**This article was featured on Richmond.com a while ago. I just never got to re-post it here.
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As savvy fashion consumers already know, the fall fashion shows have came and gone, and hoards of fashion nerds are drooling over the pics, tweets, and blog coverage. But spring is just around the corner and the collections we saw way back in early fall are finally making their way into stores.
From romantic silhouettes trimmed in lace to rebellious get-ups in neon hues, there are plenty of mind-blowing looks to get the adrenaline pumping. So as the last of the winter sales finish up and we step into spring, let’s think back to the trends of the season and see what a few Carytown shops have to offer.
It’s time to clean out your closets, sell your gently loved goodies to
Clementine (3118 W. Cary St.) or
B-Sides Boutique (2925 W. Cary St.) and update your wardrobe with some new spring finds.
As usual, the spring runways were filled with a plethora of trends from pretty pastels and all things girly to hyper colors and crazy prints. One trend making big ripples is Yves Saint Laurent’s ’70s style. Designers including the likes of Marc Jacobs, Derek Lam and Aquilano Rimondi all paid homage to the Yves standard of ’70s cool, making this olive green jumpsuit from Eurotrash (3009 W. Cary St.) a quintessential piece for the season. It’s sassy, sophisticated, and oh so fun with its retro vibe. Dress this look up with a pair of heels and some delicate jewelry for a night in the city or throw on a pair of sandals for a day of fun with the girls. No matter the occasion, you’ll be turning heads in this number.
The ’70s trend doesn’t end with jumpsuits. Hot pants are on fire this season and they’re showing up in stores everywhere. Try pairing hot pants with a feminine blouse for a sophisticated look. These khaki shorts from Need Supply Co. (3100 W. Cary St.) are the perfect accompanying piece to this chiffon peasant top. With this look, you can pay homage to the era, while staying fresh and updated with sheer fabrics.
Many designers decided to turn away from the dark side with an offering of all white ensembles complemented by soft pastels. The overall effect? Ladylike looks that scream elegance. Wipe the slate clean and create your own all-white combinations for something up-to-date. You can also try throwing ultra-light beige pieces into the mix for a similar effect. This sheer tank blouse and lace skirt duo from Need Supply Co. provides a look that’s soft, girly and totally romantic.
Pure diversity is the only applicable term to explain this season’s trends in lace. Designers found inspiration everywhere from needlepoint influenced looks to street punk style. In his return to the Old West, Ralph Lauren invoked romance with a white palette and lace tablecloth dresses, while Christopher Kane balanced out his dainty silhouettes with neon colors that popped. This sheer lace dress from Eurotrash is ultra feminine and oh, so cute. The ruffle detailing at the bottom adds to the elegant femininity of the silhouette. Pair it with a blazer for a sophisticatedly sexy look.
Hot pants too risqué for you? You’re in luck. Midi-length skirts hit spring runways in full force, from knee-covering skirts to ankle-length free-flowing numbers. Just ask Narciso Rodriguez, who ushered in the trend with soft-edged minimalism. Longer lengths have made a very stylish comeback. The dress-over-pants look was also seen in a few designer collections, including the likes of Richard Chai Love, perfect for a little outfit variety. For a funkier take on the trend try pairing a skirt over a pair of pants. A sheer black skirt adds an element of playfulness to this trendy jumpsuit from Need Supply Co.
Runways erupted with an array of eclectic prints this season. Whether it’s flowing fabrics in floral patterns or form-fitting silhouettes in graphic motifs, quirky prints are in. The Mulleavy sisters of Rodarte decided to take their inspiration from the towering redwoods native to their Northern California hometown. This tank dress from Need features an all-over color blend pattern, fitting in seamlessly with this trend. It’s quirky yet romantic with its faded watercolor hues, while the open knit long-sleeve cardigan offers warmth from the last of winter’s chill with plenty of room to breathe.
Here is but another example of spring’s “nouveau” hemlines. If this length seems too reserved for you, an asymmetrical cut can add an element of edge to this otherwise demure silhouette. Pairing a midi-length skirt with a wedge heel also updates the look with youthful flair. This semi-sheer tank maxi from Need Supply fits artfully over a sheer black skirt for a more off-beat twist. For dresses and tops with extra-wide arm openings such as this, a bandeau serves as the perfect under armor.
Stripes were seen aplenty on spring runways. This striped cardigan from Eurotrash adds classy appeal to this form-fitting underpinning. The classic solid color of this outfit is perfect for a smaller dosage of the trend. But for a truly bold look, you can try mixing large stripes with smaller stripes. Or for those who prefer a more daring challenge, try mixing a stripe with a non-stripe pattern, such as a floral.
Whether you’re into pretty pastels, hyper colors, or crazy prints, there’s something for everyone this season. Take your pick from super short hot pants to floor-grazing skirts. The ingredients to a sizzling spring wardrobe are reaching stores now.
Still not sure what to wear? That’s ok, you’ve still got some time. Check out "la crème de la crème" of the city’s boutique and designer finds at
RVA Fashion Week (April 2 to April 9).
(Special thanks to
Need Supply Co. and
Eurotrash.)
**You can also check out the article at it's original location at
Richmond.com.
