Rom-Com Core and Spring Trends

13 Going on 30 (skirt + cute top + flower necklace + tote with scarf = perfect spring outfit), Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Spring is in the air, occasionally, when the weather cooperates. April showers bring May flowers, but we might start to see some flowers blooming in April. So there are signs that spring has officially begun.

We can start thinking about springtime activities and start taking more walks outside. The start of spring is also a great time to change our outfits; if the weather cooperates, we can put away heavy coats and bulky sweaters.

To inspire your spring outfits, now is an excellent time to watch or rewatch some rom-coms. From Vulture in 2018, Spring Is the Best Season for Rom-Coms. “Spring is famously known as the time when a young man’s (and woman’s) fancy turns to thoughts of love. It’s not surprising, then, that so many of the best and most beloved contemporary rom-coms are strongly associated with the season of renewal, rising temperatures, and cherry blossoms.

Love is in the air or a rom-com. I put together several lists of rom-coms organized by actor and category. To see the lists, read:

Rom-com part 1, https://lifestyleofafashionista.com/2023/02/10/the-rom-com-part-1/

Rom-com part 2, https://lifestyleofafashionista.com/2023/02/15/the-rom-com-part-2/

Most rom-coms have the perfect spring outfit featured at some point in the movie, even if the scene takes place in another season. A dress with a cardigan (there are lots of cardigans in rom-coms), a fun top, a crisp white button-down shirt, and an outfit with a blazer are some of the top trends featured.

Read about rom-com characters from Screen Rant, The 10 Most Fashionable Rom-Com Characters.

I love to check out the outfits in rom-coms and use them to inspire my own looks. And now there is a fashion core based on rom-coms called Rom-Comcore.

From Refinery 29, How To Channel 2023’s Rom-Comcore Fashion Trend

From PureWow, Rom-Com Core Is the New Barbiecore. Here’s How to Channel Your Inner Meg Ryan.

From Shondaland, Channel Your Main Character Energy With the Rom-Com Core Fashion Trend

To prepare your closet, I would like you to read the articles about Rom-Comcore and check out some of my favorite outfits from the movies. I’ve organized the looks by popular clothing pieces. Each category will have links to articles about spring trends and where to buy these pieces.

The Cardigan

The Cardigan is a popular staple of the rom-com. Women wear this versatile piece as a jacket or with dresses and cute tops to lounge in.

13 Going on 30, Photo: Columbia Pictures.
10 Things I Hate About You, Touchstone Pictures
Clueless, KISSTHEMGOODBYE.NET/IMDB
Notting Hill, PICTORIAL PRESS LTD / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
Always Be My Maybe, Good Universe
Something’s Gotta Give, Photo: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
About Time, NBCUniversal
Legally Blond, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
You’ve Got Mail, WARNER BROS./IMDB. These are fall cardigans but can be worn on chilly spring days.
FOREVER CARDIGAN $37.50 Banana Republic Factory
CozyChic Lite® Circle Cardigan $92.80 Nordstrom

Ballet flats

In most rom-coms, the women are running around town in high-heels, but you can spot more comfy shoes in some movies.

You’ve Got Mail, SNAP STILLS/SHUTTERSTOCK
Breakfast at Tiffany’s, © Paramount Pictures 
What Happens in Vegas (dress, cardigan, and flats), IMDb

From Vogue, The Tory Burch Flat Is Back! This Time, It’s More Grown-Up and Delightfully Understated. “We can all recall when, in the early 2000s, The Reva—a simple round-toe silhouette that came in every color under the rainbow—dominated. It was the shoe. Now, 16 years later, it’s Tory Burch’s hybrid ballet loafer that’s approaching the footwear throne. The updated style combines the timeless charm of the ballerina with the sophistication of a loafer, making it a luxury essential that feels very much of the moment.” 

BALLET LOAFER $298
Women’s Minnie Travel Ballet Flats $228 Bloomingdales

From Who What Wear, 9 Major Shoe Trends That Will Be Everywhere This Spring. “Ballet flats have been one of the biggest shoe comebacks in recent memory, and designers are just getting started. While the Miu Miu satin ballet flats have risen to It-shoe status this season, get ready to see even more takes on the shoes next year, from A.W.A.K.E. Mode’s silver-embellished styles to Tod’s version that incorporates the brand’s trademark pebbled sole.

Bow leather ballerina $69.99 Mango
Rothy’s The Flat $129. It’s knit from plastic bottles, and it’s machine washable.
Florals and a flat: Rothy’s The Petal Square $159

From Refinery 29, 2023’s Biggest Spring Trends Include Maxi Skirts & Ballet Flats

The Skirt

The skirt in the rom-com is worn on dates, in the office, and when taking walks or bike rides. The types of spring skirts trending are column, maxi, and full.

The Proposal
Confessions of a Shopaholic, Photo: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
Leap Year, IMDb

From Who What Wear, 15 Spring Capsule Pieces That Embody Quiet Luxury. “What’s another item worth adding to any minimalist’s capsule wardrobe? The column skirt. While this silhouette was first popularized in the ’90s, it has returned in recent seasons.

By Anthropologie Slim Column Maxi Skirt $130
Bias Cut Satin Maxi Skirt Topshop $62 Nordstrom
50 First Dates, IMDb
Sweet Home Alabama, IMDb
Amélie, Claudie Ossard Productions
Roman Holiday, Archive Photos / Stringer / Moviepix / Getty Images
Four Weddings and a Funeral, IMDb
500 Days of Summer (skirt and flats), FOX Searchlight

From Who What Wear, Full Circle: These 5 “Outdated” Trends Have Officially Made a Comeback

Pleated midi skirt $179.99 Mango

The Blazer

The blazer, like the skirt, can be worn by the main character in the office or out and about.

Pretty Woman, BUENA VISTA PICTURES
©PRETTY WOMAN, 1990

Buy a similar outfit at Nordstrom:

Eclipse Linen Blend Double Breasted Blazer $299
The Holiday, Columbia Pictures
Some Kind of Wonderful, Paramount Pictures
The Devil Wears Prada, Photo: 20th Century Fox.
Fever Pitch, IMDb

From Who What Wear, I Was a Nordstrom Stylist—Great Style Is Within Reach With These Spring Trends. “Add a trendy oversize blazer to your wardrobe this spring! It’s a modern addition to elevate your style. I love pairing this blazer style with jeans and trousers for a chic, effortless look.”

Oversize Curve Hem Blazer $79 Nordstrom

The Dresses

The slip dress, the strappy dress, the cocktail dress, and the cute causal dress all appear in rom-coms. Of course, some are more famous than others, but they can all inspire outfits for springtime events or outings.

Pretty Woman, BUENA VISTA PICTURES
Lace Asymmetric Cocktail Dress $131.60 Nordstrom
Breakfast at Tiffany’s, © Paramount Pictures 
Hot Pink Blythe Dress $198 Tuckernuck
Crazy Rich Asians, Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.
DRAPED MIDI DRESS $35.90 Zara
Sex and the City, Photo: James Devaney/WireImage.
Deliver Us From Eva, CREDIT: EVERETT COLLECTION
Pretty in Pink, CREDIT: PARAMOUNT PICTURES
Maid in Manhattan, CREDIT: COLUMBIA/KOBAL/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK
500 Days of Summer, FOX Searchlight
Love and Basketball, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks
The Bachelor, New Line Cinemas – © 1999 – New Line Cinema Productions, Inc.
Rumor Has It, IMDb
Jerry Maguire, IMDb
Before Sunrise, Castle Rock Entertainment, via Photofest

From PureWow, 40 of Our Favorite Spring Wedding Guest Dresses (Starting at Just $36)

From Rank & Style, Trending Easter Dresses.

The Ellie Nap Dress $150 Hill House

The white button-down shirt

I love the look of a white button-down shirt, as do rom-com stylists.

French Kiss
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Image Source: Everett Collection
When Harry Met Sally, FROM CASTLE ROCK/NELSON/COLUMBIA/KOBAL/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK.

From Rank & Style, The Best White Button-Downs To Buy Now And Wear For Years.

The Top

The top can be cute, fun, or fancy and is typically worn with a cardigan, blazer, or leather jacket.

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Image Source: Everett Collection
UO Y2K Asymmetrical Tube Top $35 Urban Outfitters
Before Sunset, Castle Rock Entertainment
The Backup Plan, ESCAPE ARTISTS/KOBAL/SHUTTERSTOCK
Just Go With It, Columbia Pictures / ©Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Focus Features
Crazy Rich Asians, Warner Bros. Pictures
Never Been Kissed (cute top and cardigan), Image Source: Everett Collection
He’s Just Not That Into You, IMDb
P.S. I Love You, IMDb
Go the Distance, IMDb
Made of Honor, IMDb
Definitely, Maybe, IMDb

Shopping the trends:

From Refinery 29, Psst, J.Crew’s Spring Sale Has 40% Off Picnic-Ready Dresses, Tops, & More.

From PureWow, Consider Your Spring Wardrobe Sorted Thanks to the New Laura Ashley x Lucky Brand Collab.

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