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Fashion Friday: Think Spring

The only place in Philadelphia that remotely resembles spring is the mall.  It’s kind of like entering a fantasy world.  With snow on the ground and the bitter chill outside, we are mocked in every aisle by brightly colored summer frocks and strappy sandals.  And if that’s not bad enough, they follow you home in the spring catalogs that appear daily in my mailbox — the very mailbox that is practically buried by towering piles of dirty snow.

So I figure, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.  One day this week a Nordstrom catalog came in the mail, proclaiming all of the freshest fashion trends for spring.  I spent a delightful five minutes perusing the pages while the sun shone and the birds sang and a warm spring breeze wafted through the house.  Or maybe that was my imagination.  But just the same, here are some of the things that caught my eye.

Mind you, this is Nordstrom.  They are spendy.  You’ve been warned.  But these spring trends could be adapted for any price point.

1. The Linea Paolo ‘Jarren’ Sandal in Orange. Not that I’d have anywhere to wear this HAWT shoe, to say nothing of being able to walk in it. But a girl can always dream.

This trend, by the way, is called Caged Shoes. I don’t know about you, but that was a new term to me. Some are too gladiator-ish for my tastes, but this one I love.

orange

2. Evidently turquoise handbags are all the rage this spring. Now y’all know there’s nothing I like more than a brightly colored handbag. In fact, I already have my spring bag waiting to be released from its cocoon in my closet as soon as Old Man Winter bids us adieu. If I didn’t have one already (and if money grew on trees), I’d definitely be eying up one of these beauties.

satchel

hobo

As the article rightly points out, turquoise is a gorgeous compliment to vibrant summer colors like yellow and pink, and it can also provide the perfect pop of color with the neutrals in your wardrobe.

3. Evidently Tapered Pants are back. And I even saw (gasp!) PLEATS. I just don’t think I can go back there, but in matters of fashion, I’ve learned it is wise to never say never.

4. Word on the street is that Printed Skirts are making a comeback as well. I saw a lot of these in stores last year and I wasn’t quite ready to embrace the look. I’m still not feeling it, but perhaps I’ll find the perfect skirt to make me change my mind.

5. Boy Cut Blazers made the list as well, and to that I say phhbbblt. Nothankyou. I know many of you are adorable in blazers. I have just never found them to flatter me so I’ll let someone else benefit from this trend.

6. Black and White is always gorgeous together, if you ask me, but they list this classic combo as a trend for spring 2010 and you won’t hear me complaining. Isn’t this divine? I won’t even post the link. TRUST ME. You don’t want to see the price tag.

st-john

7. Oversized sunglasses are still in, and there was a pair of Chanel in the catalog that are absolutely to die for. Unfortunately it says they are not available online so I won’t even bother looking for them to show you. And they are far beyond my price range so I won’t be buying a pair to show you either.

8. Cardigans are here to stay, at least for the 2010 spring season. They’re still showing a lot of ruffles and embellishments.

sweater

The cardigan is a fabulous layering piece because it’s so versatile.  You can wear it with boyfriend jeans and flip flops to run to the grocery store and then with a flirty skirt and some fab accessories for a night out with the husband.

That’s all I’ve got for today.  For more fashion talk you can visit Big Mama‘s place, where spring has already sprung.  Must be nice to live in the great state of Texas.

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32 Responses

  1. I’m having a really hard time with the caged shoes. Nine West had a lot of them in this past weekend and I couldn’t quite find one that looked good. OK, I need some Stacey-speak here but it really cuts the vertical line of the leg right at the ankle and isn’t always flattering. The orange pair you have posted aren’t bad at all though.

    1. I know what you mean, although I’ve seen Stacey majorly break that rule. I’m sure there are some guidelines to wearing it well, but I’m not entirely sure what they are, lol. Since I have long legs, I never worried about it too much; I’ve always really liked the strap around the ankle, perhaps because I have a hard time keeping pumps on my feet, so these give me more stability. Like the ones I wore with the purple dress — LOVE. https://is.gd/8IGDC

  2. I love cardigans. I don’t think I’ll ever let them go out of style. 🙂

    Also I feel very “fashion forward” (ahem) because I knew that turquoise was going to be hot so I snagged a turquoise purse at TJ Maxx before Blissdom on clearance! (yea!)

  3. I hadn’t heard the term “caged” shoes but I have seen them and some are very cute.

    Turquoise handbags are a trend I could do.

    Printed skirts are cute. I am not sure they ever went “out” of style but maybe I am not picturing it correctly.

    Black and white is great but I default to black, white, and gray, so hubby reminds me to go with color.

    I have always been a big fan of cardigans for layering.

    The rest of the trends not so much!

    Thanks for sharing. These are some of my favorite posts of yours.

  4. I am so happy to have a few fashionistas that I follow! I love your tips…and desperately need them. I used to be all about fashion so what happened to me??? Kids, jeans and flip-flops (cute ones though) are what happened to me. At the very least, I will be carrying a turquoise bag:-)

  5. I LOVE cardigans so much. I’m wearing one right now actually! Something that’s very in though is the high-waisted skirt. Right now I have on a black tank, an white a-line high waisted skirt and a skinny black belt right where the skirt hits me. And then a cute pink cardigan and black flats to tie it up! The Starbucks barista even complimented it LOL. That made my day. Wearing just the right outfit can totally change my mood. 😀

  6. You’re so right! I went into our mall to look for a netbook, and I was delighted to see so many cheerful spring items. It reminded me that eventually all this snow is going to melt…and then I’m going to have to put on a bathing suit. AHHHHHHHHHHH!

  7. Pleated pants are just WRONG. I don’t know why I embraced them so heavily in the early 90’s, but one flip through a photo album is all I need to remind me not to even go there again. Love the turquoise purse though!

    1. Ditto that. I am thick in the middle; I don’t think a pleat is EVER a good idea for me, no matter how fashion-forward it might be.

  8. No to mention that turquoise (along with coral) is a color that is flattering to women of any coloring – which means it’s a trend we can ALL take part in without fearing looking “hip” but washed out. I agree with the first commenter about the caged shoe, too. If I wore those my ankles would look like they were as big around as my head! But women with lovely tiny little ankles, partake away, because those shoes ARE cute. On the printed skirts, my issue is that many of those were so short and gathered/flared – can we say “battleship hips?” Bompa bompa bompa WOMP! (I have no idea how to spell out what I just did with my voice to illustrate battle ship hips musically, but I tried!) I could and would do a printed pencil skirt or a simple floaty A-line that hits just above the knee, though, couldn’t you? <—- (Oh my word I love the question marks in this font!)

    1. LOL. I had to click over to the comments to see the question mark! I agree, I don’t like the shape of those skirts.

      I love a pencil skirt though. It just seems that most of the ones out right now are floral, and it reminds me of 1982.

  9. Oooh, a turquoise bag sounds like such fun!

    I’m being a rebel right now by wearing flats over my bare feet. Sure, I’ve regretted it when the snow seeps in. I’m sure I look silly as well, but some I just can’t bear to wear my boots again! Also, some days I’m carrying a bright mustard yellow purse for the same reason. I love my winter hand bags, but enough already! I may not look fashion forward of seasonally appropriate, but it does make me smile!

    I’m curious, what is your spring bag?

  10. Howdy. I’m here by way of Big Mama. First timer. I’d just like to say that I’m definitely not a fan of the gladiator/caged shoes. Especially when they’re paired with the tapered pants. They remind me of the little old men that go out on the beach clad only in speedos, argyle socks and sandals.

    It just ain’t right.

    I guess just because something is considered “fashionable” doesn’t always make it wearable.

  11. I think the boyfriend blazer is adorable and goes with the big bump I am supporting. I love the heels, but I just swore off heels until the princess arrives. My feet can not take it any longer!!!

  12. It IS nice to live in TX, but spring is not quite here. Of course we don’t have repeated snowfalls, but I’m still wearing jeans and layered shirts. All while dreaming of wearing the cute, vibrant colored skirts at Old Navy and such. And dreaming of being done with the maternity clothes. 11 weeks!

  13. Hi Jo-Lynne! I found your blog via BigMama, and after reading about you I’m quite intrigued! I just (as in, minutes ago) requested “Real Food” from my local library and can’t wait to read it! And thanks for this post – I’m in southwest Ohio and we are having similar weather. I think we’re even getting more snow this weekend. I’m so ready for sundresses and flip flops I can’t stand it!

    1. Oh I think we have a ways to go before we get to wear sundresses and flip flops. *le sigh*

      I’m so glad you found me! I hope you stop back again.

  14. It IS so nice to live in Texas! Low here tonight is 55…. But they are forecasting three inches of snow for Tuesday night! I am loving the turquoise bag, always loving the cardigans. The print skirts and boy blazers will be cute on my daughters. While black & white & big sunglasses are simply timeless here in Texas, along with our big hair!

    I saw some kids skirts in Target yesterday that were exactly like the ones my kids wore in the early eighties. I don’t wanna relive the 1980’s.

  15. I love the cardigans…..they are here to stay!

    I have weird arms….so the boy blazers always look goofy on me.
    Something is always wrong with the fit.
    I search high and low for the perfect one. Maybe one day….

    Love the new stuff!

  16. I remember wearing my cropped, skinny jeans in the 90s and swearing I’d never get into the boot cut look. Now, here we go again…backwards! Oy…

  17. I WANT to wear that dress to my sister’s rehearsal. I’ll google and gasp, I”m sure. And even though my rule for 2009 and 2010 is to buy 0 black, adding a splash of turquoise in that cute handbag, and maybe a turquoise pashmina will allow me to break the rule.

    Off to gasp.

    (BTW, the first handbag you featured is beautiful. I can totally see you carrying that one.)

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