Lisa Frohlich, of Hamptons NY Style, Talks About Spring Fashion Trends

It’s impossible to miss Lisa Frohlich walking down Main Street, Sag Harbor. From her pixie cut hair, impeccable style that looks effortless and radiating positivity, people are naturally drawn to Frohlich — a woman professionally dedicated to highlighting emerging designers and boutiques as a stylist through Hamptons NY Style. A member of the board at The Ross School and the mother to two teens, Frohlich clued us in to what she is seeing in trends for spring fashion this year.

First, Lisa, can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into fashion?

I come from a family of retailers, so the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. When I was a little girl, I would look at pictures of my dad with famous designers and dreamed that this would be my path.

My journey as a stylist has been influenced by my past experiences in retail. Right out of college, I joined the executive training program for May Company Department Stores, and was placed as a dress buyer for Lord and Taylor. This provided me with a foundation of analytical skills for the future. During that time, I also began to pursue my passion for jewelry design and developed my own line in my NYC showroom called “Lisa K Design.” My first account was Saks Fifth Avenue and I also sold to specialty stores around the world. My necklaces were a favorite of Beth Stern, Christina Applegate, and Rachel Zoe. A career highlight was creating a Lisa K Design collection for QVC and selling my jewelry on-air.

In 2016, my family took a leap of faith and moved out of New York City to the Hamptons, our happy place. My years as a buyer, designer, and stylist prepared me for my current career as a fashion consultant. I assist emerging brands and larger international retailers with success strategies to drive revenue. My list of services includes trend research, color and print selection, pricing, brand ambassador programs, organization management, collaborations, and event partnerships. Approximately 80 percent of the brands I work with are female-owned and find me through Instagram @hamptonsnystyle. Most of these brands have an interest in exploring the Hamptons market. I’m also a fashion columnist and contributor for a few publications in the Hamptons.

As we leave early spring, which on the East End feels like a special kind of winter torture, and enter the late spring season, it’s finally time to shed those layers! What are the top trends for this late spring season in 2023?

I’m ready to shed the layers, too! But let’s not forget that the weather on the East End remains cool through the end of May. We have plenty of time to play around with spring trends before we transition to swimsuit season. Here’s what I am excited about …

Fringe

Bags, shoes, dresses, and tops are all showing up with fringe this season. Remember that fringe is a detail, not a costume. If you are wearing a top or sweater with fringe, don’t pair it with cowboy boots unless you are going to a Western party. Pick one fringed piece and let that be the focus. My personal favorite is fringe on the hemline of a skirt or on a boho-chic bag.

Metallics
There was sparkle and shine all over the runways for the spring/summer 2023 season. If you are wondering how to incorporate metallics without feeling like you are off to a New Year’s Eve party, it’s easy. Swap out your basic jeans for a metallic coated pair. A raincoat or lightweight jacket in a metallic is also a good choice for spring. If you are apprehensive about shine for daytime, I recommend a crossbody or tote bag with a little shimmer.

Accessories

Shoulder-skimming earrings are showing up big for spring. Skip the coordinating necklace and commit to statement earrings that complete your outfit. Woven bags in all shapes and sizes are remaining on trend. If you’re not a fan of “matchy-matchy” you may want to reconsider for spring. Monochromatic dressing hit the runways with pants, tops, bags, and shoes coordinating in the same hues. Tonal dressing is a quick and easy way to get out the door. An all blue or green ensemble will definitely make a statement.

Is it just me or have we been in a ’90s flashback, fashionwise? When I shop with my teenage daughter, I feel like I am looking at clothes I was interested in at 14. Are we remaining in that trend or moving into a millennium fashion style?

Thanks to TikTok, there is a revival going on of everything related to the ’90s. Gwen Stefani came on the scene in the late ’90s in crop tops, moto jackets, chunky shoes, pink hair, and chiseled abs. Fashion trends normally reemerge every 20 years because we’re constantly being influenced by the economy, social media, and the fashion before us. There’s been a grunge look lingering all year and it will stick around for spring. Chunky loafers have been gaining popularity for a while and can transition you out of winter boots. People are reworking and rewearing items in their closets because of the focus on sustainability, which may be contributing to the grunge vibe we’ve been seeing lately.

Remember baggy jeans made popular by Girbaud? That trend has definitely made a comeback and you can find oversized jeans in East Hampton stores such as Henry Lehr, Nili Lotan, and Unsubscribed.

Crochet bags and tops are popular again for teens and adults. The feathers we saw in the ’90s will trend for spring in pastel colors.

Color always seems to be something we gravitate toward as the season warms up. What are some of the color trends you are seeing this season?

Viva Magenta is the Pantone Color of the Year and descends from the red family, although it leans toward pink. This color has been admired since last year when Valentino debuted a magenta collection for spring 2023. Magenta and all shades of pink will stick around for spring. Expect plenty of green with emerald being most popular, followed by neon, moss, sage, and mint. Azure blue, lavender and fiery red will also be showing up in a big way. I recommend snagging a couple of pieces in these colors without going overboard. Trending colors usually stick around for a couple of seasons or a year at most. If head to toe blue or green isn’t your thing, work them in with a statement ring or earrings.

The COVID-19 pandemic obviously had a pretty big impact on daily fashion (hello, stretchy pants!). Three years later, are there any trends that emerged because of the pandemic that you believe have staying power?

Athleisure clothing such as leggings, tights, sweatpants, sneakers and hoodies were popular long before 2020 and 2021, however the pandemic further accelerated the trend. While athleisure is no longer the trend of the moment, there is still an emphasis on comfort, especially for those with flexible or hybrid work schedules. Matching top and bottom sets have grown in popularity, whether you are going for a power walk, meeting friends for coffee, or running errands. I’m giving a thumbs up to the cute matching sweat sets I’m seeing at the airports — especially the puffed shoulder tops with wide culotte bottoms. I also love the look of a hoodie peeking out from a leather jacket. Women are elevating their casual attire by layering on necklaces, choosing a cool bag, and adding statement sneakers. The sneaker market continues to thrive and shows no sign of slowing down.

In a way, I feel like there are trends for the East End that are timeless, in part because we are in a beach/resort community. What are some of the pieces you cannot live without in the spring, year-in and year-out?

I recommend stocking your closet with colors and items that never go out of style. The color white is easy to wear and will stick around for the long haul. White outfits are versatile and striking, no matter what the season. A woven raffia or rattan tote is always a good investment and will take you from beach to BBQ. Sun hats are a great way to elevate your spring or summer outfit, while keeping you safe from the sun. Fedoras, bucket hats, straw visors, and large-brimmed hats will always stay in fashion. I’m a devoted fan of blazers and rely on them throughout the erratic spring weather. Choose the blazer that works best for your body type. Try a cropped blazer with wide-leg trousers, or a longer silhouette with boot-cut jeans and a chunky heel. A leather motorcycle jacket in white, beige, or a pastel color is a great investment and can layer over my favorite classification … dresses! As a former dress buyer, I get very excited about this category because sundresses in solids or floral prints will never go out of style. Slip dresses received attention this year, but they’ve been around for quite some time. If the weather is cool, create an edgy vibe by layering a cropped leather jacket over a slip dress with a bootie.

Where are you shopping right now?

Sag Harbor makes shopping easy for me with great stores all in walking distance. Matriark selects fashion and lifestyle items exclusively from LBGTQIA and women-owned companies. Joey Wölffer has her own creations along with vintage finds. Via Coquina includes fine jewelry from Capri and the Greek islands, along with handmade sandals, woven beach bags, and household items. Satori captures the latest trends at affordable prices and is one of the few shops where I can find pieces for both me and my teenage daughter. Blue One in Bridgehampton offers a personal shopping experience and curates unique pieces from New York, Los Angeles and Europe.