Happy spring! It’s time for my fashion forecast. After reading a total of 2000+ pages including Vogue, InStyle, MORE, O Oprah magazines, plus countless Nordstrom catalogs, and my favorite T Magazine and weekly Style sections of The New York Times, I’m ready to give you the lowdown on this season’s trends.
The good news is that I just de-cluttered my closet so there’s plenty of empty space waiting to be filled. It’s been two years since leaving my full-time job — out went all my tailored suits, skirts, dresses, and heels. While I’m still a fashionista, my semi-retired lifestyle demands more casual attire. As for the corporate gig – I now enjoy helping my daughter A establish her career-building wardrobe.
Spring 2015 Fashion Trends To Rock The Season
Here are highlights along with pix from my recent purchases and some candid commentary. There are so many trends that it sometimes feels like anything goes:
♥ White is always in season, this year you’ll see white lace tops and white eyelet skirts and dresses. (I bought a pair of white jeans last year. Not too many whites for me – I always seem to get blueberry stains on my white tops from all the blueberries I eat.)
♥ “70’s Are Back Again” was the headline in a recent The New York Times Style section. Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour mentioned the “70s decade” in her letter last month. (Remember all the hippie styles? I had my share of peasant blouses and patchwork prints. Sadly, I didn’t save any of these oldies.)
♥ Gingham is popular. (I like gingham in pastel colors for the summer especially gingham sundresses.)
♥ Jumpsuits are jumping. (I don’t know about this trend. I like the look of jumpsuits but don’t like undressing when I have to go to the bathroom. Ugh!)
♥ Jungle, tropical, and floral prints are popping with a variety of bold colors beyond the standard green. (Wasn’t this a trend last year?)
♥ Slim tunics are stylish worn alone, belted, or worn as a longer top with leggings. (This style may be good for petite frames like mine. The team at Coolibar sent a stylish tunic to try. All their clothes are made with sun protective fabrics so UV rays cannot penetrate through to your skin. Note: I’ll be writing more about this clothing in May for Skin Cancer Awareness Month.)
Camilla Olson Tucked Maxi and Coolibar Tunic
♥ Maxi dresses are made for day and night. (Designer Camilla Olson sent a sample of her new Tucked Maxi. I’m such a lucky blogger. I can’t wait to wear the maxi to my niece’s destination wedding. The simple darts coupled with my Spanx slim out my middle-aged middle. Plus the modal fabric is easy to pack without wrinkling.)
♥ Wide leg trousers and culottes to cover your legs. (Did someone say culottes? Now that is a pant that seems to crop up again and again. Think culottes belong in the 70s or was it 80s when I wore midi-culottes – I can’t remember.)
♥ Relaxed trench for rain or shine. (I tried on a dark blue relaxed trench at the LOFT but even an XS was swimming on my petite frame.)
♥ Jeans are a standard whatever the weather. Whether you like them skinny, distressed, boyfriend, ankle or short – you can have it your way. (I still love my DL Florence Instasculpt jeans. They are the best and don’t stretch out. However, I bought a pair of distressed boyfriend striped jeans at the LOFT because they fit me perfectly. Am I too old to wear distressed jeans? It was final sale so I cannot return them. LMK what you think with a comment. I’m a bit distressed about wearing my distressed jeans during my life after 50.)
Distressed jeans and DL Florence jeans with LOFT tops. Muscle tees are popular this spring.
♥ Activewear is still for exercising or all day long. (My favorite type of clothing and the largest section of my closet. I love Zella leggings for yoga. Covered Perfectly, created by boomer Pauline Durban, sent a Simple Comfort Orchid tee that I like to wear to yoga too.)
Coolibar active wear and Zella leggings.
Color Trends To Brighten Your Spring Wardrobe
The editors at InStyle magazine shared a wonderful section on the top 10 color trends in their April issue. They worked with the experts at Pantone Color Institute to create “An Insider’s Guide To This Season’s Colors.” And the winners are:
♥ Strawberry ice ♥ Classic blue ♥ Aquamarine ♥ Toasted almond
♥ Lucite green ♥ Scuba blue ♥ Custard ♥ Marsala
♥ Tangerine ♥ Glacier grey
I picked spring colors at the LOFT – grey, aquamarine, and classic blue.
Accessories To Activate Your Sunny Styles
I always like to accessorize, unless I’m going to the gym. (I take that back, I usually also wear coordinated socks and sneaks. Sorry, I cannot help myself. I do need a fashion detox — maybe during my life after 60 or 70. Or will I forever be like the 90 year old style icon Iris Apfel – who I adore. BTW, I’m going to preview her upcoming movie IRIS and report back to you soon with a review.)
Here’s the accessory report from my 2000+ pages of reading. You don’t have to buy them all, just treat yourself to a few. Mother’s Day is coming up next month so if you’re a mom perhaps send this list to your kids.
♥ Sheer pink sunglasses ♥ Sporty accents like sneakers with a dress
♥ strappy sandals (some are wearing these with socks) ♥ bucket bags
♥ pale gems and pastel watches ♥ skinny silver and gold long necklaces
♥ neutral nail colors ♥ retro pink lips
♥ “au natural face” ♥ classic black shades
I like Vince Camuto flats, BZees lightweight sneaks and sandals, and new Essie colors in Flowerista and Perennial Chic neutral.
There you have it. My fast-paced forecast of spring 2015 fashion trends. Let me know your favorites and what looks you’ll be wearing this season.
Let the sunshine in!
Judi
How fun! I can’t believe it’ll ever warm up enough to wear spring clothes, lol. I’ve still got a backyard full of deep snow 😉 But I’m loving the new shades for this season. I just bought a cobalt blue ruffled lightweight weather from a designer featured at the Peabody Essex Museum store. Right now, I’m pairing it with a black tunic with blue and aqua bugle bead embellishments, but I look forward to wearing it with white jeans one of these days. 🙂
Allison, sounds like you have some trendy new clothes. I too hope the weather warms up soon.
Thanks for the wonderful spring style suggestions – an area where I have no clue!
Holly, so glad the tips were helpful. Enjoy your spring shopping.
I actually just bought my first pair of distressed jeans and they ended up being my favorite. I love the white, but I end up with orange and red stains on them no matter what.
Rena, I think I am going to like my distressed jeans during the summer in the outdoors. They are very comfortable. I agree about the white, as I mentioned my white clothes all get blueberry stains.
My stylist Elizabeth said to wear my muscle tee tucked into my distressed jeans and get a cool belt. She is such a great stylist at Styling with Elizabeth.
Wow, so much color. I really have to practice what I preach and step out of my own style comfort zone. Ok, deep breath, color…
Anita
Go ahead Anita. Step out of your zone. Do it.
Judy, I need you for my personal shopper! I always buy the same thing. That’s why I love Chico’s because the salesgirls say TRY THIS ON! And I do and I love it.
I love white and I love flats so I’m going to try the Vince Camuto’s. I enjoyed seeing your photos and I liked several of your pieces. I’d love to see them ON you next time! Oh, and 2000+ pages? Wow!
You really rock! Will you take me shopping? Excellent post!
Thanks Cathy! Glad to be a personal shopper. Next time I’ll ask someone to take pics. Happy spring shopping.
Thanks for doing all the leg work for us gals! I am ready for a few updates to my spring/summer wardrobe. I try to purge my closet twice a year of the stuff I haven’t worn in a season, or the stuff that I bought for when the extra 10 lbs. magically disappeared. LOL. However, I am glad to see fashions from the 70’s coming back again. I was fond of that era and like the flowy, easy vibe, the cloths had.
Tammy, it’s good to purge those old clothes every season. I just cleaned out my closet this morning. Happy spring!