Dressing for the Final Rose

We often look to prominent figures in pop culture for the latest trends, eager to follow in their footsteps and draw inspiration from. Some of the biggest social media influencers and pop culture icons come from The Bachelor franchise and their outfits are often coveted by everyone watching. While the girls on the show might have professional stylists backed up by stores such as Revolve and Bloomingdale’s, their iconic outfits are still achievable! We’ve outlined how to recreate some of the most popular looks from 2021’s season of The Bachelor and dress for that final rose.

SQUARE NECKLINES

It truly is all in the details and an easy trick to elevating any basic outfit is by switching up a top’s neckline. This past bachelor season we saw not one, not two, but many different contestants wearing square neck tops. This neckline accentuates your collarbones, which is naturally very flattering on a variety of body types. While many of the women wore long sleeve square neck bodysuits, this style can be extended into the warmer months in the form of tank tops, bathing suit tops, and even workout wear. An easy go-to outfit is a white square neck top paired with jeans or denim shorts and your most trusted pair of sneakers for running around or heels to dress up a casual look. Give your basics a boost with this simple, yet elevated trend. 

SUMMER DRESSES 

The mere idea of squeezing into anything denim as the days get longer and hotter is already making us sweat. To beat the heat, embrace the freedom of dresses this spring and summer. Dresses of any style from mini and maxi to spaghetti straps or short-sleeved, make getting dressed on a hot day even easier. We suggest building your collection now, so when summer hits you can easily slip on one of your favorites and go out the door looking put together and comfortable. For Love and Lemons and similar brands have been perfecting the ideal summer dress, but what about alternatives for similar styles on the lower price end? The Bachelor is known for elegant and head-turning formal dresses, but this past season we found inspiration for casual dresses as well. Stores such as Nasty Gal and Princess Polly offer trendy dresses similar to styles worn by Kit Keenan, a contestant. 

PUFF SLEEVES

Tops with puffed sleeves have become all the rage this season, offering a sleeved look without the feeling of being too hot. Typically, this style of top is tighter on the torso with loose, airy sleeves that are reminiscent of the Renaissance era. Some tops feature long sleeves while others are short-sleeved, creating different options for looks that will fit any time of weather the months of spring might produce. Made modern through the use of bold colors and fun designs, these tops are the perfect staple piece for any spring wardrobe. Many of the girls this season sported puff sleeve tops for their versatility and range of styles. Brands such as Princess Polly, Aritzia, and Free People carry puffed sleeve tops, but even opting for more inexpensive options from Forever 21 and Shein can help you achieve the look without breaking the bank. These tops are incredibly easy to style with jeans and skirts for any occasion!

CARDIGANS, BUT MAKE THEM CROPPED

As spring ushers in brisk mornings and warmer afternoons, it can be difficult to find layered options that will not make you break a sweat. Cropped cardigans are the perfect solution to this, acting as a transition piece while the seasons change. Target carries several styles of cropped cardigans, while online boutiques such as Verge Girl offer more unique pieces. This season’s bachelor contestants showed us that cardigans are not exclusively for the winter. Kit Keenan and Abigail Heringer are notorious for rocking the cropped cardigan look, bringing a new identity to the piece by wearing them as a stand-alone piece or as an extra accessory over a simple outfit. Layering a simple cropped cardigan over a basic tank or daytime dress can add dimension to your outfit, keeping you stylish and cool at the same time.

Written by Grace Bercher & Katie Clardy, Photography by Lia Onisiphorou, Design by Madelyn Okruhlik, Media by Josh Carley