5 Spring Outfit Ideas Based on Our Favorite Rom-Coms

Spring has sprung, which means we’re officially in our Romanticize Everything era. Between the cherry blossoms and dogs in raincoats, it can feel like we’ve been dropped into the title sequence of an early 2000s rom-com. But before manifesting a meet-cute of your own, you need to plan *the* spring outfit. One that would be Jenna Rink, Kathleen Kelly, or Elizabeth James-approved. So who better to take inspiration from than the on-screen heroines themselves? 

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Fashion trends are cyclical—’90s and Y2K wardrobes fit right in on the streets of SoHo today. This is why our favorite romantic comedies from 2002 are serving as our fashion mood boards in 2023Leather jacketsLBDs, and cotton candy pink ’ fit—hello, the main character! And while we’re romanticizing things, here’s a spoiler: You and *that person* at the bookstore cafe live happily ever after. But for now, you’re just a girl, standing in front of her closet, looking for something to wear. We’ll take it from here.

Notting Hill

Julia Roberts is our forever style icon, and her character’s off-duty, incognito look in Notting Hill won all of us over. While yes, she’s an A-list celeb playing the part of an A-list celeb, her outfits are less red carpet and more street style. This leather jacket-beret-Vans combo is equal parts glamour and grunge, and we can’t get enough for a chilly spring day look.

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13 Going on 30

Oh to be 30, flirty, and thriving. All it takes is some wishing dust and an impressive (albeit illogical) walk-in closet. Jenna Rink’s playful, feminine style appeals to the 13 and 30-year-old in all of us—and luckily it’s easy to recreate. Her monochromatic pink ensemble in the magazine pitch scene is a must-wear this spring.

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The Parent Trap

Nancy Meyers never fails to create movie magic, and The Parent Trap is no exception. We watch it again and again—for the epic handshake, the nonstop scheming, and of course, the timeless fashion. This leads us to our next point: the ever-elegant Elizabeth James. We’d happily borrow all of her outfits, but the black mini dress she wore to reunite with her ex-husband was as classic as it gets.

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Maid in Manhattan

We never know when we’ll meet and fall in love with a political candidate under pretenses, so it’s always good to look as chic as ever, just in case. We’ve got J.Lo to thank for this outfit inspo (that happens to be perfectly transitional for spring). The white trench and matching wide-leg pants are tonal dressing at their finest. Make it appear effortless by trading the pumps for a pair of sneakers.

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You’ve Got Mail

This couldn’t be a complete list without the rom-com queen herself. While we typically associate Meg Ryan with all things fall, the final scene in You’ve Got Mail encapsulates everything that makes spring the romantic season it is. Kathleen Kelly’s beige linen dress and short-sleeve cardi are sweet and simple, especially set against the backdrop of Riverside Park in full bloom. For the same effect, pair this look with freshly cut daisies (aka the friendliest flower).

We Love a Good Night-Out Look, and These 5 Outfit Formulas Are Our Go-Tos

We all have that friend we run to when we need fashion advice. We are fashion editors, and many of our friends also work in the fashion industry and have a great sense of style on their own, so most of the time when it comes to what our friends and us want to wear, we’ve got it in the bag. That said, when it comes to a night-out look, we are the first people our friends call. We are somewhat of a guru and love a great evening look, so we rarely miss an opportunity to show off our collection of night-out outfits. This year, we have traveled more, visiting Los Angeles, Tulum, and Miami, and we have made it our mission to live up to and truly earn our self-appointed title as the night-outfit guru of the group. We’ve come up with five outfit formulas that help us do just that, and they guarantee we never miss. 

As we are someone who doesn’t believe in gatekeeping, keep scrolling to see the five night-out outfit formulas we swear by.

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Matching Set + Mini Bag

PHOTO: @EMMALEGER; PICTURED: AMINA MUADDI BAG

This look is at the top of the list for a reason. A two-piece set is an easy no-brainer when you want to look put-together, stylish, and on-trend. Pairing this look with a mini bag adds a fun feel to the look overall. We’d wear this out dancing or for a vacation night out.

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Minidress + Platform Heels

PHOTO: @GRACEJOSHUA13; PICTURED: DANIELLE GUIZIO DRESS; JACQUEMUS BAG; SCHUTZ HEELS

When we say this is our go-to, we mean this our go-to. We love a good mini dress, especially since some of us are petite at 4’9″-5’3″. We are about anything that we can wear to make our legs look a little longer. It takes us to platform shoes. If you’re on the shorter side, you’ll soon be loving these extra-tall heels. We know they may look intimidating but trust us—they’re easier to walk in than you think. We wore these platform heels pictured about for two nights out back-to-back in Miami, and we danced the night away without pain.

Miniskirt + Boots

PHOTO: @CLAIRE_MOST

Calling all Y2K-aesthetic lovers. A great mini skirt paired with knee-high boots always adds a little sexy and is the perfect summer-to-fall transition look. We would wear this outfit out in New York City.

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Beaded Top + Pants

PHOTO: @NITSANRAITER

A beaded top is always a head-turner, and we are obsessed with styling it with a pair of loose-fitting pants. They balance each other out. The romance and prettiness of a beaded top paired with the casual bagginess of loose-fitted trousers are just so cool. We want to wear this look out in Spain.

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Sequin Moment

PHOTO: @_SIERRAMAYHEW; PICTURED: LIONESS SKIRT

We didn’t expect to be such a big fan of sequins, but this summer, we can’t get enough. We are loving the celebratory vibes that a sparkly element adds to a look. Whether you go for a full-on sparkly dress or are just adding a touch of sparkle with shoes or a bag, we have a feeling we’ll be seeing this glittery trend up until fall.

8 “In-Betweener” Influencers to Follow For Mid-Size Fashion Inspiration

We know we’re not alone when we say our relationship with fashion is more of a love-hate situation. For example, we love keeping up with the trend and putting outfits together. We hate when brands don’t make our size, or make it but only show their clothes on one body type letting the rest of us guess what a garment might look like on someone like us. The lack of representation of different body types has been an issue for a long time, and a slightly less discussed group that’s often left out are folks who might identify as in-betweeners.

RELATED: WILL IT FIT? STRADDLING BETWEEN STANDARD AND PLUS-SIZE

For some reason, those who fall somewhere in the middle of the clothing-size spectrum — maybe they wear mediums and larges or hit the far end of straight sizing without fitting into “plus” — tend to get looked over. How often do we browse a site and see clothing on someone who’s a size 8 or 10? Or spot a mid-size model on the runway? It’s rare, and yes, it’s weird, especially since a good amount of people fall into this category.

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Thankfully, there are plenty of influencers out there who don’t mind picking up the slack. They express their style, share shopping recommendations and fashion hacks, and provide plenty of outfit ideas for anyone else who falls in between those elusive model body types of “sample” and “curve.” So, if you’ve ever wondered “but, what will that look like on me?!” while checking out the latest designs, here are eight mid-size women you should follow, ASAP.

Noelle Downing

Why You Should Follow Her:

Downing isn’t afraid to be honest, talking openly about self-love and body positivity. She always has cute and budget-friendly clothing recommendations, too, whether you’re in search of some classic denim, a flattering swimsuit, or a matching loungewear set.

Courtney Quinn

Why You Should Follow Her:

Color! Puff sleeves! Tulle! There’s so much whimsy going on in Quinn’s wardrobe, and she makes the most outrageous designs seem completely wearable. She clearly has fun putting together her outfits, and her combinations are so creative, they almost qualify as works of art.

RELATED: FLOSS BIKINIS ARE A THING, AND THEY’RE EXACTLY WHAT YOU’RE THINKING

Holly Ah-Thion

Why You Should Follow Her:

Not only does UK-based Ah-Thion highlight that she’s mid-size in her bio, but she’s also petite, which presents its own set of struggles when it comes to finding clothes that fit (ugh, long pants). Still, she completely nails every ’90s- and ’00s-inspired trend, and is ahead of the game on new ones, showing us how to pull off everything from pully tops to big collars.

Kristle Lauren

Why You Should Follow Her:

Sometimes, influencers pose in pieces that feel a bit too extreme and over-the-top for everyday wear, but that’s where Kristle comes in. She knows how to make the most of simple basics, creating completely wearable yet fashion-forward outfits that’ll work for whatever you have planned. Not only does Texas-based Kristle Lauren highlight that she’s mid-size in her bio but she highlights all her fits and where you can get them on her blog. So thank you ♡

Abi Nunn

Why You Should Follow Her:

Do you love prints? And color? And want fashion formulas that are quick and easy but not boring? Then you might find yourself captivated by all the cool, vibrant outfits on Nunn’s IG. She’ll show you simple swaps that’ll fully transform your ensembles, such as trading black leggings for a shiny pink pair and doesn’t shy away from embracing nostalgic trends, whether it’s a cardigan set or a baguette bag.

RELATED: SHOPPING FOR SHAPEWEAR IS HARD, BUT TARGET IS HERE FOR THE RESCUE

Lois Opoku

Why You Should Follow Her:

So much of what Opoku wears can be described with one word: versatility. While she has a set style, full of structured items, prints, and bits of leather, many of her outfits would work for a variety of scenarios, whether it’s a dressy date night or a day at the office.

Charlotte Emily Price

Why You Should Follow Her:

Price has found that sweet spot between cute and comfortable, often finding ways to elevate your average oversized shirt and pair of sweats. But, on top of sharing her top-notch outfit ideas (along with sexy lingerie picks!), she’s also spoken out about toxic positivity, reminding people it’s impossible to feel confident and great about our looks 24/7 while suggesting a goal of body neutrality instead.

Chloe Pavlou

Why You Should Follow Her:

A quick scroll through Pavlou’s pictures and you’ll find she excels at styling one piece in particular: The classic graphic tee. Her best outfits prove this piece can be layered in multiple ways, paired with almost any bottom, and amped up with accessories. You’ll start to see your collection in a whole new light.

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