Major fashion retailers like Free People and Adidas are doing something rather unexpected with their online look-books and newly released designs, something I like to call ‘clothing mashups’. Essentially, industry leaders are leaning into a seemingly new and emerging trend of mixing and matching styles, aesthetics, and products to create hybrid looks. Contrasting business casual with athletic wear is a particularly popular fashion Frankenstein circulating social media. So are interesting color combinations. While retailers market these surprising pairings as the future of fashion, many of these combinations already exist in our very own closets. We might just have to look at our already owned items with a new perspective, that is if we decide these trending styles deserve our backing first. 

Lace and Athleisure

One of the most unlikely pairings has been circulating major fashion brands look-books and racks; lace and mesh. The fabrics contrast down to the aesthetic, vibe, and even functionality. A lacy white blouse and polyester, brightly colored bottoms. Neon mesh gym shorts adorned with lace hems. The trend is pioneered by Free People after the fashion brand posted style inspiration pairing a feminine, romantic top with a pair of their Free People Movement track shorts. An unexpected combination that seems to shockingly work. It mimics almost a model-off-duty kind of vibe, similar to this year’s trend that’s dominated the summer, men’s board shorts. There’s something about the combination of effortless, on the go bottoms with an elevated top. One Instagram user commented, “This is so Carrie Bradshaw coded!!!” and I think I’d have to agree. Unexpected, nontraditional, yet chic in its originality.

Ballet Flat and Sneaker Hybrids

Continuing with the blending of athleisure and more feminine, classic styles are the sneaker ballet flat creations designed by several major fashion retailers in the footwear industry. Puma and Adidas have both released what I like to call these “Frankenstein Footwear” pieces in the past several months, populating storefronts and fashion retailers with their modern designs. The Speedcat Ballet shoes by Puma are a particular style pioneering this trend. The shoe carries with it a retro, leisurely vibe that somehow appears to be modern and innovative in the same breath. It’s like a sleek sneaker, clean yet still classically Puma. 

Adidas has also released their own version of the ballet sneaker and is making a splash of their own in the market. The Taekwondo Mei Ballet Flat is reminiscent of the legendary samba shoe, yet laces up and around the ankle like a traditional pointe shoe. They’re sporty yet classy, pushing the boundaries between feminine and masculine style. Another surprising, yet seemingly successful pairing. 

Color Combos

While these aren’t necessarily new creations thought up in a design lab, intriguing and unexpected color combinations are having their moment on social media amongst fashion content creators and stylists. Nari Chaves is a lifestyle and fashion influencer whose Instagram page is rich with outfit inspo and styling advice. Her recent series highlights surprising color combinations that just seem to work. Take for example her suggestion of adding turquoise to orange and brown pieces, or pairing teal and yellow with a deep plum. They’re colors you wouldn’t assume to style together, yet Chaves ability to think outside of the box lends itself to all of our wardrobes benefit. Creating new and interesting outfits may not require a trip to the mall or online shopping, but may instead come from a reimagining of the clothes we already have folded in our dressers. 

It appears that major fashion retailers are leaning into a more sporty look without abandoning delicate, romantic details. For some of us, this reimaging and repurposing of current styles can come as a relief, as I’m sure we can create a plethora of new outfits using the coveted items we’ve already collected in our closets by simply playing around with color and aesthetic.

What do you think of the style mashups between athleisure and romance? Let us know!