Style 101 For Adults Who Want To Rock Spring Fashion Trends

From cutouts to crochet, we show you how to wear the spring trends and still keep it grown and sexy

If you let a teenager tell you, everyone who is anyone will be wearing baggy jeans, crop tops and platform sneakers this spring. At least that’s what my teen tells me every time we go shopping together. And she’s right, the stores are full of tiny tops and gigantic pants right now. But as a woman of a certain age, I refuse to believe I have to dress like a wannabe member of TLC to be in style. So I took it upon myself to do some digging to find some, dare I say, adult interpretations of these youthful trends. Check out these twists on some of the most popular spring fashion trends.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die’ Stars Will Smith and Martin Lawrence Dish on What It Takes to be True Bad Boys

Geometric Cutouts

Screenshot: Abercrombie.com

From the v-neckline to the perfectly positioned side cutouts, everything about the Satin Pleated Cutout Maxi Dress from Abercrombie says sexy. I mean, they had me at adjustable straps.

Cargo Pants

Screenshot: ASOS.com

Whether you pair them with sneakers or your favorite pair of heels, the River Island satin utility cargo pants from ASOS are grown and sexy with an emphasis on sexy.

Sheer Fabrics

Screenshot: lulus.com

It may have long sleeves and a high neckline, but the Tempt Me Black Sheer Lace Long Sleeve Crop Top from Lulus is anything but boring. Whether you wear it over a tank or a slip dress, this piece will work overtime for your wardrobe.

Platform Sneakers

Who needs heels when you can wear platform sneakers? The Mayze Animal Women’s Sneakers from Puma pair great with jeans, leggings, skirts or even a suit. The options are endless.

Sweatshirts

Wearing a sweatshirt doesn’t have to always mean an oversized hoodie. Not that there’s anything wrong with an oversized hoodie. But we love the ruffled sleeves of the Janine Sweatshirt from Rebecca Minkoff, making it the perfect companion to your favorite pair of jeans or a skirt.

Bright Colors

Screenshot: ASOS.com

All black everything is cool sometimes. But this spring, color is everything. Try these & Other Stories tailored pants from ASOS to add a pretty pop to your outfit.

Crop Tops

Screenshot: thereformation.com

Just because you’re wearing a crop top doesn’t mean you have to let it all hang out. The Lindy Knit Top from Reformation is a crop that still leaves a little to the imagination.

Bell Bottom Jeans

Screenshot: gap.com

Put your skinny jeans on pause this spring and check out these Patched flare jeans from GAP. But don’t get rid of them. They’ll probably be back in style soon.

Wide Leg Jeans

Screenshot: thereformation.com

If bell bottoms aren’t your thing, try the Cary High Rise Slouchy Wide Leg Jeans from Reformation. The dark wash and the blingy detail on the side give them a little something special and make them a fun choice for a night out.

Cold Shoulder Tops

Screenshot: nordstrom.com

If you’re looking for grown and sexy, you won’t be able to resist this Sofie Faux Leather One-Shoulder Top from Sachin & Babi. It’s a luxe look that’s much better for the planet!

Bustiers

Under a blazer or on it’s own, this Vegan leather bustier from Aritzia is sure to steal the show.

Crochet

Screenshot: bcbg.com

Ok, I know crochet may sound a little Coachella, but there is a way to do it without looking like you’re going to an outdoor music festival. The Crochet Knit Turtleneck Crop Top from BCBG is a great lightweight piece that is perfect for spring.

Mary Janes

The Whitley Mary Jane from Coach is cute and comfy shoe that adds pretty pop of color to any spring outfit.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Favorite Books By Black Authors in 2025

Favorite Books By Black Authors in 2025

As 2025 comes to a close, we’re looking at our favorite books by Black authors of the year …
Black Things to Do in New York City This Holiday

Black Things to Do in New York City This Holiday

We have the tea on how to celebrate the holiday season in NYC with black-owned businesses and cultural events across the five boroughs …
Everything We Know About The Sherrone Moore Scandal

Everything We Know About The Sherrone Moore Scandal

The University of Michigan fired Moore for having an “inappropriate relationship with a staff member.” …
Jasmine Crockett on Why She Wants To Work with 'Frenemy' Marjorie Taylor Greene

Jasmine Crockett on Why She Wants To Work with ‘Frenemy’ Marjorie Taylor Greene

EXCLUSIVE: Over a year has passed since Rep. Jasmine Crockett flamed Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, and she spoke to The Root about the current state of their relationship …
D'Angelo and Angie Stone's Son Details Parents' Surprising Health Struggles

D’Angelo and Angie Stone’s Son Details Parents’ Surprising Health Struggles

Both D’Angelo and Angie Stone passed away within months of each other, and now their only son is shedding new light on their final days …
Photo: Getty Images Arturo Holmes

No Justice, No Peace: All the Times Attorney Benjamin Crump Fought for Civil Rights

Benjamin Crump’s latest fight was for a Florida security guard, who was murdered in 2023 …
Inside Sherrone Moore's 'For Cause' Firing— And How It Could Cost Him BIG

Inside Sherrone Moore’s ‘For Cause’ Firing— And How It Could Cost Him BIG

Sherrone Moore’s worries don’t stop at his felony charges. His “for cause” firing means Michigan is off the hook for paying him this eye-watering amount …
Porsha Williams Confirms She’s Dating a Woman, and Black Internet Has a Unified Reaction

Porsha Williams Confirms She’s Dating a Woman, and Black Internet Has a Unified Reaction

After hard-launching her new boo, RHOA’s Porsha Williams reveals why she’s done hiding her love life, but social media wasted no time pulling old clips proving fans clocked her tea years ago …
What Blueface's Tweet About Having Sex With His Mother Actually Says <i>About</i> Black Mothers...

What Blueface’s Tweet About Having Sex With His Mother Actually Says About Black Mothers…

OPINION: Blueface’s tweet about his mother sleeping with him is inelegant, but that doesn’t mean he’s wrong …
Kim Kardashian’s Sons Steal the Show at Her Law School Graduation Party

Kim Kardashian’s Sons Steal the Show at Her Law School Graduation Party

Kim Kardashian has been on a long journey to up her law skills and knowledge, but her sons wouldn’t let her be great! Let’s talk about it …
Why the Netflix Diddy Doc Participants Are Also Terrible Humans

Why the Netflix Diddy Doc Participants Are Also Terrible Humans

OPINION: Many of the participants in Netflix’s “Sean Combs: The Reckoning” were positioned to take Diddy down long ago…so why didn’t they? …
Shannon Sharpe Breaks His Silence on the Messy Sherrone Moore Scandal

Shannon Sharpe Breaks His Silence on the Messy Sherrone Moore Scandal

Former NFL player Shannon Sharpe weighed in on the scandal surrounding former Michigan head football coach Sherrone Moore …
$70M Investment Set to Transform Portland’s Historic Black Albina Neighborhood

$70M Investment Set to Transform Portland’s Historic Black Albina Neighborhood

The 1803 Fund unveils a $70 million plan to create jobs and repair decades of displacement in North Portland’s historically Black neighborhood …
Blue Ivy's Latest Courtside Grownup Look Has The Internet Gagged

Blue Ivy’s Latest Courtside Grownup Look Has The Internet Gagged

Folks online can’t get over Blue Ivy’s latest fashion moment …
These Are the Best Black Movies of 2025

These Are the Best Black Movies of 2025

While Sinners clearly emerged as the front-runner of Black films this year, there were others that are also worthy of being celebrated. Let’s take a look! …
Trump's New 'Gold Card' Lets Immigrants Skip the Line, But There's a <i>Huge</i> Catch

Trump’s New ‘Gold Card’ Lets Immigrants Skip the Line, But There’s a Huge Catch

After months of teasing Trump’s $1 million immigration Gold Card, here’s everything you should know about the Green Card competitor …
These 7 Black Female Senate Candidates Could Rewrite History in 2026

These 7 Black Female Senate Candidates Could Rewrite History in 2026

From Texas to South Carolina, a new wave of Black women candidates is stepping into the U.S. Senate race, potentially making history in the 2026 election cycle …
Which is the Better Blackity-Black Christmas Jam: Boyz II Men's 'Let It Snow' or Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas Is You?'

Which is the Better Blackity-Black Christmas Jam: Boyz II Men’s ‘Let It Snow’ or Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You?’

When it comes to hella Black Christmas songs, does Boyz II Men have an edge over Mariah Carey? Let’s get into it! …
These 13 Republicans Just Turned Their Back on Trump -- Why It's Crucial for 2026

These 13 Republicans Just Turned Their Back on Trump — Why It’s Crucial for 2026

Thirteen Republicans just sided with Democrats in a historic move to undermine Trump… but what does that really mean for the future of Congress? …
Photo: Getty Images Andrew Harnik

Uh…Everyone’s Saying the Same Thing About Hakeem Jeffries’ Reaction to Jasmine Crockett’s Senate Run

Jeffries reaction to Crockett’s Senate announcement left people filling in the blanks …