How do you keep up with current trends without losing yourself and your sense of style? This is a question us fashion girlies have likely pondered at one point or another, and it’s especially relevant these days as trends cycle in (and out) at a faster rate than ever before. With the constant rebranding of basic looks into “core” aesthetics with their own quippy names and trending TikTok hashtags, it’s hard not to be tempted to rebrand ourselves, too.
If anyone has answers, it’s Kalysse Anthony. Anthony is a community organizer in NYC — she’s the co-founder of To Many More, a community platform celebrating connection, creativity, and culture through thoughtfully-curated experiences — and the cool girl we constantly look to for style inspo. She’s a pro at absorbing the many different influences that come from the people and places around her, and projecting them back into her outfits through the lens of her own unique point of view. To her, style is a way to convey individuality and to express what she’s inspired by — without losing herself in it.
“Individuality, for me, is all about being my most authentic self and understanding who I am and how I want to be perceived,” she says. “I think in a world where we are constantly consuming and are so heavily influenced by trends and different aesthetics, it’s important to be yourself and tap into those things without allowing them to change who you are.”
Still, that doesn’t mean she doesn’t love having fun with fashion and playing with trends that make sense for her. The key to doing it authentically, she notes, is to temper the trendier items with quality, classic pieces that can live on in your forever wardrobe. And, looking to brands that champion authenticity and timelessness themselves, like Levi’s®. “Levi’s is the epitome of a notable legacy brand, producing tried-and-true quality products for decades. It’s one of the few brands in my wardrobe that I reach for time and time again, especially when it comes to denim.”
With this in mind, we asked Anthony to highlight a few versatile trends she’s excited about for spring. These are low-lift trends that are easy to try out without having to change up your entire style identity. “Don’t be afraid to experiment and step out of your comfort zone,” she notes. But also, don’t be afraid to go your own way or do things a little differently, whether that means paring things way back or interpreting a trend through the lens of, say, comfort or color. For her specifically, it means accessorizing. “It’s always in the details.”
Grandpacore
Anthony notes that the grandpacore trend is great for “cozy girls” or those who don’t want to compromise comfort. Plus, it’s easy to try using classic wardrobe essentials you likely already love to wear, like baggy jeans and a button-down shirt.
“I love this trend because it allows you to play with masculine pieces and silhouettes while still looking really chic and comfortable. I like mixing different textures and prints — in this case, the snakeskin loafers, pinstripes, and a fuzzy sweater tied and draped over your back. It feels nostalgic in a way, as it reminds me of similar pieces I saw my grandparents wearing growing up. This outfit is perfect for a farmer’s market stroll, followed by a stop at my favorite cafe and a spree at the bookstore.”
1) Levi’s Baggy Dad Wide Leg Jeans 2) Levi’s Betty Cardigan Sweater 3) Port Tanger Orange Vanessa Reid Edition Kuky Sunglasses 4) Miista Airi Sand Snake Loafers 5) Veneda Carter VC054 Mini Signature Heart Ring 6) Levi’s Essential Cap 7) Levi’s Nola Button Up Shirt 8) Levi’s Belted Trench Coat
Balletcore
Looking for something a little playful? Anthony recommends turning to the balletcore trend, with its romantic bows, dainty flats, and soft textures and palettes. Here, she builds her outfit around a corset top, which she notes ties into the trend’s hyper-femininity.
“I would wear this by layering a cardigan in the season’s favorite red color that we’ve been seeing everywhere. I love mixing dark tones with pops of color, so I think the touch of red and pink is the perfect addition without the overall outfit looking too baby doll.’” And if you want just a touch of balletcore in your look, Anthony notes that simply tying bows onto your accessories will do the trick.
1) Levi’s Cat Cardigan Sweater 2) ALAÏA Ballet Flats in Fishnet 3) Paula Canova Del Vas Gray Charm Midi Skirt 4) Sandy Liang Cadeau Necklace 5) Levi’s Ophelia Corset Blouse 6) Simone Rocha Pearl-Embellished Socks
Quiet Outdoor
Quiet outdoor is 2024’s take on sporty chic, where performance dressing meets stealth wealth. For Anthony, that means teaming athletic wear (even men’s athletic wear!) like anoraks and sneakers with pieces that convey an understated elegance, like a column skirt or leather bucket bag.
“This look most represents my day-to-day style — it’s easy, comfortable, and chic. Taking this sporty jacket and wearing it with a long denim skirt and a bold pair of sneakers is the perfect balance of masculine and feminine. Best worn for me when I’m running errands and shopping.”
1) Levi’s Ankle Column Skirt 2) adidas x Wales Bonner Samba Pony 3) Levi’s Bucket Bag 4) Levi’s Embarcadero Anorak 5) Levi’s Essential Sporty T-Shirt
Preppy
From polo shirts to long, yacht club–inspired shorts, preppy pieces are having their moment this spring. The good news, Anthony notes, is that this is one trend you can easily get in on since it’s predominantly made up of classic items. From there, it’s all in the styling and accessories.
“It’s safe to say that a clean white button-down and a neutral blazer are must-have staples in everyone’s closet — and if you’re like me, you probably have a few versions of both. There’s just something about the fact that you can wear them in so many ways, from dressing them down with a simple pair of jeans or elevating them in a ‘business’ kind of way. I could easily see myself wearing this to the office and then after to dinner and an event.”
1) Levi’s The Classic Shirt 2) Levi’s Abner Classic Blazer 3) Vivienne Westwood Navy Multi Orb Tie 4) Chopova Lowena Multicolor Truck Miniskirt 5) Bottega Veneta Swell Glossed-Leather Mary Jane Flats
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