing it lose some of the rigidity and adopt the more flowing spring-like silhouette.
 
To specify, rather than see heavy, chunky white sweaters and coats, I am seeing lightweight dresses.

I like this change. In fact, I always liked winter white. 

Despite its high risk for staining, I always thought it was an easy-to-create, polished look.

With the new changes, I can’t wait to see what people on campus do with the trend. 
 
I know there is a slight stigma with girls wearing skirts and dresses to class. I’ve heard some say they didn’t like to look like they are trying too hard, but I look forward to those who will accept the challenge.

Unfortunately, fall has not even hit us yet.

For now, I am stuck wondering what will happen next. 

Will campus fashion inevitably follow the big design houses, or will we rebel?

Only time will tell.

­— audperki@indiana.edu