Rihanna’s Trend-Setting Outfits Predicted What’s In This Spring

Her outfits are like crystal balls for fashion.

When it comes to taking fashion risks, Rihanna is in a league of her own. Who else can flawlessly wear a metallic Dries Van Noten to the pool (with a mullet!) or sport fiery orange separates from head to toe with such panache? No one. She’s practically written the book on how to turn heads, and because of that she has her very own publication, The Rihanna Book, which is filled with more than a thousand images of her looking overpoweringly cool.

On top of being a constant source of fashion inspiration—whether vacationing in her native Barbados or dashing through the NYC streets—Rihanna’s outfits are like crystal balls. They tell us what’s going to be in and what’s on its way out of fashion.

Long before quarantine life became our norm, Rihanna was wearing elevated sweatsuits. She had also been signaling our current taste for voluminous proportions—turning up in wide-leg power pants and oversized outerwear balanced with leg-baring minidresses.

Even without her impossible-not-to-like music, we owe a lot to her for always keeping us in the know of what’s next. And that appreciation is especially needed today on her birthday.

To celebrate the queen of style, we’ve gathered five moments in her fashion history that hinted what was to come this spring. It’s Rihanna’s world; we’re all just living in it.

Power Pants

Photo: Getty Images

A little more than a year ago, Rihanna stepped out in roomy Jacquemus trousers, signaling the need for a break from plain, skinny pants.

Rejina Pyo Laila double-waist wide-leg trouser

$600MODA OPERANDIShop Now

Palmer Harding Reona layered grain de poudre straight-leg pants

$650NET-A-PORTERShop Now

Clingy Dress 

Photo: Getty Images

A couple of months earlier, Rihanna hinted that body-hugging dresses will reign supreme for a couple of seasons.

Dannijo ombre long slip dress

$395$119SHOPBOPShop Now

Nanushka Lotti satin slip dress

$480MYTHERESAShop Now

Bright Bags

Photo: Getty Images

In February 2020 the singer brought a casual outfit to life with fun accessories, including a bold Bottega Veneta clutch and an Emma Brewin green hat.

Bottega Veneta the mini pouch leather clutch

$1,550NORDSTROMShop Now

Simon Miller green moiré mini retro bag

$255SSENSEShop Now

Short Hemlines

Photo: Getty Images

A day earlier Rihanna demoed the leg-baring trend while wearing a Fenty sweaterdress equipped with a high slit.

Fenty turtleneck knit mini dress

$780FARFETCHShop Now

The Attico asymmetric tie-dye mini skirt

$610MATCHESFASHIONShop Now

Elevated Sweats

Photo: Backgrid

And at the end of 2019 Rihanna foreshadowed the takeover of luxury sweatpants and sweatshirts.

Les Tien fleeceback hooded sweatshirt

$250MATCHESFASHIONShop Now

Les Tien brushed back track pants

$145MATCHESFASHIONShop Now

This story originally appeared on: Vogue - Author:Alexis Bennett

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