SPRING 2013 FASHION: NO NEW TRENDS, BUT LOTS OF FRESH LOOKS

Maryl shops her closet -- and a few favorite web sites and stores

I can’t conjure a list of five or seven or eleven brand new fashion trends for this spring.  Most are from this past fall and last spring and are still being refined and emulated along the fashion cycle.  That’s not a bad thing; it’s actually good because that means less time and expense to get a more current look when the weather finally – if ever, at least here in the northeast – warms up.   So here's the looks to shop for from your closet and your favorite stores:

H&M, JCrew, Elizabeth&James-Outnet, JCrew

Floral Prints

We started to see all kinds of prints last year but this spring we’re sharply focused on floral prints…..pants, tops, dresses, even shoes.  It’s the perfect metaphor for spring and summer, that is if spring ever comes.  There’s a lot of striking geometric prints too but they can be trickier to pull off.

Liberty Print-JCrew, Manolo Blahnik-Saks, JCrew, Opening Ceremony-Saks, JCrew

Black and White

Black and white is the most repeated fashion “trend” this spring online and offline.  I ask you: is there anyone who doesn’t already own something black and white? 

Carolina Herrera, Milly, Nanette Lepore, Giambattista Valli-all Saks Fifth Avenue

Derek Lam (Saks), Vince (Neiman Marcus), Alice+Olivia (Saks)

                    
I found two blouses in my closet and of course my Miracle Dress.  But if by chance you can’t find  anything black and white you’d want to recycle, think about teaming black pants with a white jacket or vica versa.  I think we’ve got this trend covered but even so, you still might want to freshen up your closet with a new stripe or print separate, dress or handbag. 

Michael Kors (Saks), H&M, Catherine Malandrino (Neiman Marcus), Marc Jacobs (Saks)

Transparent Look

Sheer blouses and dresses with camisoles and slips continue to be shown and are becoming more ubiquitous on store racks and fashion pages.   Except now we are call it the transparent look and it’s moving down to the legs with see-through longer skirts and pants.

Equipment-Outnet, Alice+Olivia-Saks, Natan-farfetch.com

Drapy Pants

Skinny pants are still around but they are sharing less and less of the spot light with loose and drapy pants either to the ankle or cropped.  

H&M, Helmut Lang-Shopbop, Uniglo

Kitten Heels

And that brings us to our feet.  Kitten heels are back.  I can hear the ahhhs.

Gucci-Saks, JCrew, H&M, DVF-Shopbop

The Loafer

And even more comforting…..the loafer is 

Sesto Meucci-Neiman Marcus

returning, Gucci-styled or not and replacing the ballet slipper that offered no support for our poor tired feet.  A sub-class of that is the white slip-on or boyfriend shoe.

Multi-color Footwear

Loeffler Randall - NM

Stuart Weitzman - Shopbop

But if you want to add a bit more pizzazz, try a multi-colored shoe or sandal….one of the fresher looks for spring.  It can add  
                                    some intrigue to a   
                                    simpler ensemble.

 

Spring Colors:

Now let’s talk just colors:

Blue, all blues especially indigo and cobalt, but maybe not navy.  It needs a rest. 

Roberto Cavalli. Tadashi Shoji. Lela Rose - Neiman Marcus

I just bought my husband a pair of electric blue slacks.  Apparently it a spring trend for guys too.  No guarantee he'll wear them though!

Moschino, Tibi, Halston-Outnet, Prada - Neiman Marcus 

                       

                  Even the Burberry plaid has gone blue.  

Orange is being tauted as the new neutral.  It’s an emboldening color so wear with caution!

Fuzzi, Stella McCartney, Melissa Masse - Neiman Marcus

DVF, Jimmy Choo, Burberry, Hunter - Neiman Marcus

Simons.ca

Alexis Bittar

Be cautious with neon too, a color tone I think of as playful and more youthful.  However, there are some clever accessories to be had that will certainly brighten any outfit.  Although you may be able to find a subtle print or accented separate with neon like a Jil Sander skirt I found at a Neiman Marcus outlet.  But not to worry if you're not that bold.  Pastels and iridescents are also pervasive and you can see hints and tints of it in most designers' collections.

Charming and easy to wear lace dresses continue into this spring but now in an even more extended range of colors:

Elie Tahari,  Madison Marcus,  Michael Kors-Neiman Marcus
Erin Fetherston-Neiman Marcus, JCrew, Tadashi Shoji - Neiman Marcus

Offsetting that style is a bright white dress.  How can you beat that for a fresh summer look?

Eileen Fisher, Jil Sander, Nicole Miller - Saks

So everything old is new again or at least has a fresher look.  And let’s face it we own a lot of older clothes and so have a substantial base to work from since we’ve been shopping for a while.  But don’t let anyone refer to your closet as vintage; we’re not there yet.     


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