AHS Style Challenge: Soft Romance
Upon getting ready for Spring 2025, Nicole and I noticed that one of the upcoming trends this season is “Soft Romance” and wanted to unpack how we might incorporate this kind of style using our current wardrobes. What’s the vibe of this trend you ask? Think floral prints, lace details, silk, ruffles, puff sleeves, applique, texture, frill, bows, and really anything that feels like you might wear it while strolling the streets of Paris with your love. This challenge brought its own set of obstacles for both Nicole and me, but we definitely made it work and were happy with how we infused soft romance into our looks for every day, date night and even event wear.
The Everyday Look
Steph: My everyday soft romance looks were a breeze, a spring breeze if you will! Since I already have many individual pieces with romantic details, it wasn’t a stretch for me to put together a look that could be for every day. I landed on a fun a-line skirt with bow details, pairing it with a monochromatic sweater with a slightly puffed shoulder and finishing it with a fun silver flat, so the look overall remains whimsical but romantic.
Nicole: Though classic, I won’t lie, this look was, out of all of them, the hardest to create. If you’ve followed along with any of my posts about clothes you’ll put together pretty quickly that “romantic” style isn’t really in my wheelhouse, and even the pieces that do fall into this category are largely event wear and elevated. After overthinking what to bring together I ended up on Pinterest and realized I shouldn’t have been worried about the thrills of frills and instead should have been looking to the ultimate romantic experts, the French. All of the looks I found were simple, classic, tasteful and had a little hint of something special. I landed on a classic white button-up with a black lace camisole underneath, mid-wash denim with black slides and a structured bag with a few simple golden accessories. Long story short, go with your gut and don’t overthink it!
The Date Night Look
S: This look ended up being my favourite of the three. I went a little over the top with some details, like keeping it all black and white for a touch of drama and adding a flower brooch for some added whimsy, but the root of the trend remains intact. I chose the polka dot skirt for date night because the ruffles bring out the softness of romance, while the slit on the side makes it a little sexy for date night. I kept the top simple with a plain white tee that has a puff sleeve detail and finished the look with my vintage black handbag.
N: This look has become a new favourite of mine because feels elevated without being fussy. Pairing a classic silk navy pleated skirt with a black camisole and mesh moc-neck top, it plays to the monochromatic without feeling forced. Paired with a classic high boot, vintage handbag and gold accessories the look feels unique and interesting while also being comfortable. Win, win, win.
The Event Look
S: This is probably the look I struggled with most, I didn’t feel like I had a lot of soft romance elements in the event wear that lives in my closet, so my options felt more limited. As a workaround, I looked at each individual piece and focused on the details, deciphering which offered simple elements that lend themselves to the trend, and narrowed it down to this blue cocktail dress. The neckline and puffed sleeves felt like they fit beautifully in with the trend, although subtle. I finished the look with gold accessories for a hint of heirloom elegance.
N: Contrarily, this was the easiest look for me to put together! I found this dress a little while ago and though it is more patterned and bright than my ordinary event looks I fell in love with its comfortable fit and versatility. I have worn this dress both formally and informally and it never ceases to impress how I can dress it up or down but bringing the sleeves up and adding a sneaker, or like this look, elevating it with a pair of classic heals, a beaded clutch and some simple accessories. I can’t wait to find more ways to wear this piece!
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