Shifter Selects: Budding Romances + 'Flowers for Vases'
Graphic by Samantha N. Olson. Photos from left to right: To All The Boys: Always and Forever/Netflix, Jessica Alba wearing a monochromatic look/Pinterest, Hayley Williams/Instagram.
Welcome to Shifter Selects, a new addition to our digital component where we’ll highlight the latest trends in music, film/TV and fashion. Here’s how it’ll go down: on Monday of every week, we’ll be on the lookout for trending topics and give our hot takes on the matter. Sound like something you’d be interested in? Look no further than our Shifter Selects for the week of Feb. 8–12.
This week, it's all about love. Valentine's Day is nearly approaching, and a plethora of different releases have blossomed in the past week. From Lara Jean and Peter Kavinsky's budding romance in the final part of the "To All The Boys I've Loved Before" film trilogy to Hayley Williams' new quarantine solo effort, "Flowers for Vases/Descansos," we're ready to touch down on the latest trends. Oh, and who can forget a classic fashion trend we all love — monochrome.
Music
Hayley Williams teases new era and drops "Flowers for Vases/Descansos"
by Brianna Bradley
Where to listen: Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Music
Hayley Williams, the frontwoman of Paramore, just dropped her second solo album titled “Flowers for Vases/Descanos.” The title alludes to memorials set beside a place on the road where someone’s life suddenly ended or changed. The album features fourteen new tracks, and follows the release of her debut album “Petals for Armour.” Williams wrote, performed and recorded all of the songs at home last year. She describes the album as a prequel to, or some sort of detour from “Petals for Armour.”
“Flowers for Vases/Descanos,” with its acoustic accompaniment and melancholy melodies, sounds like an ode to 2020. It is beautiful, delicate and most of all, sad. Isolation forces us to confront the feelings we avoid — heartbreak, loneliness and grief. Hayley Williams has never been so vulnerable, and we’re applauding her for sharing a piece of her heart with the world.
Film/TV
Final installment of "To All The Boys" films hits Netflix on Friday, Feb. 12
by Valerie Galarza
Where to watch: Netflix (with subscription)
Be ready to grab the tissues as Netflix’s trilogy of "To All the Boys I've Loved Before” is coming to an end on Feb. 12.
“To All the Boys: Always and Forever" is the third and final installment of the three-part movie series created by Netflix. Netflix picked up rights to the book series made by Jenny Han in 2018 with its release of the first movie. With the films, fans were able to fall in love with the romance between Lara Jean and Peter Kavinsky. A love that has left actress Lana Condor, who plays Lara Jean, heartbroken at the thought of the series ending.
“Let’s be honest: I was a complete mess,” Condor said in an interview with Self. The final film will also leave fans, myself included, as a complete mess while we follow Lara Jean and Peter’s senior year in high school and how they handle wanting different things in life.
Fashion
Why Monochromatic Fashion Never Goes Out of Style
by Camille Ruiz Mangual
Where to follow: Vogue, InStyle, Harper’s Bazaar
If you’re not wearing a monochromatic outfit, don’t bother showing us your fit. Monochrome–wearing only one color from head to toe–is the moment right now. This trend can be seen everywhere from former First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Kamala Harris, and First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden’s looks at the inauguration, to Billie Eilish, Justin Bieber and Kanye West’s streetwear styles. The choice to dress in entirely one color is effortlessly cool, flattering, and surprisingly simple.
The easiest way to get into monochromatic fashion is to start with streetwear. Choose a color and find a top, bottom, shoes and accessories in that color. Don’t overthink it, though. Monochromatic streetwear makes even oversize sweatshirts and sweatpants look put-together. The key to mastering the art of monochromatic streetwear is to either precisely match all your pieces together or mix and match different tones within one color family.
For bonus points, try incorporating different textures into your outfit for some visual interest. Monochromatic streetwear is all about staying comfortable yet making a bold statement. Grab your favorite pieces and get started!
Want to keep up with the latest trends?
Tune in next Monday for our next installment of Shifter Selects!