There are two telltale signs that spring has arrived in the city: Daffodils pop up magically from the almost lifeless parks, and ladies blossom into a full array of colors like a walking garden in the streets.
Watching the temperature on weather.com slowly rise week by week has many of us girls thinking about our spring/summer wardrobes. We’re looking forward to shedding the black winter coat and that pashmina we use for a splash of color.
Let’s see what the designers envision for us this spring. After an especially long and cold winter, and with a troubled economy, have they captured the mood right? There are some obvious trends in color and mood.
Cool colors are in—crisp white and black, accented by golds and bold yellows. The wash of quiet neutrals and metallics pair well with some of the season's other trends, from bright florals to global/ethnic.
One other color we’re seeing pop up, next to the sandy shades, is blue in various hues, like surf-and-sand. Lagoon blues, aqua, turquoise, or deep ocean blue—whatever your skin tone, these aquatic hues are bound to flatter.
Clean and tailored lines keep ladylike figures in focus, but designers are keeping it softer by combining the tailored elements with fabrics that have a lot of movement and airiness.
For those feeling the gypsy swing and adventurous mood in the air, there’s plenty to choose from. In stores you’ll find lots of mini floral patterns and standout color. Layer airy, flowy fabrics over a fitted bottom—skinny jeans, a pencil skirt, or leggings.
Pull it together with a shrunken, well-fitted jacket, or tie it up with a belt—skinny, super wide, leather, beaded—you choose, but make sure to accent your waist and show off your ankles. If you're petite or have thick legs, make sure to go with high heels or ballet flats rather than boots, as they’ll cut you up too much and make you look short.
Designer Breakdown for the Season
Ralph Lauren: With this designer you'll find white wash, black, drenched in golds and metallics. Styles are flowy, balanced with a tailored "Out of Africa" feel along with a hefty serving of "Indiana Jones" and "Crocodile Dundee."
Carolina Herrera: The colors this spring are white, black and golds, with splashes of—sometimes drenched with—bright marigold yellow and a rich ocean blue. Styles are classic as ever. Very feminine. So clean and fresh.
Badgley Mischka: These fashions envision more color, full garden palettes—spring the tropical way.
Donna Karan: This spring brings washed-out colors, taupes, tans, grays, light metallics—shades that speak more of rainy days and blossomless branches than spring. The look is 1970s glam, in sepia.
Tommy Hilfiger: This man’s men are looking clean, tailored, and aren’t wearing socks this spring. You'll find ankle-length pants paired with European shoes; contrasting shades highlight the tailored jackets and skinny ties.
G-Star: The G-Star man is wearing shorts this spring, or short pants, denim cutoffs, man culottes, kilts (in white and gray). These are being coupled with a wide range of tailored jackets, blazers, vests, cardigans, hoodies, and trench coats. Finish off the look with some boots. Layering and more layering of traditionally conflicting styles is the style of the season. Oh, yes—black, white, gray, and denim only.
Nanette Lepore: This designer brings out the free spirit in every gal. Just looking at her dresses coming down the runway makes you feel like you’re on a summer vacation in Italy or Paris. The garments are feminine and fun, in bright and bold colors. If you need a hit of color to lift your mood, take some inspiration from Lepore. She tones the look down for the office, with short-sleeved pant and skirt suits in grays, with a bright yellow or fuchsia blouse underneath.
