Fashion is used to broadcast people’s mood, lifestyle, or personality – but lately, I’m wondering if it could be deeper through spring’s transparency trend. It seems nowadays that everyone is defined by how much they want to share, how they curate things to be shared on social media and the greater Web, or how much they want to seem like they’re oversharing. Even if some of us don’t have a “personal brand,” our desire to conceal everything except for some specifics is the basis of most “brands”; and everyone does it!

This season’s transparency trend – whether it’s with rubber, PVC, or vinyl – has shown that modestly covering up (at least on the runways like Helmut Lang, Maison Margiela, and Chanel) isn’t required for modern-day dressing. Brands ranging from Loewe to Topshop, aside from the previously-mentioned high-ends, have been producing items with plastic and see-through elements in the past several seasons. You don’t necessarily need to be wearing all transparent pieces (I couldn’t imagine), but the trend shows that we can be more honest and open while still maintaining our style pedigrees – more literally, than anything else.

Transparency has grown enough that, thanks to runways and street style, there are practical styling ticks to wearing it. The best method is to have a more creative mindset to layers and outerwear – case in point, my layering this vintage Chanel blazer over an extra-long Won Hundred rain coat, which was already layered over a light turtleneck sweater (my favorite layering piece!).

With this look, I was able to use the trend within my own style and try out a new layering technique I hadn’t done before. Instead of jeans or a skirt, I opted for some more spring-appropriate (and rain-friendly) denim shorts, with my favorite Kate Spade glitter boots as the biggest statement. And, of course, I included my favorite Danse Lente bag!

Overall, this outfit shows this trend in one of my favorite pieces – the raincoat, and stays true to my brand of merging the artistic and modern with some classic influences. The trend, for what it’s worth, is one I plan to experiment more with this spring, as many new pieces are rain-repellant – so, as far as fashion goes, it’s one of the more practical trends in recent years.

NOTE: PVC & Vinyl are made from toxic chemicals and should not be used in everyday products or around children.

By Aaron Royce and Anchyi Wei

OUTFIT DETAILS

Chanel Blazer
Chanel Brooch (from LePrix)
Won Hundred Raincoat
River Island Denim Shorts
Kate Spade Boots (now 40% off!)
Danse Lente Bag