Denim, Fringe, Flats, Color, Minimalism and Modernism: Spring is here.

I was walking my dog Tucker this morning and noticed that a lot of the trees are beginning to bud. Yes, they’re beginning to bud. I got really excited and couldn’t wait to get home and inspect my plants; to my great surprise the hydrangeas are budding and so are the roses. I inspected every single rose bush and any other plant that might have survived the bitter winter. So why get all excited? Well, it means the cold weather will finally go away and we can start wearing our spring clothes. Oh and the birds will start to sing every morning too.

 

Color, minimalism, boldness create a great Spring. My Spring collage  

I got home, peeled off a couple of layers of clothing and decided to create a collage or a mood (inspiration) board whatever you want to call it. It is a collage of what Spring 2011 looks like to me. It means you can wear white. White made a strong show in most designer’s palette. In Paris it was all over the runways. Karl Lagerfeld used white to make Chanel a most elegant, opulent and contemporary collection. In New York, Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein induced the collection with bright whites and different shades of the crisp color. Denim is huge this Spring, so why not mix it up with white? Do it. Try it. This Spring you can wear shorts. Yes. Shorts. Not Daisy Duke shorts but seductive yet casual shorts. Shorts that go up your legs but stop decently mid point before looking sinful. This Spring you can wear prints: prints that are tasteful, daring and less looking like a table cloth or a shower curtain. Think beautiful floral or citrus prints like the ones Stella McCartney beautifully crafted for Spring. I’ll give you a few suggestions: think peonies in soft and bright shades of pink and juicy lemons or oranges detailing the side of a skirt or accentuating the neckline of your dress. Remember I said citrus not melons.

A close-up of my Spring collage

The look for Spring is minimalist. It means less is more and more is not acceptable. Clean lines, the right hem line [hem lines are long and waist high] and the perfect construction. Architectural pieces that define the back, the legs, the shoulders and don’t forget your derrière. I’m suggesting a minimalism that is modern, fresh and does not make you look like you’re wearing a big sac of potatoes. Be careful with this Spring trend. It needs to be feminine and wearable.

For evening, feathers are still the rage and Karl Lagerfeld used them to the best of his ability to give Chanel a touch of elegance and romantic minimalism. As mentioned before, nothing should be to the extreme—no need to look like Big Bird. The 70’s are back and every designer from New York to Milan referenced the decade by carefully citing some aspects of this fashionable time. Think Lauren Hutton and Bianca Jagger at Studio 54; streamlined jumpsuits and pants are flared. Not bell bottoms. Marc Jacobs looked to the 70’s for his Spring 2011 collection; the most colorful and diverse. It offered an array of beautiful brimmed hats, pants that hug the body while elongating its figure.


Functional, wearable clothes are the key for Spring 2011

Spring also means that your clothes should be functional, wearable and they should have softness that offers you personal freedom. Color, color and more color. From a citrus orange to a pomegranate red and to a forever sexy red. Color is important in your wardrobe; it makes you feel blissful and euphoric. At least, it does for me. Shoes for Spring are everywhere; from strappy flats to high wooden platforms, both styles are functional and luxurious. Think hippie chic or look to the future as reference. Include a shiny piece of metal in your wardrobe this Spring, whether around your neck, your waist or carefully hugging your ankles. Denim is IN this season, so wear it proudly because it’s an American icon. Your hair should be pulled back in a simple, but chic ponytail. Feel it for fringe-be careful to not over do it. Get a motorcycle jacket like the Burberry jackets Christopher Bailey sent down the runway this season. There are no specific rules for what you should be wearing this coming Spring, just great suggestions and wonderful ideas. Oh okay, one rule. One simple rule: before walking out of the house make sure you don’t look like a Rose Parade float. Whenever Spring gets here do not be afraid to try something new or look to the 70’s. Great fashion is achieved by trial and error—we learn from our mistakes. Look and feel fabulous, be colorful and bold, ease into minimalism and just be free. Don’t be scared to be yourself. If you don’t know what to do this Spring look to my collage or mood board if you so desire. I don’t like the words “mood” and “board.”


Beautiful orchids sitting pretty on top of my magazines