Spring Into Fashion

THIS SEASON IS ABOUT FASHION FUSION—PAIRING DIFFERENT
STYLE ELEMENTS LIKE MILITARY JACKETS WITH LONG FLOWING SKIRTS FOR WOMEN AND ATHLETIC SHOES WITH SUITS FOR MEN

By Deb Lehman

Once pink was the new black, then green and blue, now black is white today. In the fashion world, anything goes.

According to Bill Cunningham of the New York Times, “Fashions past often inspire fashions future.” The unpredictability of fashion is that it never follows a single direction.”

Indeed, Delus Active, visual manager for Esprit in Westfield, sees several directions for spring: “This spring’s fashion leaves room for experimentation and provides girls with the opportunity to create a variety of looks from feminine to military,” says Active.

The diversity of clothing items and accessories that are in style this spring makes it easy to be fashionable. With so many different cuts for skirts and dresses available, every girl is bound to find something feminine that flatters her shape.

One staple that no female wardrobe is complete without is the classic camisole.

“Lingerie-inspired looks are all over the runway this season,” says Active. “The lace camisole makes the outfit feminine. Wear a cardigan or jacket over it to work and remove it for a night out.”

Here’s where it gets interesting. What could be further from femininity than military? That’s the paradox of fashion. Two totally different looks can complement one another. The military motif is still going strong with lots of tailored, belted jackets adorned with epaulets and colored trenches. Cargo pants and pants with back pocket flaps are also very stylish.

“Combining a long flowing skirt with a military jacket is a great look,” says Active.

This spring’s fashionable skirts range from extremely short to knee-length, to mid-calve-length, to even ankle length. Fringe is popular for all skirts and looks best on longer skirts. Ruffles and asymmetrical hems are two things to look for when picking out your spring skirt. These skirts somewhat resemble last year’s short pleated shirts, but have more feminine flair to them. Of course, sporty tennis-inspired skirts, plaid kilts and other kinds of pleated skirts are still very in this spring. These pleats can be either large or tiny. Just keep in mind that for pleated and multi-layered skirts, the shorter the better.

There’s also more than one dress style favored by designers this spring. If you’ve always had a hankering for the Roaring Twenties, then now is the time to buy a silken flapper dress, straight, drop at the waist with asymmetrical hems. For women who
adore Audrey Hepburn, you’ll find full-skirted dresses ready to go for “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” Also, don’t throw out your timeless halters or strapless dresses that are frilly and full of ruffles.

Active says the round-toed shoe is back. So long pointy toes, make way for the next wave of ballet flats, high-heeled sandals, round-toed pumps and any kind of colored shoes, including sneakers.

When it comes to choosing the right colors for spring, Active says the palette is open-ended with green, yellow, white, pastel pinks, blues, and oranges. Purchasing pants, dresses, skirts and purses with either tiny or big flower prints incorporating some of these colors would be great moves.

Also, use all your solid tanks and tees for layering under off-the-shoulder sweaters, shirts and sweatshirts suggests Active.

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