Spring 2006

It's Spring! It's Spring! Okay, so the groundhog saw his shadow and there is snow on the ground in many States, but in the malls and on the pages of fashion mags, it is Spring. As with any season, designers decided a year ago as to what we will be wearing, and certain themes and strong pieces have been deemed important for the next few months. I've tried to weed through the haute couture and choose a few pieces that an everyday woman can add to her wardrobe to make it more modern, more updated and more Spring!

A New Pair of Shoes – So generic of a suggestion, but shoes are a major fashion focus this Spring. Big looks are patent leather, stacked wood heels and color. The peep toe, the rounded toe and the wedge looks are still fresh, but the shoe is a cleaner look from the artsy embellished trend of the winter.

Wood stacked heels are HUGE and will be on all the “It Girls” this spring. The shoe is not clunky as in the late 90’s, but not as thin and delicate as recent. The shoe is sturdy yet feminine, strappy and summery – a great contrast to the floaty spring dresses on the runway.

Patent leather is for daytime, nighttime, anytime. Upgrade your basic black pumps with a round-toe patent version. Consider a candy color to compliment your favorite all-black suits. No color is off limits – pink, yellow, white, red and turquoise are all acceptable.

Having an accent shoe is a big look with the neutrals on the runway – pair your khaki shift dress with a cherry red ankle-strap heels, your white suit with apple green peep toe pumps, your black evening dress with robin’s egg blue t-straps.

White Pants – I don’t care what your mother or grandmother told you – white pants do not have to make you look bigger on the bottom. White and light color bottoms can actually be quite slimming and flattering. It all depends on what cut and fabric you choose.

This season is showing a lot of nautical, military and safari influences. The best compliment to these trends (and to your body) is a flat front trouser that stars right below your belly button. Slightly wide, straight legs and little ornamentation.

White trousers need to be lined. It does not matter what weight of the fabric, if they are not lined, something will show. It may not be your underwear, but it will be the seams, the stitching, the pocket liners. Lack of lining cheapens the trouser.

As for fabric, the look is crisp. Heavier cottons, sateens and canvases give the best look and fall. These fabrics will hold up to sitting, standing and wearing all day without getting wrinkled and droopy.



A Neutral Dress – I cannot believe I am writing this. I stress the wearing of color – it adds personality to an outfit, it brings your emotions out and adds elegance to a basic piece. However this spring it is all about neutral colors, and it is all about the dress. A neutral colored dress can tackle both, and you can still keep your personality in your look.

This season shows all types of cuts – tent styles, lady-like shifts, shirtdresses, many strapless styles with anywhere from a-line to balloon skirts. Anything goes with the style, as long as it has a bit of femininity. As for fabric, silks, jerseys, linen and lace are all huge. Again, think feminine. Find what works for you.

As for what is considered neutral – anything from ivory to khaki to dove gray to mushroom works. Find a neutral that contrasts enough with your skin to make you not look naked, and make you not look ill.

Accessories are what will bring this dress to life. Match with some red heels, a green purse, an embroidered short jacket. Color comes from the details, and color will really pop against this basic. A neutral dress can go from wedding to shower to work with just a switch of accessories. It will also stick around in your wardrobe for several years.



Optic Print Skirt – Tons of designers were showing mod and optic prints on the runway for this season. Brown leaf silhouette on an ivory background, gray and steel blue dots on a white lawn, dizzying and detailed black and white prints swirling. This is the replacement for the funky printed skirt from fall. The cut and fabric is more feminine and flowing. Think silks, soft cottons, linens, chiffon layers. This season is all about feminine touches.

Full skirts are still popular, but they are not as voluminous as the gypsy skirts from last Summer. Think feminine. Pencil skirts, a-line to full silhouettes, anything from just above the knee to calf-length seems acceptable. This skirt can be worn with camisoles, sweaters and little jackets.



A Belt – The easiest way to update your tops? Cinch them at the waist. The runways showed belts from being pinky-thin to wide croco bands to even full satin ribbons tied in a bow. Black and white printed skirts were shown with black v-neck sweaters and a black croco belt. White lace jackets were over chiffon skirts with a seafoam green ribbon around the waist. Khaki linen shift dresses were jazzed up with red patent belts. Jersey dresses looked fresh with an obi-like band of fabric cinching the waist.

A belt is not for every figure, but if you have a straight or hourglass shape, you can really carry this look off. It’s an easy way to update your wardrobe and make it look fresh, trim and ladylike.




Subtle Shimmer – Unlike the glitz and bling of the past few seasons, this season is far more subtle. Brass instead of gold, pewter instead of silver. Also consider shimmery shades of olive, champagne, slate and apricot. Lurex twinsets, taffeta cigarette pants, silk jersey dresses, shantung Jackie O-esque skirt suits, leather sandals with wood heels.

Subtle shimmer looks fresh with neutrals and with white. Pair a lurex tank with a white pantsuit, a shantung skirt with a khaki silk shirt, a charmeuse blouse with a linen pantsuit, a silk jersey dress with a khaki leather and knit belt. My plan is to invest in a silk jersey dress for all the Spring showers, wedding and parties.



Trench Coat – This is something that is good to always have in your wardrobe. Luckily this season you can find a multitude of varieties. It does not need to be khaki; it does not even need to be double breasted. Look for a color and cut that is the most flattering, but still versatile. Stick to a neutral – khaki, gray, cadet blue, gray-green, cream or olive. These colors will be able to transition from spring to fall, can be dressy or casual, and will be a favorite classic in your wardrobe for years to come. This coat will be worn over dresses in all weather, over jeans or a suit in the rain or brisk spring breezes. The best length is something between knee and calf – you will find it to be the most versatile. To ensure the trench is functional as well as fashionable, make sure you purchase a water-resistant version.




Vintage Romantic Jacket – Say what? It is the best way to describe the look that is so hot this season – pale sunwashed colors, puffed sleeves, pleats, ruffles, unfinished hems, worn and soft fabrics. It is seen in lingerie inspired dresses, drop waist ruffled skirts, pegged bloomer-like shorts and distressed jacket. The easiest way to get this look and not spend a fortune is invest in a jacket. Beige, khaki, sand, dove gray, steel blue, sage green or a peach color will look great with chino trousers, jeans and fluid suiting pants. Pair it with a lace-trimmed camisole or sheer ruffly blouse for the full effect, with a silk knit shell for a work look or a ribbed tank for a cute outfit for drinks with the girls.