fashion feed

Spring is perhaps the most important time of the year for shopping. The onset of Spring and warmer climates (particulary if you live in a 4 climate region as I do) comes often with a great sense of anticipation. This onset of anticipation is usually acccompanied by a certain sense of motivation which inspires one to purge old items and explore the new. I know a few people who relent on spring shoppping as they feel it is simply more of the same - with little room for trend and/or new design - particulary the latter. Spring is often a time when retailers and designers alike focus on basics and wardrobe staples. Less attention is paid to trend and more attention is paid to improving the tried and true. Spring is often a time when designers will declare the "it" color of the season or if you dare "the new black". It may seem a little early to be concentrating on your Spring wardrobe (especially if your winter climate is construed of frigid temperatures), however given Springs bounty of pulse-beating basics, the added perusal time is to ones advantage. Spring is an imperial time for accessing your current wardrobe, stocking up on basics, retooling, updating or replacing style staples and alas getting a jumpstart on a few of the upcoming Spring trends.

Here's a few key guidelines for updating your Spring wardrobe:

Know the Classics:

Okay, we need to regroup here. Have you ever seen someone maybe in your office, school, or wherever you spend most of your daily life, out of nowhere get a brand new wardrobe. The dramatic change is clear and you can pretty much tell that this person went on a shopping spree or binge and now has a "new look" so to speak. You may even be able to identify the designer or the retailer in which the macro of items were purchased. Perhaps it's Calvin Klein's new line or Club Monaco. No matter how desperately this fashion frenzy was needed you must admit this approach is pretty lame and doesn't exactly constitute a style maven. I mean it's pretty easy and predictable to just waltz into the nearest J Crew and shop the Spring line. Be careful not to confuse stylish clothing with stylish people. Stylish clothing is everywhere and now thanks to top designers such as Vera Wang heading to discount department store like Kohl's stylish clothing is more accessible than ever. To actually possess style is the art of incorporating important pieces into your wardrobe which keep your entire wardrobe looking fresh and new each day.

The Audrey Hepburn classic, Breakfast at Tiffany's continues to enchant us more than forty years later. It's still one of my all-time favorite "pick me up" movies. A big part of the films allure has to do with Audrey's classic wardrobe. The two chic black dresses, the belted trench, kitten heels... These clothes all look incredibly stylish today due to Givenchy's attention to clean lines and Audrey's effortless style and grace. Givenchy's message of simplicity is the reason why time and time again this simple and chic classic look endures.

Classics are timeless and seasonless. Trends are on borrowed time and have low season to season survival rate. Chasing trend is not only exhausting and expensive, but the payoff - a fleeting moment of hipness followed by a fleeting feeling of haplessness - is not fun. That isn't to say that trendy items don't have their place in the wardrobe of a well-dressed woman. But they should be used in a sparingly fashion, so they complement a wardrobe of your favorite classics without overwhelming them.

The Trench Coat
I know it's been said 1,000 and 12 times but seriously, "it's time you get a trench..." and "... it's time you get a good one". In fact, I'll up the ante on that and suggest 2; one in a neutral shade, such as black, white, navy, camel, or grey and one in one of this seasons fantastic brights - my favorites for this season are canary yellow, kelly green, and crayola blue. If you're a little reluctant on the mileage you may get out of the yellow or green, the safest bet for color is red, which is a bright color that tends to be more classical than whimsical.

The Skirt
Style: Pencil, A-line, Flat front, Knee Length
Colors: Neutrals - Don't recommend any brights here. Go for black, khaki, grey, brown, and white.
Avoid: Boxy styles, Stiff fabrics, pleats, wrap styles, horizontal or zany patterns.

Pumps, Kitten Heels, and Ballet Flats.
Colors: Bright pumps are actually becoming quite the stylish staple, so you can have a bit of fun in this area. Go for classic shape, but feel free to buy that red or purple pump you've been eyeing up.
Avoid: It's really difficult for me to tell someone to avoid any kind of shoe. I truly believe there is a time and place for just about every shoe - particulaty if we are discussing high heels. The most supportive advice I can give in this regard is first stock up on your basics and then feel free to go on you emotional shoe buying brigade.

Cashmere:
"The cashmere sweater will always get the upgrade to first class before the jogging suit!"
Five resasons to believe in cashmere.
1. It's timeless.
2. It's cozy.
3. It's elegant and expensive.
4. From scoopneck, to v-neck, to t-neck, to cardigan there is a style for every shape.
5. Oh and did I mention, "The cashmere sweater will always get the upgrade to first class before the jogging suit!" Cashmere is contagious!

Jeans:
The topic of jeans can be discussed so extensively that I wil no doubt have to leave that a topic for a latter date. However for the time being I leave you with this advice: go shopping for that perfect pair of jeans - and once you find them buy two pairs.

Other important classics:
Fitted cotton shirt
Semi-fitted suit (3 pieces - blazer, pant, and skirt)
Leggings and/or hosiery
Lingerie

Add Fun to Function: Revitalize the classics by adding
Waist Belts - This style trend is going nowhere!
Long Gloves
Jewelry - Classics and Funky
Bright Patterned Scarves
Bright Handbags
and Shoes!

Don't be scared to:
Mix swimwear with daywear (seriously).
Mix lingerie with eveningwear.
Change the buttons or hemming on that classic black trench that you want to spice up.
Don't be afraid to "be your own Audrey" impose your take on the classics - and project a personal sense of style and stability.

Fashion Tip:
Work one trend at a time.
For example: If you do a bright color chose a basic shape.
If you're doing a different shape choose a neutral color.

Featured:
1. Miu Miu Leather Nappa Trench in Putty
2. Marc Jacobs Short Trench in Jungle Green
3. Rachel Roy Bella Pencil Skirt in Ivory
4. Marc by Marc Jacobs Peep-Toe Patent Pumps in Nude
5. Tory Burch Reva Elasticzed Ballet Flats in Pink
6. Michael Kors Cashmere Kimono Sweater in Sand
7. Missoni Woven Shawl Wrap in ZigZag
8. Marni Medium Balloon Tote in Yellow

All items available at http://www.net-a-porter.com/

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