The Stylish Eye Spring Fab Five

Okay, my style vixens, you’ve been waiting. You’ve asked me when it’s coming. What’s on it. You need to know. Your poor little toes are cramped up in wool socks and snowboots as you dream of pedicures, sandals and sand between your toes. As we say good-bye to February, the signs of Spring are here (okay, I’m trying to pe positive here) and we New Englanders are counting the days. So, what better way to turn on Spring than with a taste of the style I’ve been seeing on the runways, on the blogs and in the stores. Let me tell you, the theme for Spring is Hot Hot Hot (cue Buster Poindexter.) Here goes…

Eight Sixty 'Body Con' Cutout Knit Dress $78 @Nordstrom

1. Peek-a-boo, I see you. I love this term for fashion (thanks, to The Thread). Spring runways were spiced up with dresses, skirts, tops and shoes that show some skin. Some serious skin. Slits, lace, mesh, cutouts, rips – you name it and it’s hot for Spring. When I first saw this look it was on a tee-shirt and reminded me of circa 1982 and a “Like a Virgin” concert tee that I had. Yes, some of it feels a bit too rock concert for a day in the office or school drop-off but I also saw some amazing dresses along with my new shoe must-have – the caged shoe – which totally rocks the peek-a-boo look. Keep in mind too much peek-a-boo can lead to innocent by-standers throwing dollah bills your way, so don’t over-do it. Keep it to one piece. A simple, fitted black cutout dress like this one with some peep-toes. Or a lace skirt with a silk blouse. It’s hot. It’s sexy. It’s Spring. It’s time to show some skin, ladies.

2. Neutrals rule. Keeping up with our flesh theme, Spring is all about neutrals. Everything from taupes and gauzy bronzes and creamy ivories, the neutral palette is a welcome trend for Spring. Neutrals are such a simple mix and match. Take a pencil skirt in a neutral, warm tan. Think of all the possibilities! Pair it with a white ruffled blouse and a wide black belt with black caged shoes. Or an ivory short-sleeved sweater with a sleek peep-toe. Or a black fitted v-neck tee with a wedge sandal. Or with a creamy scarf to dress up your trench coat. Neutrals also rule the Spring make-up palette. Not everyone can pull it off (I happen to look like the night of the walking dead in taupe lipgloss) but, if you happen to be of the right skin tone, this can be a great, natural look for Spring.

Sequin scarves $7.95 on Amazon

3. Metallic-a-licious. A little Dance Fever anyone? Who can resist a little glitz and glam along with some sequins, sparkle and shimmer. Metallics are all over for Spring. Everything from what we saw last Fall with studs and grommet designs, to gold sequin skirts that are quite the eye-catcher. I also love that metallics are being shown in every shade possible. Bright candy pinks, platinum, greens and blues, golds – it’s all a-go-go for a metallic Spring. Sequin skirt a little too much for your wardrobe? I came across these adorable metallic scarves on Amazon for under $10! What a steal! Scoop ‘em up while they last.

4. The brightah the bettah. Neon, cobalt, keylime, raspberry, candy pink….take your pick for Spring. Everything from nail polish to tee-shirts to trench coats. Bright yellows continue to be a big trend this Spring. Yellow can be tough to wear. Often to yellowey (is that a word?) for olive complexions and to wash-outey (again) for pale complexions. Look for warmer yellow that compliments your skin tone or perhaps incorporate a pop of yellow with a handbag or bracelet. Blue and all shades of it are another big Spring color. Everything from cobalts and strong blues to turquoise and Caribbean blues. Blues are much easier to wear on the face but often harder to pair with other wardrobe items. I would look for the brighter blues and pair them with jeans for day and a cute black skirt or pants for night. If bright is a fright, just try a little bit. Accessories are a great way to infuse serious color in just a small dose. Don’t be afraid, my style maven, try the color…soon, you will be hooked!

Betsy Johnson "Calandra" $138 @ Zappos.com

5. Retro is metro. Fedoras, Mary Janes, shirt dresses, dress shorts, oh my! They’re all back with a twist, baby. I am a huge hat fan (as you can see from my Facebook page – thanks to Bryan for letting me borrow it) and own a bunch of different hats to mix it up. The Fedora style is so in for Spring. I will tell you that it’s also a great alternative to an umbrella, especially for those of you who, like me, have to walk through the city and what is usually a wind tunnel, whereby your umbrella typically ends up inside and out and in the garbage. Another big retro trend is the Mary Jane. These school-girl inspired shoes are in with full-force and, this time, with a great platform twist. I bought a pair last Fall and am thrilled to see them on the runway again for Spring. I spied these adorable satin, peep-toe beauties with a bow on Zappos.com. These would be gorgeous with a straight cream-colored pencil skirt or even the black dress pictured above. Love them! Who could forget the shirt dress? Yes, it seems so 1980s but they are back for Spring and such a simple, classic addition to any wardrobe. Easy to pair with flats, sandals or a great wedge. Dressy shorts – yeah, I know what you’re thinking, but I was in NYC and everyone is wearing them. Well, not everyone, but you get my drift. Dressy shorts and tights were a big 70s look. They’ve cleaned it up and I’ve seen some great trouser-fabric shorts for summer. So, try incorporating one piece into your wardrobe. Maybe some funky Mary Janes or a Justin Timberlake-inspired Fedora. One of these pieces can take an outfit that was so last Spring and put some 2010 in its step.

So, there you have it. Oh, by the way, one trend I did not put in my Fab Five is the “Feathered Look”. No, I’m not talking hair. I’m talking feathers. Skirts, pins, blouses, hair pieces. Feathers, my lovely. As much as the models on the runway look fabulous strutting their feathery stuff, this is not a trend for the everyday kind of gal. I say if feathers are your look, use sparingly as not to appear that you are a) on the verge of jumping out your office window or b) stunt doubling for a Victoria’s Secret angel. Get my drift?

Now that we’ve flown that away, I leave you to think Spring and infuse these exciting trends into your wardrobe. Remember, you do not need to buy an entirely new Spring wardrobe! Now, if you want to, that is certainly your prerogative and I would be happy to help (shameless plug). For those of us looking for a way to update last Spring’s wardrobe in a stylish and efficient way, pick a few trends and look for good buys. Not much to spend? Accessories are a girls best friend. I’m curious to know what you pick to add to your Spring wardrobe, so do tell. What are your picks for Spring?

And with that I say…go forth and Be Stylish.