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By Emily Farra

Despite the ageless appeal of crazy floral prints, ridiculous silhouettes, and the ever-present cheetah-print bootie, sometimes you just want something simple.  I often remind myself of this when I toy with my closet too much and end up looking … well, not like me.  I then resort to my go-to outftit consisting of Genetic skinnies, a loose tee, and a wrist stacked with bracelets — but this spring, I want to branch out more.

The new simplicity I’m going for includes simple shapes (like I talked about in this previous post) plus the newest mod inspiration: color-blocking.

Color-blocking adds a sharp, geometric edge to your outfit with literally no effort; when paired with streamlined pieces like dark skinny jeans and solid flats, color-blocking helps you make a bold statement that isn’t fussy or overly-trendy.

Designer Phillip Lim featured color-blocked neutrals in angular shapes for his Spring 2011 RTW show; beige, white, and black combine with sharp contrast for the utmost minimalist effect.

On the other hand, Issa showed a looser interpretation of the trend –  soft and fluid shapes with bright jewel-tone colors.

While complete opposites, both Lim’s and Issa’s executions are perfect examples of this minimalist-mod color block trend – but there are much cheaper (and more realistic) lookalikes for your everyday life.

The Forever 21 top below is perfect for the color-blocking rookie: it’s loose and comfy, and the colors are soft and complementary.  This tee looks easy and stylish paired with your skinniest jeans and a pair of flat sandals!  Bold jewelry elevates the casual look, so try this oversized gold cuff.

If you would rather control which colors you use, try combining solids, like the citron tank and mushroom skirt below, both from Nasty Gal. The neutral gray anchors the electric yellow shade so that the overall effect is both bold and subtle.

Add this multimedia wedge for even more color-blocking!  In neutral tan and black, they’re the perfect shoe to anchor your colorful spring wardrobe — and at $100, they’re hard to pass up!

by Emily Farra

When I think of the 90’s, the first thing I visualize is a young and “innocent” Britney Spears. Let me paint you a picture: She’s sporting a disastrous pink crop top that exposes her belly-button and ill-fitting, light-wash denim shorts. With the waistband rolled down.  And did I mention the crop top was a long-sleeved “henley”?

Who ever thought that was a good look?  Even as a middle-school student in an itchy plaid skirt, I knew there was something terribly wrong with that wacky outfit.  And thankfully, those midriff-glorifying days are over – along with the worst of the 90s fads – but playing with proportions is an age-old idea that’s here to stay!

I’ve always been one for oversize tops with skinny jeans and leggings in the winter; it’s the perfect way to be stylish and comfy when you’re studying at the library!  But in quite the opposite manner, spring and summer are presenting some interesting combinations as well…  and don’t say I didn’t warn you.  They’re totally addicting (and flattering).

I just bad-mouthed the crop tops of the 90s, but let’s be honest – we all know they’re back and better than ever.  The new generation of the “crop top” is loose and boxy, sometimes printed or patterned, and hits well below your belly button.  Similarly, these tops aren’t meant to be worn with low-rise cheerleader shorts that expose inches of bare skin; instead, the shorter length of the shirt calls for another unexpected fashion do: the high-waisted skinny jean.

And no, I don’t mean mom jeans! The new, retro version of the classic skinny jean we all know and love is the perfect counter to flimsy crop tops.  The jeans’ higher rise helps keep the bare-midriff dilemma at bay, and by drawing the attention in to your small waist (as opposed to your wider hips) the look is surprisingly slimming! You can get the same effect by simply tucking in a regular shirt into high-waist skinnies, or wearing a tiny corset with a full, high-waisted skirt (see below).  Add a skinny belt  for more definition, or throw on some heels to make your legs look miles long!  Whatever your preference, there’s no going wrong with these proportional basics, which will keep you going through next fall!

image source: UrbanOutfitters.com

When it comes to scouting new trends, the obvious place to start is the runway.  While copying ideas directly from the catwalk can be a bit far-fetched (hello, giant flower headpieces and feathered booties), they’re the best sources of fashion inspiration.  Finding your own way to interpret the latest runway trends is the trick to looking perfectly of-the-moment without sacrificing personal style.

That being said, one of the most glamorous trends this season is also the easiest to wear!  Bright, saturated colors in simple shapes create instant drama, and with the right accessories and attitude, the look is clean, effortless and youthful.

The photo below highlights one of the biggest color trends this season: ORANGE.  In hues from pale tangerine to bright poppy, orange is fresh, bold, and oddly classic – all at the same time.

As young college students, we have lots of room to experiment with this vibrant color!  It’s easy to make a statement with a geometric persimmon dress or chunky orange wedge, but if you want something a little more understated, try a sweet sheer top with orange-juice-tinted stripes.

Other colors to look out for this season are yellow, teal, lime, and white (yes, it counts).  If you’re up for a particularly bold look, try combining any (or all) of these hues together! Below is an example from the Gucci Spring 2011 collection — note that by mixing cool colors together, the looks are vibrant, yet not over-the-top.  Unfussy shapes and hues from the same color family work together to keep the outfits polished and sophisticated.

If that’s still too much look for you, try mixing 1 bright color with a subtle pattern.  Clean stripes or girly liberty-print are both the perfect foils to electric shades – they soften and refine the look without competing for attention.  Try a lime skirt with a navy stripe tee, like the Alice + Olivia Spring 2011 look below!

Simple accessories like thin scarves and dainty necklaces keep the look balanced and allow you to try your hand at mixing colors subtly. Spring pastels like seafoam, lilac, and lemon look sweet and unexpected paired with brighter hues like cobalt, lime and orange.  And don’t forget about those nails! The rainbow of bold, matte polishes from Essie make adding a punch of color to your outfit almost too easy!

Image Sources: style.com, essie.com