It’s finally March, which means a few important things: Midterms. Spring Break. March Madness.St. Patrick’s Day. And, duh,warm weather! The sun is finally starting to peek out from behind the gloomy winter sky, and it’s time for our closets to reflect the changing season. We can start trading our boots and parkas for our favorite skirts, dresses, sandals, and swimsuits. And everyone knows the best part of spring is spring shopping.
We can look back to September and the Spring 2012 Fashion Week shows for inspiration, but let’s be real – we aren’t about to go buy those designer looks. Only a few spring trends are actually applicable to our college lifestyle, but there are a few simple tricks for combining practicality with high fashion.
1) Pastels. Designers like Calvin Klein, Dian von Furstenberg, Fendi and Erdem turned out candy-colored collections high on femininity and charm. Minty greens, pale pinks, soft lavenders and baby blues felt chic and subdued, not saccharine or babyish. This is easily the easiest trend to incorporate into your own wardrobe; try mixing pastel sweaters, dresses, pants and shoes with neutrals you already own.I’m especially fond of these pink skinny jeans; pair them with a long grey tank and metallic flats for a trend-conscious yet versatile look.
2) Extra-bold prints. I never pictured myself as someone who would wear a floral print blazer, but here I am, surfing the web to purchase a particularly wild optoin. Prints are always in style, but this season we’re seeing a shift towards neon explosions (at Mary Katrantzou), life-size flowers(at Altuzarra), geometric patterns(at Alice + Olivia) and vintage-inspired scarf prints(at Derek Lam). To make this trend work for real life, choose just one printed piece and keep everything else simple. Clean lines and neutral hues balance loud prints and ensure a chic result.
3) Short suits. The idea of a short suit (aka a regular suit with shorts instead of pants) feels a bit wacky. Images of awkward businessmen in gray pinstriped shorts may come to mind, but this was hardly the intention of designers like DKNY and Jenni Kayne. Short suits are feminine and quirky, taking the stuffiness out of the typical “business formal” suit. The fact that these suits typically come in a rainbow of colors (not the standard black and gray) adds charm and whimsy to the structured silhouette. Keep your look casual by pairing a short suit (try a pastel for double-trend points, or a versatile navy or cream) with a simple tee underneath, and add a chunky necklace for visual interest. Ballerinas or flat sandals maintain a streamlined effect, while classic Converse sneakers provide a bit of juxtaposition.
