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Fashion Friday: Spring 2009 Trends

Megan asks: I want to perk up my wardrobe for spring.  Are there any “it” colors or accessories right now?  What are some key pieces that I could pick up to add to my current rotation to freshen things up?  Does the scarf trend translate from winter to spring?  I’m on a budget so some inexpensive tips would be helpful.

I say: I should probably just forward you to Big Mama’s list from last week, but I’m always up for a fashion challenge so I decided to google the topic for myself and see what I come up with.

1. Color! Yellow is evidently one of the hottest color for spring. Important tip:

Don’t be tempted to mix the brights with black (too ’80s). Pair with white, denim or other brights for the freshest look.

I love yellow paired with denim; it’s modern and classy.  If you haven’t yet picked up your summer purse, consider going yellow.  I have a yellow bag, and it’s a great way to pop an outfit.  It’s more versatile than you might think.  If you have trouble spending all outdoors for a purse (I, unfortunately, have no such hangup) Target usually has a great collection of stylish handbags.

yellow-handbag

2. Oversized Necklaces! This is an easy one.  You can find oversized necklaces for affordable prices at Target, Forever21, Old Navy, and let’s not forget Etsy.

3. Oversized Pattern Bag! Evidently oversized is a key word this season.  And I had to include this because I am so thrilled with my new oversized pattern bag from Orla Kiely.  I feel like no matter what I wear, this bag makes me look good.  It even makes my cozy sweats look fashionable.

dsc_0003

Okay, that may be taking the magic of an oversized pattern bag a BIT too far.  But it certainly does make me happy!

4. Bangles! Another cheap and easy way to pop an otherwise boring outfit.

5. Mix and Match Patterns? Um.  Nosankyou.  But if it’s your THANG, then by all means, rock the mix and match patterns with sass.

6. Pastel Suit! No, this is not the pastel suit that you wore to church for Easter Sunday in 1985.  (Oh yes I did!  And I can probably dredge up a photo to prove it, given enough time.)  I’m talking about a sophisticated pastel pant suit.  Not that I would ever have an occasion to wear such a thing, but I specifically included this for Megan because she is an attorney and I’m assuming she has a business suit or two hanging in her closet.  Of course, it wouldn’t be an inexpensive wardrobe edition, but it you have to buy a new suit this year, make it a pastel one!

Out of curiosity, I went over to my two favorite stores — Ann Taylor and Banana Republic — to see what they had for spring suits, and evidently the pastel trend hasn’t made it to the mainstream stores just yet.  Everything was still very gray and black and navy.  Although I do like Banana Republic’s moonlight suiting collection.  In fact, I have already purchased this cuffed pant from that line.

7. Florals and Sweet Prints! This one’s a bit dicey, in my un-expert opinion.  I’d be afraid of looking like a poster child for Easter Sunday Morning circa 1992.  Okay, enough with the Easter Sunday outfits, but really, if you could only see into my past — it is truly horrifying.  But anyway.  If you do it well, florals can be feminine and sophisticated without being dowdy.

Take for instance this boho chic floral frock.  I couldn’t pull this off in a million years, but I think it’s adorable.

floral

8. The Crop Pant??? Yep.  Believe it or not, despite my dire predictions about the capri being on its way out, or at the very least relegated to the dreaded mom-jeans status, word from the experts is that the crop pant is alive and well.  Here is what one source states:

The crop (also called 7/8 length) pant is one of the newer looks to take the runway, but it’s certainly nothing new to women everywhere who have faithfully worn capris in warm weather for years. The softer legs — on jumpsuits, pants and crops — give this version of the pant wearability, as long as you keep the volume under control. A great rule is that for maximum flattery the pant should hang in a straight line from your bottom. That way it skims over thighs without clinging.

Well, at least I was right about one thing — that the pant should hang in a straight line from your bottom.

9.  The Gladiator! I really do detest this trend. I’m sorry; I just can’t see the appeal.  But if it’s up your alley, the trend for spring is grommets, buckles, studs, and ties.

10. Ballet flats! Fortunately there is another shoe trend that I can live with.  I adore ballet flats.  These are evidently Rachel Zoe’s pick for Piperlime, for whatever that’s worth.

ballet-flat

What do YOU say? What are your favorite fashion trends for spring 2009?

For more Fashion Friday posts, head on over to the headquarters at Big Mama’s place.

Sources: About.com, Glamour.com, Piperlime.

Join The Conversation

31 Responses

  1. I can’t take the Gladiator either! Some friends and I were jut talking about that. But I have already seen them EVERYWHERE.

    I REALLY need a new purse! I am embarrassed! Can I have one of your old ones? 🙂

  2. Glad to see the crop is still hoppin’. ‘Cause “who wears short shorts?”…um, not this white girl. The general public and myself prefer for my blinding white legs to be properly covered. I hope walking shorts aren’t “so last summer” because I’ll be breaking those out again too.

  3. Lois, I’d say it depends on the purse. But I’d have a hard time putting a D&B on a high shelf for the season. 🙂

  4. Sooooooooooo glad that the capri pants are still ‘in’. I have been depressed ever since I read that they were ‘out’! lol! These old legs have seen better days so the capri is my favorite.

    Your Mom arrives this morning about 11. Think she is staying till Sunday. Grampa will be happy!

    On your what I have learned subject. I learned this week not to try to blow my nose while swishing dental wash in my mouth at the same time. The mirror got splattered and me too. Sigh……

    My favorite pancake recipe: Aunt Jemima’s Butermilk add water only! It’s right up there with my pie crust recipe!

  5. Nancy, you crack me up. And hey, try one of the cloth bags — they are much lighter than leather. 🙂

  6. I love finding yellow in abundance in our clothing stores. I’ve always been drawn to it in any shade.

    I also think that so many of the flat shoes now can either make a foot look wide or narrow. I love a shoe that narrows and flatters the foot, so those cropped pants are perfect for showing off a cute pair of shoes and a cute foot (even if the foot isn’t really that cute uncovered.)

    I have a question: I live in a granola college town, and I love watching all the brave students make their statements. One trend I’ve noticed lately is straight from the 80’s. I’ve seen guys and girls wearing the bigger shouldered jackets, their pants rolled above the ankle, and shoes equivalent to penny loafers. These are some cool kids, y’all, but I can’t imagine going there – at all! If I’m missing the boat, then I’m happily waving goodbye to that trend.

    Of course, if I end up eating crow, I’ll let you know. I’m a sucker.

  7. Love your purse! My hubby gave me for Christmas a beautiful Dooney and Burke purse but I’m not sure if I can still carry it for the summer. What do you think??? Love the fashions, glad capris are still okay, but like you I like to wear them just around.

  8. Love you with the camera. I may have to do that. I had my son take pics, but he ends up shooting whatever he wants. Hot pink is back in for spring, and considering that I have the cutest ever hot pink dress that can only be pulled off every once in awhile, I love it!

  9. I love fashion talk. I would not wear that dress in a million years for fear the girls would fall right out. I hate gladiator sandals. No matter how luxe the brand, they just look cheap to me. No pictures of oversized necklaces? And finally, I don’t mix and match patterns on myself, but my baby girl rocks that look like nobody’s business. But since she’s one, she can pull it off.

  10. Wow. I am definitely going out today and buy me a new spring purse. I’ve had back problems for years and one of the “treatments” is not to carry a heavy bag. But I just realized something when I saw your self-portrait in the bathroom with that awesome purse: who says I have to actually CARRY anything in it??? Thanks, precious one. Your blog is a delight!

  11. I love that your handbag is your new banner too! Adorable! I still have the silver Aerosole sandles I purchased last summer based on your suggestion. Still love them and they still look great! Thanks!

  12. I love your blog! (You are so much FUN!) I have some inside scoop from another arena…makeup shades that are hot off the runway for spring! Personally, I’m delighted with the yellows, and (since I am WELL over 40!) really pleased that the Capri is back in vogue! I’m afraid that the Gladiator look was never successful for me, but always have fun with the fashion mags that sport all of these things! Because of my coloring, I do rather well with pastels, so that is a blessing for me!
    If you’d like to see how the newest Spring colors can be customized for YOU, try out the “Virtual Makeover”; it’s fun, fast, and FREE! (AND you can even change your hairstyle and color!)
    https://tinyurl.com/ce8nn6
    (I made it “tiny”!)You can use
    https://tinyurl.com/create.php to do that, too!
    Thanks so much for the lastest tips, and I will be back for more information!

  13. I agree about ballet flats. I love them!

    Question: While I love ballet flats, I just have trouble wearing closed toe shoes without socks. And while I can pull off nylon knee highs and flats when I’m in pants, this clearly just won’t work for skirts and crops. So typically I just stick to sandals for this warmer weather pieces, although I would love to try them with flats. Am I missing some amazing solution to this problem, or is it really just socially acceptable to go sans socks now?

  14. I have to say I am LOVING green right now. I can’t pull yellow off (the red hair is limiting!) but the green like in your final shoe pic is fab for me. Fresh, lively and playful. I will never do gladiator – I think it only works if your legs go on forever!

    I love ballet flats but hate closed toe shoes in the summer and am thrilled to have found some open toe ballet flat styles. (Maybe that would help Dana too!) I usually live in heeled sandals for the summer but amd thinking with the preggo belly flats will be a safer choice!

    Oh and I think the patterns are cute in a skirt with a solid top (or vice versa) but I can’t really handle a whole dress in them!

  15. I’ve already bought a couple pairs of yellow shoes in anticipation of spring. One pair is a bright yellow ballet flat from J. Crew that I got a steal on from Ebay. I get tons of compliments on them. The other is a dressy yellow flip-flop from Target (way within anyone’s price range). It hasn’t been warm enough to wear them yet. And I heard that all things bright are in. I’ve been stocking up on fuschia and bright blue as well – mostly in shirts, since I can’t wear yellow anywhere near my face, ugh!

  16. Thanks for the tips! I was eyeing some cute print bags for summer at TJ’s this week. I may just need to pull the trigger. I am thiking about going with an oversized bag rather than carrying around a diaper bag this summer now that A is getting a little older – just stuff two diapers and some wipes in the same bag that I am using as a purse…

    As for a pastel suit, not sure that I can do that one although I may be able to pull off a colored jacket with black pants… and yes, I do have about 25 suits! You do this for long enough and they accumulate. Just don’t ask how many actually fit me. They are really hard to part with!

  17. You are totally rockin’ that bag girl! Love it!
    I wish I could do cropped pants – too short, oh well!

  18. (Let’s see if I can remember everything I wanted to say…)

    I LOVE the yellow bag idea. I want a bright turquoise blue one, too; I’ll just have to get both. I totally agree the yellow would look so cute with jeans and a white top.

    Can’t do gladiator either.

    HILARIOUS Easter Sunday outfits commentary. BEEN THERE. (Ahem.)

    Not keen on mixing patterns… blech.

    OH! Bangles — that reminded me, did you ever find your cuff you lost at Blissdom?

  19. Love this list!

    Oh I LOVE the big chunky necklaces at Tar-jay! I have a collection of “Flinstones” bobbles that I’m pulling out, too. Never get rid of bobbles!

    As for the gladiator sandals… I’m right there with you. It’s almost like someone paid for that trend to reappear. Those sandals never make anybody look good, I don’t care what anyone says. AND they hurt!

  20. Dana, it is more than appropriate to go sans socks nowadays; it is often preferred. And it’s really the only options for ballet flats with capris. They do make those liners, and if they don’t show, that’s an option, but I just stick my bare feet in and go.

  21. Megan — I totally did the oversized purse thing. You got it – stick a diaper and a ziplock baggie of wipes in there and go. I really didn’t see the need for a diaper bag past the age of 1.

  22. Sugah! Flinstones baubles – LOL!!! That I must see. I go for chunky bracelets more than chunky necklaces for some reason. But now I must have one.

  23. Heidi, try hot pink! 🙂

    And speaking of cardigans, I meant to get a “sweater wrap” and never did. I should go to TJMAxx and see if they still have any.

  24. I actually had time to go shopping yesterday and I have to say I saw a lot of that gladiator stuff and did not like it.

    Yellow looks bad on me, so I’m not a fan of that trend, but other people go ahead!

    I love the swing cardigan. It is really great for spring summer and fall.

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