Top Five Spring Trends 2009

Sarah Hathorn asked:




With the dark dreary days of winter behind us and the smell of spring on the horizon, it’s time to think about adding a few of this season’s latest trends into your wardrobe. This season people are shopping differently than in years past. I advise all of my professional clients that it is not necessary to invest thousands of dollars on a new spring wardrobe. Learn to shop in your closet and make a list of the casual outfits or working suits that need a bit of spice and magic to bring them alive for spring. Simply take your list and this Top Five Trends for Spring article to your favorite stores to help you interpret the trends and select a few new pieces while still watching your budget. If you add four to six new items to your spring/summer wardrobe, you will look quite stylish and modern.

Before we talk about the trends, it is always important to understand the colors for the upcoming season. Pantone, the company that works with the fashion industry and designers, has introduced the new colors on the spring runway to be in shades of melon, lemon yellow, dark citron green, violet, fuchsia red, blue and neutral tones like soft lavender, slate grey and rose dust.

1). Neutral Tones

I personally love neutral tones. I feel there is so much versatility and elegance to a woman who knows how to project style and sophistication through the harmony of dressing in one neutral tone from head to toe. Spring’s neutral palette is more subdued than last season. It is highlighting barely-there tints like alabaster, cement, grayed blues, pale camel and soft blush hues. Along with this trend you will see how white is used as a neutral and mixed with gold this season as we move further into the summer months

Jackets / Tops / Blouses – Jackets are cropped trench styles, tailored blazers and neutral pantsuits in beautiful fabrics. After all, don’t we always notice the woman who wears an exquisite fabric with a few details that can make a boring neutral color come alive and look smashing? For weekend wear, smock tops and blouses will be in metallic and matte tones to add some texture to those great white summer pants. I love mixing neutrals with white. It’s so fresh and clean looking!

Pants – This season look to add a few pairs of slim, cropped pants to your casual wardrobe. These pants are more flattering on medium to tall women, as the pant just skims the silhouette.

Dresses – Neutral tones will be shown in all types of dresses including shirtdresses, casual dresses with ruffled collars and jersey styles. Don’t forget to look for fun details that add some gathering, like fine smocking details on these solid styles throughout the waist, hem, or upper bodice to give some pizzazz to that plain neutral dress.

Accessories – Are you tired of all those same ol’ handbag styles? Look for the long bag with short handles, which is a new style of bag for spring. A soft shape, like a slouchy bag, looks great when paired with a more casual outfit. For work try a new soft leather clutch in a neutral tone, or the new white handbag that will go with your entire summer work wardrobe. Spice up your shoes a bit by wearing natural materials, woven leather, woven metallic and neutral tones with pops of color like yellow or blue on the shoe. Opened-up footwear will call for those polished toes to be seen this spring, as you will want to wear more peep-toe pumps, as well as sandals in great metallic and neutral tones. White shoes return, and you can look more modern by shopping for ones with accents of gold added to the white leather. If on a tight budget, think about adding a few pieces of jewelry, especially brushed metals. Look for white and gold throughout the accessories departments in handbags, shoes, jewelry and belts.

2). Cuban Colors

Color is back this season in addition to those fabulous new neutrals. Cuban colors are not the bold bright hues like in seasons past, but a palette of mid-tones that are new for spring.

For ready-to-wear pieces you will find colorful prints and patterns with a mix of stripes, floral, polka dots, plaids and checks. Colorful silhouettes will be simple but revolve around core wardrobe pieces like blouses, jackets and skirts.

Jackets / Blouses / Tops – Fitted blazers and belted jackets in fun colors will be woven throughout this colorful trend. Dressy colored blouses and shirts will be embellished with details like pin tucks, ruffles, and cutout lace sleeves. For your casual wardrobe try a scarf-printed top, bold graphic floral or a colorful smock top paired with white slacks or jeans.

Sweaters – Buy a new sweater for your business casual look and layer your ensemble to look more professional this season. These will be in citrus colors, as well as patterned sweaters like argyle, striped, floral and geometric.

Skirts / Pants – To show off your great legs, wear a variety of great spring skirts from the dirndl, gathered, pencil and tulip styles in everything from solids to floral and tonal stripes. Instead of denim for casual this spring, look for the new non-denim pant – great cotton and Lycra pants in white, khaki, or stone. They actually look better paired with the mid-tone color and neutrals of spring. If you love your Capri’s, opt for a pair of slim cropped pants in a Crayola