Dry Cleaners Directory
It's that time of year again.
Stores are bursting to the seams with new offerings. New catalogs are clogging your mailbox. Online vendors invite you to click around their sites, to see what's new for spring.
So how do you sort through all the trends to find the winners of this fickle race?
By remembering that while trends come and go, great style never goes out of fashion. Take stock of your body shape and lifestyle and pick and choose those seasonal offerings that suit you best. There are some tricky trends out there this year, so be forewarned. NOBODY can wear every style well, regardless of her height, weight, or bank account, so stick with the few that suit you well and pass on all the rest. As always, invest in classics, go cheap on trends.
With that in mind, here are some of the most figure-friendly looks of the season:
FULL
SKIRTS
Feminine and dramatic, full skirts work well on most body shapes and offer camouflage as well as comfort. If you prefer skirts to shorts or pants in warm weather, grab a few of these this season and look great wherever you go. But remember: if you have a thick waist or tend to carry extra weight on your tummy or hips, steer clear of styles that gather at the waist or that have bulky details around the waist or hips.
FLORAL
PRINTS
Spring is bursting out all over, even spilling onto apparel and accessories. From flirty and romantic to bright and sassy, you'll find tons of floral prints this year. Just be sure to keep them in scale with your body: large print on large bodies, small prints on small bodies.
This is one of
the easiest trends to follow, since you probably already have some scarves
in a drawer somewhere at home. Put them through the belt loops of your pants,
shorts, and skirts, and instantly update your old staples. Caution: Since
this look calls attention to the waist and visually "chops up"
the body, it looks best on trim waists and long bodies.
This trend continues
from fall, when jackets came back in a big way. Find a style that suits
you, and wear it again and again to update summer staples or add a touch
of authority whenever you need it.
Feminine, flirty, and
great for weather transitions, you'll find crocheted knits all over this
year. Opt for looks that accent your body in all the right places, avoiding
those that add bulk or are too fussy for your personal style.
This classic look returns
in full force this year, with everything from khaki separates to animal
print accessories. Whether you want to look like Ava Gardner from "Mogambo,"
or just want to flirt with the trend via a zebra print purse, you'll find
plenty to choose from this year.
The bohemian look has
been around for several seasons, evolving at every turn. This year's rendition
features beautiful ethnic-style tunics and printed tops that look like they've
been rushed to the stores from places like Romania and Marrakesh. Pair them
with your favorite jeans, shorts, or skirt for a dramatic, popular look.
If you love all the bright
colors of spring, you'll love the selection of colors this year. From dark
pink to aqua blue and sherbet to lime, you'll standout from the crowd in
these standout colors. Just remember to match the colors to your skin undertones
for complimentary - not clashing - effect.
Wedge heels are VERY
popular this year, and go great with many of the styles listed here. If
you want the height of a heel without the unsteadiness of a spike, then
you'll probably like the wedge. Wear them with casual gear however, as the
heel is too thick for formal or dressy attire.
White is THE color of
summer, and you'll find it in abundance this year. From dresses and suits
to swimsuits and shorts, nothing deflects the heat of the sun better than
cool, absorbent white. What? Your yellow undertones can't take the white?
Then opt for ivory instead.
Yes, I know - it's tempting to splurge on all the pretty new fashions, particularly when you're sick and tired of your current weather gear. But don't go overboard. Take stock of what you have, fill in the holes, and choose your trends carefully so you don't end up buying lots of stuff you don't need. After all, you work hard for your money; spending it wisely!
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Diana Pemberton-Sikes is a wardrobe and image consultant and author of "Wardrobe Magic," an ebook that shows women how to transform their unruly closets into workable, wearable wardrobes. Visit her online at www.fashionforrealwomen.com .
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