Spring Must Haves

 

It’s that time again…

Time to break out the sunscreen. Time to start hitting the gym to prepare for bathing suit season. And time to pull your spring clothes out of the depths of your closet and put them back into rotation.

Luckily for consumers, each season has a handful of predictable silhouettes, colors, fabrics and trends each year. Spring will always be a time for lightening up your color palette, showing some skin and pulling out your sunnies. Read on for some of-the-moment trends and perennial favorites that you should live in this Spring.

Stripes

This may be a given, but classic is classic. Nautical is virtually always in for Spring, and this year is no exception. Shots from the Celine and Fendi Spring 2011 shows below give us some juicy ideas for how to update our stripes for Spring.

From bikinis to accessories to dresses, stripes are a refreshing way to greet the improving weather. You can pair a striped piece with a mostly solid look to get your feet wet, but stripes on stripes is always fun too!

TOMS Canvas Wedge - $70 @ Nordstrom

Drop-Waist Silk Top - $80 @ BCBG

Velvet by Graham & Spencer Nettice Honolulu Tie Dye Knotted Dress - $155 @ Bloomingdale's

Coach Poppy Legacy Stripe Wristlet - $50 @ Lord & Taylor

Maxi Dresses

A maxi dress in a printed, light-weight fabric worn with sandals just screams great weather to me, and longer lengths are all the rage this season.

Diane Von Furstenberg Spring 2011 Ready-To-Wear

I like to keep accessories to a minimum with this style so that the dress is really the centerpiece of the look. Try adding bangles or an armband, but don’t over do it. Whether you prefer stripes, solids, patterns or black & white, you’ll find something to suit your every stylish whim.

Aqua Tribal Print Twist Back Maxi - $90 @ Bloomingdale's

Lace Kaftan Sleeve Maxi Dress - $50 @ Asos.com

Velvet Touch Racerback Maxi Dress - $50 @ Nordstrom

Color Blocking

  

This is a fun style that allows you to add splashes of color to your Spring wardrobe, which is especially nice if going head-to-toe neon isn’t your style but you do want to lighten things up.

 

Prada - Spring 2011 RTW

 

Draw inspiration from Prada and go bright, or tone down your colors and use this trend as a stepping stone for getting comfortable with lots of color. As a devotee of black, color blocking is parfait pour moi because I can add some color in a subtle and chic way, without getting too far out of my comfort zone.

 

MARC BY MARC JACOBS Colorblock Bolt Bangle - $70 @ Bloomingdale's

Sparkle & Fade Colorblock Top - $55 @ Urban Outfitters

Jay Godfrey 'Ferguson' Colorblock Dress - $400 @ Nordstrom

LWD

Francisco Costa is the king of minimalist chic, and his gorgeous white designs for Spring 2011 were no exception.

The Little White Dress is a staple for spring, especially in fun fabrics like crochet, terry cloth, knit, lace and linen. Throw one over a bathing suit for the perfect pool-side coverup or pair with color block sandals and some bangles and head out the door.

Twisted Bias-Neck Dress - $110 @ BCBG

Juicy Couture Lace-Trim Ruffled Micro Terry Dress - $150 @ Bloomingdale's

Yumi Vintage Cotton Slip Dress - $35 @ Asos.com

Suzi Chin Maggy Boutique Crochet Dress - $140 @ Nordstrom

Cropped Pants

Vena Cava showed us just how to wear cropped pants on the Spring 2011 RTW runway, presenting slim, slouchy, rolled and pajama-style versions.

This is one of my favorite styles and the cut is perfect for Spring. Wear yours in bright neon, rolled denim, skinny black, crisp khaki… So many choices, only so many days of Spring!

7/8 Tailored Slim Leg Pants - $50 @ Asos.com

BCBGeneration Cropped Twill Pant - $100 @ BCBG

Citizens of Humanity Thompson Twill Jeans in Picante - $160 @ Bloomingdale's

Brights

 

 

 

Take a cue from Jill Sander’s Spring 2011 RTW show, pictured above, and break out the bright colors and neon accessories.

Juicy Couture Plastic Watch - $200 @ Nordstrom

MICHAEL Michael Kors Gold-Tone Zip Dress - $120 @ Bloomingdale's

ASOS Seamed Hot Pants - $45 @ Asos.com

70s Style

When I think of 70’s fashion my mind immediately flashes through a handful of images. From Bianca Jagger to Pucci kaftans to Diane Von Furstenberg wap dresses to boldly printed head scarves.

Those of you in the mood for a little nostalgia this spring are in luck, the 70’s are back in full swing. Use Marc Jacob’s Spring 2011 show as inspiration, like the flowing, gauzy gown and floral headpiece above.

Vero Moda Pleated '70s Dress - $75 @ Asos.com

UO Paisley Headscarf - $25 @ Urban Outfitters

Bianca Jumpsuit - $120 @ Rachel Roy

Horizon Sunglasses - $80 @ Michael Stars

Oversized '70s Floppy Straw Hat - $35 @ Asos.com

 

And if you’re like me and love Gwyneth Paltrow, take a look at the Frugal Fashionista’s take on Gwyneth’s Spring 2011 must haves from her GOOP website here.

 

Happy hunting fashionistas!