Spring and Summer Staples for all Styles
By Kati Reigeluth
The spring is upon us, and as temperatures rise and the seasons change, so must our daily wardrobes. This season especially warrants change as style and fashion trends have made a noticeable shift from bohemian, loose fitting, patterned garments to solids and color blocked pieces that hug and complement women’s bodies. Boho-chic does remain stylish, and its influence can be seen in the newest clothing lines; from high-end couture labels to the more affordable designers that most of the population wears. However, this influence is limited. Flowing skirts and loose fitting tops with floral and animal prints are fun, but are now seen as a small, peek-a-boo part of an ensemble.
The loose fitting, sleeveless blouse is a must have, especially for the office, but even the most bohemian designers, such as Free People, have traded their festival, embroidered designs for solid, bright colored tops that keep the loose fitting style, but add a higher neckline with a buttoned keyhole in the back. The colors pop, in mint green, dusty rose pink, and the like. Paired with a high waisted, short pencil skirt, and completed with a nude pump and minimal jewelry, the perfect office look makes an easy transition for an evening out.
The look is reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour, when Audrey Hepburn changed the fashion industry with ballet flats worn with a skinny-legged trouser. Favorite, and classic brands such as J. Crew have gone past the skinny leg and are calling the new, thin-legged capris and linen trousers the matchstick trouser. Available in nearly every color, such as salmon pink, lavender, teal and sun rise yellow. These matchstick trousers pair beautifully with a flat shoe.
Sandals for the summer months have multiple straps, and are trending back to the gladiator look, which some may refer to as gladiator extreme; justified considering some designs feature their last strap just below the knee. Metallic has been a favorite for this style, but a softer tone is seen this season in muted rose gold, dark plum colors, and others that blend the metallic with overlying matte, solid colored layers. Flip flops will remain a summer style staple, in plain solids, or accented with a leather bow and charm, which the late designer and style icon, Kate Spade perfected in some of her last looks.
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